Saturday, February 28, 2015

Cottage Cooking Club February Three Recipes

We are now in our tenth month of the Cottage Cooking Club; a group of bloggers cooking together and then posting our experiences along with the Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's cookbook, "River Cottage Veg". Our group is and has been inspired by our dedicated leader Andrea of the The Kitchen Lioness. Every month Andrea picks one recipe from each of the ten chapters. We then pick and choose which one or ones we want to blog about in a single post. I prepared 3 of the 10 recipes chosen and once again was impressed by the simplicity and flavor of each finished dish.


The first recipe I prepared was the cheesy peasy puff turnover. Prepared is really an over statement here as this was so easy to put together.


Basically the puff pastry is filled with frozen peas and white cheddar (or the cheese of your choice), next it’s folded over, sealed and then baked in the oven. The kitchen smelled wonderful and as the time came to pull the turnover out of the oven, we gathered around.


Soon after we cut into slices and devoured this little gem in one sitting. A real crowd pleaser.


Avocado and pink grapefruit with chili was my second dish and I would definitely make this again and again. We have a pink grapefruit tree in our yard and I'm always on the lookout for recipes. The two main ingredients go so well together, this was light and delicious.


The last dish I prepared was the potato rosti and another big winner in my book. It definitely reminds me of our American hash browns. The potato is quartered, then boiled for about 5 minutes, here you want the potato slightly underdone. Next it is refrigerated, making it easier to grate. I really liked this technique and will be using it next time I make something like this. I caramelized an onion beforehand and added it into the grated potato. I served with this with sliced green onions on top.

Recipes adapted from the River Cottage Veg, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. First recipe; from the chapter "Store-Cupboard Suppers" Cheesy peasy puff turnover (page 220). Second dish from the chapter "Raw Assemblies"Avocado and ruby grapefruit with chilli (page 122).  And last but not least; From the chapter "Side Dishes" Potato Rösti (page 391).

To see what recipes the other members chose for this month, head over to the LYL post for December on the CCC website, by clicking clicking here.

Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

73 comments:

  1. That puff pastry looks and sounds a-m-a-z-i-n-g. And the avocado and grapefruit is such a pretty dish. I made something similar a while back that included lettuce. I'm thinking this version is a better idea. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thank Lea Ann, this cookbook is becoming one of my all-time favorites, the recipes are so easy to make and delicious!

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  2. I love that puffy turnover!! A large slice with some avocado salad would make a really fantastic lunch for me.

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    1. Thanks Angie, you are so right, they would be perfect together.

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  3. These look really delicious, especially the turnover. It reminds me of a dish my Greek grandmother made with filo dough way back when I was a girl.

    Your Cottage Cooking Club sounds like fun. What a great idea!

    D

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    1. Thanks Dena, this club has been fun, I'm kind of sad next month is our last.

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  4. Pink grapefruit and avocado - now, that's a pairing I wouldn't have thought of. I love both ingredients, so with the right dressing I bet that was a nice surprise. How wonderful to have a pink grapefruit tree in your yard! I grew up with cherry trees, plum and fruit bushes. How fabulous is it to pick your own.

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    1. Hi Johnny, cherries are my favorite, how lucky you were. We enjoy our grapefruit but so many of our neighbors have trees as well so some of our fruit we actually have to throw out. If it was'nt so expensive to ship I would send some out.

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  5. You made some wonderful choices this month, Cheri. I have all the ingredients for the Cheesy Peasy Puff Turnover in my fridge now. It looks easy enough to put together for lunch tomorrow. Everyone who made the grapefruit and avocado salad loved it. I love grapefruit. I love avocados so it's a no brainer for the future. And, the potatoes. they remind of hashbrowns also. Your choices turned out well. I am really enjoying this group, learning soooo much. Am looking forward to our make-up month.

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    1. Hi Mary, I know part of me does not want this cooking group to end, having such a great time. So nice to meet you!!

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  6. That's an interesting technique for the rosti. I have a grapefruit recipe coming up on the blog soon :)

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    1. Hi Tandy, I thought the same thing about the rosti, we call that hash browns here. Can't wait to see your grapefruit recipe!

