Showing posts with label taste. Show all posts
Showing posts with label taste. Show all posts

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Cilantro....love it or hate it? Perhaps an acquired taste?

Cilantro divides the masses...
there are people who love the taste
and in our group of friends and family,
an equal number of people who despise the flavour.

Fortunately we are in the "love it group"
and have a green house with a bumper crop of cilantro just waiting to be picked.

Mr. HB suggested that I find some recipes online so that we do not waste the plants.


Here is the link to the recipe for
Pasta with Almond Spinach Cilantro Pesto and Sausages.

You will need a food processor to make quick work of the pesto.



The pesto makes enough for the recipe with leftovers that you can freeze for future use. The author suggest that you freeze the pesto in ice cube trays but we have an automatic ice cube maker in our freezer so I used my trusty scoop and freeze them in a container and when they are frozen I will pop them in a ziploc bag.


Lovely shade of green...and the taste is divine!



Busy cooking in the Humble Bungalow Kitchen


Love this shallow Sophie Conran Portmeirion bowl
I use it for salads and pasta.


a few shavings of parmesan cheese and dinner is served
just as I expected Mr. HB enjoyed the new recipe and there were no leftovers.


Pretty African Violets line the windowsills at Goward House. 
 I take French lessons and play bridge in this heritage home which has been converted to a club for seniors.

Next time I go to a flower shop I am going to pick up a few of these plants....
they are very inexpensive, easy to grow and bloom for a long time.

Thank you for popping by The Humble Bungalow.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Friday, September 18, 2015

Pasta and Pearls...and a tasty recipe from Monet's Palate Cookbook.

Greetings...from The Humble Bungalow Kitchen!


I'm cooking up a storm today...


These juicy Heirloom Tomatoes are just begging to be eaten.
The Farmer's Markets are teeming with them so how could I resist?
Now what to make with them?
A simple salad or sandwich?
Or?


Do you remember my post about the Lion heart tomatoes from the Market in the South of France near Auvillar ?
We made a simple yet delicious lunch of sliced tomatoes served with a fresh brioche....
a little butter and sea salt elevated their taste to...
(remember that scene in the deli of Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally?)
We served them with a chilled glass of Rose.

Food can transport us back in time when we 
remember the smells and the flavours.


Red luscious and delicious.


The recipe that inspired me to get cooking today was found in Monet's Palate Cookbook.
The book showcases Monet's Vegetable Garden at Giverny 
with
 recipes that use the food and ingredients grown in his French Potager.


With all the red images it's time for a bit of green...


Le Coq towel from France...reminds me everyday of my trip.
The pasta pot with a built in colander is heating up while the tomatoes are roasting.


Halved tomatoes tossed in olive oil, with minced garlic and salt and pepper.
Roast for an hour at 275 or until softened.


Top with oregano, anchovies, and capers, drizzle with balsamic vinegar.
Roast another 10 minutes...
enjoy the aroma that is filling the kitchen!


You'll need oregano, tomatoes, red pepper flakes, garlic, salt, pepper, basil, pasta, olive oil, butter, capers, balsamic vinegar and anchovies.
And Pasta!

Once the tomatoes are done your pasta should be cooked al dente...
toss in 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes, a small handful of torn basil leaves, salt and pepper to taste.
When the butter has melted add in the tomatoes and mix together...
the fragrance is out of this world.


Wear an apron and comfy shoes 
(or in my case ~ Lands' End slippers)
it took me awhile to go through the steps of this recipe and dinner was later than usual but it was so worth the effort!


Pour a glass of red wine
place the pasta in a bowl
grab a spoon and a fork and twirl away to your hearts content...
savour each delectable morsel of flavour.


serve with garlic bread to sop up the juices
Dinner's done.

"My garden is my most beautiful masterpiece."
~ Claude Monet ~

"Instead of going out to dinner, buy good food. 
Cooking at home shows such affection. 
In a bad economy, it's more important to make yourself feel good."

~ Ina Garten ~

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

Waxing poetic...

I awoke very early this morning.
The cats were restless, the birds were chirping and I had thankfully enjoyed a decent night of sleep.


Good Morning from The Humble Bungalow!


 The 100 Year Old House by Rebecca Makkai...
she wrote The Borrower (which I now want to read!)

This book has hooked me from the minute I picked it up yesterday afternoon.
The chapters are short, the characters are strange and eccentric...there's something hiding in this old house...a ghost perhaps, or secrets from the past.

I am already halfway through it...and I don't want to put it down!

Life is ticking along...my hornet stings are not bothering me much now thanks to some quality aloe vera gel but there is an angry red patch which I refer to as the "venom path" which criss crosses my hand and wrist and I hope, in time, it will fade.

I've been really focusing on the garden and reading and have not devoted much time to blog.
It's curious how one's habits can change...you get out of the habit and new habits arise.


