The road goes ever on and on....

It always amuses me that we are constantly trying to find time for all of the things that we would like to do.  Time never stops and as Tolkien said, "the road goes ever on and on..."  I keep saying that one day I'll do nothing but stay home (which is my favorite place to be!) and never go anywhere.  Don't get me wrong...I really do enjoy traveling, seeing sights, going to Yosemtie, kayaking down the Stanislaus river, etc...  But if you were to ask me where my very favorite place is, I'd be honest and say "home."  I never run out of things to do, and I enjoy what I do.  My craft/project list gets longer rather than shorter, there are so many dishes that I want to cook, and there isn't enough time in the day to spend with my husband or with Lilyana.  Time seems to be slipping through my fingers like water...I try to grasp it, to hold on for dear life, but there is nothing to grab... 

And so, I'm working on making the most out of every moment.  Ben and I have been talking about how we're due for a blog post, but as we're continuing to adjust to Lilyana's ever changing schedule (and our own family craziness!!!), we keep running out of time.  But I am taking a break to give those interested a brief update on the happenings in the Hector home... 

It all began when we had Becky and Laura staying with us for a few days...

 We found out that there was an outdoor play going on near our house, so we packed up the baby, grabbed some picnic goodies, loaded the car and off we went!

 AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!  Becky!  Look over there...it's on of the actors...It's Benedick, and he's sitting RIGHT THERE!!!!

Lilyana with Beatrice and Benedick from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.  

Ben knew Benedick, too.

Let's see...this was Lilyana's third Shakespeare play to see, but she's also seen an Oscar Wilde play and an opera...  Yes, she's cultured.   

Spring has come and gone, and the lettuce that we SO enjoyed in the Spring has... 

 GONE TO SEED!!!  We're going to plant lettuce for the winter, now!  I love heirloom seeds...

Mommy's little helper quietly sitting in her favorite chair while the girls and I harvested tomatoes. 

 *gasp* The playing cards must have been here painting the roses WHITE!!!  Beware...the Queen of Hearts may come 'round the corner at any moment yelling, "Off with his head!!!!!!!"

Our dear friends were out of town and asked us to tend to their garden and harvest, can and eat whatever we could...  We were more than happy to oblige!

 Twenty-six pounds of tomatoes soon became eleven jars of Marinara sauce, and then came the peach pie filling, and cucumbers.  Salsa is next!

 After all that hard work (and fun in the pool), we were hungry and tired.  Ben treated the ladies out to pizza at our favorite family owned and operated (by REAL Italians!) pizza place.  Well, they do more than pizza, but we've only had their pizza...and it's SOOO good.

 Oh, I'm getting hungry again!  Fresh mozzerella, tomatoes, basil and a homemade crust...

 On our way out to the car, we spotted this scary looking lady in the realty office next door...we thought it was strange that she was in there after hours and wasn't moving...then we realized it wasn't a real person...

 No dip needed.

 Lilyana and Auntie Laura hanging out.

Okay, now we're on to the Foodie part!  All italics are quotes from Julia Child...

Lilyana LOVES to be in the kitchen when I'm working on dinner.  Sometimes she gets hungry, too...

 What?  Don't you eat your feet when you get hungry?  Never mind...don't answer that.

 French food again!  Salmon with a cream sauce, cheesy mashed potatoes and broiled tomatoes.  

You must have discipline to have fun.

 We had a small going away party for a good friend of ours, and so we dined on chicken dredged in flour, cooked in butter served along side peeled and blanched asparagus, a cheese sauce poured over both.  Homemade rice pilaf completed the plate.

Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal.

 Believe it or not, but this is her "I'm so excited that I can't stand it!!!!" face.  She opens her mouth reeeeeeally wide and shakes.  It's absolutely hilarious...maybe I'll figure out how to post a video on here....

Drama is very important in life: You have to come on with a bang. You never want to go out with a whimper.

 I think every woman should have a blowtorch.

