When the new group formed for Dorie's New book Around My French Table, I wanted to belong. It is a great way to experience a new cookbook, instead of having it decorate my shelf like so many others. In Tuesday's with Dorie, I found that some recipes that I would have never considered were keepers after all.
What I didn't want was for my blog to be just about cookbooks and their associated groups. I love to participate, but I like to do my own thing too. So for French Fridays, instead of posting each Friday, I have decided to do a monthly round up of the recipes. It was an impressive group of recipes for October. The first time I make a recipe I do it as written, no variations. I want to see just what it is that Dorie is presenting. These were all recipes that I would make again, but with my own twists next time around.
Our favorite for this month was the Gerard's Mustard Tart. Next time I might add some roasted chicken or cooked shrimp to the tart to make it more of a complete meal. I would also cut the leeks into rounds instead of strips. Although the Hachis Parmentier sounded like a French version of Shepherd's Pie, it was not quite what we expected. We thought the flavor could have used a boost and maybe some veggies. Next time I would double the meat portion of the recipe, add some veggies, and mix the cheeses into the potatoes, which I would make slightly richer and thicker.
The Vietnamese spicy chicken soup had fabulous flavors and since I am not a coconut lover, I was surprised at how much I liked it. With some veggie potstickers, this would make a great meal on a cold day. I did skip the gougeres, so the last thing I made was the Marie-Helene's Apple Cake. It was moist and loaded with big pieces of apple, similar to our family favorite apple cake. You can add little whipped cream and a touch of caramel sauce if you feel the need to dress it up, but most of it was gone before I got a chance to do that.
We really liked the October recipes and Dorie's new book, and we can't wait to see what next month will bring!
We really liked the October recipes and Dorie's new book, and we can't wait to see what next month will bring!
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33 comments:
Quante belle ricette deve avere questo libro :) ciao
che meraviglia questo libro!!!! baci e buon halloween Ely
I am so anxious to get this book; I love your idea of trying these recipe; great photos; looks good!
I've also been wanting to pick up this book, so thanks for the inspiration! I like your idea of a monthly round-up...that mustard tart looks really delicious!
It sounds like a great book! That mustard tart has to be delicious! It looks creamy good. Great photos too!
I like that you're mixing it up and doing things your way. The dishes look interesting and you changes sound like they're the way to go.
~Ingrid
I am ordering Dorie's book today. I need to discover her too. I am on my way over to Amazon.
All these dishes look fabulous.
Mimi - I love your idea of doing a monthly roundup of FFwD. I also like how you talked about your favorite recipe of the month, etc. I do agree. The Gerard's mustard tart was my favorite of the month as well.
That's a really fun idea, do it all at once. I do like that there's no rules to the group.
The Marie-Helene's Apple Cake has been the one that I loved seeing on all the Dorie posts. Great idea to just do a monthly round up.
Great book!
Nice summary Mimi. I'm with you on the deal about not filling your blog with cooking groups. What bothers me is not being able to publish a recipe (although, of course, it's understandable)after doing all the work and taking pictures.
Your mustard tart is gorgeous but I like hearing your honest assessment most of all.
que de délicieuses préparation de quoi régaler tout le monde
j'aime beaucoup
bonne journée
Great idea...love the photos, as everything looks so very appetizing!
Maureen
Love the monthly roundup! My favorite this month was the soup. Your tart looks fabulous!
I love mustard but would have never thought of a mustard tart! Great idea and what a good-looking dish!
Everything looks delicious Mimi! And I like that you're putting your own twist to things.
That first photo is amazing, Mimi! And I've heard so much about this apple cake that I guess I better make it.
(perhaps I should have ordered an extra copy of Dorie's book for ME!)
It sounds like fun!
Such a fun and tasty group :)
Yummy! All of the recipes/dishes sounded delicious but Marie-Helene's Apple Cake looks sensational!
Can you tell I have a sweet tooth?
Best wishes and happy cooking,
Natasha.
Luv your approach! Thank you for a quick and easy round-up - the pics are lovely! (Despite best intentions I couldn't join the group. Looking forward to your summaries!)
Fabulous round-up of delicious dishes!
This is a really good idea! It is hard to belong to too many cooking groups. I only made 2 of the FFwD recipes this month, and I loved both the soup and the cake. I missed the gougeres and really want to make them, but now it's time to think about November's recipes!
:)
Great collection. I don't know how you do it all!
the first tart looks amazing you always cook as well
This is a great way to participate in FFWD. I had intended on joining the group, but haven't gotten around to it yet; AMFT is still just a decorative book in my house. I can't wait to try that soup on a cold day.
I like your idea of doing a monthly post rather than weekly posts. I sometimes feel the groups limit me, though I'm I love discovering cookbooks like this one. everything you made looks so good!
Hi Mimi,
Beautiful dishes...wish we were neighbours!!!:)
Dr.Sameena@
http://www.myeasytocookrecipes.blogspot.com
That first photo is so pretty! I'd love to try the cake too. I would love to play around with French cuisine more than I have. I saw this book recently and thought it looked like a lot of fun. :)
Hummm toutes ces rettes m'ont l'air délicieuses!
Mais j'ai un petit faible pour la tarte! :)
Bonne soirée..
Have a good weekend!
Mimi, they all look so good...great round-up :-)
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