Brownies from scratch...in France

Hello all...or shall I say bonjour?! That's right, I'm in beautiful, wonderful France, staying here for a few weeks to help out my friend with some babysitting.  We (my son and I) are lucky enough to have a kitchen to use, so you know I would end up cooking at least a few things here, right?  Only thing is, baking here is a bit different.  I hadn't realized just how different until last year when I was here and wanted to make an American-style cookie bar for my friend.  When I went to buy ingredients, I found all that I needed except one: brown sugar.  I'd already read about the different flours and stuff like that, had converted the recipe to metric, but had not counted on not finding this ingredient, one so common in the states.  Anyhow, long story short, the cookie bars turned out great and I decided next time I'd bring some brown sugar along with me.
My friend's birthday was a few days ago and I wanted to make her a treat as a present.  I don't have any cookie sheets in this kitchen, so a cake or bar cookie would have to be it.  Brownies, yes, I thought, I bet I could do that!  At home in the states, I will admit I do not make brownies from scratch, as I find the Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate mix ones are fantastic (and super fast/easy), so this was slightly new territory.  I found ingredients that would work, but forgot one thing: there are no measuring cups nor scale in this kitchen.  Oops.  I don't have a car and don't really want to buy a scale just for a couple of uses here, so I went MacGyver: used a drinking glass that looked to me like it was approximately 1 cup.  And guess what?  The brownies turned out pretty good :) When I return to the states, I plan to try the recipe again and compare.

Link to original recipe:  https://sugarspunrun.com/brownies-from-scratch/

Ingredients (that I used in France):

175g (12 T.) unsalted butter, cut in small chunks
100g bar of dark chocolate (70% cacao)
*1/2 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
*3/4 c. granulated sugar (sucre en poudre)
*3/4 c. (packed) light brown sugar (from the states)
2 large eggs plus 1 egg yolk
*1 tsp. vanilla extract
*1/2 tsp. salt
*1 c. flour (type 55)
100g bar of dark chocolate, broken into "chips" (chocolate chips are quite pricey here, so this is the better option :))

(*=approximation, no idea if accurately measured here)

Instructions:

1. Heat oven to 175°C (350°F) and prepare a baking dish/pan--either line with parchment or grease sides and bottom (I did the latter).  It's supposed be a 9"x9" or 13"x9", but all I have here is an oval dish of unknown measurements (it looked about the right size :))

2. Combine butter and 100g of dark chocolate in a large, microwave-safe bowl (mine wasn't so large, as again, I'm limited on equipment here).

3. Microwave at 700W for 30 seconds.  Stir, then microwave for 15-20 seconds and stir again, repeating process until a smooth melted mixture is obtained.

4. Stir in cocoa powder.

5. Stir in sugars until completely combined.

6. Stir in vanilla extract.

7. Sprinkle salt over batter and stir to combine.

8. Add flour, stirring until completely combined.

9. Stir in chocolate "chips". (yep, I had to change bowls)

10. Spread into prepared baking dish and transfer to oven.

11. Bake until brownies jiggle only slightly in middle when you gently move dish back and forth.  For the dish I used here, this was 24 minutes.

12. Cool, cut up, and enjoy!

Stuffed Shells with Italian Sausage

Oh. my. goodness.  This is soooo very yummy! The original recipe was huge, easily enough for 8-10 people.  We did not need anywhere near that, so I halved it.  The amounts shown below are what I used.  Enjoy!

Link to my YouTube video of preparation: https://youtu.be/-ufdsPv1t5I

as of 16 July 2023, this link does not work; if/when the recipe is re-posted to their site, I will update it

Link to original recipe:  http://www.johnsonville.com/recipe/shells-with-italian-sausage-and-ricotta-stuffing.html

Ingredients:

jumbo pasta shells *I used pasta armando basket-shaped shells, which were amazing (purchased at Meijer)--took 12 of them for this recipe
1/2 T. extra-virgin olive oil (I think I actually used much less than this, see below in step 4)

2 links hot Italian sausage (used Johnsonville brand), casings removed
1 jar Prego Three Cheese pasta sauce
1 large egg
7.5 oz. ricotta (I used part-skim)
2 1/2 c. shredded Italian cheese blend (I used some Lucerne 6 cheese and Kraft 5 cheese, as I had some on hand), divided
2 T. fresh basil, chopped (or 1/2 T. dried--I opted for fresh, as my mom had given me some from her garden!)
1/4 tsp. coarse ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.

