A little delight~ Appy or Main~

We are back to fabulous weather again~

 And  weather  here  has been beautiful ..but unseasonably dry..Our grass felt like straw..  and looked and looks still.. quite like it~my perennials are waning..our sprinkler system has been shut down for weeks ..even though we are allowed but twice during the week  for a few hrs in the AM hrs.. we feel w/ the drought..we must keep it off..

Today..hooray..I never thought I would say this..but it rained in QC..the day I went to the pool with 3 of the alphabet boys and their mom:)

Last week though..during this drought..

We went to Jean -Talon ..and it was just gorgeous..The wonderful shopkeepers..the colors of it all:)

The markets however ..still have bounty!

I was having guests for an early dinner and bought some French Radishes and Fleur d'Ail for the centerpiece..to be eaten after of course:)   During the week..
 I also bought a mild red pepper plant for our windowsill~

I love looking at their colors w/ the ever changing kitchen light~

The little sign.. was loved right away by me at a stop on our way home~And Garden..is a little well worn plaque that sits at the base of my cutting garden..I tried to paint it~


So...


For our guests..



We had enjoyed these as a  main meal ..  prior in the week.. after I had perused  the recipe  in one of  my French cooking magazines~

Jacques and I liked them so much..I decided to add them as an appy~

You can see a vintage trowel:) That I use for cakes and quiches..It's been cleaned within an inch of it's life..many times..and we have all survived:)  It was my husband's fathers:)

Puff pastry.. Ricotta cheese.. lardons.. French shallots.. small basil..and asparagus that I have first blanched..so good!



La Recette..Courtesy of Coup De Pouce..I think:)


Preheat oven to 200 C or 400 F


3 slices of bacon finely chopped (Like lardons)
Olive oil
2 French Shallots finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tub of mascarpone cheese(I used Ricotta)
Fresh basil chopped to taste
2 tbsps fresh parmesan cheese grated
Puff pastry
1 beaten egg
24 asparagus cut in half lengthwise~

Render the bacon until crispy..add the shallots and soften....S and P..
Let rest 5 minutes..
Add the cheeses..and basil..mix well and keep in fridge.

Prepare your Puff Pastry to 6 rectangles of 2"x6".
Brush the edges  w/ beaten egg
Garnish the  middle of the rectangles w/ the cheese bacon mixture.
Place the asparagus on top (I blanched mine first)
Bake 12-15 minutes..
Let them cool a bit before serving~
You can add gruyère..or swiss  or cheddar  cheese for a more pronounced flavor~

They are really good..
I cut each in 1 x 1 inch pieces w/ the pretty heads of the asparagus~
I have since read..From the lovely Blogger of  La Table Lorraine..that to add a bit of bicarbonate of soda to the water while blanching..preserves the green of greens even greener! Thank you~

Plse note that it depends how many you make for the amount of mascarpone/ricotta/puff pastry etc..

The evening was lovely..we ate outside.. and we were spoiled with a very cute and thoughtful hostess/host gift..

Pizzelles! Our friend makes them with her mom's Pizzelle maker~ The art of making them brings back so many memories for her..:)
I was touched..she knows I like them..we made some together yeas and years ago~
(I think I am coveting again..I think Mary has a Pizzelle maker:) )

They arrived all bundled up ..prettily displayed on a peony serving tray,wrapped in cello that seemed made for the occasion..a twig or two of pink blooms on branches tied with pink ribbon..all seated on hostess napkins:)

See how the cello just framed the pizzelles?Lace cookies:)

All this to say..those asparagus tarts are delish..pizzelles are too..and it feels so good to eat Al Fresco again~
Until the mosquitoes start gnawing..around 9PM..then we head in~

I love these little quotes about   companionship and friendship~

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind.  "Pooh!" he whispered.  "Yes, Piglet?"  "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw.  "I just wanted to be sure of you."  ~A.A. Milne

Someone remembers, someone cares;
Your name is whispered in someone’s prayers.
~Author Unknown

When you're happy, I'm happy.  When you're sad, I'm sad.  When you're lonely, call me!  ~Author Unknown(and mean it:)

How did it get so late so soon?
It's night before it's afternoon.
December is here before it's June.
My goodness how the time has flewn.
How did it get so late so soon?
~Dr. Seuss

Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?  ~A.A. Milne

Just saw this movie..lent to us..  If you love French films..

I LOVED this one..Of course Daniel Auteuil is in it..It's filmed in Provence..

A Marcel Pagnol movie.

I loved it..did I say that?