Thursday, January 7, 2016

Ice lake~












Picnic Anyone? -10 F.





Our mailbox w/ it's winter hat~ tough shot at -10..and freezing hands.





It was so cold January 4th and 5th..how cold was it you ask?
-10 F..

it makes the lake beautiful..
going to the mail frightful..

having tea..delightful;)

And it brought the last season of Dowton Abbey to our television screens..
I am looking at all the small details even more..

and loving Mrs.Hugues and Mr.Carson last night..now I am not going to say another word..in case some of you PVR it and have not gotten around to it;)


I really enjoyed the above veal dish..it's from that book I like so much..3 Times A day~Go look the site is up in English too now..they just had a baby girl..such an exciting time in their lives..
Italian Veal Polpette..
I just love pasta and I love a nice broad tagliatelle with a rich sauce.
Always my kind of meal..and always one of my very favorites.

It is the perfect weather for this kind of food..and I always warm the plates..Jacques does too..
Here I am talking about cold weather..snow..and yet I've added an old photo I found of my brother John and sister Michèle.. in summer..they are both gone..Michèle was 5..(I cannot even imagine what my parents and brothers went through..devastating..look at that face..she's the wee one w/ bent arms... and my brother was in his 40's.He would be 72..
You are looking at how kids swam;) In our backyards..in Mtl ..in the 40's.I am imagining that back rectangular thing is a sandbox.Look at all the washtubs!
Now Littles swim in pools .. soak in hot tubs..many have their own..~
Such a different time.
I love when I come across these old shots.Treasures.
That was McClynn street.Our backyard.

My daughters find the cutest tea cups:)
And a dear young girl the best tea..perfect for the first epi of DA~

Epiphany  was January 6th..yesterday..so our tree will be put away soon..

It is a tradition to make a Galette Des Rois..I love making them..but I knew it would be the 2 of us..  and I still have shortbreads and magic bars and nanaimos♥..so again I made a mini one..for him alone..
and this year..I stuffed it w/ Dulce De Leche..you can go way off the beaten track w/ this dessert..there are no Galette Des Rois policemen in homes..and Jacques likes DDL..I am an almond anything lover..he is an anything lover;)
And since I was not having any this worked..I love the little good luck charms inserts;)
When you make a large one..w/ a larger crown..the person who finds it..wears the crown!

For the veal...
La recette~

1 28ozs can of San Marzano tomatoes..or equivalent quality.

A bit of EVOO
1 yellow onion  very finely chopped
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
2 cloves of garlic freshly chopped
3 tbsp freshly chopped basil
Pasta of your choice

For the polpettes


1 lb ground veal

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 egg
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup fresh chopped basil  (more for serving)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese..(more for serving
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.


How to~


Pour the tomatoes in a bowl and crush with a fork.Set aside.

In a pot over low heat ,heat a bit of olive oil and sauté the onion until soft and translucent.Season w/ salt and pepper.
Add the garlic and cook for 3 more minutes.
Pour in the tomatoes and bring to a boil..simmer for 30 minutes..Add the basil..adjust seasonings if necessary..and set aside.


In a large bowl,combine all polpette ings.Season GENEROUSLY w/ salt and pepper. and shape into 8 meatballs.

Carfefully place the meatballs in the sauce and simmer ap 30minutes..flipping the polpettes halfway through cooking.
Serve the polpette and sauce over your prepared pasta of choice sprinkle with basil and parmesan cheese..

***************I add crushed chili flakes to the sauce..and have a small vessel with additional at the table.

The trick to delicious dishes like this..is to taste..taste the sauce and make sure it is well seasoned..no one likes bland ;)
And warm your plates first..especially if you live in QC:)
Every warm meal we eat..no matter who is cooking..we like to warm our plates..the food stays warmer..cold hands like mine can be warmed on them too as a bonus~

Enjoy~




51 comments:

  1. Happy January, dear Monique. I just saw a video of a pastry chef preparing Galette des rois. It looks absolutely delicious and I'm not sure how managed to make this and not have even a tiny piece. Now, that's will power!
    Your pasta dish looks wonderful too - perfect meal on these freezing cold days.