2. In a 10 in. skillet, cook the sausage on medium heat, crumbling it into small pieces as it cooks, until it is 'done'.  Set aside to cool.

3. Heat oven to 350°F.

4. Rub/coat sides and bottom of an 8" x 8" x 2" glass baking dish with olive oil (*I believe I used a paper towel and just rubbed all over for this, meaning I did not use all that much.)

5. Pour half of pasta sauce into baking dish and spread evenly over bottom.  Set aside.

6. In a large bowl, beat the egg.  Mix in the ricotta, 2 c. of the cheese blend, basil, ground pepper, and the cooked sausage.

7. Fill each shell with sausage-cheese mixture and then place each in the sauce in the baking dish.  Once all shells are filled and placed, top with remaining sauce, followed by remaining cheese blend.

8. Cover dish, bake for 40 min.

9. Uncover dish and bake for additional 5 min.

10. After removing from oven, let stand for 5 min.  Serve and enjoy!!

Zucchini, Bacon, and Gruyère Quiche

This is very, very yummy--yep, we're back in 10 out 10 land!  I cannot rave about it enough, honestly :)  It's quite easy, too!  I'd say it's my favorite quiche ever, but that doesn't say much since I've not had nor made many lol.

Link to original recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/zucchini-bacon-and-gruyere-quiche-233259

Ingredients:

1 refrigerated pie dough round (9 in.--be sure to follow package directions about bringing to room temp)
1/4 lb. sliced bacon, coarsely chopped
2 medium zucchini (3/4 lb. total), halved lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/8" thick slices
1/2 tsp. salt, divided
3/4 c. heavy cream
3/4 c. whole milk (I didn't have any on hand and use skim this time--still worked, but I'd recommend whole instead)
1/4 tsp. black pepper
3 large eggs
2 oz. Gruyère cheese, coarsely grated

Instructions:

1. Place oven rack in middle position and heat oven to 450°F.

2. Fit pie dough into pie plate and lightly prick all over with a fork.  Bake according to package directions, then place on cooling rack to rest (as you continue remaining prep).

3. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.

4. Cook bacon in a heavy 12" skillet over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, until just crisp--around 6 minutes.

5. Using a slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towel lined plate, reserving rendered fat in skillet.

6. Add zucchini and 1/4 tsp. of the salt to the rendered fat in skillet and cooking, stirring occasionally, over moderately high heat.  When zucchini is tender and starting to brown a little, stop cooking and remove from heat.

7. Heat cream, milk, pepper, and remaining 1/4 tsp. salt in a small saucepan until mixture reaches a bare simmer, then remove from heat.

8. In a large heatproof bowl, whisk eggs together, then slowly/gradually whisk in hot cream mixture until just combined.

9. Stir in bacon, zucchini, and cheese.

10. Pour mixture into prepared pie crust and bake until filling is just set, around 25-30 minutes.  (I actually went 35 this time, as mine didn't look quite set.  I think this may have been due to the skim milk instead of whole.)

11. Transfer to cooling rack (still in pie dish) to cool at least 20 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!  **Be sure to refrigerate within 2 hours of cooling for food safety.**

Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil

This was quite good indeed...I'd have to give it 9.5, well worth making again :)  As it did not indicate in the original how many servings it would yield and only had 2 chicken breasts, I was guessing it might not serve 3 very well.  Thus, I made 1.5 times the original.  This was just right, meat-wise (though I could finish half of one--the guys both finished whole ones each); there was a ton of sauce leftover, though.  It's really good, don't want to waste it, so I'm going to save it and try it on pasta.  Anyhow, the amounts listed here in the blog are the 1.5 times version.  As you can see below, I served it with basic fried potatoes, which was a perfect accompaniment.  (Note: the pink of the meat is due to the wine and is only surfacial--it is not underdone, I assure you!)

