It’s a short and sweet French Fridays with Dorie post this week. I’m currently in Epernay, working hard learning all about the elaboration of champagne. If you don’t believe me, look at Mr Neil, working hard at Moët et Chandon…. Note-taking and everything….
In any case, many thanks to the lovely Cher for scanning and emailing me the Dorie recipes so I wouldn’t have to miss one (I haven’t missed one yet since October 2010 and I don’t plan on it!). When I saw this week’s recipe (Tomato-Cheese Tartlets, P 164-165) I was pretty happy. A simple recipe making use of things I have easy access to – beautiful tomatoes and plentiful goat cheese…
No, I didn’t make my own pastry this week (having only *just* survived the pie making last weekend and with another pastry coming up for Tuesdays with Dorie next week too) but fortunately there is fabulous pre-made (and rolled) pastry here in France so I took advantage…
Oh look – quelle surprise – I made MINI sized ones. Just for a change. Actually they were fantastic lil snacks after a hard day’s champagne tasting….
I made three to test them out (It took me ages to figure out the oven in our rental house here and then I didn’t have a second baking tray to weigh the puff pastry down and it was, well, puffy – puffier than it should be…) and as soon as I had taken their pictures, they were pretty much snaffled up my mum, dad and Neil. Fortunately there were more. I loved these – tapenade, tomatoes and goat cheese with a splash of olive oil and a sprinkle of thyme. So easy, so tasty!
This, for me, is a perfect summer dish. Small as apéro snacks, a little larger as a light lunch or supper and even bigger still to share with friends. Or, you know, maybe not!
French Fridays with Dorie participants do not publish the recipes on our blogs, rather, we prefer if you purchase Around My French Table for yourselves (trust me, you definitely want this book!) which you can do here on Amazon or Amazon Canada. Or for free worldwide shipping, buy from The Book Depository. Go on, treat yourself – join us! I have not missed a week since October 2010 and the recipes that I didn’t like I can count on one hand.
French Friday links:
Can’t join me in Paris this summer? How about “Un après midi à Paris” – a new class I will be teaching at Aprhrodite Cooks this coming October? Join me for a sweet afternoon learning the secrets to some classic French desserts: the elusive macaron, profiteroles, tarte au citron, madeleines and mendiants. We’ll be making “petit four” sizes of each in a hands on class and participants will leave with a box of the class’s creations. After the class you will receive recipes to help you recreate your Parisian treats at home. Refreshments of tea and coffee and infused waters enjoyed throughout the afternoon. Click to book your spot for this exciting new class on Saturday October 13th 2012.
I’m also thrilled to be teaching my first macaron class at Aphrodite Cooks in November – Macarons: Simple comme Bonjour! “Simple comme bonjour” means “as easy as A, B, C” and really, macarons are not as difficult as everyone makes them out to be. Spend the afternoon in a hands-on class, learning the secrets of this temperamental, yet exquisite French delicacy – you’ll leave with some of your creations and a new found confidence (and recipes!) to tackle the cookie with the bad reputation all by yourself at home! Refreshments and snacks will be served. Click to book your spot in this new macaron class on Saturday November 3rd 2012.
Read my latest articles on Food Network Canada: Spotlight on Paris markets, Seven must-visit destinations in Burgundy and Eating, drinking and learning at Ô Chateau, Paris.
Follow my French travels on Flickr this summer with my Summer 2012 set of photos – updated regularly!
These look sooo good. I think I gave to dig out my copy of Dorie and give them a try now tomato season is around the corner!
You SO need to do some Dorie…
I would have liked a bottle of Moet to go with these. I will be making these until the tomatoes run out this summer.
Yum yes, champagne goes with everything!
Beautiful, especially with the green tomatoes. And everything tastes better in mini form, n’est-ce pas?
I’m certain these taste even better in Paris! Beautifully done, Mardi!!!
Or Epernay!
I have ingredient envy 🙂 The cheese and tomato both look stunning.
Glad I could help…Anytime.
You are the best! And ingredient envy? LOL!
Sounds like a great way to spend your summer with champagne. You made the cutest little tarts! Beautiful. I love the addition of chevre. Have a good weekend!
Thanks! Not an addition though – was the recipe!
This is DEFINITELY something I can handle making 🙂 delicious!
Yes you could and should Lindsey!
Gorgeous! 🙂
Thanks!
Yours look delicious, love that you found a green tomato to mix up the colors a bit. I loved this dish and was oh so excited when I found out that we were making a tart which did not require pastry dough (my nemesis).
Yes it was a great surprise for me too!
I love your heirloom tomatoes and I’ll bet these were great with chevre – very nice!
So so good!
Hubby and I visited Epernay and it is beautiful. We did the tasting at Moet et Chandon and had a lot of fun. (What’s not to like). We also have a numbered sketch of the Monastery on the hill that we purchased at the Chamber of Commerce there in town. Sounds like you are having a great time, and your tartlets look fantastic.
What’s not to like indeed? 🙂
These minis look beautiful, Mardi! I personally think they look much better puffed than flattened and to have them with French goat cheese…ah, it must’ve been heaven. Enjoy your French summer, you know we’re all envious! 🙂
Thanks Maya!
I love your bite-sized tarts. They look rustic and elegant all at once. I also have to say that I’m impressed you haven’t missed a single week since we started. I have to hang my head and admit I’m a bit of a French Fridays slacker, sometimes.
Rustic and elegant – that’s quite the compliment!
Mardi, these tartlets look so pretty and appetising! Perfect for l’heure de l’apéro.
Sorry to have missed you but love catching up with your adventures via the blog. I presume you’ll be back next year – hope to see you then!
Indeed I will! And we WILL catch up!
I am sure those bite-sized tartlets were just the thing after your bubbly tasting. Something salty and savory. Nice tomatoes. Isn’t it amazing how one can always improvise and make things work. You’ve done a fantastic job to get these recipes made and posted. I had a hell of a time with the crust on the Berry Galette for Tuesday with Dorie and I’m in my own home with all my own equipment!
Thanks so much Mary!
So cute! I can’t believe you’ve never missed one recipe! That’s impressive! I am jealous of your champagne studies – it sounds really fun and tasty.
Well “studies” – it’s a word I would use loosely!
I love all things bite sized.
Perfect!
Then you can eat more, right? (well that’s my reasoning!)
These look lovely! I have lots of fresh heirloom tomatoes from the garden right now, so I think I may have to make a version of my own!
So so easy Jen!