A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

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  • Fava bean salad with mountain ham and mint

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Salads; Appetizers / starters
    • Ingredients: fava beans; fennel; scallions; mint; prosciutto; arugula
    show

  • Fava bean mash on toast

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Dips, spreads & salsas; Appetizers / starters; Vegetarian
    • Ingredients: fava beans; cumin seeds; garlic bread
    show

  • Roasted veal with morel mushrooms and saffron carrots

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Main course
    • Ingredients: veal; garlic; rosemary; thyme; pancetta; morel mushrooms; shallots; chicken stock; crème fraîche; carrots; saffron
    show

  • Dark chicken stock

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Stocks
    • Ingredients: whole chicken; carrots; celery; thyme; bay leaves; tomato paste
    show

  • Saffron carrots

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Side dish; Vegetarian
    • Ingredients: carrots; saffron
    show

  • Mashed potatoes with carrots and saffron

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Side dish; Vegetarian
    • Ingredients: potatoes; saffron; carrots; crème fraîche
    show

  • Hazelnut sponge cake

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Cakes, large; Dessert
    • Ingredients: hazelnuts; granulated sugar; eggs; cake flour
    show

  • Spinach cake with herb salad

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Salads; Appetizers / starters; Vegetarian
    • Ingredients: spinach; leeks; nutmeg; eggs; ground cayenne pepper; Parmesan cheese; arugula; lettuce; Belgian endive; chervil; parsley; basil; mint; tarragon; celery; shallots; olive oil
    show

  • Herb salad

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Salads; Appetizers / starters; Vegetarian
    • Ingredients: arugula; lettuce; Belgian endive; chervil; parsley; basil; mint; tarragon; celery; shallots; olive oil
    show

  • Mustard rabbit in the oven

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Main course
    • Ingredients: rabbit; Dijon mustard; mustard seeds; crème fraîche; garlic; bacon; bay leaves; thyme; sage
    show

  • Crème fraîche

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Mousses, trifles, custards & creams
    • Ingredients: heavy cream; yogurt
    show

  • Rabbit braised with herbs and olive oil

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Main course
    • Ingredients: rabbit; rosemary; thyme; sage; olives; parsley
    show

  • Rabbit roasted like a Greek goat

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Main course; Greek
    • Ingredients: rabbit; coriander seeds; ground allspice; bay leaves; ground cloves; fennel seeds; ground cinnamon; tomatoes; thyme; marjoram; rosemary
    show

  • Parsnips epiphany-style

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Side dish; Vegetarian
    • Ingredients: parsnips
    show

  • Apple tart

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Pies, tarts & pastries; Dessert
    • Ingredients: store-cupboard ingredients; apples
    show

  • Oysters on the half-shell

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Appetizers / starters
    • Ingredients: oysters
    show

  • Chicory salad with lemon and anchovy

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Salads; Appetizers / starters
    • Ingredients: anchovies; Champagne vinegar; radicchio; escarole; curly endive; Belgian endive; dandelion greens; lemons
    show

  • Lobster risotto

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Rice dishes; Main course
    • Ingredients: onions; Arborio rice; saffron; bay leaves; chicken broth; cooked lobster meat; parsley; thyme; chives; mayonnaise; ground cayenne pepper
    show

  • Lobster broth

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Stocks
    • Ingredients: whole lobsters; carrots; leeks; onions
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  • Spicy lobster mayonnaise

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Sauces, general
    • Ingredients: eggs; olive oil; red wine vinegar; ground cayenne pepper; whole lobsters; carrots; leeks; onions
    show

  • Plain homemade mayonnaise

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Sauces, general
    • Ingredients: eggs; olive oil; peanut oil
    show

  • Risotto cakes

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Rice dishes; Main course
    • Ingredients: onions; Arborio rice; saffron; bay leaves; chicken broth; cooked lobster meat; parsley; thyme; chives
    show

  • Ambrosia

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Dessert
    • Ingredients: grapefruits; navel oranges; blood oranges; canned pineapple; kumquats; sweetened shredded coconut
    show

  • Warm asparagus vinaigrette

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Appetizers / starters; Vegetarian
    • Ingredients: asparagus; shallots; red wine vinegar; olive oil
    show

  • Shoulder of spring lamb with flageolet beans and olive relish

    from A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes by David Tanis

    • Categories: Main course
    • Ingredients: flageolet beans; bay leaves; thyme; lamb shoulder; rosemary; parsley; olives; Niçoise olives; capers; anchovies; ground cayenne pepper; lemons
    show

Notes about this book

  • Tish Johns on March 05, 2010

    I love this cookbook, Ive made the lobster risotto (several times) and the chicken tangine (tho I used lamb). Cooking each recipe is a passionate lovely experience and the food is sublime!

