Wednesday, July 25, 2012

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?

30 comments:

  1. Thank you Mon, but you make it all look so pretty and inviting...we had wonderful evening. I love Pooh's quotes and use them all the time!Di

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  2. Tout est très joli et fort appétissant. Ici, la pluie a été présente tout le mois de juin et juillet et la nature est très verte.
    J'adore ce film de Pagnol. Un moment de vie formidable.
    Bonne journée. Cordialement.

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  3. D:)

    Nous avons lu que votre saison estivale a été fort pluvieuse..Vos billets sont remplis de beauté néamnoins.Un plaisr pour moi de vous visiter.

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  4. Lovely post today! I am copying the delicious-looking recipe as I type.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  5. Love the main dish. And the pizelles. Because of you, I ordered the VERY LAST "Petit Beurre Maison" set from Amazon. canada. Ordered Thursday and came Monday -- (much better than our Amazon). Can't wait to try them! But the book that comes with it is in French -- but thankfully you provided a recipe! I'll post about it when I make them but again I'm grateful for your post about them which gave me the heads up about the cute little cutter!

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  6. Martha..if ever you need a translation..I have the book so just tell me the page and I will for you:)

    Isn't it funny how I love Amazon.com too:)

    But I am very impressed with our speedy delivery when is stock..I never thought you could could order..I must tell someone:)
    I have often ordered through.com because your choices are so vast!

    Glad it came..

    For my cookies I shaped the dough into a rect.the size of the mold.. then refrigerated..then sliced w/ dental floss:) Flour your press a bit:)Then press..:)glad you were able to get one..they have many little kits I was very impressed.
    Bonnie I hope you enjoy them..we do.
    Have a great day everyone.

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  7. Love seeing your sweet garden watercolor. Your journal must be sheer delight!
    Here in TX we know about droughts. Fortunately we are in better shape this summer. Had some nice rains last week, and they relaxed restrictions from one day a week to two. We've been restricted to only one day for over a year now. The city is worried about our trees. Everyone cooperated and conserves, but no one wants to see more trees decline. This drought has been harsh!
    Happy Day Wishes to you.......Sarah

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  8. We worry about our trees also..100 yr old huge majestics ..they must need more water even if they have reserves..

    Happy Wishes for you also Sarah~I am, looking forward to seeing your painting.

    A childhood friend of mine contacted me..and mentioned she took painting classes in Italy..Oh my you should see her paintings..she had this inate talent! Her work is so beautiful!

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  9. The appetizers are beautiful as is very thing you do. They will be perfect the next time we entertain.

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  10. I love the look of the beautiufl little and the light in your kitchen on the peppers...but most of all I love the quotes....each and every one spoke directly to my heart...
    Bisous my darling friend....bisous!
    L xo

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  11. Lovely post! I have printed off the recipe and intend to make the tarts. They look amazing...

    I love the quotes...they make me smile.

    Pizzelles bring back memories of time with my Aunt. She made the very best pizzelles!

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  12. Everytime I look at your posts, I see that such lot of thought has gone into preparing & serving food to your friends. It realy does make a difference how food is served, what ever it maybe. Only today my grandson who is only 12chose a special glass dish to give me icecream he said 'he thought it looked so much nicer, in a nice dish' thank you Moniqe I will be using your recipe for my friends.

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  13. Lovely, just lovely Monique. I'm intrigued by the pretty pizzelles and of course the baguettes on the board with the asparagus. How do you make everything look so appealing?
    Sam

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  14. Monique -- thank you -- I may call on you for translation -- but will try your recipe first. I didn't know we could order from amazon.canada either but I pulled them up and it worked! Gee, I wonder if I can order from amazon.uk?

    I'll let you know how my cookies turn out.

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  15. Beautiful post. Love that pepper plant and it's exquisite colours.
    Your quiche looks too good to be ate...lovely novel idea on the trowel and that board.
    Wonderful pics always dearest Monique.
    Shel x

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  16. Oh my Monique, what a delectable mixture of delights this post is . . . sweet pictures, fabulous food . . . and those quotes. Spot on. I ate up every word . . . and now to try out those tarts. Just wonderful! xxoo

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  18. PS - I just adore your newest header. Such beautiful photos.

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  19. Loved the post, Monique. Those little puff pastry delights...wonderful. (The bacon doesn't hurt! :) )
    Have not heard of the movie, but will certainly keep my eye out for it.
    The radishes look delicious. I love them with nothing but a bit of salt.

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  20. Barbara..how dear of your grandson..they are certainly our greatest treasures:)Along w/ their parents:)

    I hope those of you who try the little lardons tarts will like them.Sam I thought of you during the movie..St~ Remy!(On my husbands' computer can't find my accents:) )

    Hmm..Amazon.UK.. and Fr? Great idea

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  21. Hi Monique,
    It has been too long, my absence from your inspiring blog How do you fit so much delightfulness in a single post? Talent, is the answer! I must see that French movie, looks quite enjoyable. So impressed with the reuse of your father-in-law's trowel. What a fabulous idea.
    Maureen

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  22. Fabulous peppers, gorgeous savory tarts and lovely lace cookies! Your posts are always like a breath of fresh air....

    cheers,

    Rosa

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  23. These are homemade:) By Diane:) and her mom's Pizzelle maker:)
    Rosa..You are the breath of fresh air..Hard to find more beautiful photographs that yours..in Black and white or vivid color~

    Maureen..I wish you would post more often..I miss the vintage photos:)

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  24. They are so nice to serve to guests, looks chic!

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  25. What a lovely evening with friends. It sounds like you like planning for a gathering as do I. Your special touches on everything you do are wonderful.
    Enjoy!

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  26. I'm not sure which is my favorite thing about this post - the appetizer, the pizzelles or the wonderful quotes at the end. I guess I love it all ;)

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  27. Beautiful! Everything about this post is beautiful! The pretty colorful pepper plant, the lace cookies and the romantic little signs. And those individual asparagus tarts are out of this world!

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  28. Such a Lovely post! The vintage trowel is so special. Love that you are using it that way. Genius!

    Jody

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