Sunday, January 3, 2016

Quiche ~Pol Martin~ Russell~Watercolor~Will Travel:)













That's exactly what our   potting shed looks like right now after a lot of snow..no blue skies  in sight..mais beaucoup de neige~
I have not ventured near the potting shed as the paths were just being plowed;)
We have someone do the driveway now..but everywhere we have lived Jacques has always made little paths around the house leading to things..I love that.
And I love even more seeing Littles outside playing in the snow..
Making snowmen,building forts..♥
Oli told me the snowman's name was Russell~
It's snowed every day now..

For Christmas brunch I mentioned I had made a really good quiche..
A really easy and delicious quiche ..a recipe from Pol Martin.His real name was Halna du Fretay.
Pol Martin was a very popular chef/cookbook author who was born in Nantes,France and arrived in QC in 1954..the year I was born..
I don't know if my mom knew of him..it was always Jéhane Benoit at our home..
He passed away in 2007,not without leaving an indelible mark on Québec gastronomy.
I have two  books of his   a large one  and a smaller one..and took pleasure  in going through them during the holidays.
Jacques had bought me these books to inspire me:)
When he worked traveling salesmen stopped at his office w/ books..actually yrs later at our office..people stopped by also..anyways Jacques is responsible for these two.


This recipe is not from the books..but  from a cooking forum.

I modified it by adding bacon and made it for Christmas morning.Ham would be excellent in this quiche.
The great thing about a grand quiche is you can bake it the day before and simply reheat the next day at ap.250F.
It is rich..I won't lie,but it's worth it once in a blue moon.

While we were in Florida..I received this..from me..it had been on my wish list..
I am glad I did get it..as our $ was worth more when I wish listed it in my head..and then our dollar kept dwindling..
so almost as soon as I got to Fl..chaching:)

No regrets.

I bought a few Daniel Smith tubes in the last few months..and have put  a few in it..and a few others..
the only color so far that I dislike in DS..is Buff Tiatnium..it's so opaque..like an acrylic..no..not my fave..I bought it for sand:)
So one out of six is not bad.
My 2 faves so far..Quinachrodone Gold and Indanthrone Blue..Pyrrol Orange and Quinachrodone Rose are pretty cool too..and Ultramarine Turquoise..(I think that is the latter's name).. I was thinking beach when I bought my tubes:)And my online art lessons.

When I return to the US I will look into M Graham's ..a new friend on the beach introduced me to them:)
They have honey in them..
I can't believe we don't carry the sets here in Canada.


Ok back to this dear travel kit..I showed the boys when they arrived in FL..they said..a new purse?:) So cute..then I opened it and showed them.Max was quite impressed.

So..the kit does not come w/ everything I have shown here..
But it is a lovely leather  ish..I can't tell if it's real..(I bought a so called real leather purse ..cross body..in Italy..and the joke was on me...)


 ...crossbody  magnetic snap shut case..it has vessels that open for containing water..2..and 2 collapsible water cups.. ..a cute litlle closed palette..a brush in the palette.. a sponge..and they add a Kilimanjaro watercolor block.
I love this set.
It will make spring and summer a little more interesting to me.
Going to the park etc..
I bought this kit through Cheap Joe's.
Now that would be my Toysrus:)
Ahh..DA..back..to please us all~


La recette~

Pastry of your choice to fit a 9 inch quiche pan.
Mine is old and ceramic..white w/ a blue trim.

Preheat oven to 475F.


4 slices of bacon chopped


1 yellow onion chopped


3 eggs

1 1/2 cup heavy cream

salt,pepper,chopped parsley,paprika to your taste.


1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese

1 beaten egg

Place your rolled out pie dough into your quiche pan and brush w/ a beaten egg..it is recommended to blind bake in some of the recipes..the one I had found never said anything so I did not and the crust was swell.Some also said prick w/ fork..mine did not.

I chilled mine until my filling was prepped.

Start by rendering your bacon until cooked..remove..drain on paper towels..

Sauté the chopped onion in the bacon fat until transparent.Drain also.
Mix the 3 eggs cup and a half of heavy cream ..salt pepper and onion and bacon.
Pour into your quiche pan over the chilled crust.
Sprinkle with  1/2 cup of grated gruyère cheese.
Bake for ap 30-35 mins or until  a knife comes out clean when inserted in the center.