Link to original recipe: https://www.fromachefskitchen.com/chicken-pinot-noir-with-wild-mushrooms-and-fresh-basil/

Ingredients:

4 1/2 T olive oil, divided
kosher salt and coarse black pepper
3 split chicken breats (bone-in, skin-on)
1 small yellow onion, chopped
12 cloves garlic, halved
1 1/2 c. canned whole tomatoes
1 1/2 c. dry red wine, preferably Pinot Noir (which I used, Bogle vineyards)
2 c. chicken stock and 5 oz. canned broth (original asks for canned broth only, thus either works)
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3/4 tsp. dried thyme
3 T. unsalted butter, softened, divided
1 1/2 T. all-purpose flour
12 oz. mixed wild mushrooms, sliced (I might have used a bit more, didn't measure, and would add more next time)
1/4 c. chopped fresh basil (I didn't measure on this)

Ingredients:

1.  Heat oven to 350°F (I'm a slow prepper, so I waited until a little way into the prep before turning on oven).

2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

3. Heat 3 T. of the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.  Place chicken breasts skin side down and brown 4-5 minutes (or until golden).  Turn, brown equally on other side, then transfer to plate.

4. Add remaining 1 1/2 T. olive oil to Dutch oven and then add onion.  Reduce heat to medium and cook 3-4 minutes or until softened.

5. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 30 seconds or until fragrant.

6. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

7. Add wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits.

8. Add the chicken stock & broth, oregano, and thyme.  Return to a boil.

9. Transfer chicken, skin side down, back to pot.  Cover tightly and place in oven.  Bake 1 hour, then transfer Dutch oven back to stovetop.

10. Combine 1 1/2 T. butter with the flour (I mashed them together with my fingers to make a paste.)  Add to Dutch oven mixture and bring to a simmer, stirring until combined.

11. In a skillet, heat the remaining 1 1/2 T. butter over medium-high heat.  Add mushrooms and cook 4-5 minutes or until softened and slightly browned (this took closer to 8 min for me).

12. Add cooked mushrooms to pot with chicken, along with basil, and stir to combine all.

13. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed and enjoy!

Mushroom Goat Cheese Pasta

The rating on this recipe is not a 10...at least not for me (I know, you're in shock, right?).  I would give it a 7.5; hubby liked it better than I did, so I'm guessing he'd give it at least 8.5, maybe 9.  While it was good, I doubt I will make this again.  Perhaps it is because I changed the original a bit, but I kind of doubt that.  I like my pastas saucy; even after doubling the 'sauce' component and adding more pasta water and a little milk, it was just barely enough for me. The flavor was decent and hubby ate the leftovers, so it certainly wasn't a fail by any means.

Original recipe: https://thekittchen.com/10-minute-mushroom-goat-cheese-pasta/

Ingredients:

7 oz. farfalle pasta (or linguine, as indicated in original)

2 T. butter

2 c. sliced baby bella mushrooms

salt and pepper, to taste

6 T. dry sherry

1/4 c. soft goat cheese

cream (at least 1 T, though I'm guessing I went closer to 2)

1/4 tsp. herbes de Provence

pasta water (at least 2 T, likely closer to 1/4 c.)

2 tsp. Parmigiano Reggiano, shredded

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, being sure to reserve some of the pasta water when draining.

2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.  Add mushrooms to pan and stir to coat.  Season with salt and pepper and cook until softened (around 4 minutes).

3. Add sherry to pan and cook until about half has evaporated, stirring occasionally.

4. Reduce heat to medium-low.  Add goat cheese and stir in until melted.

5. Add cream and herbes de Provence, stirring until combined.

6. Add the pasta water until desired consistency is reached, stirring to combine (note: I also ended up adding a splash of milk).