Notes about Recipes in this book

  • Orecchiette al forno

    • Cheri on January 20, 2011

      Makes quite a bit. A little dry. Broccoli Rabe comes thru very bitter. I liked this, but I don't believe that Richard did. Only made 1/2 of recipe, which filled 9x13 pan. A little grated fontina might be nice mixed in.

    • Cheri on January 22, 2011

      Should probably parboil the broccoli rabe, as suggested. Skipped that step and it would have mellowed the bitterness, I think.

    • Breadcrumbs on December 04, 2011

      p. 260 - A baked pasta dish, enough to feed an army if made in quantity suggested. I agree w Cheri in that the dish is fairly dry using only 8 oz of ricotta for 2 lbs of pasta. I halved the recipe and after a quick taste-test I ended up stirring in additional ricotta to moisten the pasta a little. Thanks Cheri for your note. I didn't make my own sausage, just added some additional fennel seed to the dry pan prior to cooking my fave store bought . Mr bc, a rapini-hater, was not a fan of this dish. When I served leftovers I spooned tomato sauce over top and this brightened the dish and, moistened it. I wouldn't make this again. So many other recipes to try!

  • Lobster risotto

    • Tish Johns on March 05, 2010

      Smells delicious and soooo good. Refined and elegant but still lusty.

  • Chicken tagine with pumpkin and chickpeas

    • Tish Johns on March 05, 2010

      This tangine I made with lamb and not chicken but it was still delicious and multi-layered from the garbanzos prepared with cinnamon sticks and onion with parsleyed-cinnamon butter tossed in, to the lamb

  • Herb salad

    • Laura on January 15, 2011

      Pg. 37. Lovely.

  • Vietnamese cucumbers

    • Laura on January 15, 2011

      Pg. 78. Good, but not exceptional.

  • Grilled halibut with Indian spices and yellow tomatoes

    • Laura on October 04, 2012

      Pg. 124. Due to circumstances I was not able to grill the halibut, so ended up broiling them and they came out perfectly cooked after 6 minutes. I would say that the spice rub was a bit too intense, but the flavors were nice. The yogurt sauce 'raita' was not to our liking. Don't expect anything that looks like the photo on pg. 117 where the raita is thick -- this was a very runny sauce and the flavors just didn't work. The minced mint saved the day. This recipe also calls for yellow tomatoes cut into small wedges and served raw. I chose to cut the tomatoes into halves and broiled them with a bit of olive oil drizzled.

    • blintz on August 17, 2017

      This is our favorite recipe for Halibut --especially when we can get the Atlantic version. Last night we added fresh yellow peppers to the cherry tomatoes. We love the spice rub and there's usually enough left over to use again. We have a Greek deli for tzadiki and use that instead of Tanis's raita, so it's plenty thick. And we have cooked this on the grill, in a cast iron pan , and under the broiler. All work fine if you are careful not to overcook the fish!

  • Roast pork loin porchetta-style

    • Laura on March 01, 2010

      Pg. 134, I had high hopes for this, yet it yielded average results. I've made pork loin roasts with other recipes that were far better.

  • Cherry-almond clafoutis

    • RosieB on January 15, 2016

      This was delicious. I made individual clafoutis in small Spanish ceramic dishes. The recipe made 8. The brown sugar made the batter very rich and caramely. I had beautiful fresh local cherries. I did not include the almonds. Served with a simple vanilla bean icecream.

    • AmyR on May 21, 2011

      Quick & easy rustic dessert, I make this in a cast iron skillet and also use this as a base recipe for improvising other fruit and extract combinations. I've also made this with almond milk and gluten free flour and it came out great.

