cat's tongues

Cat's tongues are these long, rectangular round thing biscuits which are....generally not very exciting. I was enticed by Laduree's cat's tongues only because of the mysterious blind embossed black cat with a pink tongue. But Parisian treats never disappoint. These were really exquisite, moist biscuits with little flecks of vanilla bean in them, their tips dipped carefully in colored chocolate.

oui oui, Paris!

Salut!

I recently returned from Paris with the extra bag bursting at the seams with chocolate, caramels, macaroons, cats tongues, violet pastels and all sorts of other yummy delights which have now dwindled to little multicolored crumbs in pretty boxes as I put on the Sofia Coppola version of Marie Antoinette in all its delicious Versailles-y glory to extend the memory of my sweet treats.




Pastries in America have become these big monstrosities, weighed down by sugar and thick glazes, although I have been known to scarf down Pain au Chocolats with very little discernment. It takes me a while to warm up to the idea of pastries, because I've had few exceptional ones, but they're not hard to find in Paris, where everything is beautiful, dainty and always just right.


This lovely was a violet cream puff with violet icing and a crystallized violet. So many violets! So delicious.


This was on another trip to Laduree. Their set lunch is the best deal – 2 or 3 course meal where you can pick any dessert you want. I picked the cassis sorbet and violet ice cream with an equal amount of Chantilly cream on top.

Then we did a market tour near the Bastille which stopped first at a little Patisserie called Ble Sucre (wheat, sugar) which had won the honor of making the best croissant in Paris. It was so exquisite that I ate it before I photographed it.

Besides croissants, it is the birthplace of these delightful creations:




apricot danish, chocolate mousse cake, chocolate eclair

Then, on a a last minute trip back, to run errands (picking up cheeses and chocolates) I had to do the impossible and pick between a tart tartin that i'd had my heart set on for 3 days and the rhubarb rouge (rhubarb has a special place in my stomach), and was ultimately swayed by the pink knotted rose marshmallow.



Oh sugary bliss.

Edible Day Lily

In order to plant our veggie garden, B and I dug up a plot on our rental property of what we thought were tall obnoxious leafy weeds.

Look what came up from a patch we didn't dig! A beautiful day lily (edible I might add!). Our landlord was somewhat shocked and offended that we dug up a plot of strong growing perennial flowers! Oh well. I'll plant some surprise bulbs to come up for him when we move out. :)

Colour Surprise

Look what B left in a fruit bowl one day.

Sweet Basil Babies

Nope, not little basil peas, just new leaves! I love their adorable puffiness.

Away

I'll be out of town for a week but my garden won't! I've scheduled some photos to auto-post in my absence, so keep checking back! :)

Summerlazy Quinoa Risotto

I concocted this ridiculously quick Quisotto for lunch today as an alternative to the toil of risotto stirring. It's also lighter and less cheezy in flavour, making it the perfect light Summerlazy dish. Enjoy!

Ingredients
quinoa (cook 1 part quinoa to 1.5-2 parts water)
asparagus, wooded stems trimmed, broken into segments
(try with fresh summer peas too! I didn't have any)

Dress with
fresh mint and tarragon (a pinch or two of each, torn or snipped or chopped small)
parmesan, sprinkled lightly
a tiny splash of olive oil
a tiny squeeze of lemon

Directions
I threw my quinoa and asparagus (you could do this with the peas too) straight in the rice cooker with the 2 parts water (to 1 part quinoa), and a small corner of broth cube (sub a pinch of salt). You can also do it over the stove (covered) over med to med-low heat.

Dress this summer risotto lightly, the flavours are delicate- I overdid it with the mint - that fresh stuff overpowers!

(Learn from my mistake and throw the chopped mint into the just-cooked quinoa; toss till wilted. This will mellow the strong herby flavour. Good luck!).


my now flourishing tarragon and new favourite herb this summer

Lettuce Hideaway

My latest lettuce experiment - it's been humid 30 degree days punctuated by violent thundershowers for the past week. Poor lettuce is being beaten and cooked left and right. I hid them today under the wooden slatted bench on my porch for shelter. I hope they'll be okay while I'm away next week!

Batches of Red Candies

Look at my little green baby bounty of Red Candy plum tomatoes! All this rain is at least good for fattening them up!

First Fruits of Lettuce Labour!

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.
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1. Pick!.............................................. 2. Wash!

..........3. Toss!..................................... 4. Eat!
..........

Zen and The Art of Lettuce Maintenance

Remember Lettuce Survivor? It's become my Neverending Story of Lettuce Transplants. I am overflowing with lettuce almost ready for a big juicy salad! I am so nervous that everything in my garden will ripen the week I am out of town coming up. With hope, I'll have good garden karma.



Oh and did I tell you? Garden anarchy (i.e. my reckless disregard for the Institution of Gardening Rules) won a hefty point this Spring - nature has her plan - the rain has repeatedly taken out all my carefully re-spaced baby lettuces (which has meant regular replacement of displaced soil and endless transplant experiments for me (i.e. endless toil!).



On the other hand, my big messy row of seedlings (that any Good Gardener would have dismissed as future compost) has positively flourished with no need for human interference. Those crowded roots are what helped the lettuce stem the torrential tides of a wet, stormy young New Brunswick summer. The lettuce is probably growing a little slower than well-spaced lettuce protected from the elements, but -- they are all green and sun-kissed still (Despite the crowding!) and look happier than anything else in the garden.

Turns out trusting in Ma Nature was the right thing. Every day I learn from B's naturally Zen attitude to life (and gardening!) - he never worried once; all while I fretted incessantly over lettuce babies and puzzled over the correct thinning practices. He knew it would work out all along, just as he always trusts that things will. He's my rock in torrential Spring rains.



Thank you my dear! <3