It's creamy..and wonderful.




it's here actually

Have no idea where this came from..it was on a blog..that I did not keep the URL..and she had no clue where it came from..but it pretty much sums up here now:) It has arrived.
Very cool:)

72 comments:

  1. Monique, you are so very talented with your blog. It looks wonderful and your pictures are always so beautiful. You won't believe this, but I have never made a quiche. I love to eat quiche at cafes so I am going to have to try one. My husband will just have to try it since I made it. He doesn't like anything new or won't try it. Really, he can eat very little now, so I might try to half the recipe. I love that paint set. You can take it anywhere. What did they do there before snow blowers? We do have a heavy snow occasionally, but it is rare here, only maybe every few years. You must have to dress like the little gif you showed. Gifs are too technological for me, but I know you could figure it out. I'm already looking at flower and seed catalogs for spring. As it did last year, I expect this one will fly by too.

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    1. It's a lot of work re shoveling and snowblowing for Jacques..he's a trooper for sure.
      My friend Nancy,twice when we have visited her in Mtl..she has bought quiche for lunch and I am always so grateful..I don't make it often..and usually wing it w/ no heavy cream etc..:) but it was a celebration right?:)
      Your husband..he's a trooper too!
      It has been great to see..well hear of the improvemnts..I hope 2016 is like the latter of 2015 for you:)But less busy..gosh you were busy this yr!

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  2. A lovely snow and a lovely quiche--heaven! So far, we've had very little snow. This morning, the sky looks like snow waiting to fall. That would be fine with me.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  3. Yay! You finally have snow. So do we but it doesn't seem to be as much as you. That's so sweet your hubby marks out snow paths for you. Your greenhouse is so adorable. Green with envy over your new watercolor kit ;) I'm not a fan of quiche but trying anything you make I'm sure will be delicious! Enjoy your week - Bev

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    1. You live in the US you can get one:) So cute..apparently they have sales sometimes..
      Happy you got snow too Bev:)Have a great week.

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  4. Stopping by to wish you well in the new year. No snow here in Austin, but other parts of the state have had plenty. Cold again though, and I like that! Cozy fire to sit by, a sweater in which to snuggle up in, and Sadie girl by my side. Life is good! Cute graphic! Layers are the key to winter!
    The photos of the boys in their football uniforms and the group shot - so cute. Very handsome guys!
    Thanks for the recipe. We like to make quiche, so will try this.
    Happy 2016, Monique. I look forward to many visits here.

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    1. I too look forward to my Hyacinths for the Soul magazine:)Oh yes many layers..we just went snowshoeing and I have to say it's really gorgeous..a different gorgeous..

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  5. Hi Monique, I love your snowy photos, especially the one with the cute snowman :) We are in the middle of Summer here in New Zealand and it is very hot and humid. I could do with a little snow here at the moment. The closest I get to snow is when I open the freezer door lol.

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  6. Love the little action girl, I used to look like that in February with all those layers. Too bad that pretty snow couldn't have come a little sooner for a white Christmas. Your quiche sounds rich and delicious…I would enjoy a little slice with a green salad and a glass of wine. Wishing you and your family a wonderful new year.

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    1. Jacques checked the weather in Fl..but where we have been..61F..I mean much warmer than here..but a bit chilly!I am sure you are loving the new place!

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    2. It is taking some getting used to, Monique as it doesn't feel like winter. I do have to say that I've enjoyed being able to go out walking without being bundled up and looking like the "Michelin man". :D

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  7. Love that first photo, Monique. It is on my 'need', or is it just 'want' list to have a potting shed. Next spring for sure. Yours is just perfect. You do have lovely snow photos. We have plenty here, too, near Ottawa, and are now officially in a winter wonderland. Thank you for the recipe. Deb

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  8. I have not been reading blogs for such a long time. Nice to catch up. Love your paints! And this quiche is so classic. Have a great New Year. A bientot.

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    1. I hope all is well and that you have just been having too much fun:)A GREAT year to you too Sarah!

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  9. The gardens look beautiful blanketed in snow. Easy for my to say, I don't have to worry about getting it cleared. I love quiche and have a favorite recipe, Madame Quiche's Quiche au Fromage. Yours looks and sounds as yummy. We had Jerry's retirement party and all went well. Beth made your Duchess Potatoes and Gerarda helped with a green bean and mushroom and feta side dish. Your new art supplies are nice. I'm sure you will put them to good use. Enjoy your snow!

