Monday, March 2, 2015

Blood Oranges~









Talk about fruit beauty..Blood Oranges..Oranges Sanguines~
I ♥ the look of them and what we do with them..

One day..I decided to go through old magazines I have been keeping (hoarding?  No..keeping..)

I threw out all my Bon Appétits..save a few..since before 1999!

and oh so many Food and Drink..since 1999 on..

It pained me..but I did go through many to see..if I should keep or let go..

This magazine ..the latter..is free when you shop at an LCBO.
I am quite distraught we missed the last one..Winter 2015..
But..not all is lost as I did keep this recipe because of the blood oranges..
Blood orange..radish..red onion..celery ..and mint salad.From Food and Drinl 2005 I think..
C'est une belle salade!
I made 2 one for Jacques and one pour moi..

You need..one blood orange each..
Some radishes..to your taste..some thin slices of red onion..some finely diced celery..and some fresh mint..

Take 2 tbsps of fresh blood oj.. and 1/4 cup of Olive Oil..and freshly ground pepper..
Drizzle over your pretty salad~
C'est vraiment bon!
I wanted to put the rest of the blood oranges to good use..so I tried painting them..

In this space you will see nothing;)

Then I read about blood orange marmalade..
next time..I will try and find my fave marmalade recipe that I have safely placed somewhere amidst oh 40 yrs of recipes..and make that one..
I did however read about marmalade in the microwave..since I only use that below the counter appliance for reheating..
I thought I would give this marmalade a try..
So..I took 2 blood oranges..
Depitted..and de middle pithed....and chopped..
I ended up w/ 1 full cup of blood orange pieces..
The recipe said to add an equal amount of sugar..to place in a  microwave safe bowl..
I used my 4 qt Pyrex..and let it go for the 8 minutes..
NEXT time..I will start checking and stirring after 5 minutes..I bet 5-6 minutes would have been ample..
It's a tad thick..but good and quick..next time even quicker:)
I have a great rhubarb microwave jam recipe..and as soon as I find it this summer and make it:) I will share~
I am still so in love with mini Bonne Maman jars.

I parted with one ..I brought scones to Donella one day and packaged them up w/ a wee jar..
I kid you not..Jacques walked by the little package and said: "C'est trop cute"~
He even likes the minis:)
The cute Hello and wreath are from We Lived Happily Ever After~
Thank you Hannah.

Sunday.. after  3 of the boys left our home after having had a sleepover..

I made these  from Averie Cooks and they were a hit with not only the 3 boys..but Noah also who came to say bye before his trip to Disney..
I didn't have chunks..used chips..it took 100 to line them up:)

I was browsing  my new Dorie Greenspan book..  Baking Chez Moi  and there was a recipe for a loaf cake that used oranges or clementines..  The St-Pierre Poppy Seed Cake~I thought why not use the last Blood Orange? I loved the name and the anectdote enough to try it~
It's a lovely little loaf cake..and since the mold I was using was a touch smaller than the recommended pan..I made 4 minis too..
I will bring a couple to Donella.
This is the 3rd of Dorie's books that I have..and really everything just turns out perfect.

The recipe is very easy and what I like ..is that there's a little twist here and there w/ Dorie's recipes..Like having our impeccably clean hands rub the sugar w/ the rind..Makes so much sense..flavors naturally and perfectly.
You could easily and happily add some of that powder you can see here.
That all you need is a whisk and  a spatula..I love to get away from the noise somethimes..
The double sheets..and a silicone mat..etc..
Little niceties that assure a perfectly baked good.
You probably have everything you need right in your home if you have oranges and poppy seeds.
Her husband tasted this cake/loaf and brought some home and asked her to make it..She is good..:)



So Downton is done..for this Season~

Quelle tristesse.

I'll miss it!
I won't say anything incase some of you have PVRd it like both my daughters;)
I will say I would have loved to see it even more I think ..this Christmas..
And Jacques had said it was 2 hrs.. it was 1.5 hrs..I wanted it to last longer.