In this case, a woman does have a blowtorch (or a kitchen torch), and the gentleman pictured is borrowing it...  Don't worry, he's friendly...

 Joel and Ben working together to ensure that the caramelized topping on the Creme Brulee was perfect!  Great job, guys!

 Be a fearless cook! Try out new ideas and new recipes, but always buy the freshest and finest ingredients, whatever they may be. Furnish your kitchen with the most solid and workmanlike equipment you can find. Keep your knives ever sharp and -- toujours bon appetit!

Okay, so we happened to have leftover chicken and rice pilaf...somebody has to eat the leftovers around here!  We had green beans with it the second time around.

Some people like to paint pictures, or do gardening, or build a boat in the basement. Other people get a tremendous pleasure out of the kitchen, because cooking is just as creative and imaginative an activity as drawing, or wood carving, or music. 

Crêpes are very French...and they are very good.  This was an interested crepe layer casserole thingy...  It had 14 crepes all layered with veggies, a cream sauce and chicken.  We had broiled tomatoes and rice with a sauce over it as well.

Noncooks think it's silly to invest two hours' work in two minutes' enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet.

 To break up all of the foodie pictures, here is a picture of Ben reading to Lilyana.  We bought her this new book, and it is sooo funny.  It's about a *whispers* spiiiiiiiider. *stops whispering* His name is "Barry B. Wary" and since Ben likes the previously mentioned insect, we had to get this book.  We always have an excuse to buy books. :)

You find yourself refreshed by the presence of cheerful people. Why not make an honest effort to confer that pleasure on others? Half the battle is gained if you never allow yourself to say anything gloomy.

 As I said before, Crêpes are very French.  Grandma Rose took us out to lunch on this day, and it was a bit late in the afternoon before we actually got out there, so neither of us were hungry when dinner time rolled around.  so, we opted for just eating dessert.  Homemade crepes with homeade ice cream with homemade chocolate syrup...YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Sorry...are you drooling?

I wouldn't keep him around long if I didn't feed him well.

And since I'm a bit behind (and have other things coming up on the blog list), I'll throw in last week, too.  We were only home for two days, so there isn't much to cover there, anyway...GREEK!!!  Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE Greek food?!?!?

 Judging by Lilyana's expression, one would think that she loves it, too!  It was sooooo nice to eat salads again.  The Greeks have salad with every meal...they're smart.  So, we've got Grilled Lamb, beets with a bread sauce, homemade pita bread, a grilled pepper and feta dip, and Greek salad!

 Oooo, cabbage leaves...can you guess what was on the menu for the next day?!?!

 Ahhh, Dolmades...or stuffed cabbage leaves!  They had lamb, rice, egg, spices, onion, garlic and homemade bread crumbs inside.  I am getting hungry, now...  Off to the side you see another salad, hummus and homemade flat bread.  Ben is really good at getting that stuff nice and think and cooks it to perfection!  It fluffs up so nicely!

                                     

*sigh* All of this cooking makes my little one sleepy.  We were up visiting Pops, Mumsie and the aunts and Uncles for the weekend, well, Wednesday-Saturday.  Pictures from that coming later.  We're eating Greek food again this week, so I'll have more pictures of that later!  

Now, how many of you would like a recipe?!?!  Today I'll add:

Julia Child’s Master Crêpe Recipe

1 cup flour

2/3 cup cold milk

2/3 cup cold water

3 large eggs

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons melted butter, plus more for brushing on pan

Directions:

Mix all ingredients until smooth in a blender or with a whisk. Refrigerate.  Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Brush with melted butter.

Pour in 2 to 3 tablespoons of batter into the center of the pan and then tilt the pan in all directions to cover the bottom evenly. Cook about 1 minute, or until browned on the bottom. Turn and cook briefly on the other side.

Cool on a rack or plate as you finish making the rest. Serve as desired.

And now it is time to say, "Au Revoir!"  or "Antío"

The Road goes ever on and on

    Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

    And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

    Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

    And whither then? I cannot say...

