Lemon Cream & Strawberry Crepes

I love crepes.

Making crepes has taught me so much. I've learned technique...how my stove cooks...how long to let the pan heat...the sound the butter makes when the pan is ready for the batter...how to swirl, flip, and slide it on to a plate. I've learned to embrace my crashed crepes...you know, usually the first of the batch that tear, fold, crash into a mess in the pan. 

You don't rush crepes. You practice crepes.

Once you get in a rhythm, crepe making is peaceful. It's rather methodical. I find that I look for reasons to make crepes. 

This particular crepe recipe is filled with something sweet. 

I use the La Bonne Femme Master Crepe Recipe for these, but you can use your favorite store bought or tried and true recipe. I found the filling recipe on Pinterest (Love Bakes Good Cakes).

Here's what you need for this super easy, ultra delicious recipe:

1/2 cup lemon curd

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 pint strawberries- chopped

Here's how to make it:

Make crepes according to La Bonne Femme (or favorite) recipe. Beat curd and cream on high for 3-5 minutes.

Oh my! I heart lemon curd!!! It was actually the filling in our wedding cake.

So- then you spread the lemon cream mixture along the bottom of the crepe. Top with strawberries.

Then just roll them up, drizzle a little more cream, top with strawberries, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Voilà! Lemon-Strawberry-Crepey Goodness!!!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Greek Quinoa Salad- Quick. Easy. Greek.

I love Greek Food!

Olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta...a little tang, a little spice, a little creamy from the olive oil or yogurt...it's just delightful!

On one particularly sunny day, I made this Greek Quinoa Salad. It was light, refreshing...and very Greek!

Oh look- its our Uncorked wine glass in the background!
Uncorked is an event supporting our local symphony and opera.
The Hubs and I attended Uncorked last year. Mason and I used to go to the opera,
so it was a nice way to remember and honor her.

I found this recipe on Pinterest. I love all of the fresh herbs and produce in this dish. It would be perfect on a hot day!

Lemons!

So here is what you need:

1 cup uncooked quinoa

1 cup diced tomatoes (I used halved cherry tomatoes)

1 cup diced cucumber (peeled and seeded)

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives

1/4 cup diced red onion

1 tsp fresh chopped mint

1 tsp fresh chopped parsley

1 tsp fresh dill

juice of 2 lemons (3-4 Tbsp)

2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

coarse salt and fresh black pepper to taste

*I added cooked shrimp to mine to increase the protein.

What you need to do:

Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Allow to cool.

Mix everything together in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours for flavors to mesh.

That's it! Really- that is it. 

You will be amazed by the wonderful flavor in this dish. And all you do is cut, cook, cool, mix!

Look at all of that fresh goodness!!!

There you have it. Quick, Easy, Greek.

La Bonne Vie Y'all!

Spring Brunch!

Not only was this beautiful, but it was easy and so, very delicious!

We had this Pre-Easter Brunch last week when all the grocery stores had bunches of fresh asparagus. Hooray! 

These pretty green veggies match tangy Gruyere perfectly! We served this tart with fresh herb crepes, creme fraiche (actually we used sour cream, because it is what we had on hand), and caviar.

My stars- this was delicious!

Asparagus - Gruyere Tart

(I adapted this one from the Hip Foodie Mom blog.)

Here's what you need:

1 sheet of puff pastry

1 bunch thick stock asparagus

Dijon (or Honey Dijon) mustard

1 1/2 cups shredded Gruyere

good olive oil or truffle oil

balsamic vinegar

freshly ground sea salt and pepper

Here's what you do:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Roll out the puff pastry on parchment and lightly score a 1" boarder around the edge. Prick the puff pastry, then bake for 15 minutes.

Brush Dijon or Honey-Dijon mustard on the puff pastry (except the boarder). 

Sprinkle Gruyere on top of the mustard.

Place asparagus over the cheese alternating tips and ends.

Brush asparagus with oil.

I used this wonderful white truffle oil from Olive Chattanooga.

Sprinkle with freshly ground sea salt and pepper. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.

Cool; then drizzle with good balsamic vinegar.

Fresh Herb Crepes with Creme Fraiche and Caviar

(I used my tried and true La Bonne Femme Cookbook for the crepe recipe. I just added herbs to the Master Crepe Recipe in cookbook.)

Here's what you need:

3/4 cup 2% or whole milk

1/2 cup water

2 large eggs

1 cup all-purpose flour

3 Tbsp melted butter

pinch of salt

mix of fresh chopped herbs (whatever you have on hand)

extra butter for the pan

caviar (your favorite)

creme fraiche or sour cream

Here's what you do:

Place the first 6 ingredients in a blender to combine. Scrap side once and finish blending.

Pour through a sieve to remove any lumps and store in fridge for 1 hour to overnight.

Add the herbs to the batter and gently stir until just combined.

Heat pan over medium heat. Add butter and then a scant 1/4 cup to the pan, turning pan until well spread across the pan. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until edges are dry and slightly golden. Flip and continue cooking for 30 seconds. Remove to a plate and keep warm.

Get the creme fraiche (or sour cream) and caviar ready!

Now it's time to serve this delectable brunch!!!!

Using a pizza cutter, slice the asparagus tart into small rectangular servings. 

Fold the crepes into small triangles, top with creme fraiche, and caviar.

We served ours with a very dry Blanc De Blanc- delicious!

This was so flavorful! And easy!

It was so delicious. I think we will have to make it again soon.

Happy Brunching!

La Bonne Vie Y'all!