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    1. Oh I bet it was so nice the party..that is such a milestone..the first page of no accountability to business.
      I am in love with it now.
      The Duchess potatoes are so nice..just heat and plate pretty right?

      I too love the look of the snow..mind you it's 0F right now..a tad too cold..fire's going..I'll make 2 little pot pies before we step out for a few errands..I would rather snowshoe like yesterday..I've not been out of my space since quite before the holidays..Have a great day!

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  10. Bienvenue a Quebec dans l'hiver. C'est beaucoup des neiges. Je t'aime les peinture.

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    1. Merci Esme..et je me propose de bien prendre en note tous tes livres cette année!

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  11. Ohhh, just look at all that pretty snow. I would prefer snow over rain. Todd disagrees. He prefers rain, lol It has not stopped raining for a month pretty much. We are both pretty tired of it! Our back yard is like a swimming pool. Sigh . . . loving the snowman named Russell. What a cute guy. Those olive eyes, c'est magnifique! Loving more the paint set. Can't wait to see all you create! I must do my course now that I am on my own. We will see. That quiche looks fabulous. Mine was a Madame Benoit home also. I loved her cooking show and cherish the one book I have of hers! Happy New Year dear friend! xoxo

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    1. I have a penchant for snowmen..I think it's the fact Katie lives on their lane that the boys made one..maybe not..but there's definitely a different feminine influence going on..minute one..;)
      You had a great Christmas..I was very happy for that.

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  12. Your snow looks so magical as I gaze out the window at the cool rain we are having in Florida. Growing up in Michigan, I miss that newly fallen snow, but not the grey days and dirty slush. But there is much to be said for a change of seasons. My, but your quiche looks delicious. I almost made quiches for our New Years get together. You confirmed that they can be reheated successfully, so maybe next year . . . I will have to look into the traveling paints for my granddaughter. I got her professional metallic markers for Christmas. She is such a budding artist. Happy New Year Monique. Looking forward to stopping by here often.

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    1. Oh Penny encourage every artistic side she has..I think you're never bored if you have books..paints..paper..and a kitchen;)
      Your get together looked like so much fun..you are fortuante to have such nice friends to do things with:)
      Happy new Year!
      It's 0F today..brrr...

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  13. Your snow is beautiful! The quiche sounds wonderful. I love a good quiche! Happy New Year!

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    1. I do too Penny...today is eceptionally bright and pretty and white snow blue skies and sun..that's why it's so darn ccccold today!

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  14. OH my, when you get snow you really get it! One inch and Portland goes completely crazy. Our problem is ice. Schools are closed today because of it. I have ingredients for your lovely quiche so it, and homemade bread, are on today's menu. No driving on ice for me.

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    1. It's a bit icy today here also..because of this 2 day cold front..
      Stay home..you are wise!! I think a quiche and you go together so well Miss Paris:)

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  15. i love all of the snow you are getting, your potting shed looks picturesque and russel is so cute, are those olives for his eyes? :). oh my that travel art kit is wonderful and i'm sure you will have so much fun with it.
    happy new year!

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    1. Happy New Year to you..they look like olives! To tell you the truth..the kids were making the snaoman the day before..just starting ..while we went to visit them all for a movie..I promised myself to go back the next morning to take a photo..around 10.30 AM..I didn't expect all the Littles to be there so I was very distracted..:)I culdn't ahve Katie in the photo as I am not her mom..yet Katie and Oli were putting finishing touches..so I THINK they are olives..Katie loved being in the pics..but I don't put other Littles faces on my blog unless I have permission:)
      Oh the kit is a treat Jenni:)

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  16. Russell :) We had Les Boys yesterday and the snow we got last week was already too crunchy to roll into a snowman so Mack was disappointed. We did do a little sledding though and they got to see the red fox that has taken a liking to our yard so that was exciting for them. Our snow blower has only been out once. What a great idea to make paths to things :) The quiche looks delicious! Other than our Christmas strata, I haven't made a quiche in so long. Hmmm, maybe I just figured out dinner for tomorrow night! Your paint kit looks wonderful too. I can't take my eyes off the beautiful yellow leather behind it :) An ottoman? I hadn't heard of M Graham. The honey sounds so interesting. I'd love to see how they compare my my Windsor Newtons. Love the animated GIF! Hard to believe it's 2016, already. I'm getting seed catalogs ;)

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    1. It is so hard to believe it is 2016 indeed..It's been since 2000 that we communicate? That long? Gardenbuddies..:)
      And they say long distance relationships don't last;)

      That's Jacques' chair in Florida:)
      Not sure it's leather..
      The paths make things look nice too..don't know if you remember the Easter we were so grateful to have the paths..because we still had so much snow..at least the kids could walk around and find their eggs up above on the snowbanks:) I laugh now..but..
      we have wee fox also and coyotes! Have not seen the coyotes since all this snow fell..Tonight chicken pot pies..:)
      I am getting seed catalogs too..always nice to think of Spring!

