Velvety Cream Of Tomato Soup

I am a  follower of Sarabeth's Blog, "Goddess of Bakedom."  I found this  delicious recipe for tomato soup on her blog. It  is  a rich and hearty tomato soup.   Every spoonful is just as flavorful as the first.  I like the use of dill fronds in this recipe.  They compliment the other flavors of the soup - tomato, onion, and garlic.

The recipe instructions cook the soup in a double boiler.  I did not have one big enough so I just used my enameled cast iron Dutch Oven and it worked fine. I cooked the soup on low to medium-low heat and stirred it frequently.

This soup can be a meal in itself or you can serve it as a starter.   One thing is certain, this soup is Mmmmm Good:-)



Link to Recipe:Sara Beth's Velvety Cream of Tomato Soup

Nutella Tartine

Nutella is the best invention since peanut butter at my house.  I can not go wrong with Nutella.  I told my family  this week's recipe for "French Fridays With Dorie"  had Nutella in it.  They could not wait to try it.

Nutella Tartine is easy and delicious.  The recipe used Brioche or Challah bread.  This week slipped by me and I did not have time to bake so I used a loaf of Rustic Italian bread from the store.  It worked nicely.  The flavors of marmalade,  Nutella, and Fleur de Sel are a pleasant sweet and salty taste.

This recipe, "Nutella Tartine" can be found on page 415 in "Around My French Table" by Dorie Greenspan.

Bon Appetit:-)

Puff Pancake

A puff pancake is very easy to make and so delicious.  All you  need is some butter, flour, eggs, milk, spices, and sugar.  I spice my pancake with nutmeg, cinnamon and grated lemon zest.  Serve the pancake with a dusting of confectioners sugar, pour maple syrup over it or fill it with your favorite fruit.  The choice is yours.    I usually fill mine with Roasted Blackberry Sauce or pie filling I have on hand.
Roasted Blackberry Sauce

                              

                                 

Puff Pancake With Roasted Blackberry Sauce

Puff Pancake

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons butter

2 eggs

½ cup milk

½ cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

½  teaspoon grated lemon zest

Dash of Salt

Dash of nutmeg

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Confectioners sugar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

1. Place the butter in a 9-inch deep dish pie pan and put it in the oven for about 3-4 minutes or until the better is melted.  Remove the pie pan from the oven.  Set aside.

2.Beat the eggs and milk together in a medium mixing bowl.  

3.Whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, salt,  nutmeg, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl.

4.Pour the egg mixture over the flour mixture and whisk until the mixture is smooth.

5. Pour the pancake batter into the prepared pan.

6.Bake for 18 minutes or until the pancake is a golden brown.

7. Remove the pancake from the oven.  You can dust with confectioner sugar, pour maple syrup over the pancake or fill with fruit.  Serve immediately.

Make 4 servings

           

                             

Roasted Blackberry Sauce

I was in Costco the other day and they had fresh blackberries.  Blackberries are very good for you.  They are high in dietary fiber, Vitamins C and K, folic acid, manganese, and potassium.  Blackberries also rank high in antioxidant strength.

I decided to make  Roasted Blackberry Sauce with the berries.  I  especially like the flavor of the fruit when it's roasted.  Roasting concentrates the flavor.   The colors are also so deep.  I think this makes the fruit look more inviting.

Roasted Blackberry Sauce is a delicious and versatile sauce I have been making for awhile.  You can pour it over ice cream or frozen yogurt, spread it on french toast, pancakes, or waffles. You can also use it as a filling for Puff Pancakes and crepes.



 Roasted Blackberry Sauce

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh blackberries
1-tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1-teaspoon cornstarch
2 tablespoons butter



Directions:

Sauce From The Oven

1. Place the blackberries, balsamic vinegar, sugar and cornstarch in a mixing bowl.  Stir gently until combined well.
2. Let  blackberry mixture sit at room temperature for 25 minutes
3.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
4. Place the  butter in an 8x8-baking dish and put it in the oven for about 4 minutes or until butter is melted.  Remove the pan from the oven and set aside.
5.Place berries in the prepared baking dish and roast in the oven for 25 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and let the sauce cool.
7. Refrigerate if you are not going to use the sauce right away.
8.  Sauce is best when served warm.

Gorgonzola-Apple Quiche

This week for "French Fridays With Dorie" we made quiche.  Not just any quiche, but Gorgonzola Apple Quiche.  Surprisingly, the Gorgonzola and the  apples were a tasty combination.  This is a great dish for a luncheon or a light dinner.


The crust used in this recipe was also from "Around My French Table" pages 498-499.   My crust got a little too brown.  The next time, I will need to wrap some foil over it.

The recipe for the quiche can be found on page 157.

Cheesy Jalapeno Pull Bread

I was browsing my reading list  last night and I found the most delicious looking bread.   As I was reading over the instructions for making Cheesy Jalapeno Pull Bread, I could not believe something so delicious looking could be so easy.   I could not wait to try this recipe.  So today, I went to the store and bought the ingredients and began my adventure in making this bread.  You start with a loaf of bread,

cut it in a crosshatch pattern, fill it with  the cheese mixture, wrap in foil, and bake.  It is that easy.













I served it with  dinner tonight, and all six of us agreed it was fantastic.   My kids were asking me to make it for their study groups, planning meetings for graduation, Superbowl parties, etc.     My only advice would be - make two loaves it goes fast.


Just click on the link below for the recipe from Simply Recipes.
Cheesy Jalapeño Pull Bread

Green Chili Dip

I like things that are easy, quick, and great tasting.  This dip fits the bill.  You just need some sour cream, spices, and of course green chili.   You mix everything together and you have a great tasting dip.  I not only use this as a dip for chips, but also for baked potatoes and as a substitute for sour cream when making Beef Stroganoff.




                                           Green Chili Dip


Ingredients:
1- (16 ounce) container sour cream
2 (4 ounce) cans diced green chili
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1-teaspoon ground cumin
1-teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground white pepper
½ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
1 tablespoon shredded Mexican cheese


Instructions:
1. Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl
2. Put the dip in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving
3.  Garnish dip with shredded Mexican cheese and serve with chips.

Makes approximately 2 ½ cups of dip