Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Wishing you a Healthy and Happy New Year!

Today we woke to a frosty morn...cold and icy but clear and sunny.
We have been catching up on all the news from our friends John and Cheryl,
who by the way, are incredibly gracious house guests.
They pitch in and help and put up with the badly mannered bungalow cats.

Last evening we shared a delicious meal.
John made a tasty appetizer which he got from a neighbour in Auvillar...whose name is Jean-Philippe...it's a keeper and has a very French flair...
I love working with others in my tiny kitchen...
sipping a Junipero martini while we chat and prep is my idea of fun!


Mix approximately1 cup of duck rillette, with 2 chopped shallots and 2 tablespoons of drained capers.




When mixed top slices of a fresh French baguette with a dollop of the mixture.


Place on a sheet pan and bake at 350 degrees until the edges of the bread are golden and the duck is warm.


I made a quick and colourful arugula salad with cucumbers, green onions and pomegranate seeds.
I mixed up my Humble Bungalow jam jar vinaigrette.

In a Bon Maman jam jar put 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, salt. pepper, and add 3 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon of vinegar...shake and dress and toss the salad just before serving.


Oysters with mignonette sauce and freshly grated horseradish.


Casual table setting...


Oysters are not to every one's liking but they are one of my favourites.
 I prefer the small varieties as they are much sweeter tasting.


We indulged in a cheese course...fresh from the French deli Choux Choux Charcuterie on Fort Street.


French macarons from Bon Macaron Patisserie for dessert!


Yes we ate them all...
and watched a lovely film on Netflix called Summer in Provence.
 A French film that was subtitled...
beautiful scenery, great story and wonderful actors...
I highly recommend that you watch it!

Thank you for stopping by and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Healthy and Happy New Year.

New Year's is a time to rethink old habits, make resolutions and start fresh...

What have you got on your list for the New Year?


17 comments:

Susan B said...

It looks yummy! Especially the duck rillette. We're going to make raclette tonight for New Year's Eve. It's become a tradition for us.

GSL said...

Those are some yummy looking nibbles. Will Chester get to sample the duck or oysters?

materfamilias said...

Perfection! Are those the little Kushi oysters? My favourites! I've got that film lined up on Netflix. Happy New Year!

Coulda shoulda woulda said...

Looks a great feast! Happy new year to you and yours

Madame Là-Bas said...

What a lovely meal! Our friends just cancelled for tonight due to flu so we'll have a quiet night. Happy New Years!

Sue @ A Colourful Canvas said...

Happy New Year! I look forward to watching that film!!!

Lorrie said...

You're ending the year in style, L! The rillette appetizer sounds delicious. We just returned from visiting family on the mainland and I'm settling down with a hot mug beside me and a little computer time. The movie sounds like something we'd enjoy and I'll add it to our list of 'what to watch.'
Wishing you a very happy New Year. This is the year you visit Paris! So exciting!

Jennifer said...

Sipping a Martini while prepping a meal sounds right up my alley!!
Wishing you the Happiest New Year! You're off to a wonderful start.

Jeannine said...

Happy New Year, Hostess! Thank you for that salad idea, it looks great! And thank you for all your ideas and the inspiration you give throughout the year.

KSL said...

A very Happy New Year Hostess - your meal looks delicious.

Veronica Roth said...

Happy New Year Hostess and much love to you and yours. I also love oysters to the max! My son is always looking for new ways to present them in his restaurant, but I still love the little local Cassostrea or some Kumamotos the best. And nothing's better than a little, simple mignonette. Mmm. Hope your 2015 will be filled with love and light and Paris and much happiness. :D

LPC said...

Oysters, cheese and macarons! Happy New Year to you, and looking forward to your continued companionship round here.

Linda said...

HEALTHY, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU & YOUR FAMILY!

Really enjoy reading your wonderful blog, thank you.

Linda from Denver, Co.

flwrjane said...

Now this was a celebration! Every course beautiful and so delicious looking.

Um exactly where do you live?

Xo J

Pondside said...

I'm late to this, Hostess, buty wishes for a good 2015 are heartfelt.
Your evening looks like it was one for the memory bank!

hostess of the humble bungalow said...

Jane, we live in Victoria BC! Just a short hop to the seafront...where we can see glimpses of the Olympic mountain range in Washington State.

Anonymous said...

I loved My Summer in Provence. Brilliant acting and cinematography. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Jean Reno and little "Theo". Very heartwarming. I watched it for free on Hoopla which you can get for free if you have a membership in a Canadian public library. The movies aren't always recent but they have tons of French movies with subtitles. You might also be interested in getting Overdrive through the library so you can read e-books online or download. Also free if you have a library membership and tons of choices. I had problems getting set up initially but was able to go to the library and get technical assistance and got everything working there on my iPad. So, don't give up if at first you don't succeed!