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  17. We've got lots of snow on the ground here too, but it's sunny and pretty today! We have guys to do the driveway, etc also now, definitely makes it easier to deal with. :-) Quiche sounds good and I love her layers when dressing for winter! Same here!

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    1. Oh me too..sure adds girth..but welcomed girth..leggings and sweaters and socks..and more sweaters and down:)

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  18. Hello dear Monique, the holidays are over, slowly things are coming back to normal. My kids went back to school, the Christmas tree is down. We did not have snow yet, waiting for winter-)) I love your travel art set, it is perfect for you! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend!

    Hugs,

    Yelena

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    1. I just just paid you a visit!

      Bonne Année chère Yelena!

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  19. I'm loving the little gif --- and your watercolor set is amazing, I think I'll send one to my daughter, she'd love it!

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    1. Sue she would! She'll have to add her paintsand maybe a brush or two..but one isincluded.What a great gift....so thoughtful..

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  20. Your shed looks like GINGERBREAD !!!
    Adorable. Whats with tne bent paint brush? Still cute though...

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    1. It came like that..a small set I bought a few years ago..handy little thing..think about it...
      it does look like gingerbread..wrong color but it does:)J built it..I helped and Fred helped w/ the roof trusses..we were 15 yrs younger.

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  21. Love your potting shed and travel set Monique. That quiche looks delicious.

    Hope you have a good day!

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  22. Joyeuse Année ! Tous mes voeux de bonheur :)
    So lovely! Toute cette neige, une vraie merveille, féérique et douce.
    Je vois que Noël s'est très bien passé et que vous avez eu de jolis présents.
    Passez une bonne semaine ~

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    1. Vous aussi Camille..j'espère sortir encore aujourd'hui et prendre quelques phtos..;)

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  23. Your paint set is adorable! I don't paint and I'd still want one. :)
    I love quiche too...don't make it often though. My favorite is still one similar to yours...the first I ever heard of (Quiche Lorraine) from the old, old Gourmet cookbooks. Nobody even knew what quiche was back then.
    Snow, snow. Am happy we don't have it, but I sure have great memories of sleds and snowmen.

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    1. I know! Like fondue..I remember the first one I ate..Expos 67!Love that line about still wanting one..like me ...
      By Feb..I'll be wanting it gone also..believe me.March for sure..yet I know that is just a wsh.
      it's the maintenance..ugh..and the cold.

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  24. I just love how seasonal your blog is...The snow pics, such joy, such memories of playing in the snow. Here, ours mostly melted. What a classically elegant travel kit! Love the animation...And oh là là, the warm quiche on the warm placemat, something to enjoy after coming in from the snow!! Bonne saison enneigée!

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    1. Toi aussi Rita! Je me rappelle du moment que j'ai fait votre connaissance..vous regardiez l'extérieur..de l'intérieur:)

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  25. What a fabulous Winter wonderland. Love seeing this beautiful photos. The potting shed is so cute~ The kids look like they are having so much fun! Lovely quiche as well. I made a quiche very similar for a Christmas brunch. The travel set is great! I keep saying I should take a class.

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    1. You would shine in a class..Linda you are busier than I am..but those days when you just want to be alone..and be quiet..and inside you..this is so great!

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  26. Oh my gosh...that shed looks fantastic!! Like a travel brochure!
    So pretty with your lovely snow...and that snowman!! Love him!!
    Been busy cleaning out my drawers this morning...3 bags to go to charity!!
    Soup is simmering...sun is shining...gonna go for a walk when my boyfriend gets home!
    Enjoy your day Monique...beautiful photos!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. I love that feeling of giving away..we have the bunker we can donate to..it's in the basment of our library..locals go and shop..me included for the brocante part..but twice a year an organization comes by..you leave the bags at the door..this year..I put all my real estate..blazers..winter coats..dress pants..in..yesterday in the car w/ Jacques I said I am so glad we gave warm winter stuff away..
      I get in cleaning frenzies too..it will next happen when the tree comes down this weekend.;)
      Jacques said we should leave it up till March!

