There are always loads of recipes I'd like to try but lose them before I do. This is where I can record recipes I find interesting and keep notes on my experiments with them.

I have a system that I've adopted for working through recipes:

1 - New recipes are saved to the Experimental Mouffette and is labeled : Untested
2 - As I'm working out the changes I'd like to make (if any) it is labeled : Testing
3 - Once I think I've got the correct formula it is labeled : Test 1
4 - IF I am able to reproduce the effect a second time it is labeled : Test 2 - if I am not able to reproduce the effect, it remains Test 1
5 - The same process as step 4 is used to graduate it to Test 3
6 - Once I have been able to reproduce the effect successfully 3 times, it graduates to my main blog, La Mouffette Gourmande

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Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Roasted Plum Tahini Brownies - Untested

Makes: 16 brownies (8" × 8" pan)

175 g Italian prune plums (about 5–6 medium plums), pitted and quartered
1 tsp maple syrup
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of salt

(600 g chocolate-tahini mixture)
196 g Raw tahini
120g honey + 120g maple syrup (to replace 162 g Brown rice syrup + 76 g Maple syrup)
43 g Unsweetened cocoa powder
89 g Unsweetened shredded coconut
13 g (about 1½ Tbsp) Flax seeds
12 g (about 1 Tbsp) Chia seeds
6.5 g (about 1½ tsp) Vanilla extract
1.6 g (about ¼ tsp) salt

3 eggs
60 g melted butter
70 g flour
1 tsp baking powder
50 g toasted walnuts or hazelnuts, roughly chopped (optional)
Flaky salt for finishing (optional)

To roast the plums, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a small baking tray with parchment.
Toss the plums with the maple syrup, cinnamon, and pinch of salt.
Arrange them cut-side up in a single layer.
Roast for 12–15 minutes until the juices are bubbling, the edges have begun to caramelize, the plums are soft but still hold their shape. Do not over-roast. You want soft wedges, not plum jam.
Let them cool completely.
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
Butter and line an 8-inch square pan with parchment.
Warm the chocolate tahini mixture gently over very low heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly, just until smooth and fragrant.
4. Whisk together the eggs and melted butter.
5. Stir the egg mixture into the tahini mixture until smooth.
6. Fold in the flour and baking powder until no dry flour remains.
7. Fold in the toasted nuts, if using.

---

## 3. Add the plums

1. Spread about **two-thirds** of the brownie batter into the prepared pan.
2. Arrange the roasted plum pieces evenly over the batter.
3. Spoon the remaining batter over the plums and gently spread it to cover them.
4. Sprinkle a tiny pinch of flaky salt over the surface if desired.

---

## 4. Bake

Bake for **30–35 minutes** until:

* the top looks set and slightly crackled,
* the edges are firm,
* a skewer inserted near the centre comes out with **moist crumbs**, not wet batter.

Do not overbake.

---

## 5. Cool

Allow the brownies to cool in the pan for **20–30 minutes** before lifting them out.

They become fudgier as they cool.

### Notes

* **Plums:** Italian prune plums are ideal because they hold their shape and have enough acidity to balance the tahini and maple syrup.
* **Roasting first:** Roasting concentrates the plum flavour and evaporates excess moisture so the brownies stay fudgy instead of soggy.
* **Storage:** Keeps 4–5 days in the refrigerator and freezes beautifully.

THE BASE
196 g Raw tahini
162 g Brown rice syrup
76 g Maple syrup
43 g Unsweetened cocoa powder
89 g Unsweetened shredded coconut
13 g (about 1½ Tbsp) Flax seeds
12 g (about 1 Tbsp) Chia seeds
6.5 g (about 1½ tsp) Vanilla extract
1.6 g (about ¼ tsp) Fine salt

Stir together the tahini, brown rice syrup, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
Mix together the cocoa powder, coconut, flax, and chia.
Fold the dry ingredients into the tahini mixture until a uniform scoopable dough forms.

Dijon Shallot Vinaigrette - Untested

For crisp green salads.

3 Tbsp olive oil
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar (or cider vinegar)
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 small Griselle shallot, grated very finely.
Salt and plenty of black pepper.

Warm White Beans with Garlic & Fresh Herbs - Untested


1 can (19oz/540mL) white beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tbsps. olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
3 Tbsps. finely chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil, thyme, or a combination
OR 1½–2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh tarragon and 1–2 tsps. lemon juice 
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently for about 1 minute, taking care not to let it brown.
  2. Add the drained white beans and stir gently to coat them with the garlic and oil.
  3. Cook over low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beans are warmed through. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  4. Remove from the heat and stir in the fresh herbs just before serving.