Life is like a journey and it is never dull...
opportunities 
challenges
adventures 
pop up
along the way.


We plough ahead...


maintaining a sense of order when at all possible.


Resting when we need to...
but not long enough to rust.


hoping 
for the fruits of our labours 
to be real
tangible
worthy
ripe
red


tasty and sweet
simple
yet glorious


from the first sniff of a ripe red tomato
until you bite into the flesh that gives a little resistance before allowing you to savour the incredible burst of flavour and then inevitably the juice drips down your chin....

(if you are wearing a white tee  you'll be spot treating the stain before it hits the laundry!)

I'm storing up thoughts and ideas and hoping that they will turn into something type-able...
a post or posts that might delight and entertain.

I've noticed many bloggers have taken blogging breaks
and I wonder if we are tired of hearing our own voices?
Are those bloggers voices going to remain silenced forever ?
Or are they soaking up life and about to burst forth like flowers?
I await the sounds and am patient...
nothing to do but wait.

It's quiet here as the neighbourhood starts to come to life.
I can hear my heart beat
the clocks chime
the gentle hum of the bees outside as they flit from flower to flower
a few cars go by
a neighbours dog barks
someone is singing
an unfamiliar song 
as they walk by our bungalow
 on their way 
good morning!
the day has begun.


Summer reading is one of my little luxuries...
as are farm ripe fresh vegetables
I'm off to visit the farm stand today
before I recommence reading
and in between 
I'll do some weeding and watering
and make some dinner
before 
retiring to a comfy bed for another night of slumber.

What are your favourite summer treats?
Are you reading a fabulous book that you'd care to share?

Sunday, May 24, 2015

Parisian Plates ~ a foodie post.

The first two nights that I was in Paris I had a picnic supper in my room.
Monoprix was a 3 minute walk from my hotel and they stocked fizzy water, wine, a fresh food floor and on the main, a deli offering all kinds of sandwiches and salads.
(They sold cosmetics, clothes and housewares...rather like a French version of a Target store.)

"Dining in" felt right,
as a combination of jet lag and physical fatigue had set in by 5pm those first few days.


I kept a journal of my trip...
the wee red book has many pages filled with my thoughts and details of the places that I visited.

I'd shower and freshen up in the evening
 slip into my nightie and relax while sipping a glass of wine and make notes in my journal.



Cooking class with author and Ooh La La Tour leader Jamie Cat Callan here we are lowering our umbrellas (parapluies) for a quick photo op.

 La Cuisine Market Shopping was a lot of fun.
The weather was rainy but did not dampen our spirits!


Here we are at Hotel de Ville at the kitchen prepping food for our lunch.


White asparagus with mouselline sauce.


Duck with demi glaze and relish, roasted vegetables, and asparagus.


Dessert
Pistachio and raspberry cake
chocolate cake with whipped cream.


On another occasion, Jamie and I enjoyed Lunch at Danton's sitting in the window...
looking out across at Boulevard Saint Germain.
Simply delicious ~ a perfect omelet and tossed salad.


Croque monsieur 
(very rich and laden in calories but I wanted to try one)


Chocolates at Chez Richart


Macarons at Chez Richart




Salad with poached egg and melted goat cheese on toast.


John Dory fish with herbs and vegetables.


Here's a picture of the cafeteria at The Musee D'Orsay before the lunch crowds descended...



Large salad lunch at The Muse D'Orsay with my Lapsang Souchon Tea!
(I couldn't eat it all!)


Duck with a cherry infused demi-glaze served with mashed potatoes.



Market Day in Vallence D'Agen near Auvillar France.
This market takes over several streets on Tuesdays.





I bought a buttery brioche and a Lion's Heart Tomato for our lunch.


Served with a chilled rose...
tomatoes on bread with a sprinkling of sea salt and fresh ground pepper.
Simple fresh country food but oh so tasty!


Can you just imagine how delicious this lunch tastes?


My friends John and Cheryl introduced me to the quaint Village of Saint Cirq-Lapopie.
It's an enchanting place.


Looks like time has stopped still in this pretty little Village.


Omelet with salad and gratin potatoes...


Looking back at the Village as we drove away...
we climbed up to that look out and the views were amazing.


Dinner out at Auberge close to Auvillar in the neighbouring Village of Bardique.

Foie Gras with toast points and relish garnished with apple pom poms.


Lamb which has been slow roasted for 11 hours
served with root vegetables.



Bon Appetit!


Dinner out at Le Petit Palais in Auvillar


Duck served with a side of orange sauce, pommes frites and a wee salad...
this was so incredible.
(BTW The only frites I ate in France.)


Cheers...from Auvillar.
My first Cassis Cocktail
Violet Cassis from Toulouse mixed with white wine.

Hope you enjoyed this food related post...
I'm off for a walk now as I have more than a few pounds to shed!