Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Savory Sablés~











We enjoy a glass or two of wine..I like pairing a glass of wine w/ a little cheese crisp..as you have seen here.. and here..
I just read Picnic In Provence..by Elizabeth Bard and her friend's sablés aux olives noires, romarin and parmesan caught my eye..
it is summer and warm and Provence~like here right now..
So I made them♥
I LOVE the addition of black olives..
I used Kalamatas.
Delish!
And..you know I really like the blog "La Cuisine De Bernard"..I had made these a while ago..a long while ago..and recently repinned and remade..

they are really good too..wish I could incorporate a few black olives..
Jacques likes both very much.
Me? I like salty better than sweet so I am quite taken with them all♥

Not sure about Elizabeth Bard's opinion on my publishing one of the recipes in her book..so ..read it:)

The book is a good read.

I do have the recipe though..so if anyone would like it..let me know..I just do not know what her rules are..

Contrary to La Cuisine De Bernard:)

Recipe below..

My gardens are in some parts wild.
I admire pristine..formal gardens w/ boxwood and lavender..  maze-puzzle like..
but mine are cottage gardens..not one is formal.
Strange..because I like order in my home;) I do..
but my gardens have to look fancy free.
Because I am not I guess;)

Bonica is a marvelous rose to have in a garden that gets cold..  (read Siberian cold)..year after year with no winter protection.. she rewards me in a front sunny garden.

Do you know the Kiwi vine?

It's abundant to say the least..every year I think my arbor will fall down..it is HUGE..tiny little kiwi shapes grow..and the leaves become pink♥ in spots..
Astilbes don't last forever..but the show they put on..in groupings is quite spectac..
I have pinks and whites..

and ,well ,clematis..what can I say?
I love to grow them together:)
They often make happy marriages.

And tell me..
are you thrilled like I am by a postcard arriving in the mail?
I love a written note..snail mail as we now say because of the speed of lighting emails..
to get a postcard in the mail..is a vintage gift now.
Arlene was visiting San Francisco (be still my heart)..and sent me a postcard.
Today's gift with the cooler temps and the sunshine ..and rhubarb from a neighbor.
Dahlias starting..a nana email..Mylène starting watercolors..she has my mom's talent..I hope she keeps it up:)



La Recette~

180 grams of AP flour
70 grams salted butter
45 grams Evoo
1/4 tsp salt
50 grams parmesan cheese
1 egg
 1tsp of dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
fleur de sel


Mix grated parm,salt,herbs,egg,evoo,salt in a bowl until creamy..add flour in one shot:) And mix only until combined..I used my fingers for all..

Preheat oven to 190C

I suggest you let the dough cool in the fridge ap 1 hr.

Roll out thinly..cut..sprinkle fleur de sel and more herbs..bake for 15 minutes.


Let cool..and enjoy..


So I did sneak in a recent oil painting..small.. and water soluble oils..
I have 4 colors and white..  hard for me to mix and paint..

I find the water soluble oils..jelly like..

but..w/ my knowledge of oil painting..who am I kidding;)

I took this pic of 3 of the alphabet boys at the beach..So Max..Maxime is to the right..Oli..Olivier is in the middle and should be far thinner..and Lucas..  Adonis..is to the left..what on earth did I do to his arms?
My boys are always faceless..because as soon as I add a face..  well my alphabet boys don't even look like themselves..as it is..they usually know who is who..if I add a face.. a whole different person shows up:)
I love to paint..
you know that already~


60 comments:

  1. You know when I told the friend I was traveling with that I had to shop for postcards she laughed. She said "who does that anymore?" I do! And I am so tickled that you appreciate it enough to mention in your blog. BTW, your flows and pictures continue to amaze me.

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  2. Yum! Sables are so a treat! Love all your renditions and as always, your flowers are amazing!

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  3. I love love LOVE your painting! I knew right away it was Oli in the middle. You paint their gestures perfectly. Don't underestimate yourself, you are doing wonderfully!

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    1. So much sweet encouargement..thanks so much Gail:)!

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    2. You underestimate your painting skills. :)

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  4. Savory sables are the best and so are all your photos. Your thumb must be incredibly green!

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    1. So funny Tricia because my left thumb is..in side the nail because of the painting;)
      I enjoy gardening very much.Jack of some trades but definitely not master of any,just enjoy watching things grow..and everything is just so pretty..all unique.Thanks Tricia:)

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  5. The sables will be made, they look good. Do they store long or can you freeze dough? Bonica is beautiful. Does it flower all summer long? If I had the energy I would dig out my new dawn roses that turned out not to be new dawn and start again. The garden looks wonderful. The painting of the boys is very sweet. A great idea not to try to get the details of their faces, I imagine that would be so hard to do.

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    1. It blooms probably longest along with the Fairy..that's another one if you don't have it..The pink Fairy..love it..albeit smaller roses..like the child of Bonica..