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    2. I would!!
      The sparkle is so hard to resist...I miss my tree already :o(

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  27. The quiche looks wonderful and the snow is gorgeous! So picturesque :) Happy travels and happy painting!

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  28. Your garden she'd looks like a movie set. So adorable... And the littles are showing the apple of creativity falls closeby with that handsome snowman. I love the paint set. Was it difficult to get the paints to plug into that box? Looks like it would make a nice gift for an artist I know;) it is frigid here, but no snow.... Yet!

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    1. Gail I recommended it to a neighbor so she could buy it for her husband:) Not hard at all..just pressed the DS tubes and they just went in..I should have waited till home and created a better palette..but I still don't know what a better palette is really..Hugh could add all his own brushes..although one comes with it..it's a very handsome set..you could not do a huge pleain air painting..but so fun for the kind of thing many love to do..it's darn sweet Gail:)
      I had room for a mechanical pencil..micron pen..eraser..
      You get him the best gifts:)

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  29. THANKS so much for popping over to Lavender and Lovage to see me and leave a comment Monique! I have missed you and all my other blogspot friends - when I changed to WordPress, I lost all the updates that I used to have on my dashboard, and it became harder to comment! But I am here now and want to say I will try to pop by more often, as I used to do! Happy New Year, and what a lovely post too! Karen

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    1. Well that is exactly what happened to me..and then one day..I was alerted to a post of yours and I found you again,,excatly the same thing..it's uncanny though how I have subscribed to certain blogs and they still don't come..yours does now..that's how I reconnected!
      Happy New Year.I cannot believe how much you travel!!

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  30. Solved! I have added you to my blogs to follow list, so I can find you easily! K xxx

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  31. Oh how I love your garden house in the snow! Magnificent! I looked for info on where you live and didn't find any bio. Thanks for visiting my blog! I have a nice travel paint set.. I just need to use it more. It's a Rembrandt kit.. very lush and rich colors. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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    1. Hi there ..I live in the outskirts on Montréal, Qc,Canada..Snowville;)

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  32. Bonjour chère Nana,

    Je suis contente que tu aimes l'hiver et "sa neige" ! Moi je n'aime pas le froid et la neige mais je dois reconnaître que son spectacle est bien beau !
    En revanche ta petite quiche donne faim !... Merci pour la recette.
    Je vais te donner en échange la recette de la mienne.
    Je fais ma pâte avec :
    250g de farine + poivre + sel + herbes de provence + beurre froid en petits morceaux 125 ou 100g + si nécessaire un petit peu de lait froid.
    J'étale ma pâte et je fronce mon moule.
    Dans une poêle je fais revenir mes cubes de lardons fumés et mes cubes de jambon.
    Je les place sur ma pâte puis je rajoute des cubes de fromage gruyère Emmental.
    Je fouette ensuite à la fourchette dans un cul de poule mes oeufs (4 oeufs entiers + 2 jaunes) + crème fraîche + noix muscade + poivre + sel (légèrement) + ciboulette.
    Cuire au four 30 / 35 minutes au four à 180°C.
    Bon appétit...

    Je te renouvelle tous mes bons voeux.
    Gros bisous ♡

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    1. Ta recette me semble délicieuse!
      C'est gentil..merci beaucoup..j'aime l'idée de rendre la pâte plus savoureuse en rajoutant des herbes.
      Tu sais..j'aimerais mieux vivre en Provence entourée de ma famille ...toute ma famille..mais mon origine est bien au Québec et je suis pas mal certaine d'y rester;)
      Le froid me fais frissoner! Je me pousse dehors;)

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  33. Hi Monique, so sweet that Jacques makes little paths out of the snow for you to get around and love, love the paint set. Happy New Year!

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  34. Love the paint set :-) I can see you playing with it soon.

    I'm glad you mentioned Pol Martin and the quiche. I was gifted one of Pol Martin's cookbooks (a large one) from a friend who bought it from a traveling salesman who stopped at her office at the bank with books.

    Your garden house looks charming in the snow!

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  35. Allez, cette fois-ci, j'y vais ! Merci pour ce joli moment de lecture ! C'est toujours un bonheur que de venir faire un petit tour chez toi ! Bisous

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