French Fridays with Dorie, Week 20: Orange-Almond Tart

A box of oranges appeared just in time for this week's French Friday with Dorie recipe, Orange-Almond Tart.  Nothing like a sweet treat with a little vitamin C to help pretend that winter has moved on...delusional, perhaps, but anything to help survive the arctic chill! 

Oranges & all of the other marvelous citrus fruits are great sources of vitamin C and important to include in a healthy diet.  The wonders of vitamin C include...

• increases the absorption of iron and folate
• protects from infection and damage to cells                             
• helps with the production of connective tissue that holds bones & muscles together
• protects your body from bruising by maintaining capillary and blood vessel health
• helps maintain gum health  

Translation:  orange-tarte aux amandes.

There was a sleepy pup keeping me company in the kitchen today.  Always so hopeful!

To take a peek at Dorie Greenspan's recipe for the orange-almond tart, click here.  Instead of preparing one tart, I did halve the recipe to prepare four individual servings using 4-inch tart pans.

French Fridays with Dorie Week 18: chicken b'stilla

An air of Morocco was competing with the cold winter drafts in the kitchen while the latest recipe for for French Fridays with Dorie, Chicken B'Stilla, was coming together.  Sweet meets savory and finds itself wrapped up in flaky phyllo dough with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top.  Isn't everything better with cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top? 

Not a quick process, the chicken thighs marinated and then roasted with onion, garlic, ginger, coriander, cinnamon, and saffron seasonings until fall off the bone tender.  Additional texture and flavor in the dish came in the form of toasted almonds, honey, cilantro and parsley.  

If there is a better quality frozen phyllo dough out there, please spill the beans.  My only option quickly cracked at each seam. 

Translation:  b'stilla poulet
Listen to the pronunciation via Google Translate.

I must share a little Columbus love.  There seems to be a great restaurant, shop, or food related event popping up daily and it is exciting to have such enthusiasm for food and local ingredients in our happy little part of the world.  The Washington Post's Impulsive Traveler recently paid a visit & you should too!

French Fridays with Dorie, Week 15: Paris Mushroom Soup



The snow is falling in Columbus, Ohio, and the winter weather is calling for a hearty soup.  The button mushrooms combined with garlic, onions, butter, rosemary and parsley exude an earthy flavor so rich and filling, yet deceptively light! 


Composed 90% of water, mushrooms are very low in calories, yet are a great way to develop a meaty, rich flavor.  A source of B vitamins, selenium, and potassium, mushrooms are among the few plant sources of vitamin D. 


I served the Paris Mushroom Soup topped with a dollop of crème fraîche, minced parsley & chives along with a hearty, crusty bread.  I can't think of a better winter evening meal or a way to welcome January!


Translation:  paris soupe aux champignons
Listen to the pronunciation.  

Other interesting mushroom soup recipes...
Wild Mushroom Soup with Sherry & Thyme from Fine Cooking
Zingerman's Mushroom & Barley Soup from Epicurious
Barefoot Contessa's Cream of Mushroom Soup from Food Network
Creamy Mushroom Soup with Tarragon from Cooking Light

Next week:  gnocchi à la parisienne & catching up with weeks 13 & 14, fingers crossed!