Fig Harvest

Figs, figs, and more figs.

We are swimming in them.

I should have kept better count, but we have filled our huge green and white bowl to the brim six times this summer. It has been a good year for the fig. We had grand plans of making jam, but just ended up eating them instead. Burrata, fig, arugula salad drizzled with balsamic glaze; figs, aged english cheddar drizzled with honey, figs cut, figs whole...figs for the neighbors, figs for the friends. Our tree isn't that big, but it produced so much this year.

In love.

And some more of the cuties, because, well, they are cute.

Easter

On Sunday Harp woke up to her Easter basket and an egg hunt. After we returned from brunch we colored eggs.

Later we went to brunch at a friends house. We sat outside, it was sunny and beautiful, with fresh cut flowers from their yard on the table. She had a feast that reminded me of a Tony meal - cinnamon muffins, lemon curd, fruit salad, french toast bake, and the pièce de résistance baked eggs with spinach and mushrooms. It was amazing and also solidified that I want to have The Smitten Kitchen cookbook. I saw it the last time we were at Costco, but passed it by...

I will definitely be making this. It will most likely be a staple in our house from this point forward. Yummm, I want to eat it right now.

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Birthday Pie

Tony made some delicious birthday treats for my mom and I. I am a big fan of pie, over cake and other chocolaty items. Yes, I realize most think this is crazy, but so be it. This year is a delicious blackberry pie...YUM!

As for the recipe...Tony used one for the pie crust, but not the inside filling. So, go with me on this one.

Filling - a Guestimate:
2 packages organic blackberries
1/2 cup bakers sugar
the zest of 1 lemon
1 tsp vanilla

Pie Crust, from the great Martha Stewart...Pate Brisee
This has proven to be the best and most delicious pie crust. Over and over again.
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, cold, cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

STEP 1
In the bowl of a food processor, combine flour and salt; pulse to combine. Add the butter, and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some larger pieces remaining, about 10 seconds. (To mix by hand, combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, then cut in butter with a pastry blender.)

STEP 2
With the machine running, add the ice water through the feed tube in a slow, steady stream, just until the dough holds together without being wet or sticky. Do not process more than 30 seconds. Test by squeezing a small amount of the dough together; if it is still too crumbly, add a bit more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.

STEP 3
Turn out the dough onto a clean work surface. Divide in half, and place each half on a piece of plastic wrap. Shape into flattened disks. Wrap in plastic, and refrigerate at least 1 hour or overnight. The dough can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before using.


YIELD:Makes two 8- to 10-inch tarts or single-crust pies, one 8- to 10-inch double-crust pie, or twelve 2 1/2- to 3-inch tartlets

ENJOY!

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Sunday Dinner and the Golden Globes

We kept it a low key weekend and had some down time. Sunday called for lasagna and Golden Globe watching. I have to say, I was a bit annoyed with all the pregnant pauses in almost everyone's speeches. I know it must be a pleasant surprise that you won, but you are one of five. It is a possibility that you should be prepared for. For me, it made for a very awkward watching experience. It didn't relay shock and awe, as much as, drunk and weird. Out of the speeches, Michael Douglas we the most well spoken. For the dresses, I liked the ones above. all beautiful and classy.

As for the lasagna, Tony doesn't work with recipes, so I will let you know the guidelines of what happened...

We used sweet italian pork sausage, spinach, onion, and zucchini with marinara as our sauce. Start cooking the sausage on the stove top until brown, add onions until translucent, add veg, and cook until lightly wilted. Add marinara, garlic salt, and pepper. Let bubble for a while to infuse all the ingredients.

Cook noodles before you start the above steps. Once al dente, layer the noodles, sauce, mozerella, parm, and ricotta until it reaches the top and then throw it in the oven until it is bubbly and toasty on top.

The only thing I would change is making our own ricotta. I didn't love the store bought option. Otherwise, it was delicious!

There was some advances made this weekend on the head board for our room...but it was a small step. The small person that lives with us was not in the mood to shop for required items, which made it difficult.  We have fabric and the upholstery nail heads purchased. I think we may take a look for the foam today and buy the wood at some point this week. We have a friend coming into town this weekend, but maybe he has been jonesing to make a headboard??? If not, it will be another weekend before we get her finished.

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Good Things

We had such a great holiday week. Both sides of grandparents were here and then we had two different friends in town. Happy we are being visited.

Thanksgiving morning Tony made the best waffles I have ever had. I feel I may require them every Sunday from now on. He added chopped ham and grated gruyere and cheddar cheese to the regular batter recipe. YUM!

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Let The Cooking Begin

I will start cooking today...that way we can relax a bit more tomorrow. The schedule has been set. Timing and dishes figured out. Family here. Bring on the Parade!

Harper has all her grandparents in town, so she is a happy camper. We went out to dinner last night to an Italian restaurant in town. Had some wine and pasta. Yum!

I envision our pies to look as stunning as the image above...but I'll be happy if everything tastes good. I'll make sure to take pic's of the food adventure tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving prep to all.

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Roasted Mushrooms

I saw this recipe online a few weeks ago and decided to give it a try. It turned out pretty good, but I put a squeeze too much of lemon..

We also had cheese, wine, grilled chicken, and asparagus. Not a bad way to finish the day.

It's a pretty simple recipe, which is the way I like it.

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A Fishing Good Time

This weekend Harper and I hung out with Tony's coworker and her son, while Tony went fishing with her husband. We played at the beach, swung on the swings, and watched as they came back to the dock.

It was a successful expedition. They came back with a bounty of fish. We headed over to their house later that day for ceviche and fish tacos. It was good to hang out with people we felt comfortable with and that seem like they could become friends.

The holes seem to be filling in and evolving organically. Like having friends and doing things on the weekend with people. We still think of all of the friends we moved away from, but it nice making new ones too.

Sorry about the photo quality. Was watching Harp and taking pic's with the iphone. Boo. And, I forgot to take photo's of the tacos. I shot one of the ceviche, half devoured. Sigh.

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