No. 509Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Farmers Market Sunny Salad

Farmers Market Sunny Salad | Bijouxs Little Jewels

A trip to the Farmers Market today brought a sunny smile to my face and this salad to my table. Farmers Market Sunny Salad is an easy ray of sunshine, another Little Jewel from the Kitchen.

FARMERS MARKET

It’s been way more than an minute since the local Farmers Market has been up and running at full speed. Most of the vendors are back. Splendid butter lettuce, radishes, heirloom cherry tomatoes, and my favorite edible flowers, along with the elusive mulberries.

Farmers Market Sunny Salad |Bijouxs Little Jewels

EDIBLE FLOWERS

What a quick way to add a smile to any dish by adding edible flowers. They are in season at the Farmers Market and I wanted a fresh, cheerful salad to serve. Although you usually see edible flowers in restaurants, they are becoming more available to home cooks. I added them to my plates when I worked as a private/personal chef years ago. I am happy to see them back in the market today.

PROBIOTIC COCONUT WATER

I have been making some healthy changes to my routines after reading the book Fatal Conveniences, yikes, we are exposed to sooo many toxins. Time to begin some simple changes. As a chef, the freshest organic produce is always my choice. I found Inner-Eco Probiotic Coconut Water. (No, this is not sponsored, just me here) I used it in this light dressing for the salad, Balsamic vinaigrette which includes the probiotic. An easy add-on to a health routine.

FARMERS MARKET SUNNY SALAD

This is a light, bright salad that includes butter leaf lettuce, radishes, heirloom cherry tomatoes tossed with Balsamic vinaigrette and of course edible flowers. I love the pansies smiling faces. Treat yourself as if you were someone you really loved. This is a nice way to look at self-love and eating healthy food is a part of that equation. Sending bright and sunny Spring wishes to all from the Bijouxs Kitchen. Thank you for your support.

 

No. 507Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue

Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue | B ijouxs Little Jewels

French Puy lentils, the smallest, deep green lentils make the most interesting salads. Today a delightful salad, Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & Gorgonzola–another Little Jewel from the Bijouxs Kitchen.

PUY LENTILS

If you have not tried Puy lentils from France, this salad is a great entry point to these lovely little jewels. Lentils are one of the most comforting legumes, like pinto beans and chickpeas, however Lentils du Puy are immediately different to the eye from the usual brown or red lentils. With a unique blue-gray green hue and small is size, Puy lack the mushiness of other lentils. This firmer texture make them an excellent fit for salads.

PLENTY

One of my forever favorite chefs is Yotam Ottolenghi. I bought the first version of the famed restaurant’s cookbook name Ottolenghi when it was first published in England, all recipes were in grams. The platters of food in the restaurant are displayed in the most appealing manner, it was immediate love.

Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue | Bijouxs Little Jewels

VEGETABLE RECIPES

It is always a blessing to lay back on the heavy foods and concentrate on fresh vegetables and legumes. The vegetable recipes featured in Plenty are among my favorites. This salad is a take from one in the cookbook, I took a slightly more French spin. A great ingredient in this salad are the roasted tomatoes, with the effort, don’t skip these.

Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Puy Lentils with Roasted Tomatoes & French Triple-Cream Blue | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Puy lentils and French style triple cream blue, a semi-soft cheese cross between blue and brie, are the changes. Savor this Little Jewel salad from my kitchen to yours.

 

No. 498Recipe Card Posted on Leave a comment

Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup & Parmesan Toast

ROASTED HEIRLOOM TOMATO SOUP & PARMESAN TOAST | Bijouxs Little Jewels

The gray days of late winter are all about California’s fickle weather. Today it’s rainy and cold, even snow on our local mountains. Staying present my senses are telling me soup. Classic tomato soup takes on a Italian profile–Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup with Parmesan Toast is a comforting little jewel. Continue reading Roasted Heirloom Tomato Soup & Parmesan Toast