Category: Holidays

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Nantucket Cranberry Pie

Nantucket Cranberry Pie | Little Jewels from the Kitchen

Cranberries are always on the holiday table. Of course cranberry relish is a must for Thanksgiving, but cranberries are great baked into this Nantucket Cranberry Pie No. 622 in the Membership Collection.

SWEET-TART CRANBERRIES

My Collection #200 Cranberry & Pomegranate Relish has become a no-cooking Bijouxs favorite, using both raw cranberries & pomegranate seeds, so easy.
Next up is this Nantucket Cranberry Pie, wow is this good. When I say pie, well there is no crust in this, just a soft and buttery layer of cake bursting with cranberries

Nantucket Cranberry Pie | Bijouxs Little Jewels

UP-SIDE DOWN PIE

As you can see the pie has been inverted after baking, very much an upside-down cranberry cake. The best thing is how simple it is to prepare, and your guests will love it, not missing a Pumpkin Pie.

The ingredients are simple. Fresh cranberries, chopped walnuts and sugar are spread into a 10-inch pan (see notes). Next comes the topping, a simple vanilla batter, poured over the cranberries. Bake at 325°, for about 40-45 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out with moist crumbs.

Remove from oven run a knife around the inside edge to loosen the pie. Place a large round serving plate on top of cake and flip the pie upside down. The pie will release easily, but if some of the filling is stuck to the pan, remove and pat back into place. No worries a dusting of confectioners sugar after the pie has cooled will hide any imperfections.

Nantucket Cranberry Pie | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Serve at room temperature with a dollop of Crème Fraîche or whipped cream.

No. 615Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Blueberry Crisp

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Blueberries–dark, mysterious little glistening jewels, precious and sweet–dare I say, perfect for Blueberry Crisp, a simple jewel from the Bijouxs kitchen.

FOOD MEMORIES

It’s funny how cravings happen. A simple thought, conversation, or image can return you to a meal, a taste, a time and a place. Our beautiful Pacific Northwest is a place I have traveled to and enjoyed for many years–eating my fill of huckleberries, wild salmon and peaches to die for, and also…

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen

COASTAL SUMMER

When people California imagine summertime on the Central Coast, they’re probably thinking of blue skies and ocean breezes with perfect surfing waves. In fact, it’s usually about 60+ degrees here and the ocean is a little gnarly, the fog clouds hang like dark stubble out off the coast. But every afternoon we get a prevailing sea breeze and the sun usually shines.

LOCAL BLUEBERRIES

I have been able to pickup nice blueberries grown just north of me along the coast. I’m lucky to be North of LA and nestled in some of best fruit and vegetable agricultural growers. Baskets of bluberries are found at my Farmer’s Markets.

The memory of blueberries baked into a crisp in the Pacific Northwest. I recreated this lovely treat at home and it’s easy to do. Living in the dry, arid environs of Los Angeles area has precluded me from picking up fresh wild blueberries from the market, but I have found solace in the intense natural flavor from local berries, they make a bright, quick crisp.

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

 

BLUEBERRY CRISP

This recipe is one of the best I have ever encountered, no joke. It came from an vintage Saveur Magazine Numer 51, The California Road Trip. I am so happy I have kept all my Saveur copies for many years I subscribed. My many road trips north to Seattle area have lead me to the most amazing blueberries. This crisp recipe from the Trnindad area is like no other. So simple but the crispy-sweet crust is the winning part of the recipe.

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Blueberry Crisp | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Just a bite of this crisp takes me back, it hopefully will evoke a memory of your own, a comforting time now easily recreated in a dish. Enjoy!

 

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Friday Night Black Beans

Friday Night Black Beans |Bijouxs Little Jewels

The best recipe to pack for wonderful weekend getaways or lounging at home–Friday Night Beans are truly a Little Jewel from the Kitchen.

WEEKEND KITCHEN

Spring is almost here and boy, I can’t wait to get out and pack up for a weekend jaunt. These beans are part of my Mason Jar Cuisine along with my Mason Jar Blueberry Muffins. We don’t usually go far but a picnic at our local beach is just fine. It’s an easy formula; Mason Jars filled with salad, black beans, cornsticks (or cornbread) and cool things to drink.