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  7. These all look so yummy! Especially that easy cheese turnover. And you can't go wrong with avocado. Great dishes!

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    1. Thanks Tammy, having so much fun cooking as a group!

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  8. I am so jealous of your pink grapefruit tree. I love grapefruits. I loved all of these recipes, and thought they were all worth repeating. I'm glad you enjoyed them.

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    1. Thanks Jora, we feel very fortunate, the recipes this month were fantastic!

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  9. Great tips for my hubby's favorite hash browns, Cheri. Yours do look exceptionally good. And yes, lucky you with a grapefruit tree...Although I've got my eyes on your scrumptious cheesy, peasy pastry puffs =)

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    1. Thanks Kim, it was a great recipe month at the Cottage Cooking club.

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  10. All of these recipes sound good to me, too! I especially love the potato recipe with the onions. Love that combination and the method sounds like it would give great results. Thanks, Cheri!

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    1. Hi Shari. we are having the best winter so far don't you think, feel a little guilty talking about it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. I really love the look of the cheesy pullover with the peas. That is a wonderful family meal. I like the sound of the potato rosti too as anything that's like a hash brown is a winner for me xx

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    1. Hi Charlie, we enjoyed our meals this month, next month is our last, bittersweet......

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  12. I love puff pastry but those potaoes..oh they look so good Cheri~

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    1. Hi Monique, this recipe had such a unique but great way to prepare the rosti, will be using this method from now on.

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  13. This looks delicious, Cheri!! Sounds like you guys are having fun with your Cottage Cooking Club - and it's fun for us to follow!

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  14. All of the recipes you picked look wonderful! How lucky you are to have a pink grapefruit tree in your yard!

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    1. Hi Susan, we love our tree, but believe it or not we have so much this year we might have to throw some away.

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  15. These all look wonderful - and I know I will be trying the avocado and grapefruit salad, as it is the same as my avocado and mango salad, which I love. The Cheesy Peasy Turnovers - well, that's a no-brainer! Thanks, Cheri!

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    1. Hi David, yes avocado and pink grapefruit is a match made in heaven for sure and the turnover you could do any mix of ingredients, loved it!!!

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  16. Avocado and grapefruit is a great combination - I've made that salad before and love it. I'd love to try the other two recipes, as they sound wonderful!

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    1. Thanks Beth, yes I agree avocado and grapefruit or most citrus is a match made in heaven.

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  17. Great choices, Cheri! My favorite was the rosti too. It's amazing how the simplest (and humblest) of ingredients can turn into something special. I'm so jealous of your grapefruit tree. If you saw the feet of snow outside my window, you'd understand. I wish I'd picked that turnover. It looks so easy.

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    1. Hi Betsy, if it was not so expensive I would ship you a box full, we have them coming out of our ears. It seems Hugh.s book is about simple.

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  18. Cheri, great choices - we agree on all three of them I believe. The Cheesey Peasy Puff Turnover is amazing to say the least, cannot wait to make it again. The Rösti is a staple at our house and the Avocado and Grapefruit Salad was a huge hit as well as a huge surprise to me - you did a wonderful job with this post, great pictures, terrific despcriptions and wonderful presentation all around.
    Thank you for participating again this month,
    Andrea

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    1. P.S.: Please make sure to send me your mailing address, so I can send a little "motivation" your way and as a thank you for making it half-way through the book as a group (not that anyone needs motivation...your all are incredibly motivated already) to andrea@thekitchenlioness.de

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    2. Thanks Andrea, love cooking together as a group, will be sorry when it ends.

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    3. Just emailed you my address, thanks again.

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  19. That pastry puff is so mouthwatering Cheri. Great recipe!

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  20. All three look wonderful! A grapefruit tree in your yard? So jealous!!! What a great and interesting combination with the avocado. The puff pastry looks amazing - so golden brown and the potatoes - yum! Looks like a successful month of recipes! Have a great week Cheri.

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    1. Hi Tricia, this months picks might be my favorites so far. Thanks for stopping by.