      They do store well as we still have some of Bernards in a Big Weck like sealed jar.
      If you want I can type out EB's and email you..the olives are great in them..if you like kalamatas.
      we buy moroccan olives too that are wrinkly and very salty..I am trying those next..
      I need to get the courage to shovel prune and or move some larger things this fall..not looking foward to it;)

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  6. Darling painting of the alphabet boys. I like your faceless technique! ;-)
    Will pick up a copy of the book. Picnic in Provence sounds delightful just from the title.
    Astilbes are some of my favorites. Just today on my morning walk, I passed a home that had a bed of bright deep pink ones and thought out loud - I must plant some in my own garden.

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    1. Mass plantings make the biggest impact..but I don't mind astilbes interspersed too w/ other perennials..long conical shapes bring nice height I find..you have such a pretty neighbourhood..

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  7. The flowers are beautiful Monique!
    And I love sables!
    xo

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  8. Les petits verres, pris dehors, avec quelque chose à grignotter... Cela sonne comme les vacances !
    Profitez bien ~

    Belle journée

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    Replies
    1. En effet..car en hiver on se gèle le bout des doigts!

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  9. Je suis sûre que publier une des recettes de ce joli livre lui ferait une belle publicité ! Mais bon ... ;o) Sinon, siroter un apéro en admirant tes oeuvres diverses, j'adore ! Bisous
    Hélène

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    1. Tu es tellement gentille.. je suis si contente de t'avoir "trouvée" il y a maintenant quelques belles années.x

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  10. And I LOVE your 'Alex Katz' Maine watercolor.
    Off the cookies for the time being sucre o salé

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  11. Aaah, savory, summery, and sand! You are such an artiste de cuisine et de fleurs, & everything else you choose!
    (PS. I would enjoy sending you a postcard....)

    Is the lovely painting watercolor or acrylic on canvas? It also reminds me of Milton Avery and Bonnard.

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    1. You girls are so well versed in artists.I have enjoyed Googling this morning !
      It's oil..water based oil..a little kit of 5 colors..my friend Donella..that you may remember told me about them last year while I was helping her with her garden..I was curious..I used $store brushes...
      I think I like oil based oils..better..
      one day may get better tools..
      my friend Nancy is an oil artist..
      Postcards are just so special..and it is becoming a very lost art.

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  12. I would enjoy a savory sable and a glass of wine with you anytime Monique. I love that you rolled them out and cut them. I have been making the slice and bake kind. Shape the dough into a log, chill and slice and bake. Love your oil of the boys. Impressionistic at its best.

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    1. I really like the log and slice too..I am just such a cookie cutter person..I use them as I can..he uses a press for his..I am useless w/ a press..2 have broken in my hands.

      Me too Penny!

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  13. Love the oil. Monique, you should start painting post cards and sending them to your loved ones. They have them ready to be painted at Hobby Lobby and I am sure everyone would treasure it from you. Maybe even Christmas cards. Do you get kiwi fruits to eat too?

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    1. Can't wait for Hobby Lobby!
      I will look..so postcards suitable for oils?
      Fun..They take long to dry though..do you find?
      I will look Donna and thanks for the idea!
      No a kiwi never gets to a ripened stage here..at least not that I know of..I'll take pics at their largest..~

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  14. These sables sound wonderful! And we do love a glass of wine or two also :) It's our time to talk, relax. Maybe have a dance or two ♥ Hot coming our way this weekend. Maybe my tomatoes will start to ripen. I see some similar scenes in the garden here. I love that. The astilbe, the clematis.,etc. I am trying to enjoy every second of the bounty in the garden now as I know it is a fleeting time. I really like your water-based oil painting! My sister painted in oil-based oils. I wish I had gotten her painting box when she died but of course it went to a daughter, as it should. She also has artistic talent. I don't mind the boys without faces ;) It looks like impressionism.

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    1. You're so nice Susan.I have to get used to my faceless boys..I had asked them to face the lake but they were in a silly fun mood at that stage..so I had to make do:)
      It is fleeting don't we know it;)
      Have a dance or two..love that!
      I dance like Elaine on seinfeld..I told you that..so i think I whipped the dance out of J..Love that you do that Susan..never stop.
      I wish you had your sisters art things..even if just a few..
      I personally would do a lot to have my moms'. I never even saw them..if I did I don't remember.
      I think when they lost Michèle..she never picked up a brush again..not sure at all.

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    2. I forgot to say what a wonderful postcard from Arlene. I'm glad you still keep in touch :) I remember when you went plant shopping together. Hello, Arlene! Ever since Lindsay's wedding and we took dance lessons - John insists on keeping in practice. One waltz, one swing, one rhumba, one fox trot - LOL. Can you tell he's German? He danced with Elaine too - the lessons helped so much. He still has to count in his head :) Yes, I wish I had some of her things. I do have a couple of paintings though. So sad about your mom :(

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    3. I remember when we went to the Botanical gardens too:)

      Keep up the dancing.I am sure you shine on the floor:) You do standing still:)

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  15. Love your painting, I think it is perfect as is. Also the sables look delicious, I am more of a savory person as well.

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  16. You are having a lovely summer....wine, tasty savory sables, a lovely garden and time to paint a treasure!