Here’s how. During the week prepare some of your favorite picnic foods, mine include a jar my no-egg Caesar Dressing for salad or dip; a jar of black beans cooked with a hamhock (Cajun style); and Mason Jar Blueberry Muffins.  The beans are super-quick using the Instant Pot. The night before prepare the beans and bake the blueberry muffins and while the oven is hot bake the cornsticks. The morning is easy, just pack and go enjoy the weekend.

Friday Night Black Beans | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Friday Night Black Beans | Bijouxs Little Jewels
BLACK BEANS

There is no waste with cooking these recipes. The extra black beans make tasty lunch quesadillas or bowls served with rice  and the muffins are great for the lunch box. I like use glass jars, yes, they are heavy but are so much more sane for the environment and our health. I love these French Canning Jars with the snap lids, and they come in many sizes. Bring along an insulated tote to keep things warm, along with a large thermous filled with your favorite beverage.

Let’s go for a picnic with Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen.

 

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Lucques Braised Short Ribs

Lucques Braised Short Ribs | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Memories of Sunday Suppers at Lucques bring a favorite recipe from the beloved restaurant, Lucques Braised Short Ribs–another Little Jewel from the Collection.

SUNDAY SUPPERS AT LUCQUES

LA had some storied restaurants and Lucques was one of my favorites. Lucques opened in 1998 and sadly it shuttered on May 6, 2020, my birthday. The Sunday Suppers were legendary, I still have a menu from a 2009 Sunday Supper. A group of friends and I dined and savored the dinner. Truly a fabulous place. Thankfully, Suzanne Goin published a cookbook that contains recipes from the restaurant.

LUCQUES COOKBOOK

There are so many recipes, I cannot call out just one. Here is a favorite, a very popular menu item, Lucques Braised Beef Short Ribs, they had remained a permeant fixture on the menu.

BRAISED BEEF SHORT RIBS

I have been making this since day one of purchasing the cookbook. It takes a bit of planning but is such a satisfying dish.  I have jiggled with the recipe a bit. Seared short ribs are braised in a broth with wine, balsamic vinegar and baby pearl onions. The ribs are fall-apart tender. I love serving them with Celery Root Purée that I serve with my Lamb Shanks with Garlic Confit. Below is a menu from a Fall Harvest Menu for 6 Cheers!

BIJOUXS FALL HARVEST DINNER MENU

Starters
Cheese & Charcuterie Board
Champagne

Green Salad Vinaigrette
Sauvignon blanc

Braised Beef Short Ribs with Celery Root Puree
Baguette
Cabernet Red

Dessert
Apple Crisp
Bourbon Whip Cream

 

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Chewy Brown Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Chewy Brown Butter Oatmeal Cookies | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Cookies & milk for Santa. He really loves oatmeal cookies and these Chewy Brown Butter Oatmeal Cookies will make a treat to thank him for his visit. A Little Jewel from the Bijouxs Kitchen for the Holidays.

COOKIES & MILK

I remember my son and I leaving cookies out and milk for Santa when he was young. Later when a little older he filmed with his video camera not Santa delivering gifts, just Mom. That magical phase had passed but stiil a sweet memory.

BROWN BUTTER

The real key to these cookies is the brown butter, do not skip this step. It is really easy to make. Just place the butter in a heavy low skillet. Melt over medium heat, then it will start to foam, then turn clear and you will see the butter browning. DO NOT TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE PAN. Remove it from the heat when the butter starts to brown and transfer to a glass container to cool before proceeding with the recipe.

CHILL OUT

Once the butter has cooled you will mix in the brown butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla and add to the dry ingredients. No need for a mixer, a rubber spatula works great. Just mix until the flour is absorbed. Place the bowl of dough uncovered in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.

Chewy Brown Butter Oatmeal Cookies | Bijouxs Little Jewels

BAKE THE COOKIES

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Scoop the dough with a large 2 ounce cookie scoop to make about 15 cookies. Place the scoops on the lined cookie sheet and press down gently to about 1/2 inch thickness. Return remaining dough to refrigerator. Bake the cookies about 12 minutes until the edges are brown and the center is pale and puffed. They may look underdone, but they will continue to bake outside the oven.

Sprinkle lightly with the flaked sea salt and transfer to a cooling rack. Allow cookies to cool for 15 minutes before sampling, if you can!

 

Still Hungry?