French Fridays with Dorie February Roundup

 There were four recipes for FFwD this month: Basque Potato Tortilla, Pancetta Green Beans, Orange-Almond Tart, and Short Ribs in Red Wine and Port.  I ended up making three out of four.  I just couldn't bring myself to make the short ribs.  I've braised way too much meat this winter and I just didn't have it in me.

My hands down favorite of the bunch was Dorie's Orange-Almond Tart.  I have to say that I was really skeptical about this recipe.  It just seemed strange to bake oranges and serve them in a tart. I'm not sure why I felt this way, but I did.  I shouldn't have worried though because this tart was insanely delicious.  We devoured it.  The crust is very much like a shortbread cookie and the almond cream filling ....wow is that stuff good.  When the almond cream bakes in the oven it forms a thick crackly surface but remains rather gooey underneath.  The thick cookie-like crust along with the delicious almond cream and the sweet pop of the oranges make this an incredibly pleasant dessert.  I'd love to try several variations on this recipe from using cherries, to figs, or even pears.  I don't really think you could go wrong.  

 Taking second place in the roundup are these Pancetta Green Beans.  I ended up using bacon in place of pancetta, but we still loved these green beans that were tossed in bacon fat, butter, and slices of bacon.  A delicious side dish that was requested again.

This Basque Potato Tortilla was simple and classic.  A Spanish version of a frittata with eggs, diced potatoes and a sprinkling of Pimenton.  We enjoyed it, but I wouldn't necessarily make it again.