Cottage Cooking Club Month of August

Here we are in the month of August, the Cottage Cooking Club a group of international blogger's cooking together and then posting our experiences along with the Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's cookbook, "River Cottage Veg". Our group is meant to be a project aimed at incorporating more vegetable dishes in our everyday cooking, and is and has been inspired by our dedicated leader Andrea of The Kitchen Lioness. Andrea picks one recipe from each of the chapters. This month’s challenge was to showcase a personal favorite vegetable and or herb and incorporate it into one of our recipes. I prepared 3 out of the 10 of this month's choices.

The first dish I prepared was the chickpea, chard and porcini soup. Hugh explains that the purpose of these types of soups is to be satisfying substantial, like a main meal, which this was. However I made a few changes. Since I love mushrooms I decided to substitute fresh mushrooms from central Oregon instead of the dried. And I used Swiss chard as it is growing like mad in my garden for the greens. I served this soup with slivers of Parmesan cheese and some whole grains crackers. My husband even had seconds.


The second dish and my all-time favorite of Hugh’s so far in his book was this recipe, Eggplant and green bean curry. Eggplant has always been one of my favorites, but I have never been able to prepare it like I have had and love in Thai restaurants. This was as close as I have come to that texture and flavor. The curry sauce was a combination of a rich tomato base and coconut milk that paired together very nicely. The green beans were a great accompaniment.


Now for the third and final dish, Cheat’s cauliflower cheese. This is where I added green onions; one of my favorite little subtle packs of flavor. I grow green onions in both Arizona and Oregon and use them fresh all year long. I am learning that cauliflower is so versatile. I have seen it made into bread, pasta and rice. Certainly this veggie has been poorly represented. This is another dish that could be served as a side dish or a main, just add a salad.


These recipes have adapted from the River Cottage Veg, by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. First recipe; from the chapter "Hefty soups" Chickpea, chard, and porcini soup" (page 149). Second dish from the chapter "Comfort food and feasts" Eggplant and green bean curry” (page 29). Third dish from the chapter “Side dishes” Cheat’s cauliflower cheese (page 378).

To see what recipes the other members chose for this month, head over to the LYL post for August 2015 on the CCC website, by clicking here.

Comments

  1. Hi Cheri, looks like you and I shared two of the three same recipes this month with pleasurable results. The cauliflower was sensational. Interesting that you grow green onions year round in both Oregon and Arizona, wish I could do that too as it would be a big savings toward my staples- I have always used scallions in so many dishes. Your soup looks quite good and especially your substitution for the fresh mushrooms which I'm sure gave the soup a different flavor of distinction. Nice month. See you soon!

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    1. Thanks Peggy, the eggplant curry ended up being my favorite of all Hugh's recipes as I loved the way the eggplant turned out. Green onions and herbs are about all I grow in Arizona, though this year I am going to plant more flowers. This was another fun month. Take care!

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  2. All three dishes are very delicious, but the cauliflower cheese is my favourite.

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    1. Thanks Angie, we really enjoyed the cauliflower cheese too.

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  3. I love all these veggie dishes, Cheri–they all look so tasty!

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    1. Thanks Nancy, River Cottage Veg is such a great cookbook.

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  4. They look great, esp the cauliflower! Yum!

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  5. Cheri, all of your recipes look fabulous!! I only was able to get to the Thai tomatoes, but it was great to hear that the curry was a favorite of yours - when I get to cook, I often make Thai dishes - curry and otherwise. But all three recipes look terrific.

    BTW, I guess it didn't hit me - you're in Arizona too? You'll have to let me know where. I split my time between Scottsdale and Sedona (which may be why I don't get to cook as much as I'd like!).

    Wonderful post! Have a terrific weekend!

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    1. Hi Candy, oh we love Sedona it is such a beautiful place. We live in Phoenix roughly 32nd st and Shea. Maybe we can get together sometime, I would love to take another cooking class at Sur La Table. Anyway, thanks for stopping by. Take care!

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  6. They all look fabulous...that eggplant curry!! Oh my...

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  7. I think the soup sounds wonderful - well they all do - but that has my attention! Love swiss chard and love that you grown your own. Curry with tomato and coconut milk - sounds delicious!

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    1. Thanks Tricia, the curry was my all-time favorite, but I loved the broth of the soup, it was very rich. Take care!

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  8. Glad to have your comment about the eggplant dish - that sounds so good, I think I will look it up for dinner tomorrow night! I bet all the ingredients are available at the farmers market...

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    1. Hi David, thats where I picked up all of mine. Hope you enjoy it, loved the way the eggplant tasted.

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  9. You are cooking up a storm, Cheri! All three dishes sounds wonderful and I agree that the poor cauliflower has been woefully under used.
    Your soup is gorgeous and I will make it in the fall. Your gardens in the north and south both sound fabulous and I'm very jealous! Did you get that little varmint under control?
    Hope your weekend is fabulous :)

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    1. Hi Robyn, it takes about 7 to 10 days for the clicking noise of the repeller to chase them all away, will let you know. They will probably run to the neighbors but none of them have a garden so I don't feel bad. The dishes were all great, really like the River Cottage Veg cookbook.

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  10. The cauliflower certainly has been misrepresented...Your cheese topped cauliflower looks so good. Bravo on replicating a Thai curry. And you know soup (or any meal) is good when the hubby gives the 2 thumbs up =)

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    1. Thanks Kim, especially when he is not a big soup person. It was another fun month. Love Hugh's cookbook.