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  21. Avocados with chili and grape fruit is sure making my mouth water! If I had a grapefruit tree, I would eat it with chili and avocado every day :)

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    1. Thanks Savita, we do eat and juice a lot of grapefruit around here, it was a great combination with the avocado and chili.

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  22. Hello Cheri, a lovely month it was with very good recipes from which to choose, really enjoyed reading your selections! The Easy Peasy Turnover, oh yes, agreed, preparation is like an 'understatement', so- well, so easy, and delicious, a crowd pleaser to be sure! I did not prepare the rosti but shall this month and very much like the technique- especially given that the par cooking then avoids the stress of worrying on the potatoes turning color if shredding raw, and then the work of squeezing out all the liquid! See you soon!

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    1. Hi Peggy, yes loved the technique for the rosti, will be making that again for sure. I did not realize that we were about half way through, thought next month was our last. Great news!

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  23. Excellent, Cheri! I especially like the puff pastry and that potato rosti is way at the top too! A month of great recipes. Thanks for sharing!

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  24. Hi Pam, this was one of my most favorite months of recipes from the River Cottage Veg cookbook. Have a great week!

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  25. You have a pink grapefruit tree in your yard?? Oh my gosh, Cheri, I'm so jealous! And I never thought of mixing avocado and grapefruit together - I wonder why that is. They must be fabulous!
    I love all 3 recipes and especially like the fact that they are quick and easy. I'll never understand why people don't want to cook! lol.
    Thanks for some great dishes :)

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    1. Thanks Robyn, I loved the avocado and grapefruit combination too, now I have it a couple of times a week for lunch. Have a great week!

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  26. how lovely and delicious recipes dear! I love you have your own grapefruit tree!!

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    1. Thanks Gloria, yes, I enjoy it very much! Thanks for stopping by.

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  27. how lovely and delicious recipes dear! I love you have your own grapefruit tree!!

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  28. All of these recipes sound so good! How nice that you have your own grapefruit tree–that must be wonderful!

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    1. Hi Nancy, yes we enjoy our tree very much, next we are thinking about planting a fig tree, heard they do well in the desert.

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  29. I envy you your grapefruit tree - I would be eating that salad daily if I had one! All of your dishes look wonderful - I made the same ones and thought they were all delicious. I'm looking forward to the catch-up month.

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    1. Thanks Zosia, I have been eating the salad a few times a week now, love that combination. I can't wait for this months catch-up either, one especially from last month comes to mind.

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  30. This cheesy puff turnover looks so inviting. ... yummy! My kind of puff pastry too ^-^!

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    1. Thanks Karen, the puff pastry was so easy to make, will be keeping a box of the pastry in my freezer at all times. Have a great week!

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  31. What delicious turnovers, I can almost taste the pastry from here :D
    Fabulous pictures!

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  32. what a delicious cheesy puff! I love it! I should do it myself too! Looks terrific!

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    1. Hi Marcela, it certainly makes for a quick dinner, thanks!

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  33. Gosh, everything sounds so good. Can't resist that puff pastry -- such gorgeous stuff! Thanks so much.

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    1. Thanks John, it was a great month for our cooking club!

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  34. Hi Cherie!
    Thanks so much for your lovely comment over at mine!
    I see a few familiar faces over here....great minds,eh?
    These recipes all look so tempting....
    Potatoes are my life! And we try and eat a few avacadoes each week...
    I always say I should keep a puff pastry in the freezer....
    I am GONNA do that for sure! Hahaha!
    Hope to see you again....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Linda, love your site. I'm a big potato fan too, could eat them with an avocado for most every meal of the day.

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    2. My " teeth" post was not a great hit!
      I have posted some prettier pictures!
      Cheers!
      Linda :o)

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  35. I must try those pea turnovers once fresh peas are in season!!

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  36. All three of the recipes sound fantastic. What a unique and delicious sounding idea with the pastry puff, I'll definitely have to try that :)

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  37. Great idea to add onions to the potato rösti! I felt they definitely needed a little boost. The avocado and grapefruit salad was a hit with me, though I used blood oranges. The turnover seems to be hit for everyone that made it. I am so looking forward to making it for March makeup.

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