~ J. R. R. Tolkien

We The Foodie People...Week 6: French

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we're back!

Oui, oui, I know. This post was supposed to be up last week, but for various and sundry reasons (which Monsieur B. Francois will relate in a post later this week) the posting of the following pictures and foodiness were postponed. However, I am now at liberty to give you a glimpse into our very fun French week.

Actually, we're bending the rules a bit (Or are we? I mean, this was our idea, so I suppose we can do what we like without really bending the rules, right?) since we will be spending one more week in France. It's a long trip to Greece, and we haven't quite mastered the "Art of French Cooking." Wait, that's the name of a cookbook, isn't it?!?!?

Why, so it is! As a matter of fact, my BIL, Matthew, bought these books for me. What a perfect gift! All of the meals I made last week were from Julia Child's French cookbooks. While her recipes may be "simplified" for the American housewife, they are still a bit involved!

All of the quotes you will find in this post are from the very inspirational Julia Child...

Day 1: Poulet Saute aux Herbs de Provence with Potato Crepes and Broiled Tomatoes.

This dish was made with slices of chicken and a very rich cream/cheese sauce. The potato crepes were a cross between the Tattie Cakes we ate when we were in the British Isles and hash-browns. Add the broiled homegrown tomatoes...can't get better than that!

"If you're afraid of butter, use cream."

And she was serious! Almost all of the food we ate was swimming in cream and butter.

I. Love. Dairy.

Ben loves dairy, too. Actually, I think that his first love would be bread...then dairy.

"You'll never know everything about anything, especially something you love."

Ahhh, my little princess at the piano. She was very much intrigued by the fact that she could push the ivory keys and hear a sound. Soon she will be playing Clementi... *grin*

"Just speak very loudly and quickly, and state your position with utter conviction, as the French do, and you'll have a marvelous time!"

Day 2: Filets de Poisson Bercy aux Champignons with Risotto Pilaf and Steamed Artichokes with a Hollandaise sauce.

Or my translation: Filets of Sole in a buttery, creamy sauce with mushrooms served next to a risotto pilaf. Preparing the artichoke was great fun, and eating it was even better! I cleaned out the middle so that I could serve the sauce inside the artichoke.

"It's so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone's fingers have been all over it."

Ben and I ate everything except the heart...we were waaaaaaaaaaay too stuffed to finish that part, so I had it for lunch the next day!

"I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate."

Day Three: Pork Roast with Stuffed Eggplant and Cucumbers in a cheese sauce.

The eggplants had a really good cheesy filling...it just sort of melted in your mouth! The cucumbers were a bit interested at first, but by the end of the meal, we both decided we rather liked them! Warm cucumbers sound nasty, but once they've been sitting in vinegar, then baked, then tossed in a cheese sauce, they are pretty tasty!

"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!"

My first attempt at homemade French bread. I love how Julia Child gives the background of her techniques and recipes... Next time around, I'm going to try putting wet bricks in the oven! *grin*

"How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like kleenex?"

French Toast for breakfast, made with our homemade French Bread! The French have this delicious dish for dessert, but here in America, it graces many of our breakfast tables. Cook the bread in butter instead of oil, and it really adds some pizzazz!

"In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport."

Day Four: Beef Rolls...

"The best way to execute French cooking is to get good and loaded and whack the hell out of a chicken. Bon appétit. " (Or in this case, the cut of beef!)

...with broccoli...

"...no one is born a great cook, one learns by doing."

...and stuffed tomatoes.

This was a very interesting dish...everything had bread in it! The tomatoes had breadcrumbs, the beef had chopped bread, as did the broccoli. Oh, and if you peel broccoli before blanching it, it's waaaaaaaaaaay better than how we've always eaten it! It only takes about 4-5 minutes to cook, and it will keep it's bright green colour. Ben and I can't go back to the way we used to eat broccoli!

"The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook."

