Something New

I've been trying to make an effort to learn how to prepare some of my husband's favorite (and traditional) meals.  Here is one that his sister makes every holiday.  This one was made to be included in our Thanksgiving Feast.

It is called Tchep Djen.  It is traditionally a Senegalese dish but Ivorians seem to like it as well.  It has also become one of my family's favorites. 

Veggie Basil Soup

I'm a huge fan of tomato basil soup and have an awesome recipe.  Unfortunately, lately I've not had the time, energy, or ingredients to make it.  So I have learned to improvise with what I have.  Not exactly the same but a really good alternative.

I always have half and half and some V8.  Most times I have pesto somewhere in there.  I took a cup of veggie juice and about a teaspoon of pesto and heat them together.  I think the low sodium works well for this since the pesto has just enough saltiness.  I add a few drops of the half and half just for some creaminess.  It's pretty darned good.  Sometimes I even ad a chopped tomato when I need a little something to chew on.

This is the finished product.  I had a quarter tomato hanging out in the fridge and tossed that in.  I highly recommend this to anyone short on time and on a budget.

The French Connection

My husband grew up eating French food.  He still loves it.  Unfortunately for him, I know next to nothing about french food.  Every now and again he will have mentioned something he likes and I'll find something like it at the grocery store.  This weekend I must have had him on my mind because I came across a couple of treats he might like.  Although prepackaged, he said they were good.

Madeleines are his favorite.  I've not tried them yet because I've yet to purchase a proper Madeleine pan.  That will be on my list of things to find today.  He liked the palmiers OK.  He said they were best with coffee.

    

Obviously we aren't sophisticated coffee drinkers.  He's not big on black coffee so we buy this brand because it's pretty creamy and only slightly sweet.  Though he still adds milk even to this one.  I'm partial to the tea of course.

It took some doing but I finally found a location where he can get a decent baguette.  Of course it's out of the way but it really is the better option.  He announced today that he might cut back as he seems to be eating too many carbs.  That's new but I respect it.  We only purchased 4 loaves for the week.

Instead of our regular omelet for breakfast, I threw together a frittata.  It has one potato, one tomato, 1/4 C peas, 1/4 onion and egg whites and seasoning.  Not french but we both enjoyed it. 

The finished product. (I forgot to take a pic before we cut into it.)

Obviously my French connection to food is lacking. That is why I have decided to try some french recipe.  Of course I'll be picking the husband's brain before making the selections.  After all, he will be the guinea pig!