31 May 2012

Lettuce and Radishes


I'm really happy with the new types of lettuce I am growing this year. They are all the colours I love to see in a salad bowl. Conquistador Romaine, Esmeralda Butter Lettuce, and Merlot Looseleaf Lettuce.  I'm enjoying my Globe radishes too. 


I love salad and I can't get enough of any lettuce leaf that is red or purple in colour that contrasts so beautifully with various shades of it's green leafy friends. I am a bit of a snob when it comes to the perfect leaf. I have a strong dislike for the "mixed" lettuce that comes in the giant plastic tub from the super market. To me, it tastes bitter, flavourless and old. It's much better to by whole heads of lettuce and fresh herbs to mix and match as I go. 


But seriously, nothing is better than harvesting baby lettuce leaves straight from my back garden. These sweet, tender little morsels tossed with crisp radishes for an extra bite are what I live for after the long rainy winters on the west coast.  

25 May 2012

Rustic Pesto and Arugula




I know I should be posting about my trip to France but I feel like posting about food. Food can bring so much pleasure in life.  I am all about simple, clean, beautiful food. I made a (very) rustic pesto for lunch today by chopping up a few basil and parsley leaves with a sprinkle of pine nuts, a pinch of fleur de sel and a drizzle of walnut and olive oil. I used the pesto in my omelette which made it incredibly savoury and mouth watering. And just when it couldn't get any better, I added a large pile of fresh arugula from my garden. This is what the lunches of my dreams are made of. 

23 May 2012

Blueberry Cuties



So it turns out I feel like posting again. I just returned from a trip to France and I am re-adjusting to the time difference. It doesn't help that my baby wakes up in the  middle of the night then I can't get back to sleep. So after laying in the dark for so long, I get up at the crack of dawn. I decided to test out a recipe this morning for Georgia's birthday. I wanted to make something she could eat so I experimented with a gluten free pie crust and blueberry filling.  It should be good. We will eat these cute little pies tomorrow with my first chicken dinner in I can't remember how long. After being vegetarian then vegan, then dairy free vegetarian, then dairy free, gluten free vegetarian who eats eggs and fish, I am ready to  test out a little organic, free range chicken. I have a lot to show you from my trip but it may take ages for me to get the photos all organized and processed. But it will come.