Today’s recipe from Around My French Table is Marie-Helene’s Apple Cake. While this was quite the simple recipe to make, I wasn’t 100% pleased with the outcome. I did everything exactly as the recipe instructed, but this turned out more like a bread pudding than any sort of “cake”.

Don’t get me wrong, the flavor was nice as it used rum and vanilla with the apples, and it smelled so good as it baked. I was really excited to try it, but it just didn’t do it for me. I’m not a fan of bread puddings so I wouldn’t jump to make this again for myself. It would probably been nice with a little rum spiked whipped cream!

I felt like it was so wet that it just would not cook completely, especially the bottom. It was soggy. I’m thinking of cutting it into pieces to cook in a hot skillet for breakfast tomorrow. Making a sort of apple pancake thing. My husband would be happy with that!

Either way, I’m glad I tried this. Maybe I’ll attempt again sometime, but with fewer apples. The batter didn’t cover my apples at all like they were supposed to. Although, I still think this is a lovely looking cake, don’t you?

Starting today, Foodie Fridays will be replaced by French Fridays with Dorie. I’ll be cooking through Around My French Table along with many others. Hope you enjoy this detour as I learn more about french cooking.

Today’s recipe was Gougères. This was such a simple, satisfying thing to make. My batch yielded 44 servings, not the 36 mentioned in the book. I baked a dozen, froze the rest. Did I mention I ate three before I even started writing this post? This will become a staple entertaining food for me since you can bake them from frozen. What a nice little treat for guests to have a warm, golden cheesy nugget like this!

This time I used gruyere, but I will try cheddar next. I’d also love to add a little spice to them and play with different flavors. Great recipe. Turned out perfectly. Can’t wait for next week’s recipe!

Enjoy your weekend! Eat something yummy.

I love cabbage. It’s cheap. It’s healthy. It’s versatile.

I’ve been making this recipe for months now. It’s so quick and easy. This has become one of my favorite ways to eat cabbage! Thanks, Martha Stewart Living Magazine, January 2010.

It’s such an elegant way to serve cabbage. Slice a few lemon wedges for guests to squeeze over the finished dish. Would be fabulous served with a whole roasted chicken. Maybe add another veggie side or a fresh spring salad. Yum!

You can find the recipe for Roasted Cabbage Wedges with Olive Oil and Lemon here.

The only addition I made to mine was to use McCormick’s Italian Herb Seasoning Grinder. It’s the perfect combination of seasonings for this lovely, mild vegetable.

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How will you be spending your holiday weekend? Are you making yummy food?

I’ll be spending the weekend with my family and trying out these recipes for Sunday Breakfast. Updates to follow!

Sticky Lemon Rolls with Lemon Cream Cheese Glaze

Zucchini and Green Chili Breakfast Casserole

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Happy Easter Easter/Passover Everyone! Have a great weekend…

Recently, I tried making my own pizza dough from Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook. It turned out so nicely that I have made it several times since! It’s so rewarding making things like this from scratch. I simply make a batch and freeze half to use at another time. It’s worth the little effort to have something fresh and tasty. Here is a similar recipe to the one in the book. Frozen Pizza Dough.

For this Margherita Pizza, I use one container of Domino’s Marinara sauce (we had one leftover), fresh mozzarella slices and fresh basil leaves. First, I roll the dough out. I like mine on the thinner side. Sprinkle cornmeal on your cookie sheet. Place rolled dough onto sheet. Brush with olive oil, top with marinara, mozzarella slices, basil leaves and salt & pepper. I also grated a little asiago (or any hard cheese) I had in my drawer, just to add a little more flavor. Bake in a 450 degree oven for 12-15 minutes. Throw a few more basil leaves on top and enjoy!

If you don’t want to make your own dough, buy some to use. You could also make your own pizza sauce. I just haven’t gotten around to perfecting that. Might be next on my list of things to learn.

This is such a tasty dinner. It has become a staple in our home. Try it! There are so many combinations of flavors out there. I favor simplicity, but these would be super tasty with meats if that’s your thing.

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We’re enduring a record-breaking snowstorm here in the Baltimore-D.C. area. Will post updates of the snow! It’s just lovely.
Have a warm and happy weekend!