Recipe Swap "Onion" Carbonara # French Fridays with Dorie

Cooking French on alternative Fridays seems to have become a norm with me. Though last week was different. I was travelling and there was no way I could have cooked or shared my review of Mme. Maman's Chopped Liver. The mixed reviews by Doristas are however making me curious about the dish, so you'll probably hear my opinions about it soon. For now let me tell you much I enjoyed Onion Carbonara...

Dorie describes this recipe as a variation of chef Michel Richard's play on the classic spaghetti carbonara. Since I have never tried the latter I cannot comment how the two compare in taste. All I can say is that onion carbonara is a very easy and tasty dish. All you need to do is steam the onions until they are just "al dente". Then saute the steamed onions with bacon bits and cream and finally dress it up with a yolk and cream sauce and a drizzle of Parmesan cheese. The process takes less than 10 minutes (provided you have bits of precooked bacon in your freezer) and the dish tastes amazing when served as a side with spicy chicken and plain rice.

I had cooked half of the recipe and immediately afterwards had a small portion for lunch. I liked it but was not overly excited. But when I had the chilled version for dinner, I realized why Dorie spoke so highly about it. Funny Dorie suggests serving it as soon as the yolk and cream dressing is added... I really enjoyed the chilled version better. 

Visit French Fridays with Dorie to know what the other members thought about onion carbonara.

You can find a version of the recipe here .  As I mentioned I cooked half of the recipe and used fat free sour cream in place of cream. For Dorie's original recipe and more such delicious ones order your copies of Around the French Table from Amazon or from The Book Depository and join us as we cook our way through the book.  

Herbed Manchego Cheese Soufflé with Onion Pear Jam

Earlier today I shared with you the recipe of a spicy Onion Pear Jam and as a teaser for what was about to follow, I shared a photograph of my herbed Manchego cheese soufflé topped with the spicy Jam. I had planned to post the souffle sooner... but then life happened and I had to wait till everything fell into place and I was free to jot down the recipe.. 

So here's the recipe of the cheese soufflé for you... I adapted it from Dorie's recipe of Muenster cheese soufflé. A few weeks back I had tried out her recipe for French Fridays with Dorie and found it a little bland for my taste. Recounting the experience I tweaked the recipe this time to add more flavors and guess what.... this time it turned out great. The soufflé tasted delicious with the added herbs and spicy jam and this time both husband and I loved it. 

Spicy Onion Pear Jam

Todays recipe is adapted from La Mia Cucina, the blog that belonged to the original Daring Baker,  Lisa Cifelli. She recently passed away and in her memory many Daring Bakers and old time bloggers posted gorgeous bakes soon after...  I did not know her personally or even otherwise but was led to her space and this particular Onion-Pear Jam several times in the past few weeks. It looked too interesting to pass off. So I adjusted today's menu and decided to give it a try..

It turned out even more gorgeous than I had imagined.

Muraba-e-Murch-e-Surkh wa Piaz

I had made this Onion Marmalade a while ago and had intended to post it earlier. but then other things came up and it got buried in the files. but today while looking for an appropriate image for Priya's Color me Pink Challenge, i bumped into it and thought its time to share the recipe with you.

for all its perkiness and awesomeness.. I think this recipe should be filed under "girl-friend recipes." it is the kind of marmalade you'll like to spread on a tiny toast, load it with some fresh veggies and cheese and lay out for your girl friends for a perfect tartine with their afternoon tea. goat cheese and feta pair wonderfully with this marmalade. recently i even sampled the combo of feta and this onion marmalade as a filling in Rugelach and husband and i agreed that it was best of the lot.  I adapted the recipe from the book The New Middle Eastern Vegetarian, the same one from where i cooked the Spinach Fatayer.

Muraba-e-Murch-e-Surkh wa Piaz Recipe Source : The New Middle Eastern Vegetarian

ingredients 1 cup water 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 inch knob fresh ginger, peeled and grated a big handful of fresh mint leaves, washed and roughly shredded juice and zest of 1 lime(i used lemon) 1 large red onion, peeled  1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar a handful of assorted chilies, washed, beheaded and chopped 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar oil for the frying the onions -   the method put water and sugar in a non-reactive pan and bring to boil. add ginger and set to simmer. as the syrup starts to thicken, take it off heat and add the mint, lemon/lime juice and rind. meanwhile, slice the onion finely and heat them in a frying pan together with the brown sugar and chilies stirring regularly so that they do not burn or stick. after about 15-20 minutes when the vegetables begin to caramelize, add the balsamic vinegar, simmer for a few minutes more and switch off the heat. stir the onion mixture to the sugar syrup and mix really well. then spoon in into sterilized jars while it is still fairly warm.

Sending the first photograph, which I chose to call "Girl-Friend Tartine" to "The Colour Me Photography Challenge Series" ~ Colour Me Pink , a photography event at Priya's place The Humpty Dumpty Kitchen.

Also sharing this with the following food events...

Monday Food : Made with Love Mondays, Marvelous Mondays @ This Gal Cooks, Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Inspiration MOnday Party, Sharing Monday, Inspire Me Monday, Clever Chicks Blog Hop, Maniac Monday Linky Party,Mix it up Monday, The Scoop

Tuesday Food:  Totally Tasty Tuesday @ Mandy's Recipe Box, Tasteful Tuesday Party @ Nap Time Creations,  Show Me What You Got @ Our Delightful Home,  Hand Made Tuesday @ Ladybug Blessings, Share it Link Party @ Winthrop Chronicles, Tasty Tuesday, Hearth and Soul blog Hop

Wednesday Food : What's Cooking Wednesday @ Buns in my Oven, Cast Party Wednesday @ Lady Behind the Curtain , Show and Share @ Semi Homemade Mom, Wonderful Food Wednesdays at @ Home Take 2

Thursday Food: Link it Up Thursday @ Seven Alive, Creative Thursday @ Michelle's Tasty Creations, Fantastic Thursday @ Three Little Chiefs, Thriving on Thursdays @ Domesblissity, Freedom Friday @ My Turn, Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage  

Friday Food: Foodie Friday @ Home Maid Simple, Friday Favorite (DYI too) @ Simple Sweet Home, Foodie Friday @ Not Your Ordinary Recipes,  Foodie Friday @ Rattlebridge Farm , Weekend Wonders @ The Thriftiness Miss, Friday Food Frenzy @ Mostly Food and Crafts , Weekend Potluck @ Sunflower Supper Club,  The Weekend re-Treat @The Best Blog  Recipes