I haven't forgotten about my compulsive kitchen-list making. It's just that I found a little something I wanted to tell you about.
If you are a person who serves soup often, you may, from time to time, want something different from the usual nice crusty loaf to have with it. These little cuties, made from a Jacques Pepin recipe could be just what you are looking for. They seem to go well with all kinds of soup, from a delicate broth to a hearty chowder, and can be as rustic or dressy as you like. They are very tasty hot, or you can let them cool off, and they are good that way, too. Also, they're very buttery, so you don't need to serve any extra butter with them. Unless you want to, of course. And they are very simple to do.
Preheat your oven to 425F, and butter a mini muffin tin. In a large Pyrex cup, put a half cup finely chopped leeks and 4 Tbsps. of butter. Nuke them until the butter melts, and add 1/2 cup of cold milk. When the mixture reaches room temperature, with a fork, beat in an egg, 1/2 tsp salt and a tsp of sugar. Then mix in 1/2 cup AP flour, followed by 1/2 cup oatmeal flakes, and a tsp of baking powder. Fill 12 mini cups, and bake for 10 minutes. Turn out onto a clean surface, and serve hot, or let them cool down.
These are also nice for breakfast, with your eggs, should any be left over. They are dandy in bag lunches, too.
Yum! Just the ideal vehicle. I love to make soups -any kind- but often find myself looking for a little extra to serve with it. Just to make it a bit more oomph. They look so flaky I thought it was puff pastry. Need to try these. Nice with a bit of added cheese to go with French onion soup!
Posted by: baking soda | December 09, 2007 at 07:41 AM
These look wonderful! Just the thing with most any good soup. I'm with Baking Soda, might do just a little cheese grated into them, most any cheese. Yes, I think perfect when you can have endless variety with easy to put together!!
Posted by: MyKitchenInHalfCups | December 09, 2007 at 09:25 AM
Hi Karen and Tanna-The cheese idea is a good one, but you might want to try them plain at first, just to see. They have a surprising amount of flavor- the oatmeal and leeks are a really good combo- it wouldn't have occurred to me, but it's really nice-especially with all that butter!
Posted by: Lindy | December 09, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Leeks and oatmeal--sounds very Scottish!
Posted by: Lynn D. | December 09, 2007 at 10:03 PM
Oooh, those look good. I wonder how well the recipe doubles? I need to feed a crowd, and these look like they'd be a big hit.
Posted by: Kitt | December 10, 2007 at 02:25 AM
These look wonderful!
Posted by: Ann | December 11, 2007 at 11:09 AM
They look great! and I love the name. Buttons sound too cute!
Posted by: laurie | December 12, 2007 at 11:20 AM
I would probably eat so many of these, there wouldn't be room for the soup!
Posted by: Chris | December 12, 2007 at 06:12 PM