Poppies~Plus~

I enjoy so many kinds of poppies.. the small wild ones..the larger show ones..the antique ones..My lavender and heirloom ones have not returned this yr..but the big showy ones have and this bright new spot of orange..I already have big ones that are orange and they shock me...(not an orange person  except 1 purse and 1 pair of shoes and one work of art:))

Bought at a flea market 100 yrs ago:)I loved the round frame and the magnificent poppies~

... but do enjoy taking photos of them and trying to paint them..so that's why this lush tuft of poppies came home.. to add color  for the moment and to try and paint some..
Practice practice..quick ...before the blooms go~

The weather has been iffy with clouds and drizzle ..and some cold days so I made some Osso Bucco one day..Ann T's..our favorite..
And anise /orange water shortbread from ..Vegetable Literacy~
Not sure about the copyright rules..and must say not crazy about them..so without further ado..

Here is a recipe I am crazy about:)

 We finished the last 2 portions of my favorite new non pasta pasta recipe..

Diane's Mom's Cannellonis

I love that you can make a big batch..and extra sauce.. and freeze in single serving portions.
I love the tenderness of the crepes..and the combined tastes..

You can make any marinanra sauce you want..which is basically some sauteed onion garlic..sometimes tiny brunoised carrots.. add whole canned whole tomatoes..I add Jacques' Italian sausage..and fresh herbs..salt an pepper and red pepper flakes..
I don't skimp on the olive oil for my sauce..Diane's son is a chef and recommends that:)

Let simmer and simmer..

The manicotti crepes were easy to make..
I halved the recipe..

2 cups flour sifted twice
2 cups water
6 eggs

Mix water and eggs ,beating slowly..add flour  a spoonful at a time  until batter is smooth..
Then spoon onto a tempered crepe pan....enough to make a 5 inch crepe..spreding batter thinly.
bake one side only.
Place on cookie sheet w/ wax paper between..(Mine didn't stick..I didn't need the wax paper)

And the filling equally easy..with ricotta spinach parmesan cheese egg..seasonings..

3 lbs ricotta
1 mozarella cheese cut in strips
1/4 cup grated cheese
2 eggs
 2 tbsps parsley minced

OK I didn't use these measurements:)  I used Ricotta  ,mozzarella and parmesan cheese..added SPINACH..as Di recommended..eggs ..parsley..

But I did everything .. approximately..to make the right amount of filling for the amount of crepes I had..
You mix the Ricotta..eggs..spinach..cheese and parsley well..
You place a large spoon full in center of each crepe and lay a strip of Mozzarella on top..Press one side to moisten on mixture then flap over on dry side to hold..(I just played it by eye:) )
Spread  some sauce on a large pan..top w/ crepes..spoon more sauce..  I add some freshly grated parmesan cheese on top:)Bake in 350 Oven for ap 25 mins..
Allow to sit 10 mins then serve..

I do what Di and Nick do and serve additional sauce on the side..


This recipe is from a very old book of Di's mom's..You have met her..Pretty pretty..  kind..and a great cook:)

I always look forward to this meal now:)
On my top DIX..ten:)

The wee poppies are waning but the huge ones are showing their glorious leaves and beautiful buds..It won't be long..

But each new leaf ..bud.. brings us closer to a finale here..I am not anxious to rush it along~


Bon..Poppy post ..fini:)♥

OK..well maybe I will come back w/ the huge ones:)They are such a sight to behold.. from bright orange to salmon..they are just under that beautiful bud..It's pouring here and dark..:(

Remember..if you are cutting poppies to place in a vase..you should cinge the stem..and all should be well~The second photo..they lasted like that almost for 1 week!:)On my windowsill~