Category: Tomato

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Paley’s Place Sausage & Mushroom Ragú

Paley’s Place Sausage & Mushroom Ragú | Bijouxs Little Jewels

The Pacific Northwest Paley’s Place , a recipe and cookbook that are both little jewels- Paley’s Place Sausage & Mushroom Ragú-No.552 The Recipe Collection

PALEY’S PLACE

After 26 years the Portland iconic restaurant closed in 2021. Left behind is a classic cookbook filled with recipes from Vitaly and Kimberly Paley. I have a million cookbooks but this one is special and filled with recipes and stores from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. It looks like a happy place no doubt. I found  my copy on Amazon.

Paley’s Place Sausage & Mushroom Ragú | Bijouxs Little Jewels

PALEY’S PLACE PORK RAGU

This recipe caught my eye. The spices in the sauce as very similar to my Baked Ziti with Sausage. A very memorable recipe from my No. 1 Family and Friends Cookbook.  Cinnamon is the spice that adds the ‘can’t put my finger on it” it’s delicious but what is it? 

The thinking comes from chef Vitaly Paley and unexpected flavors from his visit to Istanbul with his Turkish wife. He was able to infuse things from eastern Mediterranean, and Ottoman Empire flavors. There is so much to learn from the world cuisines, which is what keeps me cooking, always learning.

In his book, he shares his spice blend for making the pork sausage, which is quite simple and worth taking a look at. This recipe via 177MilkStreet uses bulk Italian Sweet Sausage as a short cut. I used the short cut however, I included a dash of paprika, ground fennel and ground star anise, which are the spices he used for his sausage recipe. The sauce is light but packed with flavor the perfect pair with a wide pasta such as Pappardelle.

Paley’s Place Sausage & Mushroom Ragú | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Cookbooks become the vessel to store all our food memories Little Jewels from the Kitchen.

No. 545Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Salsa Rosa

Salsa Rosa | Bijouxs Little Jewels

I have adapted a salsa recipe from Michael Chiarello’s Casual Cooking, 2002, a favorite Little Jewel.

SALSA ROSA

As a native Angeleno I love salsa of any kind. My adaptation of Salsa Rosa is easy, spicy and all things salsa sould be. The original recipe used roasted bell peppers, but I have substituted small tomatoes on the vine and a Serrano chile- so LA.

Salsa Rosa | Bijouxs Little Jewels

SIMPLE SALSA

Salsas can contain many ingredients but this one is simple; tomatoes, Serrano, chili paste and olive oil, easy! It is hot, so begin with a small amount of chile paste and roasted serrano, increase to your taste.

To make a vinaigrette for pasta (shown here) or fish, use 1 cup Salsa Rosa, 1/4 cup olive oil and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and blend well. Adjust to taste. The pasta is coated with a sheer yet flavor foward sauce; no heavy tomato sauce here. Also mix salsa into butter for chili butter corn in the cob.

Sslsa Rosa | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Salsa Rosa | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

NAPA STYLE

I miss Chef Chairello’s cooking and his products at Napa Style. Sadly, he passed in 2023, he will be missed but his recipes live on in his cookbooks and Food Network. Cheers.

 

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Bijouxs Niçoise Sandwich

Niçoise Sandwich | Bijouxs Little Jewels

The classic French Niçoise salad is reimagined as a sandwich- Bijouxs Niçoise Sandwich, another little jewel from the Recipe Collection.

CLASSIC FRENCH LUNCH

A Niçoise salad usually includes tuna, eggs, potatoes, green beans, which are all perfect for a salad. Reinventing the classic salad into a sandwich included some changes. I wanted the sandwich a lighter version, yet packed with Provençal flavors.

Niçoise Sandwich | Bijouxs Little Jewels

BIJOUXS NIÇOISE SANDWICH

I captured the my favorite elements of the salad and created the sandwich of my dreams. Ripe tomatoes, rich olive tapenade, capers, the ‘of course’ anchovy fillet, and fresh basil all topped with balsamic vinegar & olive oil – très bien.

I like to marinate the tomatoes first using the anchovy fillets and onion in the balsamic vinegar for a few minutes to impart flavor into the tomatoes, and create a lovely sauce to add to the sandwich.

Placing the ingredients on the baguette and rolling up tight in parchment paper. Place a weight on top to press the sandwich so the flavors can absorb for about 30 minutes.

Niçoise Sandwich | Bijouxs Little Jewels

A French lunch is served. Pack along with picnics and beach days. Bijouxs Niçoise Sandwich another Little Jewel from the Recipe Membership Collection.

 

No. 513Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Pappa al Pomodoro

Pappa al Pomodoro | BijouxsLittle Jewels

This simple soup is my year-round favorite, often made with canned San Marzano tomatoes when the fresh tomatoes disappear. Pappa al Pomodoro is a true Little Jewel.

THE RIVER CAFE

One of my favorite soups, hand down. I first tried this Italian classic in, of all places, London at the famed Rogers and Gray restaurant the River Cafe. I can not define the simplicity of this classic Tuscan Soup, but the flavor of that journey remains. This is really what Italian rustic cuisine is all about.

TOMATO & BREAD SOUP

What could be more basic that tomatoes, garlic and olive oil, built into a satisfying soup using day-old rustic bread. Italian genius. Tomatoes, fresh or canned, are simmered with garlic and olive oil, then day old rustic bread is added at the end to create an amazing bowl of soup. I think this about as close as food served in Italian homes.

SIMPLE AND RUSTIC

Chefs Roger and Gray created a window into Italian cuisine. The restaurant and their classic cookbook “Italain Country Cookbook” 1995 is one every home cook needs to have on their shelf. More than just a cookbook is speaks to a way of life and beautiful cooking in Italy. Nothing goes to waste.

 

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Really Rich Arrabiata Sauce

Rich Arrabiatta | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Does the world really need another Arrabiata Sauce recipe? I asked myself that question then tried this Really Rich Arrabiatta Sauce plant-based recipe, it now adds to the Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen. 

ITALIAN COOKING

My love for my cultural family recipes, most of which are either French,  Italian, or Homestyle Nebraska cooking, prompted me to try yet another version of Arrabitta Sauce. I shared so many Italian recipes on my Bijouxs website, I have lost count. Some favorites you might like to try include my break the website Lemon Tiramisu and Garlicy Italian White Beans for starters.

BEAUTIFUL FOOD BY DESIGN

I share over 500 recipes on my website with ad-free access and a printable recipe card–I think my site is a winner. I designed the site over 10 years ago using a clean, black & white design. My food photgraphy has remained lush, but uses only real food from cooking the recipes. I do not employ any foood stylist tricks, what you see is what you get.My photography has been featured in many publications. Did I mention I also have 3 cookbooks, those are available digital or print right here. Yup, I designed those too. 

REALLY RICH ARRABIATA SAUCE 

This sauce is really rich, yet is remains a healthy vegan recipe. I enjoy cooking plant-based dishes for many of my meals. In Italy the focus is on simple and this sauce is a perfect example. The combination of fresh tomatoes PLUS a rich Italian tomato paste create a sauce dense with flavor. The addition of red chili pepper flakes and a little balsamic vinegar finish the sauce.I use a organic ancient grain spaghetti to keep the healthy thing going.

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