Notes about Recipes in this book

• Casablanca couscous

  • SpatulaCity on May 06, 2024

    My first attempt at making couscous by slowly adding the water and gently rubbing with your palms was not very successful. I think I added too much water and it became sort of dense and stodgy. Delicious flavor though and I loved the mix of veggies. Next time instead of zucchini coins, I’d probably chop into cubes, and pre-salt and drain so they seared better.

• Poulet Basquaise with butter rice

  • SpatulaCity on May 15, 2024

    This was good - feels like a French version of an Italian Peperonata. I didn’t like how much liquid was still left was at the end - would have preferred a thicker consistency. Served with the buttered rice and it was nice overall

• Ancho and apple cider pork shoulder with pickled plums, shallots, and crème fraîche mashed potatoes

  • SpatulaCity on May 21, 2024

    Nice recipe - very balanced. I used California chiles in place of the guajillo and ancho, so the spice and heat were milder. You need a substantial amount of salt in the spice paste when marinating for both flavor and to help penetrate into the pork. Might add more chipotle next time. Served with the suggested pickled shallots and crème fraîche mashed potatoes

  • SpatulaCity on May 21, 2024

    This review is for the crème fraîche mashed potatoes - my husband loved them! Used Yukon golds and wound up adding additional milk and butter at the end to up the richness. Also used a ricer instead of the stand mixer method outlined. The charred corn added a pleasant sweet crunch and was a nice change from the usual mash.

• Tartines: Zucchini, roasted peppers, and artichoke with basil pesto and tomato confit mayonnaise

  • SpatulaCity on May 10, 2024

    This was such a delicious tartine! Used jarred roasted bell peppers, and added some chopped kalamatas to the tomato mayo. I would eat this every week! Outside of the zucchini, which cooked in a flash, everything else could be found in your pantry or fridge, so could be thrown together if fresh bread and zucchini are in house. We made as sandwiches instead of a tartine, on ciabatta rolls.

• Tartines: Za'atar chicken and Turkish salad with harissa walnut butter and cumin-cilantro yogurt sauce

  • SpatulaCity on May 02, 2024

    Okay this was fantastic. The za’atar chicken alone was sooo delicious, and the method of roasting starting in a cold oven was so easy and fuss free. The rest of the components as a composed tartine were also very good, though it was a fair amount of work to make all the elements. Worth it! But maybe not for lunch for two people :)

• Pineapple and mint lemonade

  • SpatulaCity on May 06, 2024

    I liked it, and it was nice for our picnic. To get to a more “lemonade” taste, I upped the juice from 1 to 1.5 lemons. With so much sugar in pineapple juice I was hesitant to add all the syrup, but it really did help balance the acidity. Wished the mint was stronger, but that can be remedied next time with a few springs for garnish.Was curious how this would taste with a little coconut mixed in there too….