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    1. And soups:) All those nice warm comforting meals.I am certain my garlic has stopped growing;)
      Take care!

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  2. Cold weather, warm food and drink! I love your little poem:
    it makes the lake beautiful..
    going to the mail frightful..
    having tea..delightful;)
    I love the tradition of the Galette des rois...and love the old photo, a summery treasure!
    Here we think it is spring because it is almost 40 degrees!

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    1. Aujourd'hui Rita..c'est plus chaud..au soleil je vois 50F ..mais au gros soleil..nous partons en raquettes sous peu:) Pas longtemps..pour respirer de l'air frais!

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  3. Now I need lunch. That little king cake is adorable and with dulce de leche it must taste wonderful. Do you have a white couch? That lake is gorgeous but don't get on it. That scares me. Funny that you showed wash tubs/pans. I just found an old blue and white swirled wash plan to sell in the booth. I have a large oval zinc wash tub somewhere I want to take to my booth too. Love all the sunshine there. Does it melt the snow?

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    1. It melts some of it during the day but at night we are well below freezing point ..this weekend we may get rain..then cold again..it is nice in the sun..a little snowshoe outing..
      I do have a white couch..2 white Ikea loveseats..in the sunroom..and they are terrific..4 chairs too..I got watercolor on one last week..dk purple..bleach/washing machine..looks sparkling again..I don't have pets though..ust Littles..and apart from jumping on the living rooms florals..they are cellar dwellers..they go straight for the basement..I can't say that makes me unhappy..there's blankets down there..sofas..I let them do anything..:)
      I am sure we will all be anxious to hear about the antique fair..Will Country Living be there?

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  4. Mon I find that Lucas looks like your brother in this picture.....

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  5. It all looks very clean & pretty, but as you it's cold, I'll just be happy to see the lovely pictures you have captured. I expect you have food store cupboards & a freezer full to make winter warming recipes. My husband always wants a HOT plate, When we dine out the first thing he does is touch the plate. Our grandsons always go to one of the spare bedrooms.. to play x box or whatever games that is popular at the time.

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    1. It's clean in the country..the city..and west island..not as much..that's the first thing we noticed when we moved here 40 yrs ago..we would visit a friend..and everything was so white..we would then go home and although it wasn't the cuty..it was populated and got dirty.So we do like the country:)
      A cold plate can make me not be as hungry..maybe that would be a good thing;)
      I think little girls would be different and stay upstairs..but I guess that's why that popualr term exists..man cave:)

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  6. That charming Jack Frost snowflaked mirror! It looks like proper winter there - then suddenly into summer with the children in washtubs. I have a faint memory of someone in a washtub, but maybe that was just the dog? Lovely early memories you have, but was sad to hear two of them are no longer with you. I LOVED the latest episode of Downton, heaved a sign of relief when Mr & Mrs Bates finally were in the clear. I always felt that went on much too long. And maybe next year I'll finally make that gorgeous galette for Twelfth Night, but I've been saying that for four years:) Stay warm!

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    1. Bittersweet to see the end of DA..it has kept us warm inside out..for the past 6 winters.
      I have my friend Nancy to thank;)Carson..is so deeply romantic.
      Mrs Patmore is a GREAT friend.
      Mary..the looks she gives..if hey could kill...
      Finally maybe Anna and Mr Bates will live in peace..and I want Edith happy at last too..I read about Julian Fellowes..maybe new projects..who and what to believe? But I am sure everything will be spot on:)
      I still miss Sybill's ethereal beauty and Michael.. and Branson..

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    2. Yes! Matthew and Sybil - that was when I had to stop watching for a while - their deaths were crushingly upsetting. Love Mrs. Patmore, and always have liked Mary (some of my friends detested her!), and Carson and Mrs. Hughes , that can almost forgive the previous deaths. Aren't we quite the soap opera fans? :) I miss my sister - we always used to talk the next morning, Monday mornings, about the latest episode of Downton. I wonder what Sunday will bring? love to you up there as I await VERY cold weather arriving Sunday in Minneapolis.

