Happy New Year! I hope 2017 brings plenty of good things, though it’s sure to be a challenging year, as well. My December was hectic and celebratory and my blog schedule suffered as a result. I don’t regret it at all, but I did miss keeping up with my friends at Cook the Book Fridays. So, I’m catching up on most of the dishes I missed in December, along with posting about our very first selection of 2017.
Fresh Herb Omelette
After all the complicated dishes, rich holiday favourites and baking, baking, baking, a simple omelette was a wonderful way to usher in a new year of cooking together. I’ve often skimped on butter when making omelettes, but faithfully using the quantity specified in this recipe gave this omelette the kind of crust and soft, fluffy interior I’m only used to at restaurants. No more skimping on butter for me.
I first made Pissaladière when I was cooking through Around My French Table with French Fridays with Dorie, way back in 2011. It’s a dish I don’t revisit often enough, so I was glad to have a reminder of how much I like this onion, anchovy, and olive tart. I’m not sure I can choose between the two versions. I like them both, though it is convenient that David’s dough doesn’t require an egg – with the number of eggs I ran through during holiday baking, that was probably more important than it would be in the summertime.
This is something I like to make for company, but I was on my own for it this time around. I didn’t “minify” it, though. Instead, I made the full recipe, pulling it out when it was fully baked, but not as browned as I like it. I cut it into squares, put one back in the oven to brown, and put the rest into the fridge in a covered container, once they’d cooled. That gave me several days’ worth of this delicious treat, each slice of which was just as good as the first, once it got its second round in the oven.
This is another dish that was also tackled by the French Fridays crew when I was cooking through Around My French Table, but this version skips the raisins and nuts, focusing on carrot, herbs, and a lemon-mustard dressing. I’m all in favour of that. Simple salads that go with almost anything else you’re serving aren’t just the stuff of January resolutions – they’re year-round necessities that make meals shine.
I’m looking forward to catching up on everyone else’s posts from December and I’m also looking forward to what’s in store on the blog in the next few weeks. There will be a chocolate tasting to tell you about and a risotto recipe or two to share. I’ll be updating you on the progress of my spider plant and making good on my intention to share more about community this year. In these times, I think it’s good to celebrate the ways in which we come together, don’t you?
You can read through everyone’s posts here. And consider joining this community of wonderful cooks and lovely people, as we work our way through David Lebovitz‘ My Paris Kitchen.
One Wet Foot 
Happy New Year Teresa. That is quite a line up of delicious looking dishes all of which we enjoyed
too. I was happy for a simple recipe after all the rich foods and desserts over the holiday.
Happy New Year, Teresa! I’ve missed your voice these last couple postings–though I skipped one myself due to the lack of time around the holidays, even as I did make the recipe anyway. Your posting roundup looks great and it looks like each one was a winner! I can see how the carrot salad really shined for you during December when everything is so rich. Many preferred Dorie’s version, and I can see why, but there’s something good in Lebovitz’s uber-simple version as well. And what a great idea for the pissaladière! I’m going to keep that in my back pocket.
Happy New Year,. Teresa! Even though I only made these recipes a month ago, I’m so happy to be reminded of them. As with so many of the recipes in this book, they are simple ones worth revisiting!
Well you have been busy catching up!! I know how you feel about the busy month of December, I too fell off the blog – but so glad to be back! Your omelet is a lovely golden brown!! Your onion tart looks great too-nice coloring. Happy New Year!
Your revisiting the December dishes is doubling the enjoyment of making and eating them. I made the onion tart again away from my home kitchen and served it as an appetizer. Everyone raved about it, including a baby picking on the olives and anchovies. It was hilarious. That’s the time I really value David approach: a few simple ingredients. You nail it on what’s making meals shine.
Your omelet looks great, an easy delicious recipe to start the year!
Glad to see that you have enjoyed both the onion tart and the carrot salad!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Teresa. Wasn’t the omelet delicious? And, good for you for posting the grated carrot salad and Pissaladière. Didn’t both of those dishes bring back some Dorista memories? Loved your winter street scene. Glad you had a wonderful holiday and hope to hear more about it food-wise. Glad you’re back.
After all the holiday meals, these simple dishes would be very welcome at my kitchen table.
Happy New Year, Teresa! Hope you’re enjoying the wintery weather! That omelet looks terrific – in fact, I believe I saw on IG that you and I both made omelets on the same day! 🙂
A little late, but Happy New Year to you too!