7. Stir in Parmigiano Reggiano and serve.

Rice Pilaf with Sage, Parmigiano, and Prosciutto

As I mentioned in previous post, this rice is equally amazing to the main dish I made with it (cast iron lamb chops).  Yes, it's a 10 out of 10--maybe even an 11 lol.  Seriously, this is so darn yummy! As I did not need a lot of servings, I made only half of the original recipe.  Amounts listed here on my blog are for the halved version (**one exception: I forgot to half the first butter addition, but it turned out great, so I'm leaving it below how I made it).

Link to original recipe:  http://www.finecooking.com/recipe/rice-pilaf-with-sage-parmigiano-prosciutto

Ingredients:

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil
5 very thin slices prosciutto, cut crosswise in 1" wide strips
2 T. unsalted butter
1 1/2 T. chopped fresh sage, divided
2 large cloves garlic, minced
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
3/4 c. long-grain white rice
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
1/2 c. dry white wine (I used Barefoot Chardonnay)
3/4. c. low-salt chicken broth
1/2 T. unsalted butter
1 oz. Parmigiano-Reggiano, coarsely grated on the large holes of a box grater

Instructions:

1. In a 1.5 or 2 qt. heavy-based saucepan with a tight lid, heat olive oil over medium heat.  Cook prosciutto in the hot oil, stirring occasionally, until browned and crispy, 1 to 2 min.  Using tongs or slotted spoon, transfer prosciutto to a paper towel to drain.

2. Add 2 T. of butter to the pan and reduce the heat to low.  When the butter has melted, add 1 T. of the sage and cook for a few seconds, then add garlic and shallots.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until shallots are softened but not browned--around 5 min.

3. Add the rice and salt and stir well to coat each grain with oil.  Toast for a full 5 min, stirring regularly to keep the grains from sticking to each other and bottom of pan.

4. Add the wine, stir well, and cook over medium heat until the wine is mostly reduced--about 3 min.

5. Add the chicken broth, stir once, then bring to boil.  Cover, reduce heat to low, and cook for 18 min. without peeking/opening.

6. Remove pan from heat and let sit, still covered, for 5 min.

7. Once the pilaf has rested, remove the lid and fluff the rice with a fork.  Add the remaining 1/2 T. of butter and remaining 1/2 T. sage, the Parmigiano, and the cooked prosciutto.

8. Serve with desired main dish (or as one!) and enjoy :D

Cast Iron Lamb Loin Chops in Cognac Butter

Mmmmmmmm.  I love lamb loin chops.  These are easy, delicious, and fast--a 10 for sure!  But I must warn you to use your range hood fan right from the start so that, unlike me, you don't end up with your smoke alarm going off halfway through cooking...  Seriously, my neighbors probably think I just burn the hell out of everything lol.  Anyway...I served these with an amazing version of rice pilaf, which I will post next :D

Link to original recipe: http://kitchenswagger.com/recipes/cast-iron-lamb-loin-chops-cognac-butter-sauce-recipe/

Ingredients:

4 lamb loin chops
kosher salt and coarse ground pepper
1 T. olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. fresh oregano, finely chopped
2 tsp. fresh rosemary, finely chopped
2-3 T. butter
1/4 c. Cognac (or Brandy)

Instructions:

1. Season loin chops generously with kosher salt and pepper.  Let rest at room temperature for at least 20 minutes (mine were out closer to an hour, I think).

2. In a large cast iron skillet, heat olive oil on medium-high until hot (this was 8 on my stove; original recipe calls for 'hi', but this I think would be too much on my stove (equivalent of 10)).  Place the loin chops in skillet and cook, undisturbed, for 3-4 minutes.  Turn and cook, undisturbed on other side, for additional 3-4 minutes.

3. Add the butter, followed by the Cognac (be careful--this will steam fast and a lot!), fresh herbs, then garlic.  Stir to melt butter and flip chops to coat in butter, cooking only for additional 1-2 minutes total (any more than this and the chops will be overcooked).

4. Remove from heat and serve with butter/pan drippings drizzled over steaks.  Enjoy!!