Thursday, January 6, 2011

Bons petits cakes gourmands and a good soup~

During the holiday season..my husband had to go to Costco again..I am so not a big fan and crowds and shopping at those big stores during the holidays..but the outing does me good~
Remember I bought the Macarons set? Little boxes filled w/ goodies and a cookbook? All for such a reasonable price..We don't exchange gifts my husband and I..so I get little things like this during the holidays when we go shopping and we both benefit.:)

Well.. getting back to Costco ..I found the last one of yet another boxed set..

But ..let me start at the beginning..for this post..

I had seen a soup at Kate's..


It looked so good I had to make it.. and it IS so good!

Soup is enough for me..but I know Jacques likes a bit more to munch on..I perused my little book and found lovely little bacon ,sage and cheese cakes.. savory..Oh they popped up beautifully and tasted delicious.




Easy as 1-2-3..



It makes 6 little cakes..



Sliced up..served w/ appetizer forks..just right w/ an appéritif too..

Or wrapped as little gifts..



I decided to add a dash of salt at serving..only because I had watched an episode of A La DiStasio and could have sworn they had made Christmas Tree Salt:)


It was delicious on them..Jacques thought it was Rosemary..

You just pulse your salt w/ Christmas Tree needles..Fragrant and delicious..
The funny part? She had served Christmas Tree Sugar on citrus..
I'm sure that's excellent too!
But the salt works:)
Plus I wanted to use the Graphic's Fairy darling girl~
The kits..look like this in case you missed the Macarons post..


This is Marabout Collection~
PS I added a bit of milk to my soup..my potatoes were HUGE..:)I cooked my bacon before making les cakes.. as I was doing the soup and cakes at the same time~

Thank you Kate and Karen.

Kate's Recipe~


Potato Cheese (and a spot of ale) Soup

Serves 6

1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
6 baking potatoes, peeled, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 bottle (12 oz) ale
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 cups cheddar, grated
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup chopped chives or scallion tops for garnish

In a large saucepan, cook the bacon over moderate hear until crisp. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels. Retain about 2 tablespoons of bacon fat. If there isn't enough, add enough oil to equal the amount. Reduce heat to low.

Add the onion and cook, stirring until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for another couple of minutes.

Add the potatoes and brown them a little. Then add the stock, beer, and water, and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes.

Remove half the soup from the pan and puree it in a food processor or blender. Use a masher to mash some of the potatoes remaining in the pan. Return the puree to the pan. Over low heat, add the cheese and stir until melted. Add the paprika and apple cider vinegar. Stir until well combined. At this point the bacon may be added to the mix or it may be reserved to use as a garnish with the chives. (This time, I added mine to the pot!) Remove the pan from the heat. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Serve the soup topped with the bacon and chives.

33 comments:

  1. Always a joy to visit your blog! ALWAYS!! I get great ideas not only cooking but little packages-I love a package!
    p.s.I went to my Costco and didn't find the Macarons kit! :(

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  2. nigella had xmas salt, but this is pure genius. and ohh so cute... the little cakes look so good too :) such a sweet post as always.

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  3. You got that kit at Costco?!!

    Why does my Costco not have cute stuff like that!

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  4. With 8 inches of new snow today soup is my dinner choice this evening...I would love your little mini cake to go with!
    Costco usually always has a little treasure if you look hard enough...
    The Christmas salt...who would ever have thought...wonderful idea.
    Happy Cooking,
    Kathy @
    Sweet Up-North Mornings...

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  5. ça l'air si bon et les photographies sont divines!!!

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  6. Love the salt! The snaps are so pretty. Always a pleasure to visit here.

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  7. Love the salt! The snaps are so pretty. Always a pleasure to visit here.

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  8. As you know, we are all about soup these days. I think it is a delightful change from the heavy meals of the holidays. Filling and less calories at the same time. I love your little appetizer cakes! Off to read about Kate's soup :)

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  9. A lovely post..as always.
    What a lovely idea...the Christmas Salt. the little mini loaves look so good with that soup.
    Your photos look so yummy, Monique.
    Have a wonderful weekend!
    Shel x

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  10. I am so glad that you enjoyed the soup! It is a standard here during the winter. I love the little cakes...so flavor packed and a perfect match for the soup. I must give them a try.
    Thank you for the link!

