No. 619Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

LA Hippie Nachos

LA Hippie Nachos| Bijouxs Little Jewels

These nachos are special, they are LA Hippie Nachos. Lots of little nudges make regular nachos special, Hippie Nachos No 619 from Bijouxs Little Jewels Collection.

HIPPIE NACHOS

So, what are Hippie Nachos you say? I came across this recipe online here, and had to make them. They really are such a step-up from standard nachos, yet remain true to the classic.

THE RECIPE

Who does not love nachos?? I have made them many ways over the years but discovered Hippie Nachos a recipe from artist Louesa Robuck. I met Louesa right after I moved to Ventura, a chance encounter and a friend and I went out to view her Monotype paintings in her studio. That was how the connection began. Her beautiful book Foraged Flora had just come out and she gifted me a copy! So, over the years I have attended her work shops Punk Ikebana, it was great. She truly is a talent.

ALL ABOUT THE BEANS

I think the key to this recipe is the amping-up of seasoning of the refried beans that make these nachos so special. Do not skip this step in the recipe. It’s an easy fix and really makes a difference. Once you prepare the beans you can assemble the nachos and broil to cheesy brown delights. The Have’a Corn Chips are also special, available in many markets.  

LA Hippie Nachos | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

Serve the nachos right out of the skillet while still warm.

No. 618Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Squash Blossom Frittata

 Squash Blossom Frittata | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Beautiful squash blossoms adorn this end of the season simple frittata recipe- No.618 Squash Blossom Frittata in the Membership Collection.

BEAUTIFUL FOOD IN OUR KITCHENS

It’s easy to see the everyday beauty right here in our own kitchens. Just looking at these lovely fragile squash blossoms brings the beauty of nature right before our eyes. A simple walk out to the garden brought forth these blossoms.
Squash Blossom Frittata | Bijouxs Little Jewels

ALONG THE COAST

This year the weather by the beach has been filled with lots of foggy days, often not clearing until late afternoon, to that end my squash bloom crop was small and a one time event towards the end of the season. The zucchini were small, not a vibrant year. I had to supplement my squash blossoms with some from the famers market to have enough for the recipe.

FRITTATA

Frittatas are one of my favorite breakfast/brunch recipes in the kitchen. This Italian little jewel is so easy and so adaptable. Make it your own and add in your favorite vegetables, cooked bacon or sausage, fresh herbs and cheese-use your breakfast favorites. I posted a recipe for a Green Tomato Frittata, a perfect way to use up the unripe tomatoes that show up at the end of the season.
Squash Blossom Frittata | Bijouxs Little Jewels

JOIN THE MEMBERSHIP COLLECTION

I created the Membership Collection to allow my readers complete access to all my 600+ recipes, and avoid nasty pop-ups, ads and tracking  that  you find on most other (food) websites. It takes forever to get to the recipe. The small membership fee helps keep the Bijouxs Little Jewels coming to you. ad free. Thank you!
No. 617Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Simple Linguine with Clam Sauce

Simple Linguine with Clam Sauce | Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen

From the pantry to the table this Simple Linguine and Clam Sauce will be on repeat in your home. Bijouxs Collection Membership Recipe No. 617 Prego!

LINGUINE AND CLAMS

For years I ordered this dish when I dined out, little did I know how easy it is create at home, plus it uses basic on-hand pantry ingredients–a little kitchen jewel.

CANNED BABY CLAMS

Canned clams are available in almost any market, as is the bottled clam juice. People may shy away thinking this dish may taste fishy, but no, the baby clams are mild and sweet. This is a pasta dish you can serve to almost anyone and they may not guess there are clams in the sauce. 

CLASSIC ITALIAN

Linguine and Clams is a traditional Italian dish. This is a take on the dish with a few twists. The linguine is cooked in the clam broth, which adds deep flavor to the pasta, and keeps the sauce light. This method also makes cooking the recipe very easy. The other twist is to top the pasta with toasted bread crumbs Sicilian style. Then just a  touch of fresh parsley and oregano complete the pasta.

No. 616Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Pesto Stuffed Shells with Truffle Marinara Sauce

Pesto Stuffed Shells with Truffle Marinara Sauce | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Large pasta shells stuffed with basil pesto and baked in a Truffle Marinara sauce, easy dinner Italian elegance-Pesto Stuffed Shells with Truffle Marinara Sauce from the Membership Collection.

SHELL PASTA

The large shell pasta is perfect for stuffing. I like the simplicity of stuffing the shells with pesto, it makes the recipe easy to prepare. I also like the lighter take on this pasta dish, not loading up on a heavy cheese stuffing.

STORE BROUGHT INGREDIENTS

The key to the simplicity of the recipe is that you are using store-bought pantry items for the bulk of the recipe. Jarred marinara sauce, ready made pesto, and grated cheeses are easily pick up on the way home.

STAUB GRATIN

Consider this an investment piece in the kitchen you will use over and over again. You have seen it many of my recipe photographs, it really is a little jewel. Mine was a limited color Jenni Kayne color, but the new Grenadine color is lovely.

Pesto Stuffed Shells with Truffle Marinara Sauce | Bijouxs Little Jewels

DINNER IS SERVED

This simple pasta dish makes a dinner alongside a green salad and toasty garlic bread if desired.

No. 614Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Kale, Feta and Dill Salad

Kale, Feta and Dill Salad | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Simple, fresh ingredients are what make this salad a bright addition to your table, No.614 Kale, Feta and Dill Salad from the Membership Collection.I know a kale salad, bla-bla, but not this one is anything but boring with its super-fresh lemony kick with salty-creamy feta and bright fresh herbs.

LOVE LEMON & OLIVE OIL

As if I needed another cookbook, this image is just a small representation of my vast cookbook collection. This recipe is from Lemon Love and Olive Oil from Mina Stone. I love the Greek influence in the recipes. The ingredients meld perfect with my SoCal roots. A beautiful book to add to your library.

Kale, Feta and Dill Salad | Bijouxs Little Jewels

LACINATO KALE

The kale of choice for this recipe is Italian Lacinato Kale, the chlorophyl-dense dark green leaves are a perfect foil for the fresh lemon, creamy feta cheese and crunch from toasted pumpkin seeds. It also goes by the name Dinosaur Kale due the rough texture of the leaves.

KALE SALAD

Yes, we do need another kale salad, so do not pass on this one. I have adapted this salad from the new Mina Stone cookbook. As you can see this simple salad is bursting with fresh flavor, the perfect weekday lunch or dinner side salad. No boring salads here.

Kale, Feta and Dill Salad | Bijouxs Little Jewels

THE MEMBERSHIP COLLECTION

Kale, Feta and Dill Salad | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Be sure to check out my Collection Membership-less than $3 a month for over 614 recipes, with beautiful photography, full recipes and NO ADS or POPUPS! I think it’s pretty groovy. Distraction free cooking, plus access all the recipes right from your phone when you are shopping, perfect. I designed the collection for all of us who cook at home.

Please enjoy!