Happy Friday! I kept my promise and made two French Fridays with Dorie recipes this week! I’m feeling motivated because I only have six back-log recipes to complete. Most of them are good Fall/Winter recipes and I plan to hit them this year, so I don’t miss my final window (the group will be finishing the book around April or so next year). So, what did I make?
Couscous Salad
The official recipe of the week was Couscous Salad. It was a pretty easy recipe. Quick-cooking couscous was cooked in a mixture of chicken broth and spices along with raisins. After it was cooked and fluffed, it was tossed with diced cucumber, red bell pepper, carrot, sugar snap peas, and chickpeas. A simple dressing of lemon juice and olive oil, and a sprinkling of cilantro, and it was done. I served it with the optional Lemon-Grilled Chicken to make it a full meal deal.
I don’t quite know what to say about this recipe. We liked it well enough. I just think the flavors are not favorites of ours. I thought I would eat the leftovers for lunch the next day, but I couldn’t quite muster the enthusiasm for it. So, we didn’t hate it, but we didn’t love it either. I won’t be making this one again.
Gérard’s Mustard Tart
Gérard’s Mustard Tart goes way back. It was the second recipe the FFWD group made back in October 2010 (before I joined in the fun).
The recipe in the book is Dorie’s friend Gérard’s take on the traditional mustard tart with tomatoes. Since we have gorgeous garden tomatoes right now, I knew I had to make the original version of this tart, which Dorie helpfully includes instructions for.
This truly is a mustard tart. The filling consists of lightly beaten eggs, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and grainy French mustard. I topped it with two sliced tomatoes and a sprinkling of thyme leaves (my addition).
We really enjoyed this tart! The flavor of the perfectly ripe tomatoes was delicious against the piquant flavor of the mustard. This one I ate the leftovers!
What will I make next week?
