Category: Olive Oil

No. 626Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Scottish Vintage Oat Cakes

Scottish Vintage Oat Cakes | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Simple with historic ingenuity these are still a staple today-Scottish Vintage Oat Cakes the newest Little Jewel in the Membership Collection.

SCOTTISH OAT CAKES

These oat cakes have been a part of Scottish cuisine dating as far back as the 14th century. The story goes that nuns in Scotland were making “little pancakes rather like communion wafers”, and this is thought to describe the making of oatcakes.  Scottish soldiers would carry oats which they moistened then griddled.

Scottish Vintage Oat Cakes | Bijouxs Little Jewels

MODERN OAT CAKES

The texture of today’s oatcakes may vary from rough to fine depending on how the oats are ground They are a fantastically flexible cake, from breakfast to dinner and cocktail hour.

With just 5 ingredients these modern Scottish Oak Cakes are very easy to prepare, then keep on hand. Rolled oats, oat flour or finely ground oats, baking powder, salt, olive oil or butter along with hot water-that’s it. Really.

The dough is rolled out thin, cut into 2-3 inch rounds and popped in the oven to crisp. After 15-20 minutes golden brown and crisp cakes emerge ready for you to spread your favorite toppings.

Scottish Vintage Oat Cakes | Bijouxs Little Jewels

CHEESE & CRACKERS

My favorite take on these cakes is pictured here, sharp creamy French Roquefort with a drizzle of rich local avocado honey-perfect. These very simple crackers are a vessel for your favorite sweet or savory spread. Nice to accompany a cheese plate too.

No. 626 Scottish Vintage Oat Cakes one of hundreds of recipes that await you in the Collection Membership.

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Giant Beans with Tomatoes & Herbs

GIANT BEANS WITH TOMATOES AND HERBS | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Grab a little wintery comfort with a bowl of GIANT BEANS WITH TOMATOES AND HERBS a simple oven bake bursting with flavor-no boring beans here.
From my Collection Membership to you.

GIGANTE BEANS

Beans pictured here are giant lima beans, which are easy to procure online. The orginal recipe from Andrea Gentl uses a bean called “fasolia gigantes,” which are large white beans used in Greek cuisine, many times in the dish referred to as ‘Gigantes plaki’, which is very similar to this recipe. The Greek beans are available online. This dish is often served as a main course and best of all it is vegan-friendly. *One thing to note is that the beans need to be soaked overnight in lots of fresh water prior to cooking. Do not be tempted to peel off the skins, this will cause the beans to split and become mushy.

TOMATOES AND HERBS

The prepped beans* are baked in an herb-based fresh tomato sauce with oregano, thyme, bay leaf and fresh rosemary. Bake them in a 350° large covered casserole until tender for 2-3 hours, adding extra water as needed. My beans took the full 3 hours and required extra water, but time will depend on the size of your beans.

GIANT BEANS WITH TOMATOES AND HERBS | Bijouxs Little Jewels

GREEK COOKING

This particular recipe originates from a port town on Serifos, although this bean dish is served in many part of Greece. It appears as the term “plaki” pronounced Plah-KEE, refers to a Greek cooking method where the food is baked or roasted with plenty of tomatoes, veggies, and extra virgin olive oil, just as these beans are prepared.

HEALTHY DINNER

This bean dish is healthy, tasty and very satisfying. Serve with lots of extra Greek olive oil and a dense bread with a crisp crust, perfect to mop up the sauces. Simply Beautiful Food from Greece for the home kitchen.

 

No. 620Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

The Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup

The Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

My-go to soup in chilly weather, the classic Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup. Recipe No. 620 in the Membership Collection.

THE PARIS COOKBOOK

This classic cookbook by Patricia Wells is one I go back to soooo.. many times for recipes, and the star for me is The Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup. Another one to mark is “Les Allobrroge’s Braised Lamb Shanks with Garlic” -the four spice rub is amazing. “Slow-Roasted Salmon with Sorrel Sauce” is also a winner-a cookbook worth owning. I know Fall is on its way when my Hydrangea begins to loose its oak shaped leaves.

The Market Gardener’s Zucchini and Curry Soup | Bijouxs Little Jewels

SIMPLE SOUP

This zucchini soup is simple, and a quick cook in the kitchen. You can vary the amount of curry, as Patricia notes, I do go for the full tablespoon of curry in my soup. The soup freezes well and is to have a great on-hand.

 

 

No. 619Recipe Card Posted on by — 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 by — 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

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