Baked White Bean & Tomato Pasta Gratin - Untested

An attempt of a creation of my own to use up leftovers from 

For about 4 servings

4 cups leftover white bean, tomato and greens pasta (about 800g)
¼ cup (60g) water or chicken broth, plus more if needed
½ cup (50g) freshly grated Parmesan
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C.
  2. Place the leftover pasta and sauce in a baking dish. Stir in the water or broth. If the pasta is particularly dry, add another tablespoon or two.
  3. Sprinkle the Parmesan evenly over the pasta. 
  4. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until heated through and bubbling around the edges.
  5. If desired, increase the oven temperature to 425°F/220°C for the last 5 minutes, or place briefly under the broiler, until the cheese is browned in spots.
  6. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Friday, September 11, 2026

Chickpea Stew with Feta and Rosemary - Untested


1 - This just screams slow cooker. This is what I will do with this to start.

1 cup of dried chickpeas (soaked overnight to rehydrate)
1 onion, diced
1 leek, cut in rounds
1 carrot, cut in large chunks
4-5 stems of parsley (retain leaves and slice finely for garnish)
2 - 3 sprigs of rosemary.
1 head of garlic (sliced in half)
1 + 4 cups of water
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/4 cup of olive oil
Lemon
Feta
Salt
Pepper
  1. Soak dried chickpeas for at least eight hours or overnight.
  2. Rinse well before use.
  3. Preheat oven to 180c / 350f.
  4. Sauté onion and leek with a pinch of salt until they start to soften, about 4 - 5 minutes. Deglaze with 1 cup of water.
  5. Use a dutch oven or a deep heavy bottomed saucepan that can be transferred to the oven.
  6. Put the onion and leek mix into the slow cooker and add carrot, rosemary and sliced garlic head and stir through.
  7. Season with salt, pepper and dried oregano.
  8. Add the remaining water, olive oil, parsley stems, and chickpeas.
  9. Transfer into the oven and let cook for 2.5 - 3.5 hours.
  10. Cook on high for 4 hours.
  11. Serve topped with a big squeeze of lemon, fresh chopped parsley, olive oil, and feta.

Baked Feta and Chickpeas in Harissa sauce - Untested


200 g feta sliced into 3-4 blocks
3 garlic cloves minced
400 g tinned chickpeas drained and rinsed
400 g tinned chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon harissa paste
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Salt and pepper
Fresh basil or parsley to garnish
1 lemon

Preheat the oven to 400F.
In an oven-proof pan, add the chopped tomatoes, garlic, chickpeas, spices, olive oil, and harissa paste. Stir everything together to combine.
Place the feta blocks in the pan, nestling them into the chickpea harissa sauce. Drizzle with a little more olive oil.
Bake the chickpeas for 25 - 30 minutes.
To finish, top the baked feta and chickpeas with the fresh herbs, a squeeze of lemon juice, and the red pepper flakes. 
Serve with pitta bread or crusty bread for dipping.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026

Rethivia (Greek Chickpea Soup) - Untested


0 - This may very well be a slow cooker recipe. The dried chickpeas cooked in the flavoured water means a different experience in the taste of the chickpeas.

2 Tbsps. + 1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp cumin seed
1 tsp dried oregano
1 onion (6oz/170gr) sliced thinly
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight
8 cups water
5-10 sprigs each dill and parsley
1 lemon, zest and juice
4 oz feta crumbled
  1. In a large soup pot, heat a glug of olive oil over medium heat.
  2. Fry the cumin and oregano until fragrant (very quick).
  3. Add the onions and garlic with a big pinch of salt reducing the heat to medium low.
  4. When the onions are soft, add the white wine and reduce until almost all evaporated.
  5. Add the soaked chickpeas and water.
  6. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook until the chickpeas are very tender.
  7. Taste for salt and then lightly mash the soup to make it chunky.
  8. While the soup is cooking, blend the parsley, dill, lemon zest, pinch of salt, and the olive oil in a food processor to make an herby oil.
  9. Just before serving add the lemon juice to the soup, taste and adjust seasoning one more time.
  10. Divvy into bowls, top with the crumbled feta, and the herby oil.