Category: Side Dish

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Spiced Lentils & Brown Rice (Mejadra)

Spiced Lentils with Brown Rice

Spiced Lentil & Brown Rice first came onto my radar through Jerusalem the Cookbook, now a classic. Humble ingredients, lentils and rice, are spiced to create a wonderfully satisfying
vegan dish, for lunch dinner, or breakfast. A savory dish that truly is a little jewel.

MIDDLE EASTERN COOKING

The flavors and spices used in Middle East cuisine are among my favorites: cinnamon, cumin, ginger, and allspice. My friends from the Middle East have over the years given this California girl some lessons, and the dishes work wonderfully in our California cuisine template.

Kitchen standards like Chickpea & Fava Stew (Ful), Zahtar Chicken & Tangerine Couscous and Roasted Strawberries with Labneh and are among my go-to recipes, fresh, simple and healthy eating. Once I began cooking the cuisine, I sought out cookbooks to widen my knowledge. Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi’s book, Jerusalem, not only shares recipes but stories from both of the chef’s childhoods and the food they grew up on.

Here at Bijouxs Little Jewels, I keep the recipes surprising, delicious and created for the home cook. I love to experiment with new recipes from cultures all over the world – good food is universal. Many times my friends introduce me to new recipes, food is all about sharing.

Spiced Lentils & Rice (Mejadra)SPICED LENTILS & BROWN RICE

I love simple dishes that combine a grain with a legume, such as Arroz Congri (Cuban Rice and Black Beans and Frijoles de la Olla (Beans in a Pot). This combination is satisfying and economical dining. The recipe can be made either in the Instant Pot or stovetop. I have made this both ways, and since I purchased the Instant Pot I have been giving it a try to simple and hasten long cooking dishes. In about 15 minutes Spiced Lentil & Brown Rice is ready to serve.

Spiced Lentils & Rice (Mejadra)

I have made a few minor adjustments, such as using less oil to sauté the shallots, and topping with fresh cilantro, a drizzle of olive oil and additional fragrant spices. A spoonful of yogurt sauce would lend a creamy texture. Finish with a green salad and some fresh fruit. Cuisines from around the world are little jewels.

No. 371Recipe Card Posted on by — Leave a comment

Market Basket Summer Salad

Market Basket Summer Salad | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Summer simple = salads. What better way to take advantage of the seasonal bounty by pairing sweet and savory in one salad.  A salad of made up of farmers market finds highlights radicchio, figs, peaches, & feta cheese, seasonal everyday beauty in the kitchen, always a little jewel. Continue reading Market Basket Summer Salad

No. 338Recipe Card Posted on by — 2 Comments

Lemon Miso Dressing

Lemon Miso Dressing | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Sometimes, just one small change can yield big results. Begin making your salad dressings from scratch and yield some delicious, healthy results. Lemon Miso Dressing for salad days at Bijouxs.

HOMEMADE SALAD DRESSINGS

A simple change, such as making all your salad dressings from scratch is one that brings delicious results and saves money on your weekly food bill. Another advantage of course, is that the dressings are fresh, made without preservatives and you can control ratios of key ingredients, such as salt and fats. Once I made this change at the beginning of my cooking journey, I never looked back.

Salads play a regular part of most home cook’s weekly menus. Their freshness plays well along side dinner entrees and they often may be the mainstay at lunchtime, either at home or to work. With your homemade dressings at-the-ready, it’s easy to keep salads fresh and interesting, and it’s a simple change.

Once a week, usually on Sunday, I make up two salad dressings for the week. I make smallish quantities, about a cup of each just enough to be used that week, ensuring freshness and variety. A simple splash of lemon & olive oil is always an additional option for salads, variety is the key.

LEMON MISO DRESSING

A basic dressing, like Lemon Miso Dressing, plays well with a variety of greens, here I picked up some Lamb Quarters lettuce at the farmers market. For lunch, I include crisp raw vegetables and some protein and lunch is served.

The savings realized by crafting your own salad dressings affords the opportunity to sample some wonderful oils and vinegars. I like to splurge and have one nut oil, such as walnut or hazelnut, in the pantry and a really good Champagne vinegar, such as Vilux, which is a versatile and delicious salad basic. A great everyday olive oil and a basic red wine vinegar round out the salad pantry.

BIJOUXS FAVORITE DRESSING RECIPES

Some Bijouxs favorite salad dressing recipes to try include: Green & Black Peppercorn Dressing, Bijouxs House Vinaigrette, House Caesar, Blue Cheese Vinaigrette. Choose flavors you enjoy, experiment and in no time you will be enjoying your own salad dressings everyday, a small change change, with big results.

Also, a warm welcome to all the new Bijouxs Recipe Newsletter subscribers! Thanks to everyone for supporting the Bijouxs Recipe Collection and enjoy Salad Days with Bijouxs

 

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