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  7. Cold weather, warmed plates for warmed food. That sounds perfect.
    Sam

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  8. Hi Monique...
    The snow certainly makes everything look even more beautiful!
    Ours is hard and crusty...not nice at all!
    I am also a plate warmer...I was taught that by my parents...and to not let your food get cold!
    Have a lovely evening...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. It does make things much prettier..especially country snow:)
      I know you know!

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  9. Your veal dish sounds perfect for a cold winter's meal! I grew up on a lake in Michigan and I remember those cold, cold days.

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  10. Prettiest snow shots, Monique! -10 would have me huddled inside by a fire with hot tea in my hand. Can't imagine!
    I was complaining about yesterday's rainy, cold day that was in the 40s.
    Love the shot with the golden crown and feves. Love this tradition!

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    1. Everything is relative:) When I am visiting Fl and the temps dip to the high 60's..I find it chilly:)

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  11. To think we had such warm weather on Christmas and now you are a winter wonderland and freezing too. We got cold but not that cold. I love your pasta dish, perfect for such old weather. I can't believe a year has gone by another galette des rois was made. Enjoy the upcoming weekend!

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  12. There is so much to love here Monique. I love your Wintery shots, so very beautiful. Love too, the old photograph. Your poor parents. That must have been so very hard for them. What a treasure for you to have this photograph. I think today's children have so many things that we did not, and yet they live in a harsher different world. I am so grateful for the innocence of my childhood where we had the cold war, but that seemed to be so far away. Your sauce and pasta looks so delicious as does the King Cake. Oh, I am wanting both of them now! It is getting much colder here now. This morning it was down in the single digit temps when I got up, but no frost yet. The sky was red though and we all know what that means. Bad weather is in the offing! Have a fabulous Friday dear friend. Love and hugs and a great weekend! xoxo

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    1. Bon weekend..I'm sure I'll see you:)
      Can't imagine my poor parents..once you loved a little and then losing them..can't bear the thought:(
      They were wonderful parents to me.

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  13. We don't get any snow around here so these beatuiful photos are to me so wonderful and exotic. Happy 2016, dear Monique, I hope it's a good one.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I would think you would shiver shiver shiver..it is a breathtaking beauty !

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  14. I'm jealous of your beautiful snow Monique. Every couple of years we get a really good snow but now too often. It looks like the most perfect weather to eat something comfy and delicious in front of the fire. Your Veal Polpette sounds wonderful!

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    1. I feel for Jacques when he is snowblowing etc..but truth be told once the chores are done..winter is quite relaxing..in the summer..we never seem to stop w/ gardens..grass..in winter..once we're in..we're in:)

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  15. Un thé bien chaud avec une part de galette des Rois.... et regarder la neige tomber. Tout ce que j'aime . Joli mois de janvier et belle et heureuse Année. Bises

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  16. Happy 2016, Monique! We have been spared the snow so far, thank God! It makes Mike housebound. Hope all is well there!

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  17. An excellent New Year to you and Mike and son and DIL and all those beautiful children..
    Snow certanly curbs a lot of things..will email you..

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  18. Beautiful pictures - hope your enjoying the winter and all its beauty. The lake looks so pretty. Your food looks wonderful and I wish I had some right now. Will have to try that recipe.
    Wishing you and yours a wonderful 2016 and have a great weekend.
    Mary

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  19. Okay, I am now aware that I have no grounds for complaining about the cold in Seattle. Clearly, it is not cold! I don't know how you managed to take pictures with it at -10°F. That has to be unbelievably miserable. Brrrr. I am laughing out loud at your "loving anything" comment. I think, in winter, I am in that camp....everything tastes so wonderful when it is cold outside. I must make a Galette Des Rois. Sabine would love it....so would I!

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    1. Kate..I thought i would lose my fingers..I bet Sabine has grown so much!

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  20. Oh my, the children in the wash tubs are SO SWEET. That photo is SUCH a treasure. Love your beautiful snow photos, especially the one of the crystal flakes on your car's mirror. Gorgeous. How the heck did that lake freeze so quickly?! Dang. Of course you need to eat that delicious hearty pasta. We were out last night and Hugh ordered one almost just like that (only with mushrooms) that I freely sampled. Yum. Something from me should be in the icey mailbox soon.

