A summer evening outdoor concert spurs Bijouxs Basics. Working as a personal chef I had the opportunity to prepare meals for the most amazing families, many of which I still count as friends. An impromptu evening with such a former family, along with plenty of catching up, reveals a most requested Bijouxs, the house vinaigrette, and after all, Bijouxs is all about sharing the little jewels. Continue reading Bijouxs French Tarragon House Vinaigrette
Category: Mustard
Victory Garden Salad
Yes, small victories count. Planting a small crop of lettuce provides salads for weeks, then sow more seeds and voila, lettuce appears. The simple Mesclun mixed variety is my favorite and produced this simply beautiful Victory Garden Salad a little jewel from the garden.
VICTORY GARDEN SALAD
Celebrate, a small victory in my garden. As always, starting with the freshest most healthy ingredients are keys to a great salad. Now, residing in a tiny cottage in the central coast, life has changed. No more sprawling garden, space in my yard is a premium. I have three small areas to grow my garden favorites. Since space is so limited I have narrowed it down to a few of my favorites. First on my list is growing lettuce for salads, from which I create a multitude of dishes, much more than just salads. For years I have been growing mesclun greens mix.
GROWING MESCLUN
Mesclun is a Provençal word that describes a mix of tender salad greens and many times includes herbs. The name comes from “mesclular” which is a mixture, which describes this mix of lettuce, also sold as spring mix. It is frequently served in restaurants and widely available in the supermarkets. However, growing your own lettuce is easy and very rewarding. When you feel like a salad just go out and clip some fresh greens, no waste and many of varieties are “cut and come again” meaning if you clip the leaves more new leaves appear. Almost anyone can have a small victory garden, you can grow this lettuce in a 12”inch pot, perfect for apartment dwellers. A volunteer nasturtium joined the party.
MESUCLUN SALAD
Spring mix greens are in every store now. They are very tender and must be handled with care. Also, they tend to have a short life in the refrigerator, another reason to grow your own greens. In looking for a salad recipe the first chef to really feature these greens was Alice Waters, from her I take my lead.
Gently wash greens and place in a salad spinner then roll them loosely in a clean kitchen towel and store in the refrigerator until you are ready to use. They are best used the same day, but can usually survive overnight, but not much longer.
My favorite dressing is French, made directly in a wooden salad bowl, then topped with the greens and brought to the table, ready to toss and serve. This dressing is my everyday dressing, my go-to in the kitchen. This real French dressing is simply made by place a small clove of garlic in a wooden salad bowl, with a pinch of salt and pepper and mashed into a paste using a wooden spoon. Dijon, red wine vinegar are added and mixed, then olive oil is whisked by hand until the dressing comes together. Voila, a perfect salad.
Grown your own Victory Garden Salad. Stay well.
Yoga Pants Salad
The name of this salad caught my eye, because most days I am wearing yoga pants and yes, the salad’s healthy status is fabulous. Sample some of the best of Santa Barbara cuisine-The Yoga Pants Salad, a little jewel.
Bijouxs Bistro Eggs
Mornings, or anytime of day, is just calling out for eggs. Bijouxs Bistro Eggs, a lovely little gem for a French twist on a favorite – get the newst little jewel. Continue reading Bijouxs Bistro Eggs
Pan-Seared Steak with Sake Sauce
No grill required. Pan-Seared Steak with Sake Sauce utilizes two of the most basic kitchen tools to create a special celebratory dinner at home – a taste of teppanyaki in your own kitchen, a little jewel. Continue reading Pan-Seared Steak with Sake Sauce