The Bitten Word

Breakfast Buttercups

Cook's Country (March 2011)

"Breakfast Buttercups." Have you ever heard a more adorable name? Honestly, it's 99 percent of the reason we chose to make these. Seriously, how could we not? 

Plus, with toast, ham, eggs, and cheese, all in a tiny package, how could they possibly bad?

Well, it’s true. These Breakfast Buttercups don’t disappoint.

Bittersweet Cocoa Soufflés with Orange Blossom Cream

Bon Appétit (February 2011)

It may be March, and we may be past the season of Thanksmas Year's Eventine's Day indulgence. But that doesn't mean our sweet tooth is satisfied, nor that our lust for chocolate has abated.

We actually made these soufflés for a Valentine's dinner at home (which seems like forever ago), but they're tasty and simple enough to make a special end to any meal.

The Leftovers | New Kitchen Equipment, Ras El Hanout and More

Believe it or not, we're just back from a long weekend in Grand Cayman, where Zach's sister got married (huzzah!).  It was a beautiful trip filled with some great food, including a dinner at Eric Ripert's Cayman restaurant, Blue. It was our first trip to a Ripert establishment and it did not disappoint. 

When we weren't eating on the island or drinking Dark 'n Stormy's (above), we went snorkeling (the first time for both of us!) and even swam with some stingrays. 

And now, back to reality and impending spring. So here are The Leftovers for February.

Is Ras El Hanout Having a Moment?

Never heard of Ras El Hanout (pictured at right, from Fine Cooking)? Neither had we, and then out of the blue, we ran into it twice in just a few weeks. First, we saw it featured in Fine Cooking, and then it showed up again in the March Bon Appetit. 

If you're unfamiliar, it's a Moroccan mix of spices. Fine Cooking says it can have as many as 50 ingredients and there's no prescribed recipe. The translation is "top of the shop," meaning the best spices. Bon App says it's great for fish.

Fine Cooking has a recipe for making your own (along with a delicious sounding Rabbit Tagine to go with it). We started to make our own so we could make this rabbit, and then had trouble sourcing a rabbit, so we gave up. Another time! If you don't want to make your own, it's also available from ChefShop.com.