Oh, and some homemade Cherry Lemonade to keep things perky. Lilyana is hoping that it's for her!

"Cooking is like love; it should be entered into with abandon or not at all."

Oooooo...FIRE!

Ben poured the flames over our Apple Tart Flambé and then enjoyed the sight. Lilyana thought that it was pretty cool, too.

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients."

Day Six we were on the road and so we stopped in for some "French" food at the Thai restaurant on our way home late that night. Oh, didn't you know that there were many French-Thailand relations back in the 17th Century? Fascinating history....

And so that wraps up our first week in France! It was loads of fun, and we're excited to be spending one more week here! Hopefully I'll feel like I'm beginning to master the art by the end of this week! Since we haven't posted a dessert recipe before, how about one this time!

Apple Tart Flambé

Serves 8

An 8 inch partially cooked pasty shell

4 large cooking apples (we used Granny Smith)

2/3 C Sugar

2 Tb butter, cut into pea-sized dots

1/4 C Rum

Preheat oven to 375.

Peel, core and slice the apples. Sprinkle 3 T of sugar in the bottom of the pastry shell. Arrange the apples over that in a closely overlapping layer of concentric circles. Spread on the remaining sugar and dot with butter.

Bake in the middle level for 25-35 minutes, or until the fruit has colored lightly and the juices have become syrupy. Remove from oven.

Heat the rum on the stove over low heat. As soon as it is hot, light it with match and pour over the tart. But make sure everybody is there to watch...oh, and be sure to turn out the lights!

Enjoy!

"Just like becoming an expert in wine–you learn by drinking it, the best you can afford–you learn about great food by finding the best there is, whether simply or luxurious. The you savor it, analyze it, and discuss it with your companions, and you compare it with other experiences."

We The Foodie People...Week 5: Ethiopia

E is for elephant...or Ethiopia!

This past winter, Ben and I discovered an Ethiopian restaurant close enough to eat at, but far enough away to keep us from eating there every day! When we first came up with the idea to "go around the world" alphabetically, we were both thrilled that "E" would be near the top. Experimenting with Ethiopian food has been sooo much fun and both Ben and I have enjoyed the huge variety of flavors that this country has to offer. There were ups and downs when it came to the traditional bread, known as Injera. Actually, I cried the first day when it didn't turn out quite right...*blushes* By the end of the week, the bread had the consistency and flavor that we remembered and maybe one of these days, I'll make enough Injera to cover my table! In Ethiopia, they "eat their tablecloth" because the Injera is the table cloth...*sigh* Sounds delicious, doesn't it? Okay, I'll let you see some pictures now...

Mmmmmm, baby love! Sometimes this is better than food!

Our first meal of the week wasn't exactly Ethiopian...or at least, I didn't use a recipe. We had a private estate sale to go to right after Ben got off of work, so we had a quick dinner. Pita bread, sliced beef, tomatoes, onion, parsley, mint, basil and feta...a good dinner, if you ask me!

One of the many things that I learned this past week, was that Ethiopians love their onions and garlic! Now that's my kind of food! Most of the recipes called for at least 2 onions and 4 cloves of garlic!

Ben is so sweet...posing for pictures while the aroma of Zigni We't filled the air. Onions, beef, butter, cardamom and a light sauce... *sigh* I'm getting hungry again! Along side our main dish you see Iab...or cottage cheese, Lebna and herbs. It was nice to have something "cooling" with our spicy meat!

Ahhh! The weather finally started cooling off in the evening...or at least, it did last week! Now that our back patio is set up and we have a table outside, we've been using it as much as possible! On the tray you see some more Injera (served with every meal), one of our VERY favorite dishes of the week, Zilzil Alecha, or what we called "the green bell pepper dish." Sauteed bell peppers, a chili pepper, strips of beef, lots of onions, garlic and butter...mmmmm. The side dish was a light tomato salad that had marinated for a an hour before we ate it.

