Friday, December 31, 2010

FFWD—December Roundup—My Go-To Beef Daube, Sweet & Spicy Cocktail Nuts, and Speculoos

Just a quick round up of the recipes for French Fridays With Dorie for December before December and the year are through!

A couple weeks ago I made Dorie’s Go-To Beef Daube (pages 244-245).  I made just a few simple changes.  The recipe called for 2 large onions and 6 shallots.  I don’t think so! ;)  I did use one onion.  And that was plenty.  I didn’t have any parsnips.  Instead of Cognac or brandy, I just used water.  In place of the red wine, I used POM Wonderful pomegranate juice.  And I didn’t have any fresh herbs for the bouquet garni, so I used dried herbs and didn’t put them in cheesecloth.  All my changes worked well.  This was a great Sunday meal.  I made mashed potatoes to go with it.

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I made the Sweet and Spicy Cocktail Nuts (page 18). I doubled the nuts and egg, but not the sugar and spices.  I’m glad I didn’t double the sugar, they would have had too much.  The spices were also perfect without doubling them.  I used one cup each of cashews, pecans, almonds and walnuts.  I gave lots of these away for Christmas and munches on my fair share! ;)

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And finally for this month, I made Speculoos (pages 406-407).  These are a fun, perfectly Christmas cookie.  Similar to a thin crispy gingersnap, but with cinnamon as the key flavor and not ginger.  I like them!

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These were easy and fun to roll out (the dough chills while it is already rolled in between plastic wrap.  I had fun with different shapes and some sprinkles!

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Taylor wanted to make one, so he made a big gingerbread boy cookie and had fun decorating it.

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There you have it, December French Friday’s With Dorie at my house.  Get the book and join in the fun.

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My little Sammie didn’t feel very good today, this is him about 5:00 p.m.

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He went to bed with a fever (but medicated).  :(  Bummer!  Speaking of bed, I must go there so I can get up early and workout.  Wishing you all a Happy New Year!  Be safe and have a wonderful 2011.  I’m looking forward to it!

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Here’s our spoiled little puppy.  He comes in from going potty outside in the foot of snow on the ground and gets all wrapped up in a towel to dry off and cuddle.  No, he’s not spoiled at all. ;)

15 comments:

chocolatechic said...

Everything looks great.

I almost made my beef daube with beef broth or veggie broth.

Megan said...

I love a good spicy nut! I'll have to try that recipe next time.
Sorry to hear Sammy doesn't feel very good. Love the pouch pic! :)

Steph said...

Your dishes all look terrific and your little one and pup are too adorable! Hope he's feeling better soon. Happy New Year!

scrambledhenfruit said...

These all look great! I need to get back into the ffwd swing- I only made the spicy nuts this month and then sent them off without even taking a photo. :( Hope you have a lovely new year!

Jessica of My Baking Heart said...

Love the roundup! It all looks so wonderful. Happy 2011 to you and yours, Katrina! :)

Leslie said...

Happy New Year to you. I hope your little one feels better. Thats a bummer.

Lisa said...

What a delicious roundup of food. Those speculoos especially sound really good since I love things with spice.

Trevor Sis Boom said...

What a great roundup! It was a great month I think. I can't wait to make the daube again.

Anonymous said...

I was tempted to try that recipe for the nuts this year but didn't get around to it. Probably just as well 'cause I know that neither of us would be able to leave them alone!

Jaime said...

what an adorable little puppy!!!!!

your changes to the beef recipe sound great. i'll have to try pom juice instead of red wine in the next recipe i make... maybe that one ;)

Anna said...

I've never made beef daube, but Dorie's would probably be a good one to start with. Get well Sammy!

Betsy said...

Everything looks delicious. I like the sprinkles on the cookies. Your dog looks so cute! Mine loves to walk in the snow, but growls when the towel comes near. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Happy new year! The FFwD dishes look so good!

Anonymous said...

Pomegranate juice sounds like a great substitution in the daube.

Great photos!

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