For the longest time I have been wanting to join some sort of cooking group. I did the cookie swap in November, which was a blast, and I wanted more. Unfortunately all the groups I found didn't fit right for me. Either they were doing stuff I wanted to do but didn't have the skill level required (remember -- I am teaching myself how to cook here, folks) OR I had the skill level required but not the time OR I had the time but didn't want to do the recipes. But I have a found something that fits me perfectly. Sundays with Joy.
Here is why it fits me: I am not only learning to cook, but I am finally, finally, starting to want to bake. I used to hate it. All that measuring and what-not... it was too complicated. But as of late I have found myself baking a lot. Cookies, tarts, bread... it has gotten into me. And I am really really enjoying it. So going through Joy the Baker's cookbook one recipe per week sounded like a great plan for me. Especially since the title had the word "simple" in it ;)
For the past two weeks I have seen a few of the bloggers I follow (specifically Bakeaholic Mama, the starter of this brilliant plan) put up recipes for scones and muffins, and I thought, "I want those!" Well, if I want some, I know how to get them... get in the kitchen and make it happen, right?
The funny thing is that this week the recipe was not a sweet-treat such as a scone or a muffin, but a quiche. That probably doesn't sound so funny to you -- until you hear that my poor husband has eaten egg-something everynight this week. Fried eggs, scrambled eggs, egg and avocado pizzas... I think the last thing he really wanted to eat this weekend was some more eggs.
But he was good about it and supported me. Which I needed, because I kind of felt like a fool asking the grocery-store-dude if he could help me find leeks when they were right there. I guess that is what happens when I have only ever bought frozen, chopped leeks before... (BTW - found out that nutmeg is considered a "seasonal item" at Trader Joe's. Why? I get that we use it in pumpkin pie, but wouldn't they think we might possibly want to use it at other times of the year for other things as well?)
I was happy he was a good sport, and so was he. He loved this. And when I told him some of the other bakers were putting bacon in it he said, "Oh! You HAVE to do that next time!"
It is official: there will be a next time. Probably with bacon.
I have done it. My very first recipe from my new cooking group. I feel pretty darn good about myself right now! Ninety-nine more to go...
Recipe from Joy the Baker Cookbook: 100 Simple and Comforting Recipes.
Basically, it is a puff-pastry fitted to the dish (I used a thawed-once-frozen one and I don't feel guilty at all!) filled with cooked asparagus and leeks on the bottom and egg/milk/cream/and a dash of nutmeg, along with a big handful of Gruyeye cheese. Bake at 350* for 55 minutes and viola!-- breakfast/brunch/lunch/dinner is served :)
(For the full recipe, get the cookbook!)
Cost: $14.25 Cost Per Serving (8): $1.78
PLUS bread, salad... around $2.50 per plate(The cost could be lower if you find cheap asparagus -- I could not.)
How about green beans? Can you find them there? Spinach would be great, but with peas... hmm... let me know how it goes! :)
ReplyDeleteit turned out just gorgeous - lovely pictures!
ReplyDeletevery nice job, Tiffany!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so yummy! I'm so happy I stumbled across your blog!
ReplyDeleteWow!! That's something I definitely should try, looks AMAZING Tiffany!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Friend! Coming from you it means A LOT!!! (You are my favorite cook/photographer, Amanda!)
DeleteLooks great! And I definitely recommend the bacon :)
ReplyDeleteTotally going to do it next time!
DeleteI've made this before and it was SO delicious!
ReplyDeleteLooks amazing!! Can't wait for next weeks recipe.
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA! I didn't even notice, although clearly I did not fall into the same trap ;) Yeah, no pee in your quiche please. I can guarantee that wouldn't be good...
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious, and the perfect time in spring for it!
ReplyDelete