A friend asked me to look at this..and I thought I would share with you in case you had not seen it..


Have you seen this Downton video?
Quelle parodie!


64 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, the blood orange salad looks divine. Thanks for sharing it....I would love to try this combination.

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    1. I hope you try it..now seems to be the season here..It's so pretty plated..I did glean the plating from the magazine..

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  2. What a lovely still life of a salad! Dorie's recipes are always a hit around here. I, too, have been going through old cooking magazines. I can't begin to remember how often I've tried to cull issues of Gourmet. I've even moved them around the country as we have relocated a few times.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. I threw out so many when we moved here 12 yrs ago plus..And the just saving this one habit happened again..and again;)

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  3. To borrow Bonnie's words, your salad does look like a still life - so gorgeous. Try as I might I always seem to miss Blood Orange season. I have a very difficult time parting with old magazines too, especially ones like Gourmet that have vanished entirely from the food world. I've stopped subscribing to magazines due to what my husband calls hording. Have a great week ahead Monique.
    Sam

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    1. The season seems to be February here.There is no comparison color wise..And the insipid grapefruits I have been buying are a sad reflection on some of the produce available..I must say Costcos produce is usually tops.
      I love them..the juice is exceptionally colored..
      I know Gourmet was my fave..I loved the letters when people asked for their favorite restaurant recipes..etc..
      I have a couple of subscriptions..but what I do..is give to Caro and she gives them to Mylène..

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  4. Ahh, The magic of blood oranges. I love them and their vibrant color. When you add the juice to a cream cheese frosting, it turns a beautiful pink. Your pictures are works of art Monique. Just watched the end of season 5 of Downton. Like you I loved the Christmas festivities. Had no idea Lady Mary has such a beautiful voice. When we remodeled the Lake Lure house, I made sure I had covered cabinets in the bookcase for my collection of Gourmet magazines dating back to the 70's. Hope you are on a warming trend.

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    1. I love your idea of adding to a cream cheese frosting..There are only 2 tbsps of the juice in Dorie's cake..so the color is not at it's highest resolution:)
      I have kept all my Victoria magazines for the 80's and 90's..Well the ones I was able to buy:)
      Warming today:) But I think the Easter Egg hunt will be on snow..

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    2. Your comment makes me smile. I have all the Victoria magazines that I bought too. I also kept my Mary Englebreit. I think about passing them along to someone, but then find myself going through them again and again. I rarely purchase a magazine these days. I bought Fleamarket Garden because Mary's potting shed was featured. ;-)
      Egg hunt in the snow.......that is going to be interesting. Ha!

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  5. Que bueno todo y que colorido, me encanta. Y como siempre unas fotos preciosas.
    Besos

    lagalletarota.blogspot.com

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  6. What a beautiful salad that I would I would love! The orange juice and olive oil dressing sounds wonderful. The tea cake, the marmalade, so pretty and fresh. We ate so many oranges and grapefruit in California. Our favorites were the Cara Cara oranges. Many fun things to investigate in your posts, Monique :) I had never heard of LCBO and now I know why, The O stands for Ontario. I then Googled Food & Drink. I am familiar with Food & Wine and subscribe to it but not Food & Drink. It must be good if you like it ;) I, too, have piles of magazines. Wish I had saved some copies of Gourmet. Now, I just tear out the pages that I like and have stacks of pages instead of magazines - LOL. Love the cookie sticks. I don't know if I would have the patience to line up 100 chips though :) I had seen that Downton spoof - so funny and fun that the real actors participated. I will be sad to watch the last episode. I can't wait for Sherlock to return.