    • Jojobuch on July 12, 2016

      I like the addition of the almonds - a nice crunch. However, the brown sugar makes the batter a bit unattractive, given Clafouti typically has a nice yellow colour from the yolks.

    • Lsblackburn1 on July 22, 2018

      I used almond slivers in this and I really liked that element. Overall this is a bit too sweet - and I have a sweet- tooth. Have a feeling it’ll be better chilled.

  • Green chile stew

    • TrishaCP on March 17, 2014

      Follow DT's advice about tasting the broth for spiciness. It needs to really have a kick when you taste it...I think I was assuming some more heat would develop as the stew cooked down but my mild Hatch chiles ended up totally lost with the other ingredients. It didn't taste bad, but wasn't what I was expecting or hoping for from green chile stew.

  • Italian plum cake

    • Astrid5555 on September 08, 2018

      Super quick and easy to make, delicious!

  • Cherry tomato crostini with ricotta

    • Astrid5555 on September 03, 2017

      Excellent! Used the sweetest cherry tomatoes from the garden with some ricotta cheese from Italy. Simple yet impressive. Will definitely make again!

  • Harira soup

    • AmyR on May 21, 2011

      Delicious & hearty. Serve with lemon slices. I frequently sub dried chickpeas soaked overnight for the fava beans and have also omitted the lamb to make it vegetarian.

  • Parsnips epiphany-style

    • AmyR on May 21, 2011

      More of a technique than a recipe, nonetheless even skeptical friends loved these crispy caramelized parsnip sticks.

  • Mustard rabbit in the oven

    • bwehner on June 21, 2013

      Excellent, simple & very easy. Make sure you have good herbs & good, preferably homemade, creme fraiche.

  • Fresh shell beans with sage and garlic

    • Wlow on September 09, 2018

      Very well flavored, especially leftover. Aesthetically a bit dull.

  • Mashed potatoes with carrots and saffron

    • peaceoutdesign on June 23, 2022

      Creme fraiche is a must but with or without the saffron and lemon zest.

  • Apple tart

    • jennyed on October 31, 2013

      Excellent apple tart recipe that I've made several times. Useful to do when entertaining as the prepared (but unbaked) tart can sit in the fridge for up to 8 hours.

  • Fried egg soup

    • Compass on March 15, 2022

      p 72 Love the idea of this ...especially since I have so much chicken broth and broth the provincial with sage sounds great. Even though it's fried it's Sunny side up in the picture

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  • ISBN 10 1579653464
  • ISBN 13 9781579653460
  • Linked ISBNs
  • Published Oct 31 2008
  • Format Hardcover
  • Language English
  • Countries United States
  • Publisher Workman Publishing Co.
  • Imprint Artisan

Publishers Text

"There are many chefs in America more famous than David Tanis, but there are few, if any, who are more gifted."--Michael Pollan

Forget about getting back to the land, David Tanis just wants you to get back to the kitchen.

For six months a year, David Tanis is the head chef at Chez Panisse, the Berkeley, California, restaurant where he has worked alongside Alice Waters since the 1980s in creating a revolution in sustainable American cuisine. The other six months, Tanis lives in Paris in a seventeenth-century apartment, where he hosts intimate dinners for friends and paying guests, and prepares the food in a small kitchen equipped with nothing more than an old stove, a little counter space, and a handful of well used pots and pans.

This is the book for anyone who wants to gather and feed friends around a table and nurture their conversation. It's not about showing off with complicated techniques and obscure ingredients. Worlds away from the showy Food Network personalities, Tanis believes that the most satisfying meals - for both the cook and the guest - are invariably the simplest.

Home cooks can easily re-create any of his 24 seasonal, market-driven menus, from spring's Supper of the Lamb (Warm Asparagus Vinaigrette; Shoulder of Spring Lamb with Flageolet Beans and Olive Relish; Rum Baba with Cardamom) to winter's North African Comfort Food (Carrot and Coriander Salad; Chicken Tagine with Pumpkin and Chickpeas). Best of all, Tanis is an engaging guide with a genuine gift for words, whose soulful approach to food will make any kitchen, big or small, a warm and compelling place to spend time.

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