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    1. I love that photo too:) There is another..wish I knew who took them etc..

      my parents didn't seem to take photos.Hugh has good taste we love mushrooms too!
      :) Thank you..mild this weekend..there should be a lot of thawing..I saw sail surfers in the bay..and both Jacques and I said..too soon..dangerous..I know the ice is safe when the fishing shacks go out..

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  21. I clicked on the link for the book you like, and printed some recipes since it is now in English too :-)
    The children in the wash rubs is precious.
    The lake looks for pretty even though it is cold. Glad you still have your frozen fingers.
    xo

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    1. Me too..not usre if you remember the layered dry soup ings..to give..it was their recipe also..the site is lovely I find..
      Have a good weekend Debbie..

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  22. Your winter pictures are beautiful but I do know how cold it is…especially when you are trying to take photos, you have to take your gloves off. Brrrrr! When I took plates out of the cupboard in our New Hampshire house, they felt as though they had been stored in the fridge. I was so happy that we had heat lamps and warming racks above our stove…I used them all winter. That is my kind of a pasta dish too. Love the old photo of all the children in the wash tubs…you must treasure having it.

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    1. Exactly Karen..what a treat to have heat lamps etc..now it is a thing of the past cold hands! Oh it must be so pretty there..I love the sun in Florida..:) And the blue sky.

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  23. Oh my goodness, that's COLD! We had rain and fog yesterday. What snow we did have has shrunk by half or more. Poor Mack started ski lessons today...I hope they're enough snow left :) Into the deep freeze for us this week but nothing below zero, hopefully. Such picturesque scenes, even with the bitter cold. Have we seen this place before, in spring or summer? I haven't gotten my creative spark back since the holidays. Still trying to put the house back to normal and packing all of holiday away. Making old favorite soups and stews, nothing new. The veal meatball dish looks soooo good! What a beautiful site she has (I remember you mentioned her before). She is so stinkin' pretty and so talented. It's been decided - we have a grandson coming on the 18th unless he turns himself around before then :)

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    1. You had been quiet and I thought..ohh maybe even before the 18th..so the 18th it is!Can't wait lucky you and new bébé scent♥
      Mack on skis! Gosh..I remember when we were talking about her first shower and now number 3 is here..like you said another parallel.
      We started putting Christmas away today..it's 32.grey..raining..the snow is sliding off the roof..
      the tree is bare naked..the top off..the rest tomorrow..our pre-lit tree no longer is pre-lit so we are figuring out sets etc..FUN!! not.
      She is so stinkin' pretty and talented!
      You have other things on your mind..your creativity is always there..just aside for nouveau bébé chéri♥

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    2. Susan..yes you have seen that place:) I go often♥

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  24. We are having our first real snow starting this afternoon--very late this year. I love the scene of your siblings "cooling off". It makes me sad to know that your sweet little sister passed away so young.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. Me too..I nevre knew Bonnie..they had me because..they lost her I think..my mom did a novena to have a girl..she put a thank you in the paper for favor received.
      I loved her so much:)
      Very sad..no parent should lose a child.
      Enjoy your snow!

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  25. It is lovely to have Downton back, what WILL we do when it is gone?? Something tells me the American version that he's working on won't be nearly as perfect -- it was the cast that made it.

    As for our weather down NYC way, it's 60º today but will be a bit more like winter next week. Still, it's been very strange weather here.

    Happy new year!

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  26. Oh que c'est beau ! Et ces flocons sur le rétroviseur ! Incroyable ! Jolie, ta petite photo ancienne ... J'ai toujours un pincement au cœur, lorsque je regarde ces photos anciennes ... surtout si l'histoire qu'elles racontent ne finit pas très bien ... C'est vrai qu'aucun parent ne devrait perdre un enfant ... Bon, sinon, elles sont mignonnes, tes fèves. Vous avez des petits santons, comme on en met chez nous, dans vos galettes ? Si ça en se fait pas chez vous, je t'en mettrai quelques-uns dans une enveloppe rembourrée ... pour l'an prochain ! :-)

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    1. Tu ma's fait sourire.. tu verras bien pouquoi un jour.
      Je ne sais pas comment mes parents ont survécu ..il y a eu des cicatrices..

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