and the
"Mother (and Daughter) of All Make-ups"
- Part I
Per Tricia ~
I have used the phrase "who knew" on many an occasion during this blogging adventure. Of course Dorie knew. And Dorie shared. I have also referenced the almost blind trust that I placed in Dorie's recipes. The recipes included such amazing details about the steps that you felt like she had just prepared the dish in your kitchen and left you notes on how to make it.
So while we have had many "Never Doubt Dorie" experiences, the one I can recall as being particularly fun was the recipe for Tuna and Mango Ceviche. While I did substitute shrimp, which Dorie suggested, I could not get my head around the flavor combo of onions, avocado, shrimp and mango - or the way the lime juice would cook the shrimp. Recall I am not big on fish. The results were fabulous. My initially skeptical taste-testers ended up fighting over who was going to get more. Compliments don't get better than that in my household :)
PS- Nana is officially caught up and has earned her diploma !
Per Nana ~
Reading through the recipe for "Swap Onion Carbonara" was the first time I doubted one of Dorie's recipes. I could not imagine eating a bowl of cooked onions in cream. Somehow, the combination did not seem to go together. It turned out to be a very delicious recipe and I was really surprised.
The second time was making the Croquant cookies. Making a cookie with just egg whites, sugar, nuts and a bit of flour didn't seem right. I was all set to add another egg white but finally it all blended together and made a fabulously delicious cookie.
The following are the make-up recipes that I have not yet posted:
Vistandine ~
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| A perfect dessert - we loved it ! |
Olive Oil Ice Cream ~
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| Another interesting dessert. |
Scallops with Caramel Orange Sauce ~
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| This one made me a scallop lover. |
Spiced Butter Glazed Carrots ~
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| Absolutely delicious ! |
Roast Chicken for Les Paresseux ~
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| A favorite of ours. |
Spiced Crusted Chicken ~
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| Simple and tasty. |
Cod and Spinach Roulades ~
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| A big surprise - we loved it ! |
Spicy Vietnamese Soup ~
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| Interesting, but not a repeat. |
Crab & Grapefruit (Crab & Orange) Salad ~
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| So refreshing ! |
Lentil, Lemon and Tuna Salad ~
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| A great warm weather salad. |
Braised Cardamom Curry Lamb (chicken) ~
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| Definitely a keeper. |
Shrimp Filled Zucchini Blossoms ~
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| Had to use Bibb lettuce, definitely a winner. |
WOOHOOOOO, Nana!!!!
ReplyDeleteI can't get a good mango here, so that ceviche recipe is going to have to wait until I'm back in the states. Yours looks so good with the shrimp! I may go that route, especially b/c the kiddo loves shrimp.
WAY. TO. GO. NANAAAAAA!!!!! You are now a Dorista laureate. I am so proud of you :-)
ReplyDeleteSome of the fish dishes were very surprising - and have become favorites.
Nana, I am with you on the onion carbonara. Who knew?
Have a lovely weekend, ladies :-)
Congratulations, Nana! Very impressive to have cooked every one. I also have to agree with you fully on the onion carbonara recipe. I NEVER would have picked that one out of the book and ended up being shocked by how tasty it was.
ReplyDeleteLook at you go! Woo Hoo!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Nana! I agree that the onion carbonara was one that I wouldn't have picked from the book. It was a delicious surprise.
ReplyDeleteAnd Tricia, your comment about Dorie's recipes is a perfect description. It really does feel that way.
So many beautiful photos this week, too!
Bravo Nana! I can't wait to see your name on the Graduates page. I love all three of your picks for this week's assignment. Mango season is almost here on the island and I'd love to revisit the ceviche. The onion carbonara sounds like the perfect topping for potatoes or a chicken breast.
ReplyDeleteWTG, Nana!!! I love the chance to revisit some of these older recipes. Those scallops were one of my favorites from the book. Tricia, I had no doubt I'd enjoy the ceviche---and I was so glad it lived up to my expectations!!! Have a terrific weekend. xo
ReplyDeleteNana, you should have told us you were making so many wonderful dishes. All of us would have dropped by for dinner! Very impressive. I was surprised by the onions too. I haven't made the dish again, but it was interesting.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Nana!! The croquants were so good for such simple cookies. Tricia, the ceviche was delish - I wasn't sure about all the raw fish in this book, but largely those recipes worked.
ReplyDeleteWhoo hoo ! Nana - you are a champ - and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the McGyvering of the zucchini blossoms with the bibb lettuce - ingenious!
ReplyDeleteGood work Nana! Wow, so impressive. And it was fun to see all of your recipes! So many great ones.
ReplyDeleteTricia - I am not even sure I made that ceviche recipe (surely I did!), but yours looks so delicious. Out here in the southwest, not as unusual combination, but I can see why it would have been a revelation! So happy that you and your family have enjoyed so many happy surprises (and delicious meals!
Great that you were able to finish the book and get that diploma. I have enjoyed many of the ones that you have listed. I should be cooking like mad but it is just not the right time. Enjoy what is left of your weekend.
ReplyDeleteGo Tricia go! Congratulations to you Nana! You both put me to shame.
ReplyDeleteSome of the flavor combos could be scary! :) Congratulations Nana!! :) Love the photos of the updated recipes!
ReplyDeleteahhh the zucchini blossoms :) great job! Congrats to both of you and your accomplishments as of late!
ReplyDeleteI'm reading out of order so I know both of you finished. CONGRATULATIONS! And I love your never-doubt-Dorie recipe choices!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to both of you for catching up an finishing just under the wire! What an accomplishment!
ReplyDeleteWow, Nana, what an impressive catch up post! I need to get my belated catch-up post up soon. I am very interested by your use of lettuce in the zucchini blossoms. I never would have guessed it would work so well! Tricia, great selection. There were definitely many times when I worried about Dorie's addition of fruits to a savory dish, but so many of them turned out excellently.
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