A close up of the Injera. It's a gluten free bread made with Teff flour...no, I had never heard of it either. The thin batter ferments for three days prior to use, and has a spongy texture.

It also serves as your utensils for every meal. How fun, eh?

And MORE onions! On day four we had Doro Wat, which is a chicken dish cooked in nitter kibbeh (a spiced ghee/butter) and Berbere seasoning. It has a very unique mixture of cinnamon, cayenne, garlic, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, tumeric...okay, so like gingersnaps with a kick! *grin*

Lilyana thinks that sounds reeeeeeeeeally good!

Her eyes are SO blue!

Ah! Our "new" table! Actually, it's older than it's predecessor. Our "new" table has two leaves that fold into the table (hurray for no storing those!) and five chairs that need a wee bit of help. But we like the table more than the chairs and will eventually replace the chairs. Until then, however, we will simply enjoy our new dining room set. Oh, and you can comfortably seat ten people here!

Beautiful, eh? My mother bought the loverly sconces for me as a wedding present and after months (okay...one year!) of contemplating a good "home" for them, we settled on this wall. Lilyana enjoys looking at them, too.

And she LOVES her pink giraffe.
Giraffe or Girafe? Depends on where you're from, I guess...

Oh, that's right...we had some pressing errands to run on Friday and we were also getting ready for our 4th of July party, so somehow we ended up being out very late and didn't get to eat Ethiopian food on Friday. We did, however, eat tacos...so we DID eat with our hands! *grin*

Our table was graced with three extra mouths (yes, they had bodies). Joshua (our nephew) was so ready to dig in, but pictures must be taken first! Key Wat, another beef dish which had a tomato sauce and lots of Berbere seasonings in it.

Recipe time! Picking the "best" of such a good week was really hard...but we did settle on one recipe and it is:

Zilzil alecha

Ingredients

2 medium Green bell peppers, seeded coarsely chopped
1 medium Green bell pepper, seeded and cut into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 2 inches long
4 teaspoons finely chopped fresh hot chilies, preferably green
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger root
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup dry red or white wine

1/2 to 3/4 cup butter
2 pounds boneless sirloin steak, trimmed of excess fat, sliced 1/2 inch thick and cut into strips about 1/4 inch wide and 2 inches long
2 cups finely chopped onions

Directions
Combine the 2 coarsely chopped green peppers and the chilies, garlic, ginger root, turmeric, cardamom, salt, white pepper and wine in the jar of an electric blender. Blend at high speed for 30 seconds, then turn off the machine, scrape down the sides of the jar with a rubber spatula, and blend again until the mixture is a smooth puree.

In a heavy 10 to 12 inch skillet, heat 1/2 cup of the butter over moderate heat until a drop of water flicked into it splutters instantly. Brown the strips of beef in the skillet, a handful at a time, turning them about with a slotted spoon and regulating the heat so that they color richly and evenly on all sides without burning. As they brown, transfer the beef strips to a plate. Pour the remaining fat in the skillet into a measuring cup and, if necessary, add enough additional butter to make exactly 1/2 cup. Set aside.

Wash and dry the skillet, then drop in the onions and cook over low heat for 5 or 6 minutes, until they are soft and dry. Stir the onions constantly to prevent them from burning. Pour in the reserved cooking fat and, when it begins to splutter, add the green pepper strips. Stirring constantly, cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the pepper is soft. Add the reserved green pepper puree and, still stirring, bring to a boil. Return the beef and any liquid that has accumulated around it to the skillet and turn it about in the sauce to coat the pieces evenly. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the beef is cooked to your taste.

A sneak peek into our 4th of July party! My sister and her family came up to celebrate with us, and Ben will be posting pictures soon!

Yup! Our busy life continues to wear her out!

Since I'll be leaving in a few days to go back east, Ben and I decided to eat "normal" food this week...we're on "F" and don't want to skimp on French food!!!! Our foodie series will be postponed until I return and will resume in August.

However, do check back for updates on Ben's "bachelor" time and my visit with my family!