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  11. Usually, the soup is enough for me, too... but not after I've seen these gourgeous petit cakes!
    Have a nice day
    alessandra

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  12. Dear Monique ..these three recipes are precious to me.... thank you as always.... hugs, Flavia

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  13. I bookmarked this recipe when I saw it on Kate's blog and am not surprised to read that you liked it too, Monique. This is next on my soup list.

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  14. The soup looks just like what I need today. We are expecting another snow storm. I think I need the cakes, too...they sound like a perfect companion.

    I agree, I don't like the big stores. I'm glad you find these little treasures though, to share with us.

    The Christmas salt is fascinating and I didn't realize pine was edible. There is a big pine tree outside my house that could put me in business. Big business!

    Thanks to you and Kate.

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  15. I think my kids (and husband) would love this soup. Sounds like a real winter warmer - best eaten in front of a fireplace.

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  16. Ummm, soup looks delicious but the little cakes, yummo!!! I don't think my Costco has this stuff.....I wish it did!!! I like the salt jar but after my disaster of the rosemary cookies....hmm, I may try again!!!
    Thanks for sharing such delightful pictures and creative ideas.
    Hugs,
    Margaret B

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  17. MMMmmmmmmm...perfect for today when the snow is falling and it is cold out there...
    Gorgeous post Monique!
    I am always happy to see interesting salts...
    L~xo

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  18. This is beautiful! what a great idea to serve your special potato soup with these little cakes. Love your Christmas salt I went to Costco to look for The Macarons, but no luck,your phtos are always so perfect!can almost taste that soup.

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  19. Such a soothing meal! The soup looks delicious...the mini savory cakes are the perfect accompaniment...and the Christmas salt is so unique and clever. You always offer such rich posts...it's always a joy to visit here. :)
    Love,
    Tracey
    x0x

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  20. I have never heard of Christmas Tree salt or sugar and that sounds absolutely fascinating. It looks so beautiful in your quaint jar with the darling graphics. What a cutie. You always make everything so gorgeous.

    The cakes are adorable and I would love them with my soup too. Just the right meal for cold weather.

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  21. Oh this looks perfect to make in my winter loving mood. Thanks for sharing and I always appreicate your visits. Stay warm!

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  22. Little mini cakes for Jacques. You are a dear. Love the look of the soup and the cakes. ;-)

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  23. Soup is one of my favourites on a snowy day like today. Thanks for sharing this recipe.

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  24. Thank you..It's on rare occasions..that Costco has had these kits.. last year.. there were little "cocottes" w/ a recipe book..this year.. the 2 kits I showed you.. a larger loaf pan set..and a baby lunch kit..

    They are all gone..

    I think there..if you see something you just have to do it:) So reasonable too!

    Lindsay you have a lovely blog!

    Jacqueline..I've been Googling Cabo since your posts..It's so beautiful.
    Rita..I will email you if ever I see them again..

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  25. That is a great idea with the salt. I will try to make cedar jelly this summer.

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  26. I wish these cute kits were available over here! So lovely and with delicious results :)

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  27. Delicious! Gorgeous photos by the way. I'm not a big fan of the holiday crowds either. I started avoiding them in November! :)

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  29. I think I have transposed la recette:


    120 g de farine 4.23287 oz= 1/2 cup + a little
    2 oeufs=two eggs
    80 g de gruyere rape + 1/3 cup gruyere cheese, grated
    7 ci de lait=2.38 oz. = 1/4 c + of milk
    7 ci d'huile =1/3 c + of oil (olive or veg.)
    1/2 sachet de levure chimique= half packet of yeast
    3 leaves of fresh sage, finely chopped
    1/3 cup diced bacon
    sel, poivre=salt and pepper
    preheat oven 350 degrees
    butter and flour the little pans
    in a bowl, mix the eggs with the oil and the milk.
    Add flour, cheese, bacon and sage.
    Salt, pepper. Mix.

    As soon as you put the yeast in,
    Pour the batter into pans and bake
    for about...30 minutes

    Bake until knife comes out clean.
    Refrigerate for awhile before taking
    cakes out of pans.

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  30. J'aime bien cette collection .. J'ai presque tous leurs titres (enfin, deux bons tiers de leurs titres ...) et je m'en sers beaucoup !
    Bonne idée, de servir les cakes avec une soupe ...
    Bisous et bonne journée
    Hélène

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  31. I'll take the soup, and the cute little cakes (in their adorable pans) to go. Merci.

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  32. Reading you is one of the best parts about coming home...

    xo

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