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    1. It is a lovely summer:)
      Grateful for that.
      Going to see how you are..

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  17. Like you, I like a savory biscuit with a nice glass of wine. I'll reach for that instead of a cookie. I've seen that beautiful vine with the splash of pink on the leaves but didn't know it was a kiwi plant. I love pink in the garden. Lovely photos!

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  18. That painting!!! This made my day. Oh, truly, wonderful!

    And that VINE! Oh, adding that to my remember-this-one! lists pronto! ♥

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    1. Ahh thanks Val..even with the arms and no faces?Have a nice weekend!

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    2. I hadn't noticed anything about the arms--I had to reread what you'd written just now to know what you meant. And yes with the "no faces." I like it this way. ♥ The little woman-with-her-cat figurine I keep on my mantel here is faceless, and a couple favorite sculptures I have bookmarked-to-buy-hopefully on etsy are faceless too. Like silhouettes, they allow you to imagine expressions and identities--I don't know if that's the appeal of them to me, but maybe. Anyway, yes! :)

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    3. :)
      "That allow you to imagine..."

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  19. I would love you to send the recipe. Katherine was here this morning and we baked because it was too chilly for pool time. We made those almond crisp cookies that we both have on our Pinterest page. She helped measure and put the ingredients in the mixing bowl for the first time. We had so much fun. We of course sampled the cookies and agreed they are yummy for the tummy. In between all this she did renditions of her flat songs and pledge of allegiance. You will probably do your garden renovations where I will land up thinking about it. I added a clematis near one of the roses and in digging the roots for the roses are pretty thick. Plus it would entail finding the snowdrops that are dormant now and digging them and basically the whole portion of the border.

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    1. I bet you had fun..I smile just thinking of the video I watched..sending the recipe now:)

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    2. Thanks Monique, I received it. She does put a smile on our faces just like your boys do for you.

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  20. Love your painting. What a treasure an another talent you have. The sables looks so good and delicate. I would love the recipe too! I made crispy spoon cracker once. Yours look perfect! I bet your Queen of hearts tarts will be beautiful. Yes, it is so, some people never have issues. I am not sure why? One thing at a time and enjoy the time we have.

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    1. I will go get your email from your site and send it now;)

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  21. A delicious and beautiful post! Love the painting of the boys.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  22. I would love the recipe also Monique. I love Elizabeth Baird's recipes. Your little savory cookies are gorgeous. I would expect nothing else, but what really touches my heart here today is that lovely little painting of your boys. I love that they have no faces . . . faces are seen with the heart. And I can see all of the love you have for them in this beautiful piece of work. Oh, and your garden, so gorgeous. I think wild gardens are much prettier than manicured ones. But then I am a wild child. xoxoxo

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    1. Going to send it to you now:)

      Faces are seen with the heart..♥

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  23. I'm always to looking to make little treats for my father. He like savory better than sweet and I usually make him my grandmother's onion cookies, but I think he would like a change. I'm going to try these! Love the watercolor, talent runs in your family.
    Amalia
    xo

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  24. Mais il n'en faut pas plus pour être heureux. Savourons. Les photos me font saliver.
    Bel été et à table, Nana.
    Amitiés.

    Roger

    PS. Tes photos sont magnifiques.

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  25. What a delightful post. I too enjoy a little bite of cheesy somethings with a glass or two of wine. Your sablés sound and look like an absolutely perfect pairing. Love the paining of the boys…if you hadn't mentioned why you did your faceless rendition, I would just think it was part of your artistic style. It is charming as far as I'm concerned.

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  26. I have missed you and your charming posts and incredibly beautiful photos Monique. I much prefer savory to sweet and your cheese bites sound marvelous. I will definitely give them a try. Recently I made a savory thyme Parmesan cracker? from Ina that may resemble a sable. It was a slice and bake cookie? that I really like. Your painting of the alphabet boys reminds me of the French Impressionist style and I quite enjoy that their faces are left to one's imagination. I find that all the more charming.

    Now I must check out La Cuisine de Brenard's blog.
    Sam

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    1. Monique, I forgot to ask for Elizabeth's sable recipe when you get a chance. I have wanted to read her book for the longest...I think she has a new one out too. I know I would enjoy her stories.
      Sam

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    2. Monique, I forgot to ask for Elizabeth's sable recipe when you get a chance. I have wanted to read her book for the longest...I think she has a new one out too. I know I would enjoy her stories.
      Sam

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  27. I have missed you and your charming posts and incredibly beautiful photos Monique. I much prefer savory to sweet and your cheese bites sound marvelous. I will definitely give them a try. Recently I made a savory thyme Parmesan cracker? from Ina that may resemble a sable. It was a slice and bake cookie? that I really like. Your painting of the alphabet boys reminds me of the French Impressionist style and I quite enjoy that their faces are left to one's imagination. I find that all the more charming.

    Now I must check out La Cuisine de Brenard's blog.
    Sam

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  28. Those sables would have been perfect with my savory cheesecake. And I do love that oil. Oh my-the talents you have, my dear!

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