What's for Brunch?

How about some Pumpkin waffles with bacon?

Have a great weekend my friends!

Food of the Perigord

French Food


It's true my travels have been on my mind lately... and there is still so much I have not shared simply because time didn't allow it while in France. So allow me to indulge while I reflect and appreciate the fact that I lived one of my dreams of leisurely gracing old village markets... appreciating agribusiness at it's finest and oldest forms of entrepreneurialism; not to mention stumbling in small shops stocked with shelves of symmetrically labeled cans filled with duck parts in every which way, or enjoying a raw egg on top of my fettucine surprise, partially because I couldn't understand the menu and partially because... when in Rome France.

Bon appetit!

Pizza Party

Semi-Homemade


This past Saturday for the first time in over 5 years, I stepped into Trader Joe's... Immediately I felt like I was home. I picked up a ton of ingredients for a little create your own pizza party. It was so much fun, and after years of pizza practice (my first job was in a pizza parlor), I can say that I perfected my craft this weekend!

Still don't have the patience for making my own dough, until that day comes, I will forever have fresh dough on stock in case a spontaneous pizza party strikes up again!

Simply Colette Pizza Sauce

1 16 oz can of San Marzano plum tomatoes
1 6 oz tomato paste
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tbsp of Italian seasoning or Oregano
6 fresh basil leaves chopped
1 tsp of salt
2 tbsp of sugar

This pizza features: Trader Joe's fresh dough, Simply Colette Pizza Sauce, fresh mozzarella, 4 cheese shredded blend, salami, hot Italian sausage, mushrooms, and bell peppers.

Bon appetit!

Meatloaf

Good Eats Wednesday

When the weather starts to cool and you just want to wrap yourself in snuggly clothes, sometimes you just want a little comfort food. So, last week I made my first meatloaf.

...even though soups are one of my favorite comfort foods.

I can't wait to pull out the Pumpkin Rosemary & Bacon Soup recipe out from last year!

What is your favorite comfort food?

It's Labor Day Weekend!

Happy Friday!


Here are some little things about my week...

Pulling out one of my favorite recipes my Dad used to make:

Baked Chicken Breasts marinated in Louisana Buffalo Wing Sauce

w/ Mashed Potatoes & Buffalo Wing Style Gravy.

PHOTO ABOVE: Archives from my Chicken & Biscuits with Frank's Wing Sauce.

Use the sauce drippings for the gravy... it is THE best!

I met and fell for my new neighbor... Booter, a HUGE Alaskan Malamute.

After he wandered onto our deck without his owner, and my little Sage got her first meet & greet with a dog since she was a kitten, she fearlessly walked up to him and they were nose to nose on opposite sides of the glass. I called about 5 agencies as I was worried about him because his collar address read about 25 miles away, but I discovered his owner relocated to our neighborhood and allows him to wander. Needless to say I've got a new friend... and puppies on the mind!


 A perfect shot!

Mom and I went to the outdoor store and played around. I had a perfect shot 20/20!

 Approaching 100,000 views on the blog! Plus some really other great things lined up.


Remember the family reunion I mentioned, it's this weekend... I get to see all my family I haven't seen in years!

Also, to all you Scrapbookers out there... I'll be having a giveaway very soon!

 But first I'm kicking off the weekend with the Rib Fest TONIGHT in downtown Reno!
I'm sure they will be much better than mine.

Mmm... I'm getting hungry just thinking about it.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!
Stay safe.

Alaskan King Salmon

Good Eats Wednesday

This weekend we made some of the most beautiful salmon I've ever seen,

from the Waterfall Resort in Alaska where my brother caught it on one of his trips.

It was about 5" thick in the center so it took a while to cook, and was enough for about 8 servings.

One of my favorite ways to cook salmon, which I've blogged about here before, is super simple.

Sea salt, chopped garlic, butter, fresh dill, and lemon.

Cooked at about 375 degrees so the it stays moist and the timing depends on the size.

Usually about 14-18 minutes depending on your preference.

This fish took 30 minutes for the outer sections, then we had to stick the center back in for another 15 min or so... but it was super moist and the butter certainly didn't hurt!

Bon appetit!

