Friday, September 28, 2012

FFWD Endives, Apples, and Grapes


I've been making a lot of FFWD recipes the last few weeks.  When I joined FFWD in October of last year, my goal was to have made up all of the recipes that I missed during the first year by October of this year.  I'm not quite going to meet that goal (even with sharing with co-workers and the freezer it's just hard for a household of two to eat enough desserts), but I'm hoping to be all caught up with the recipes I want to make within the next couple of months....Anyway, on to this week's recipe.  I love endive and was excited about the recipe choice, but I was nervous about what Paul would think.  It didn't sound like the most substantial dinner.  I decided to pair it with whole wheat bread and cheese, because Paul could live and bread on cheese alone.  Luckily, he didn't have to.  We both actually really enjoyed the cooked endives.  I actually wish I had made more.  I was less excited about the grapes and apples for some reason (maybe just the variety that I bought), but all told I really liked this one.  I'm so glad I've discovered a new way to make endive, and would definitely make at least that component of the recipe again.


When I made the speculoos cookies a couple of weeks ago I froze the extras (I really do freeze everything), and I decided to use some to make the Cinnamon-Crunch chicken.  I know Dorie says it's better with store-bought, but I just couldn't bear to go out and buy speculoos when I had some perfectly good ones in the freezer.  I don't know if the chicken would have been better with store-bought cookies, but we really enjoyed it with the homemade ones.  We don't eat much boneless, skinless chicken--Paul always complains that it's too boring--but this was a surprisingly interesting, flavorful dish for how quick and easy it was.  This is definitely something I'd make again.


As I mentioned when we made the chicken basquaise, Paul's peppers have been growing very well this year.  They aren't nearly as big as the ones you buy at the store (do any gardeners know why that would be?), but we've been getting a lot of them, so I decided to take Dorie's bonne idee for Creamy, Cheesy, Garlicky Rice with Spinach recipe and stuff it into peppers.  We really liked this one as well.  As part of my constant quest to eat more whole grains I actually used bulgur instead of the rice, and Paul didn't even notice!  He just kept telling me how great the rice was.  I think the cheese is really what made this dish.  I used a strong robusto one that we both really like.


Last, I've been wanting to try this for a while and finally got around to making the Torteau de Chevre.  We both really love this one.  I've been eating leftovers for a couple of days now, and it seems to only get better with age.  I was worried it wouldn't be sweet enough, so I served it with a rhubarb compote.  It was very good, but I also think it's interesting enough to stand up on its own.  

14 comments:

  1. I'll take those kinda leftovers ANY DAY! ^.^

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  2. I am crazy impressed by all the recipes in this one post! Kudos!

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  3. I think you took care of FFWD recipes in a BIG way. Everything looks wonderful. What's not to
    love, as the Barefoot Contessa says. Great job. We all loved this one.

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  4. Wow you have been busy. All the dishes look fantastic. Great job:)

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  5. You did a great job on all of this, I particularly like how you stuffed the rice into the peppers, that looks like a great use for it. We loved this week's recipe and it is fun to hear that others liked it as well, those grapes were so good! You are amazing catching up like this. Kudos2U!

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  6. I want to be at your house the next time you do catch up! Wow what an effort. Great job on this. I thought it odd at first but since it featured rosemary my favorite herb I should have guessed it was a winner.

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  7. Wow, you have been busy! Everything looks wonderful, especially that cheesecake. That has been on my list to make for ages. I need to get on that.

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  8. Still impresed by your drive to catch up.
    That cake was unexpectedly good - wasn't it?

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  9. Jora, you are really amazing, where do I start with my compliments...the Tourteau de Chèvre looks wonderful, the bulgur stuffed green peppers from your garden sound delectable, the chicken looks also just terrific and the apples, endives and grapes were also a big hit at our house and yours look so wonderfully caramelized - you did so much work and it all looks so nicely presented, respect!

    Have a great weekend!

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  10. Amazing catch up, Jora! Lots of good food at your house this week. I enjoyed the cooked endives too. I really loved the grapes though the apples left me wanting.

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  11. Your dishes look amazing! You just made me realise how much I've missed and how much catching up I have to do! You've inspired me Jora!

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  12. what a great catch-up post!! I loved all those recipes except for the endives - too bitter for me! the torteau is really great on its own :) I have made it a lot actually!

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  13. I do enjoy your catch up posts, it reminds me of all those tasty recipes which I really should try again.

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  14. Hi Jora!

    this is Alice from A Mama, Baby & Sharpei in the Kitchen.

    I'm just getting the final list together for the FFWD Christmas Card Exchange and I wanted to make sure you knew that tomorrow is the last day to sign up for it.

    Our current count is up to 24 and all the information for it can be found here, http://www.frenchfridayswithdorie.com/?p=1328

    If you would like to join us, please email me at alice_bush_161@yahoo.com
    with your details and I will email you back a list by the end of this weekend so you can start mailing those cards out!

    Have a great Thanksgiving!

    Alice

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