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    1. I know you will love it..I am wondering if that was in fact the name of these oranges..I had been to 2 previous grocery stores..w/ none to be found..I walked into this one and aksed the produce gentleman if he had any..he said right in front of you;)

      They were in a mesh bag and he said the name..It feels like that was the name:)
      The Food and Drink magazines have the most beautiful food photography and great recipes..There is the online site where you can get the recipes..but it's nothing like going through the mag..
      That's what I do..tear out pages now..The Ricardo mags I have kept and some holiday baking ones..
      It took literally no time to add the chips:)
      I had recently made a new batch of Milk And Cookies cookies and Jacques loved those better.
      The boys..are getting easier and easier to please..and are quite complimetary to me.I love that.

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  7. Monique, I had years of magazines and knew there was something in them I wanted to remember or wouldn't have kept them. I finally went through them and for some, wondered why I had kept them. So, if I found anything interesting, I tore the page out and put them in a folder. I got my first crop of blood oranges this year and froze the juice. I found a recipe for blood orange curd made in the microwave, but have yet to try it. But, I know it's there and will used it up somehow.

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    1. Me too! Just what you said..I wondered why on earth I had kept them;)
      I think I saw that recipe..it wll be beautiful..maybe in Penny Lane's first bday cake~!

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  8. Good job, Monique! Your salad looks fantastic and I can imagine how delicious it is! I have hundreds of cookbooks, but none of Dorie's, and need look at hers! And magazines, I've cut way back on subscriptions, and wonder too why I kept so many issues. Yes, about Downton! I DVR'd it, but haven't watched it yet. Have a good week!

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  9. Sometimes I go through my old magazines as well. Don't collect them lately, you can find anything on internet this days. But I have few left on my special shelf-)) Salad is just beautiful! Great idea!

    Hugs,

    Yelena

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    1. I buy very few cookbooks..but Dorie..I do..this latest one was a very thoughtful gift for Christmas..
      It is still fun to get things in the mail..
      My daughter and husband just gave me 2 years of Ricardo..xox

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  10. Beautiful salad that I'm going to make soon. Love a citrus salad!

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  11. Quelle Parodie indeed! I saw this last Christmas and it was a good laugh. How I love that our Downton Family doesn't mind taking the mickey out of themselves. Sweet. Your photographs are always just breathtaking Monique. You are always consistently good. That salad, that bread, the marmelade, the gift basket! It's all quite simply beautiful. I will have to look for some blood oranges so I can try your salad. It looks very good! But then again, everything you make always does! xoxo

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    1. Everything you bake looks wonderful!

      It must have been nice to see this at Christmas..I would have loved it even more!

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  12. juste à voir ces clichés,ça me donne envie

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  13. Visiting here just makes me happy! Happy images... happy words... happy thoughts... blessings ~ tanna

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    1. Baking is something that helps happy for me;)Thank you Tanna.

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  14. I just had blood orange juice in the Raspail marché sunday. Irresistable.
    The idea of BOmarmalade is too,
    Love what you do M

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  15. Another bright and sunny post from you! Your pictures convinced me to pick up some blood oranges (somehow the name always creeps me out) and loving those cookie sticks! Merci, merci. Somehow Downton went by very quickly this time, but a smile on my face when Mrs. Hughes accepted the marriage proposal - I adore her (and Carson). Very chilly here, but the sun is out!

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    1. I had tears for Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes..♥
      I know..BLOOD oranges..not my favorite name either..
      It flew by for me too.

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  16. Blood oranges are so beautiful...your photos are spectacular, Monique. Yum on that marmalade. Glad you didn't give Downton away...going to watch it tonight. :)
    I made a kumquat poppy seed bread out of Huckleberry. Will be posting it sometime this month. I loved it. Just about any citrus fruit would do, somebody posted a grapefuit one recently.

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    1. I am still on the waiting list for the book..You have inspired me:)

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  17. I saw blood oranges at the store last weekend and was wondering about them... now you've inspired with so many good ideas. I had not seen that Downton takeoff. Very funny. I was wishing the last show was 2 hours also.

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    1. Oh me too..I felt cheated;) And I said to Jacques:"I thought you said 2 hours"? Poor guy.
      They are so pretty those oranges..perfect for your red posts:)

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  18. You've plated the salad beautifully - it looks truly professional. And now you've given me inspiration for some orange based food shoots. Thankyou!

