Category: Vegetarian

No. 595Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Mushroom Ragu

Mushroom Ragu | Bijouxs Little Jewels

This ragu is bursting with mushrooms and complex umami flavors, this may become your new Sunday sauce–Mushroom Ragu No. 595 in the Collection, another Little Jewel from the Kitchen.

MUSHROOMS

A vegetable based ragu so rich you will never miss the meat. Mushrooms are the key along how they are cooked, no rush here. This sauce is a great weekend project, perfect for Sunday Supper. Although this is a meatless sauce, the complex flavors beguile the diners. How can there be a ragu without meat? The answer is the richness from mushrooms, along with some traditional and not some not-so traditional ingredients.

L’ARTUSI, NYC

The recipe has been on the menu from day one at L’Artusi, and it is said there would be an uprising if it leaves the menu. Gargenelli pasta with mushroom ragu, ricotta salata. So loved, it can be ordered via Goldbelly here. Of course, although it relies on humble ingredients, all the parts must be just right for the sauce to come together. I followed the chef’s tips, such as brushing the mushrooms with a paper towel, avoiding any extra water. (I was one of those cooks who purchased a mushroom brush, but it is lost in the drawer of my food tools). Looking at this upgrading to improved mushroom brush.

RAGU INGREDIENTS

I have made this recipe a compilation of recipes, resulting in what I think is just a dandy mushroom ragu. Besides the mushrooms, the other cast of characters in this sauce are easy to find and work with in the kitchen. Onion, tomato paste and pasata, along with sauce favorites cream, butter, cheese and wine-what’s not to love. Ingredients such as Sicilian oregano, Red Boat fish sauce and mushroom broth are a some of the unique things you may not have on hand, but an easy order from Amazon.

SERVE THE SAUCE

I enjoy the ragu over polenta, Bob’s Red Mill makes an organic one, again Amazon, the stores don’t seem to carry their organic one. This umami-rich sauce is a winner over creamy-dreamy polenta. Also a great sauce for your favorite pasta.
Your new Sunday sauce from Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen.

 

No. 592Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Roasted Peppers with Boursin & Croutons

Roasted Peppers with Boursin & Croutons | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Roasted sweet baby peppers stuffed with creamy Boursin cheese and crispy croutons are the newest appetizer from Little Jewels from the Bijouxs Recipe Collection.

ROASTED SWEET PEPPERS

I love roasted vegetables and sweet peppers are fanastic simply oven roasted. Here’s how.
Place the prepped peppers in a baking dish, not a sheet pan. Simply season with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sea salt. Bake until brown and blistered about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, cool then prep for the recipe.

BOURSIN CHEESE

Stuffed peppers are a classic I updated by using new find Boursin Dairy Free Cheese. It’s acutally good. Soft and creamy, easy for stuffing the peppers, you won’t miss the dairy.

Roasted Peppers with Boursin & Croutons | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Roasted Peppers with Boursin & Croutons | Bijouxs Little Jewels

EASY APPETIZER FOR GUESTS

Roasting the peppers create the perfect vessel for stuffing a dollop of the cheese, top with some crunchy croutons, and serve with crusty bread and extra olive oil. Easy to make and easy to serve. Roasted Peppers with Boursin & Croutons, another Little Jewel Recipe from the Membership Collection. Join for access to over 500 of my best recipes, no annoying pop-ups or tracking. Beautuful Food by Design.

 

No. 590Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Avocado Olive Cake

Avocado Olive Cake | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Yes, we really do need another avocado oil cake recipe. Avocado Olive Cake, always a Little Jewel.

VENTURA AVOCADOS

As the avocados ripen here along the Coast, it’s time to savor the season. Once they become available locally I have one almost everyday. My neighbor has a stellar tree and I await the brown bag by my door filled with avocados. The groves fill our Ventura hillsides and some of the best avocados are right here in our own town. Many of the roadside fruit stands carry our local fruits. Avocado is a fruit you know. I like to shop local and support our local farmers.

Avocado Oil Cake | Bijouxs Little Jewels

AVOCADO OIL CAKE

One of my favorite cakes is made with avocado oil, not olive oil. When it comes to avocado oil, it pays to buy the best, purity is a factor. Check the date and ingredients to make sure you are getting PURE avacado oil. There are many brands to sample, I have used this Extra-Virgin one and found it quite good., easy order on Amazon. The cake is best made with a lighter avocado oil then finished with a richer extra-virgin olive oil, either way the cake is wonderful  I enjoy topping this tender cake with a dollop of crème fraîche.

Avocado Olive Cake | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Avocado Olive Cake | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

 

No. 586Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Creamy White Bean Soup

Creamy White Bean Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Flexibility is word for this recipe. Italian White Beans are the flexible Bijouxs Basics recipe which begin this soup. Start with one batch of Italian White Beans = Creamy White Bean Soup. Brilliant.

WHITE BEAN SOUP

Creamy White Bean soup is really just all about a puree of Italian White Beans with most of the beans, then adding in some still-whole beans. The soup is thick and creamy. Feel free to add extra vegetable broth if a thinner consistency is desired. Garnish with Parmesan cheese and Italian parsley.

Creamy White Bean Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

COMFORT SOUP

This simple soup provides a warming bowl for these challenging in-between days. The as we head into Spring, we still have plenty of cold weather left. Enjoy Creamy White Bean Soup, and stay warm.

Creamy White Bean Soup| Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

No. 575Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts

Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

During the dark days of Winter, which seem to be dragging on endlessly, comes a bowl of Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts – the newest Little Jewel Recipe added to the Collection Membership.

WINTER SPICE MIX

I have been circling around the house avoiding the foggy days here on the Central Coast. My comforts included the bowl of Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts, enjoyed anytime of day. Begin by make the Warming Winter Spice mix. You will use this for more than these oats, sprinkle on buttered toast, or add to your yogurt bowls. The Spice Mix is inspired from one I purchased long ago in San Francisco from March SF. The store is lovely, do check it out. I set out to recreate this spice and I think I got very close. A blend of cinnamon, allspice, anise and black pepper combine for peppery-warm mix.
Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

STEEL CUT OATS

I decided on Steel Cut Oats which are simmered with a touch of tahini and the spice blend. These two ingredients are what make this oatmeal special.  Water is added and the oats are cook to the desired level of creaminess. The oats are spooned into bowls, adding dried fruit such as raisins, and sweet papaya (my personal favorite, feel free to used dried) along with nuts such as pistachios and hazelnuts.
Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

WARMING BOWL OF OATS

To finish top add a few spoonfuls of warm vanilla almond ‘malk’ and a drizzle of Maple syrup.  The recipe is adaptable, use your favorite nuts and dried fruits. Savor Spiced Winter Oats with Fruits & Nuts, a new winter little Jewel from Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen.

 

Still Hungry?