Girlfriend Gatherings

Good Eats Wednesday


It doesn't matter what you eat, the same is true no matter in the U.S., France, or anywhere else in the world... getting together with your girlfriends for a drink and your favorite food beats anything!

My sweet American girlfriends I met in France.

Foie Gras Burger in Bourgueil, France.

What's your favorite place to meet up with girlfriends?

Tea Time

Good TEAS Wednesday
Teas of My Travels


When traveling I like to purchase non-traditional souvenirs, particularly for my kitchen. A couple years ago, the theme was Christmas ornaments, this time it was "teas-to-go" though I generally ordered hot chocolate at the actual locations for "research" purposes. I've been very excited to share my tea collection with you!

I found this darling chalkboard in Domme, France which has great artisan shops.

The British Teas: FORTNUM & MASON Trio: Royal Blend, Earl Grey Classic & Afternoon; HARRODS: Afternoon Loose Leaf Tea.

The French Collection: Secret d'Hilgarde tea from the Fortresse Royale du CHINON, my favorite tea strainer from Teavana, Honey from the Thursday Market in DOMME, & Tisane Relaxante from Chateau de VILLANDRY in Loire Valley. 

Teapot from Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

For more of my tea posts check out the Macaron Party & some of my favorite teas!


 Bon Appetea!

Fete du Pain 2011

"Celebration of Bread"
Paris, France
Good Eats Wednesday 


While I was in Paris, the annual Fete du Pain was going on outside the Notre Dame. It was nice to see the finest bakers of Paris sharing the art of bread baking. I particularly loved seeing the children in their little hats.

Baking bread is something I haven't spent much time practicing. I think I'm too impatient to let the yeast rise, but would like to try again. I recall as I was finished My Life if France by Julia Child, that she spent months researching the art of baking bread in Paris for the second part of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and it took her awhile to come up with using a damp asbestos brick in the oven (something which made it have the right amount of moisture if I remember correctly) but while the book was just about to go to print, studies that asbestos caused cancer were just released, so she had to alter the recipes at the last minute.

The Julia Child tour of Paris is coming up soon... stay tuned!

Have you ever baked fresh bread? Any favorite recipes or methods?

Boulangeries & Village Markets

Good Eats Wednesday

 
Well I managed to lose quite a bit of weight in France eating things like this apricot pastry. Great huh? Actually I didn't eat all that much on this trip because when the average lunch price is 15 euro it equals about 25 US dollars just for lunch. I noticed many people in France walking around the streets picking off pieces of baguettes, and quickly learned to do the same. Unfortunately, this particular pastry above though so good was the culprit of hives, as I mentioned a couple weeks ago, which are just now clearing up. It was horrible. Even Benadryl and cream didn't work, and heat such as showers or laying in the sun made them itch like crazy. Discovering a new food allergy in a foreign country was not fun, and even made me too nervous to enjoy any of the fresh fruits and veggies at even the most tempting of fresh village markets like my favorite one in Sarlat. 

But I did allow myself to enjoy all kinds of wonderful countless pizzas and wonderful French pastries.
Can't wait to share that collage with you... and my guide to hot chocolate in Paris!

Bon appetit!

L'Entrecote in Paris

Good Eats Wednesday


My favorite meal in Paris was at L'Entrecote. After reading mixed reviews on TripAdvisor I debated trying this restaurant... good thing I don't listen to reviews. Because in my opinion their World Famous Sauce was one of my best encounters in Paris... which tasted like a gourmet blend of mustard and butter; heaven on their traditional seared medium rare to rare tenderloin beef which is kept heated at your table. Though the fries were perfectly crisp, the ones that were smothered in sauce were oh so good. I'm going to have to try to replicate this sauce at home. They even brought me a second serving of it after witnessing me scraping every last bit, and it was comforting to see many 'business lunchers' rather than tourists when I went.

 Bon appetit!

Fish & Chips

Good Eats Wednesday


While in London, I got my fish & chips! Just once... but it satisfied my need. Planning for once more in Birmingham!

Fried cod = heaven

Bon appetit!

The Albert

Cottage Pie

Charming English pubs abound... had Cottage Pie for lunch on Monday. Savory and reasonable near Victoria Station and Westminster.

Fish & chips are is on my list today... finally.


Cheers!