Look how cute this gift idea is~

One of my daughter's mentioned a book that her co-worker brought in to work..
and I had read something about it somewhere else..
I happened to see it last week and browsed through it..
this recipe caught my eye..and then many others in the book..so it came home with us..
this soup is the first thing I made..
You offer it as a gift..on the front of the tag..it says what it is:)..on the back of the tag..the instructions simply say:

Add contents of jar to a large stockpot along w/ a 28ozs can of diced tomatoes and 3 cans of water.
Bring to a boil and simmer for 45 minues..plus or minus a few words..see last pic.
You could happily print it up on your computer..this is very tiny handwriting..it's a normal sized tag.



Guess what?
It's really good and well look how cute..

I recommend a 2 cup capacity jar..EXACTLY..as less.. and the mixture would not fit..more..the mixture would just move around..so measure first..2 cups.
I had everything on hand except beef bouillon..I used chicken.We use organic liquid chicken and beef broths when I don't have home made..and really I rarely have home made.
 But I  did have some chicken bouillon powder form....and now I have bought a few sachets of the beef one because I will offer this gift..whenever the opprtunity arises.

Great gift to bring a daughter..a friend..this makes a lot of soup.

I also recommend bringing along the needed can of San Marzano diced tomatoes..then the recipient will have everything on hand to even make it as soon as you get there:)

Mylène,Noah,Giuliana,Jacques and I all liked it a lot..Mylène did pick out her mushrooms;)
You can lighly bake slices of baguette brushed with olive oil ..sprinkle w/ salt and serve along..makes a great little dunk:)
We had a picnic on the boat..and Caroline had brought this bread..to dunk in Frédérick's most excellent southwestern corn/potato chowder..I hope to try and make that one and share with you also~.

Anyways this book is very dear and well done..and so far the recipes have been very good..
I am totally charmed by her.
Totally.
Smitten actually.
The book was originally published in French..the English version is available..
She was a French Canadian singer..and felt she wanted something different..food was important to her..she has suffered from anorexia....and overcame it.. you have all kinds of recipes in this book..her husband is the photographer and the pics are beautiful..Marilou is visual she says..and it shows.Everything is so pretty..you know lasagna? Instead of saying..put the sauce,put the noodles..she actually writes down the order w/ a sketch.Brilliant.As I am visual too:)
She is beautiful..and charming..and together in my opinion they are a sweet , extremely talented couple.
A link to her book..  it is available also at Amazon..etc.. my Costco had it..
She also has a beautiful bilingual blog.
Last night we had a very flavorful mediterranean chicken recipe and her couscous to accompany was great.I did add a handful of chopped fresh sage because for some reason that worked beautifully!

The night before I made her fig and prosciutto pizza w/ my dough..so good!

I tried her Parmesan Crisps..delish..and you could add rosemary..but I loved them as is..

They say if you glean one good keeper recipe from a book..it's worth it..so far it's really worth it.

La Recette~

The jar ingredients~

1/2 cup green lentils
1/2 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup red lentils
2 tbsp beef bouillon powder
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup dried wild mushrooms roughly chopped.

The fall cleanup begins..I am sure that means less posts..
It's arduous this month of October..like Spring.
I want a genie. In a bottle or not.
I did plant the garlic today and I am hoping every little clove goes forth:)

Can you believe a SQUIRREL had the audacity to dig a big clove up?
I opened the door and scared it.
And that's fine..and now I have a bright blue tarp over the raised bed.So pretty..:(
I hate squirrels.We have too many.
There is still sooo much pink going on..The Pink Diamonds..the dahlias..anemones..sedum..and not much in way of fall color yet..everyone is saying..it's so late..we are a society of malcontents;)
But in case you feel like feeling..content..and want to make a few gifts and a pot for yourselves this coming weekend..enjoy the above recipe..
I know..I bake cookies all the time..but one of my faves?That I don't bake?
Bonne Maman ♥




Bon weekend~