Category: Vegetarian

No. 606Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Wild Mushroom Risotto

Wild Mushroom Risotto | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Where the wild things are…Wild Mushroom Risotto. Gorgeously rich with the flavors of the earth paired with the creamy comfort of Italian risotto. Little Jewel Recipe #606 from the Collection Membership-join the Collection here.

WILD MUSHROOMS

Well, not really wild, but cultivated species of the ever elusive mushroom. Pictured here are a collection from Santa Barbara farmers market, these will create a bellissimo risotto.

Wild Mushroom Risotto | Bijouxs Little Jewels

RISOTTO

If you have some fears about making risotto, fear not! It is an easy, creamy, comforting Italian dish you will make again and again. After all, it’s just rice.

There are many recipes to prepare risotto, too many to count, but Wild Mushroom Risotto is one you will want to collect. This recipe is easy, in that the mushrooms and risotto are sautéed together, keeping things simple.

This risotto keeps the mushrooms the same size as the risotto to create an even texture. Make sure you do not overcook the rice, keep a soft toothsome chew. It is ready when you can drag the spoon across the pan bottom and a trail remains. Remember the rice will continue to cook after you remove it from the heat.

I served the risotto in my favorite bowl handmade by a friend back home when I lived in Pasadena, great memories! Cheers.

 

No. 605Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes

Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Tomato season is just the best, and it’s here. Simple Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes on the dining table today. Membership Collection Recipe No. 605.

SUMMER TOMATOES

Up along the California Central Coast farming is going strong, with berries, stone fruits and our favorite fruit, Heirloom tomatoes, making an early appearance. These Heirloom beauties need little adornment to bring to the table.

Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes | Bijouxs Little Jewels

MARINATED TOMATOES

Slicing the tomatoes crosswise exposes the juicy interiors helping the marinade flavor penetrate the tomatoes. Finely chopped red onion, fresh garlic, chopped herbs such as parsley and basil are key ingredients. Just a touch of maple syrup and salt soften the marinade’s edge.

Marinated Heirloom Tomatoes | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Plate the sliced tomatoes in a single layer on a large platter then top with the marinade. As with most marinades, allow time for the flavors to meld, about 30 minutes. I made my tomatoes before the meal and stored for a couple hours.

I served the marinated tomatoes with thick slices of sourdough bread topped with Goat cheese and lightly broiled. I wanted to photograph that image but the tomatoes and toast disappeared from the platte! Sign of a good recipe.

Enjoy the season and Membership Collection Recipe No. 605. Thank you Members for your support.

 

 

 

No. 601Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Heirloom Yellow Oxheart Tomato Salad

Heirloom Yellow Oxheart Tomato Salad | Bijouxs Little Jewels

A simple preparation for the sweet queen of the season, Heirloom Tomatoes. Yellow Oxheart tomatoes are served in all their beauty. Recipe No. 601 from the Membership Collection.

HEIRLOOM TOMATOES

The farmers markets in the Central Coast of Cali are bursting with the first picks of the season. Since I am in the midst of the agriculture here fruit and vegetables abound. This year the tomatoes were early, after a wet spring, surprising most of us gardeners.

OXHEART HEIRLOOM TOMATOES

It’s lovely to visit the Farmers markets near Santa Barbara, you will find so many varieties. A friend brought me a bag of Yellow Oxheart tomatoes along with some small yellow cherry tomatoes. The Oxheart dates back to 1915 from Virginia.

SIMPLE FOOD

Tomatoes are the one fruit that does not need much adornment. Their sweetness is a perfect complement to the salty nature of the Manchego cheese along with the brightness of parsley.

Savor Heirloom Yellow Oxheart Tomato Salad simple and  new in the Membership Collection.

 

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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.

 

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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.

 

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