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Ramblings of a retiree in France
Tag: starter
The Musette: Chickpea Soup
This simple chickpea soup has a delightful creamy texture, and is flavoured with rosemary, smoked paprika and garlic plus miso for a punch of umami. Cooked slowly on the stovetop, this easy vegan soup is hearty and comforting – just what we all need… Continue Reading “The Musette: Chickpea Soup”
The Musette: Chilled cucumber soup
Beautifully refreshing, my easy cucumber soup recipe is the perfect starter for a (late) summer lunch or dinner party, as everything can be prepared ahead of serving. With no cream or stock added, the intensity of the cucumber is the star of the dish,… Continue Reading “The Musette: Chilled cucumber soup”
The Musette: Sweet and Spicy Cauliflower Beignets
This crunchy, spicy, sweet, happy hour snack is a major crowd pleaser. A perfect, shareable snack to make for when you are having people over, or a fun meal to enjoy yourself! I love cooking with cauliflower because it’s a vegetable that can withstand high… Continue Reading “The Musette: Sweet and Spicy Cauliflower Beignets”
The Musette: Spicy Cod Fritters
Although I eat some fish, I don’t like a lot of typical white fish such as cod, haddock, plaice, whiting. I prefer less fishy tasting Mediterranean fish like sea bass. However, I do enjoy both brandade de morue (emulsion of salt cod, olive oil… Continue Reading “The Musette: Spicy Cod Fritters”
The Musette: Gougères (French cheese puffs)
Gougères are made with choux pastry (pâte à choux) which might be one of the oldest doughs used in the kitchen. Allegedly Catherine de Medici’s chef was making the dough more than 500 years ago. It’s also the only dough I know that’s first cooked… Continue Reading “The Musette: Gougères (French cheese puffs)”
The Musette: celeriac remoulade
This is a salad I’ll make regularly throughout autumn, winter and spring. Indeed, just as long as I can get organic, fresh celeriac. This creamy, mustardy slaw is a a typical French hors d’oeuvre. It used to be a bistro stalwart but you’re now… Continue Reading “The Musette: celeriac remoulade”
The Musette: green asparagus with poached egg and vinaigrette
I adore asparagus and can happily eat it most days once it first appears in spring. Green or white? I adore both. Typically, it is served with melted butter or hollandaise sauce. Sadly, both of these options are forbidden and, consequently, I’ll serve my… Continue Reading “The Musette: green asparagus with poached egg and vinaigrette”
The Musette: Tuscan feast Part II
Here’s part two of my Tuscan feast for you to enjoy with your family and friends. You can find part one here. Starter: Selection of salads We’re back from our morning ride and I need something quick, simple and tasty to put on the… Continue Reading “The Musette: Tuscan feast Part II”
The Musette: beignets de fleurs de courgettes
Went down to my local market this morning and all the vegetable stall holders had beautiful golden courgette flowers. I first ate these stuffed many, many years ago at a Father’s Day Luncheon at Le Manoir aux Quatre Saisons – such a delight. Since… Continue Reading “The Musette: beignets de fleurs de courgettes”
The Musette: honey baked feta cheese
This is the third and last of Marcus Waring’s recipes which I’m trying from his New Classics cookery book this month. Of course, it won’t be the last recipe of his that I try. I have all of his cookery books and they’re big… Continue Reading “The Musette: honey baked feta cheese”
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