Category: Side Dish

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Dishoom’s Gunpowder Potatoes

Dishoom's Gunpowder Potatoes| Bijouxs Little Jewels

You got me with the Masala Chai. The Indian recipes found in Dishoom: From Bombay with Love are amazing. I have been dabbling with Indian cuisine for years but this book’s Gunpowder Potatoes are worth the read. Armchair traveling from Bombay with Love is a Little Jewel from the Kitchen.

BOMBAY CUISINE

Indian cuisine is soo so much more than just curry. I like to bring you the best recipes from all cuisines to the website, cook’s love to learn and share.

The recipes in From Bombay with Love are from Mumbai and are dishes that are traditionally found in that region. Learning to cook the world’s cuisines is a challenge, however the flavors are well worth it. Dishoom’s Gunpowder Potatoes are a prime example of complex spices and flavors that really make humble new potatoes sing. This is also a good entry point into Bombay cooking, The potatoes make a unique &  flavorful side to accompany an entree.

Dishoom's Gunpowder Potatoes | Bijouxs Litle Jewels

GUNPOWDER POTATOES

Flavors building on flavors is the key to these potatoes. Toast and grind the trio of spices to release the oils and scents from the spices.
Simply steamed small new potatoes are then broiled to achieve a crispy golden crust. The tender potatoes are cut into craggy pieces using a large metal spoon. These rough edges absorb all the favor goodness.

Next the rest of the ingredients including the melted butter with onions, cilantro, lime and chili, are tossed with the bowl of hot potatoes. Optional is Kebab Masala, a unique Indian spice blend, I do recommend adding it, it adds another depth of flavor (found on Amazon of course).

Dishoom's Gunpowder Potatoes | Bijouxs Litle Jewels

 

From Bombay with Love – Little Jewels from the Dishoom Kitchen.

 

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Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Grated Romano Cheese

Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Grated Romano Cheese |Bijouxs Little Jewels

Crispy sweet and salty fries what is not to love? Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Grated Romano Cheese another little jewel recipe from the Recipe Membership Collection.

GOING GREEN

This recipe is adapted from one of my favorite new cookbooks. In my search for all-things plant based I saw incredible burgers from Martin Nortin’s book, Green Burgers.The Zucchini with Grilled Green Onions and Garlic is wonderful. I have cooked the recipe but my burgers do not look at gourgous as the photos in the book. I really respect the author, he photograped and created the book by himself, I know about that gig myself with my cookbooks.

ALL ABOUT THE SIDES

The sides are almost as important as the burgers, after all are not fries required with a burger? I love potatoes, all varieties. In the above mentioned book, I love that the author has provided a generous selection of sides. I have not been doing as much frying lately, so the Bake Sweet Potato Fries caught my eye. These fries are made with Japanese sweet potatoes.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Grated Romano Cheese | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Grated Romano Cheese | Bijouxs Little Jewels

JAPANESE SWEET POTATOES

Japanes sweet potatoes vary from our American sweet potatoes. With a red skin, pale interior and fluffy texture the Japanese Murasaki variety are a bit creamier. They can be roasted at high heats, 425-450 degrees F. They work wonderfully for sweet potato oven fries. They can take the heat to develop a brown crust and stay soft. One of the best potatoes for oven sweet potato fries.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Grated Romano Cheese | Bijouxs Little Jewels

Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Grated Romano Cheese Recipe No. 550 from the Recipe Membership.

 

 

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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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Stir-Fry Mushroom Larb

Stir-Fry Mushroom Larb | Bijouxs Little Jewels

You will love this plant-based take on Larb, the classic Thai spicy salad. Traditional with ground meat but here the mushrooms are the stars in Stir-Fry Mushroom Larb, another Little Jewel from the Kitchen.

THAI LARB GAI

Thai Larb Gai Salad is a tangy and spicy salad with ground meat, cucumber, radishes and herbs. Often Served with lettuce wraps for a refreshing meal.

THAI FOOD

I came to love this dish at a local Thai restaurant near my home, where the fish cakes were stellar! I share them here on my blog. The chef and his wife cooked and ran the tiny eatery, I was so sad when they shuttered. Many times the chef allowed me into the kitchen to see how they prepared the dishes. When I entered the restaurant they began making my favorite dishes. Such beautiful people.

SHITAKI MUSHROOMS

The real “meat” in this recipe are the dense Shitaki mushrooms. When they are crisp and brown they take on a substational part of the recipe. Traditional Larb ingredients such as mint, peanuts, ginger, garlic and fish sauce complete the dish. Stir-fry is a quick way to develop intense flavors in a recipe.

Stir-Fry Mushroom Larb | Bijouxs Little Jewels

BON APPETIT

Stir-Fry Mushroom Larb | Bijouxs Little Jewels from the Kitchen

This stellar recipe was adapted from Bon Appetit Chef Andy Baraghani. His flavors are beautifully balanced and perfect for today’s appetites. His cookbook looks like one to add to my library. Ha, just what I need another cookbook! I was happy to see some of his recipes are available on his website, check it out.

Stir-Fry Mushroom Larb join here to access all 538 Recipes in the Collection.

 

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Bijouxs Basics: Kinda Joan’s Pickles

Bijouxs Basics: Kinda Joan's Pickles

I was missing my home town Los Angeles and craving the pickles that are served at Joan’s on Third. Here is my version of Joan’s on Third Sweet and Crunchy Pickles – a Bijouxs Basic recipe.

JOAN’S ON THIRD

I spent many a lunch time at Joan’s on Third at a table on the sidewalk. I worked in design field and the Westside locale is home to the design world.  I always ordered the Salad Trio; Chinese Chicken Salad, Curried Chickpeas and fruit, and of course a side of Joan’s Sweet & Crunchy pickles. Good news, you can purchase a carton of the pickles in the deli case. 

BIJOUXS BASICS: KINDA JOAN’S PICKLES

SWEET AND CRUNCHY PICKLES

BIJOUXS BASICS: KINDA JOAN’S PICKLES

Craving the pickles, I spent time searching for a close approximation of my memory of the pickles. This recipe, Kinda Joan’s Pickles, is my take and delivers a crunch that is not-too-sweet.  These are close to Joan’s pickles. I have placed some notes on the recipe card to help clarify the ingredients.

Super easy refrigerator pickles take but a few ingredients, no cooking, marinate then ready to enjoy in about 30 minutes. Of course they are even better the next day. Enjoy them straight out of the jar, add to sandwiches and great alongside a BBQ or picnic.

Kinda Joan’s Pickles a basic from Bijouxs Little Jewels in the Kitchen.

 

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