Caramelised Apple Crumbles

The last of the three Fuji Apples Inspired recipes. But not the best... The apples were too sugary/buttery (too caramelised! deuh!). I prefer a version with less caramel in the apples and with some almond meal in the crumble (like here; in French). 

Split Pea Soup + Arugula/Bresaola

This split soup  (here in English) is different from the one I was used to in Belgium. More plain. No bacon.  But good too. The combination of lemon + paprika added at the end is very interesting. I'll make it again. However if somebody happens to know a good Belgian recipe, I am interested.

Hide Bread

A recipe from the Big Sur Bakery cookbook that you can also find here (in English). It has never been so  easy and fast to bake your own bread. Almost no kneading. No rising time. I usually freeze the breads (already cut in halves). Once needed, just put the frozen bread directly in the toaster and enjoy.

Pancakes

An american classic that has now become a classic on our week end breakfast table as well. The only difference: we scaled down their sizes.  Here is the recipe (in French). And here +/- the same recipe  with whole wheat flour  (in English).

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The winter never ends this year. We have a rainy day again today. Rainy and windy. A good excuse for baking some cookies. Since I've been here in the US, I've tried several recipes. The one I like the best is this one (in french). Important tip: do not mix the dough too much.

Beets Soup (Chilled)

I'm the only one in the family enjoying the beets. Usually I eat them cold with some salad and potatoes after they have been roasted at 400 degrees F for about 35' (in a oven safe dish with a little bit of water - covered with aluminium foil - peeled after baking when cooled). Here I made a soup mixing the beets (cooked as I just wrote) + water + orange juice (1/2 of the water) + onions/garlic fried until tender + salt/pepper). Recipe from the Everyday Greens cookbook (which uses 3 types of beets for adding color to the dish). Do not forget to put some orange threads (obtained putting them in boiling water for 1 minute or 2) and some "creme fraiche " on the top.

Blue Cheese/Walnuts Crisp Polenta + Arugula

Quick lunch inspired by a recipe from the Everyday Greens Cookbook (p.281). With yesterday's dinner leftovers.

"Pseudo" Nutella

Camille helped me peeling the hazelnuts. She was very motivated since I told her that we were going to make Nutella. The result is ok but far away from the real Nutella. I'll keep trying and let you know...

Custard/Apple/Caramel Pots

I told you that I couldn't wait... I made the second Fuji Apple inspired recipe (here) and it turned out very well. You should try too.

Lentils/Kabocha Soup + Fennel/Parmesan Salad

In winter I would only eat soups and salads (besides desserts!). I'm always looking for new recipes. This one was published a few days ago by Heidi Swanson. I made the exact same soup except that I didn't put the fennel in it since Alberto is not a big fan... Instead, I served the fennel on the side together with the salad and some parmesan cheese. Yesterday night I prepared the soup and baked the fennel (*) so that everything was ready for my lunch today. What I love about the lentils/kabocha soup is the combination of the two ingredients and its ginger/anise flavor. Another great and more traditional lentils soup here (in French).

* (cut in slices and sprinkled with soy sauce and sesame oil in a preheated oven at +/- 375 degrees F for about 15-20 minutes)

Rice Cooker Tatin Cake

I love this unusual apple-pie-tatin-style. The recipe (also translated in English) is from my favorite foodblog "il cavoletto di Bruxelles". Delicious and super easy to bake .... in a rice cooker! I can't wait to try the 2 other  Fuji Apples inspired recipes.

Poached Pears

Poached pears in a flavorful syrup (water, sugar, fresh orange & lemon juice, orange zests, fresh ginger, cinnamon stick, and vanilla bean).

Roasted Tomatoes

I have often some roasted tomatoes around. They keep well in the fridge and they are wonderful on pasta, in homemade soups, or just on a piece of bread. They are also easy to do: cut the Roma tomatoes in half (side down), brush them slightly with olive oil, salt and some fresh herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary for example) and put them in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for about one hour. Enjoy!

Tapioca Pudding

I didn't know the existence of the tapioca pudding before living in the US (even though it's not a typical american food). Now that I tasted it, I've become a big fan. Recently, I tried this recipe and I loved it.

Big Sur Bakery

Another one that I love. I've just received the book for my birthday. I can't wait to go to the restaurant sometime soon.

Greens

A book that has changed my cooking. Love that book. Love that restaurant.

Butternut Squash/Potatoes Gratin

This gratin has become a classic winter dish at our table (recipe). There are only 4 ingredients: butternut squash, potatoes, parmesan, mozzarella and a little bit of olive oil/butter and herbs (sage, rosemary or whatever you'd like).  Even the girls love it.

Brussels Sprouts

The Brussels sprouts are also famous in California. At the farmers markets, you can even find them on stalks. A simple and tasty recipe here.

Cantuccini

I've always wanted to bake these famous biscotti from Tuscany. I've tried this recipe (here). They are so goooood. They would taste even better dipped in a Vin Santo (Italian dessert wine), which I don't have. Too bad.

Matcha Rolls

It's so beautiful that it's like "deco", isn't it? I've stolen the recipe here (one of my favorite food blog). I did do something by myself: these matcha rolls. Not only nice, but also delicious.

C'est tellement beau que ca s'apparente a' de la deco, non? J'ai pique' la recette ici (une de mes food blogs preferes). J'ai quand meme fait ces "roules-matcha" moi meme. Non seulement beaux, mais aussi delicieux.