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  11. Dear Cheri, you certainly made three wonderful dishes for The Cottage Cooking Club. The Aubergine and Green Bean Curry was my absolute favorite dish this month - although I must admit that I also liked all the others and so did our family The one dish out of the ten that I did not manage was the soup but I will be making this recipe (which I have eyed for the longest time) very soon.
    Thank you for being such a wonderful participant in the CCC - I certainly appreciate all your input!
    Have a grand Sunday!
    Andrea

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    1. Thanks Andrea, sounds like we have similar taste, as the curry was my favorite too, the eggplant was dreamy. The soup broth was very good, still a little warm for it but hope you enjoy it. Thanks for all you do, take care......

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  12. These all look wonderful, Cheri. And thanks for the tip on the green onions. I am making a soup for dinner tonight and I will add some for some extra flavor. Happy cooking! D

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    1. Thanks Dena, I love green onions but I only like to buy the organic, thats why I grow them at both homes. Enjoy the added subtle flavor. Take care, hugs to you......

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  13. Now, I must say that cheat's cauliflower looks tempting... might give it a go soon! Your other two dishes were also enjoyed over in my household!

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    1. Thanks Emily, it was another great month. so nice you joined the CCC as I now have had the chance to meet you, love your blog.

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  14. I'd love them all! Sad that soup season is almost upon us :(

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    1. Hi Susan, I know what you mean I am still enjoying this summers bounty.

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  15. Nice choices, Cheri. I didn't try the curry. Although I like curry, this just didn't sound good. So many of the CCC group has made it and liked it so maybe I need to change my mind. I agree that the soup is delicious. It's cool in the evenings in the mountains now so that soup tasted delicious. NoT so, I think, for many of our CCC colleagues who are dealing with hot temperatures. I just didn't get to the Cheat's Cauliflower although, like you, I am a big fan of that vegetable. I am sending Peggy, and will send you, Melissa Clark's Cauliflower Parmesan recipe. It is absolutely delicious also. Lovely dishes. Nice Post. Happy September to us all!

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    1. Hi Mary, would love the Cauliflower Parmesan recipe, I'm a big fan of Melissa Clark's recipes. Can't believe this month is already over. Would love to check out the hiking trails in your part of the country, they look magical.

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  16. Andrea loved the curry too! And I think the soup sounds terrific.

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    1. Thanks Beth, it is a wonderful way to prepare eggplant.

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  17. Cheri, all of your dishes look delicious. I too made the soup and loved it but I like your idea of using fresh mushrooms while they're abundant. The cauliflower dish sounds wonderful with the addition of green onions. I didn't make the curry but with so many positive comments, may give that a go. I'm looking forward to next month's recipes.

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    1. Hi Zosia, I am too, the recipes keep getting better and better. If you like curry I think you will love Hugh's. Take care!

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  18. There sure are a lot of great recipes in this cookbook. I love the soup and the cauliflower cheese but I think my favourite would be the eggplant curry. I love how the Thai's cook eggplant as well xx

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    1. Thanks Charlie, that's my favorite way to enjoy eggplant too.

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  19. I love your version of the chickpea, chard and porcini soup as using ingredients you have grown yourself somehow makes the dish taste better :)

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  20. Hi Cheri,
    The dish of cauliflower cheese looks very yummy to me....
    Hmm... I'm not a fan of eggplant though. Like the aroma of curry. Thanks for sharing these wonderful dishes.

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  21. I love all these veggie dishes, Cheri. And all three dishes look divine here! Lovely share! :)

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  22. I could literally dive through my screen right now and eat all these dishes - absolutely delicious!

    theglowwithin.com

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    1. Thanks Lucie, River Cottage Veg is such a great cookbook.

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  23. Lovely dishes Cheri. We are getting used to eating curry. My husband loves eggplant.

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    1. Thanks Linda, the eggplant and green bean curry dish was our favorite.

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  24. My favorite is the Swiss Chard and chickpea and I too would substitute fresh mushrooms.

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    1. Thanks Norma, I prefer the fresh over the dried too.

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  25. Eggplant curry sounds really good. I can only eat eggplant if it is in a dish with a lot of flavour.

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    1. Hi Dannii, I think you that you would really like this just add more spice.

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  26. That eggplant and green bean curry sounds so delicious and perfect for all the ingredients that are in season at the farmers market - YUM!

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  27. We have eggplant in the fridge, so I am going to have to try that curry! Sounds super tasty. Love all the picks this month!

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    1. Thanks Joanne, this is my favorite way to prepare eggplant.

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  28. The chickpea, chard and porcini soup looks especially great. Depending on the season I think it would be great to add in vegetables that we just picked in the garden. Thanks for this dish!

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  29. They all look fantastic, Cheri! That eggplant curry is totally calling my name though!

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  30. I saw he has a new book coming out! Love the addition of green onions. They are one of my faves and I think never get enough credit for how much favor they add!

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    1. I agree Abbie, they are very mis-represented! Happy Labor Day to you!

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  31. I didn't make any of these and now I wish I had! Delicious month for you. :)

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    1. Hi Teresa, I enjoyed the selection this month, of course there is always one I wish I had prepared.

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  32. I love all three recipes, but you know I have a soft spot for cauliflower ;)

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    1. Hi Mike, thats right how could I forget......Thanks!

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  33. I love all 3 dishes, Cheri! They each look so flavorful. I love the addition of the green onions in the cauliflower dish. That recipe would be total comfort food to me. I have not had much success growing green onions here. Do you have any tips?

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    1. Hi Shari, I start them up in October and they start growing, during the real cold nights we carry them into the garage and we use them until February.

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