Recipes

Quince compote with bay leaves and vanilla

The arrival of quince on the market stands always signals the beginning of winter for me;  quince are the last tree fruits to arrive at the end of the season and, since they keep well, they are also one of the last available at the end of the year.  My grandma primarily used quince in […]

Quince compote with bay leaves and vanilla Read More »

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The arrival of quince on the market stands always signals the beginning of winter for me;  quince are the last tree fruits to arrive at the end of the season and, since they keep well, they are also one of the last available at the end of the year.  My grandma primarily used quince in

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Chickpea and butternut squash hummus

This is  a recipe that I recently cooked for a tasting at O Panier Local, the cooperative farm store here in Orthez where I work as a volunteer. The idea was to present an easy dish for the Holidays made primarily with local produce from the store. This inspired me to add local butternut squash

Chickpea and butternut squash hummus Read More »

Slide 1

This is  a recipe that I recently cooked for a tasting at O Panier Local, the cooperative farm store here in Orthez where I work as a volunteer. The idea was to present an easy dish for the Holidays made primarily with local produce from the store. This inspired me to add local butternut squash

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Pan-seared scallops with creamed fennel and leeks

Coquilles St.-Jacques, or sea scallops, are one of the delicious pleasures of the late fall French table. The season  for their fishery opens on October 1st and continues through the holidays, when they feature on many menus, especially for New Years Eve.  Careful management of the fisheries has meant an abundant supply (Monterrey Bay Seafood

Pan-seared scallops with creamed fennel and leeks Read More »

Slide 1

Coquilles St.-Jacques, or sea scallops, are one of the delicious pleasures of the late fall French table. The season  for their fishery opens on October 1st and continues through the holidays, when they feature on many menus, especially for New Years Eve.  Careful management of the fisheries has meant an abundant supply (Monterrey Bay Seafood

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Pan roasted duck breast with roasted quince and cabbage

The arrival of quince is a landmark of late fall:  quince are traditionally the last tree fruit of the year to show up on the farm stands, usually in mid to late November. So they have for me an association with the holidays of the end of the year.  This may be, in part, because

Pan roasted duck breast with roasted quince and cabbage Read More »

Slide 1

The arrival of quince is a landmark of late fall:  quince are traditionally the last tree fruit of the year to show up on the farm stands, usually in mid to late November. So they have for me an association with the holidays of the end of the year.  This may be, in part, because

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Apple Chutney

In 2018, we planted a little apple tree in a sunny SE corner of our yard.  These days, it has grown to important size and yields a lot more lovely eating apples than we can possibly eat.  So after having given bags to all our friends and neighbors, and eaten apples everyday for a month,

Apple Chutney Read More »

Slide 1

In 2018, we planted a little apple tree in a sunny SE corner of our yard.  These days, it has grown to important size and yields a lot more lovely eating apples than we can possibly eat.  So after having given bags to all our friends and neighbors, and eaten apples everyday for a month,

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Chicken tagine with olives and preserved lemon

Paula Wolfert called this dish “one of the great combinations of Moroccan cookery”, and its hard to argue with her.  Its a very satisfying dish indeed, especially when made with the legs of older, free-range farm chickens, full of flavor.  And be sure to use lemons you have preserved yourself (see my recipe for preserved

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Slide 1

Paula Wolfert called this dish “one of the great combinations of Moroccan cookery”, and its hard to argue with her.  Its a very satisfying dish indeed, especially when made with the legs of older, free-range farm chickens, full of flavor.  And be sure to use lemons you have preserved yourself (see my recipe for preserved

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Baked tomatoes stuffed with sardines, roasted peppers and capers

The perfect recipe for summer, when tomatoes and sardines are both in season.  Note that you can replace the fresh sardines with  canned tuna, sardines or mackerel, which makes the prep a lot easier. This recipe can be made ahead to the point of the final bake then held in the fridge and baked just

Baked tomatoes stuffed with sardines, roasted peppers and capers Read More »

Slide 1

The perfect recipe for summer, when tomatoes and sardines are both in season.  Note that you can replace the fresh sardines with  canned tuna, sardines or mackerel, which makes the prep a lot easier. This recipe can be made ahead to the point of the final bake then held in the fridge and baked just

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Sardines en persillade “a la plancha”

Simple, quick and delicious, grilling on the plancha is perhaps THE arch-typical cooking technique of southwestern of France.  A plancha is a heavy, flat-topped grill, and in the southwest, one cooks most everything on it.  Sausages, whole fish, shellfish (if you see razor clams on the plancha on a menu, order it!), chicken, duck hearts,

Sardines en persillade “a la plancha” Read More »

Slide 1

Simple, quick and delicious, grilling on the plancha is perhaps THE arch-typical cooking technique of southwestern of France.  A plancha is a heavy, flat-topped grill, and in the southwest, one cooks most everything on it.  Sausages, whole fish, shellfish (if you see razor clams on the plancha on a menu, order it!), chicken, duck hearts,

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Pork cheeks braised with Normandy apple cider and violet artichokes

Tiny violet artichokes are one of the joys of late spring.  The pale green new leaves are tender enough to eat whole, especially if slowly braised.  Pairing them with rich, meaty pork cheeks simmered in Normandy apple cider, is a sure winner; the region of Normandy is known for pork, apples and artichokes so it

Pork cheeks braised with Normandy apple cider and violet artichokes Read More »

Slide 1

Tiny violet artichokes are one of the joys of late spring.  The pale green new leaves are tender enough to eat whole, especially if slowly braised.  Pairing them with rich, meaty pork cheeks simmered in Normandy apple cider, is a sure winner; the region of Normandy is known for pork, apples and artichokes so it

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Fava Bean Hummus

Still another way to enjoy fava beans during their (too short!) season. Thanks to my good friend Kelly Lillis for this recipe, which I first enjoyed at her home. This recipe works great for fava beans that have started to get starchy, save tender young favas for another use. The recipe is very quick and

Fava Bean Hummus Read More »

Slide 1

Still another way to enjoy fava beans during their (too short!) season. Thanks to my good friend Kelly Lillis for this recipe, which I first enjoyed at her home. This recipe works great for fava beans that have started to get starchy, save tender young favas for another use. The recipe is very quick and

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