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    1. It's because I tried to imitate their plating..wish I could dream up these platings on my own:) Thank you~

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  19. Okay, I just put blood oranges on my shopping list. I haven't had any this year, can you believe that? Everything looks so beautiful, the jam, the salad, the bread. You have been a busy little bee Monique!

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  20. Lovely vignettes with your blood oranges. You take the best photos ever. The cake looks wonderful, especially with a cup of nice tea or coffee. I do hope you try adding the scroll button, It will make a big difference.

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    1. Thanks Linda..It's done..I didn't mean to copy your arrow..I tried for the first black and white..arrow 7 .but it puts yours always...

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  21. My husband came home with one blood orange the other day. I asked him what he was using it for. He said he knew I would think of something. Thanks for helping me think. I also, have gone through all my old magazines. Some from the 80's. It is funny to see how trends change. But good food is always good food. As are your photos!

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    1. I agree good food is always good food..Photos change a lot..not so much the last few years..Still trends..etc..

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  22. Your Art of Food is so visually bright and nourishing, never mind how it all must taste!! Bravo!

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  23. Monique, I see you added the scroll button. It makes me happy when I see people adding things to their blogs that I have given instructions. On my post, I added a tangerine button for you with my instructions on how to create your own button. I used yours as an example, so feel free to snag the url...Have a lovely day.

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    1. It's so funny I have tried all means to get that black first fancy one to no avail..) Will go look at your blog..Our internet connection was very iffy this morning..

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  24. Monique, Lovely photos with the Blood Oranges. I have to run to the store to buy some now!! Thanks for the inspiration!!
    Hugs,
    Jody

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  25. Hubby and I watched Downton together! It was so sweet and tender. I had read a little spoiler on the engagement but it was delightful to see how it unfolded.
    You are such a baker!! Yum. There are always delicious baked goods here to wet the palate!

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    1. Jacques watches it with me too..his favorite is Call The Midwife though.
      Oh..you are the baker!

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  26. Your beautiful salad is sunshine on a plate. Downton came and left so quickly. I was just getting used to a nice Sunday evening with my favorite show and now its over. I heard rumors that next year will be Maggie Smith's last year, and then I read rumors that it won't be. Oh dear, I hope she doesn't leave.

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    1. We have read that next season is the last forever.
      What a treat this has been for all of us.
      Tremendous cast..story lines..history..vistas.
      I am so in love with the show too Cathy..

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  27. Everything looks delightfully delicious.....
    Would love to try the poppyseed loaf recipe....
    The video was so funny! Don't watch mr Selfridge....didn't care for him! Ha!
    Love Call the Midwife.....my boyfriend and I watch them all together....
    Waiting patiently for Doc Martin to return!
    Hope your snow will be gone soon....
    I will be back home by the end of next week....
    Sad....but happy....miss my kids and Miss V♥️
    Enjoy your day Monique....
    I am certain you will create something beautiful!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Enjoy your last days..you know it will be a while before you go back,,;)

      I am sure you miss Miss V.

      It's natural..they are such a humongous part of our lives..♥

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  28. Love your photos M. I look forward to blood oranges every winter!

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  29. I save all my food and wine and bon appetite magazines too, I should really throw most of them out, love your salad and your jam they look delicious!

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  30. Tres charmanté. Tea time is the best thing to come from England.

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  31. Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the Downton video. It made Jim and I laugh (he is a fan too)!

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  32. Funny, I just mentioned to a friend yesterday that blood oranges have completely disappeared around here. I used to love them as a child and they certainly photograph well :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. They really are photogenic to say the least..so juicy too..:)

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  33. My friend mentioned to me your blog, so I thought I’d read it for myself. Very interesting insights, will be back for more!
    online wine

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  34. This sounds really delicious and something new to try. Thank you for sharing this.

    Simon

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