A Lovely Dinner with Friends

     We had our friends Al and Laura over last night for a little catching up.  I couldn't help myself, my fingers had to do some exploratory walking through Yotam Ottolenghi's amazing cookbook, Jerusalem.  This book is a feast for the eyes, mind and stomach, as it details some of the cross-cultural forces that create this city's food culture.  The photos make me want to buy a plane ticket.  And the recipes, wow.  I have been reading about this cookbook on other blogs, and have been seeing similar accolades.       
     Not one to shy away from the challenge of providing a meal of untested recipes to my friends (I always pre-warn them that they will be test bunnies), I created an entire menu out of his book.  Wellll, I did monkey with some things, but, with the exception of the the dessert, it was all amazing.  
Our menu started with Hummus and veggies.  WOW. I have never had such silky hummus.  We then had a main course of Kofta b'siniyah, these amazing spiced meatballs with a lemon tahini sauce, a chopped tomato and cucumber salad, and another salad with almonds, dates and feta.  Rounded it out with Greek pitas with Israeli Baharat, thanks to World Spice.  
     The finishing touch was a cardamom rice pudding, which needed a bit more tinkering, to match my tastes anyway, but was accompanied by this beautiful box of chocolates which our neighbor Robb gave us for Valentine's.  Thanks, Robb.  The entire thing is edible, putting Bryce into spasms of anticipatory joy.  I understand it is courtesy of the culinary program at South Seattle Community College.  Another wow.  Laura and I are talking about high tea up there.  See where things go??  
                       

Hummus

Chocolate box of heaven

First Glimmers

     The sun was shining enough today, to make staying indoors seem criminal.  It's still chilly, but my backyard is a bit of a microclimate, and I have been staring at the dead everything for too long.  I couldn't take it any longer.  Brought the chickens over for some company.  Their quiet clucking is so cheerful, it makes the time pass quickly.  That and watching my yard waste container fill.
     I always try to focus on what I can see from my kitchen window, so that I can see the change in the garden, even if I haven't weeded.  Just cleaning up makes a difference.  And lo!   Payback came in the form of a miniature iris, hidden from view until I cleared away the dead stems from it's neighbor.  That, too, made it all worthwhile.   Spring is just around the corner my friends!

Where We Venture Forth Into The Rain

   We headed out into the rain today, with the intent of establishing whether the crepes at Firefly Cafe and Creperie (on California SW) are worth it.  This is a nifty little cafe.  Serves savory (yes, I mean buckwheat) and sweet crepes, and have vegetarian and vegan options for those that desire it, to boot.  But the initial winner was the Nutella and banana crepe, which is already legendary in our home.  Seems like I created breakfast slaves with that one a couple years ago after reading about it in Molly Wizenberg's book.  I would guess from the way that Bryce hoovered it down, that it passed muster.
    So, we didn't try any others, but I am already eyeing the buckwheat options for a future lunch.  My only complaint?  Perhaps a tad pricey.  But the portions are generous, so I don't think it will stop me from returning.

Don't Make a Habit of 'Em

So, Bryce has had a small obsession with eclairs for a while.   What's not to like?  A pastry with a creamy filling and chocolate glaze seems like an excellent combination to me as well.  And I must confess, I have never actually used choux pastry before.  We had another incentive:  our neighbor, Robb is doing a small repair for us using glue and tiny objects.  We needed an expression of thanks to incentivize him.
With Dorie Greenspan to the rescue, we embarked on this adventure today, and hey!  They are easy!  In her Around My French Table cookbook, Dorie makes it all simple.  We actually went a step further, and dispensed with the piping.  Technically, these are cream puffs, I would guess, and as there is no vanilla pastry cream as the filling, perhaps not even that.  So, we filled the little lovelies with vanilla sweetened whipped cream, almost to excess, and topped them with chocolate ganache.

Before

 During (well, after the bake)

Finished product!

Mini Chocolate Eclairs

adapted from around my french table

by Dorie Greenspan

1/2 c water

1/2 c whole milk

1T sugar

1/2 t salt

8 T (one stick) butter, cut in several pieces

Bring to a boil, then add

1 c flour

Beat vigorously to blend, it should be smooth and slightly dull in appearance when finished.  

Transfer to a mixing bowl for a stand up mixer.  

Add, 1 at a time, beating well after each one,

4 eggs

When finished, it should be smooth and satiny.  Preheat your oven to 425F.

Place rounded tablespoonfuls on a parchment covered baking sheet, about 2" apart.  This will fill 2 sheets.  I took the 2nd sheet and am freezing it, as Dorie writes that these can be frozen, and baked at a later date.  I can only have so many diet busters around at any given time....

Place the pan in the oven, and turn the heat down to 375F.  Bake 12 min, rotate the pan, bake another 12 minutes, until golden.  Allow to cool on the pan.  

Cut the top off when cool, and fill with sweetened whipped cream, and cover with a chocolate ganache:  

4 oz bittersweet chocolate cut in small pieces.  

1/2 c cream, heated to boiling, and poured over chocolate, stir until smooth and chocolate is melted.  

Chill your mini eclairs until you need to placate the masses or about 1 hour.  

Written by Birgit, photos by Bryce