Caramelised Apple Crumbles

The last of the three Fuji Apples Inspired recipes. But not the best... The apples were too sugary/buttery (too caramelised! deuh!). I prefer a version with less caramel in the apples and with some almond meal in the crumble (like here; in French). 

Split Pea Soup + Arugula/Bresaola

This split soup  (here in English) is different from the one I was used to in Belgium. More plain. No bacon.  But good too. The combination of lemon + paprika added at the end is very interesting. I'll make it again. However if somebody happens to know a good Belgian recipe, I am interested.

Hide Bread

A recipe from the Big Sur Bakery cookbook that you can also find here (in English). It has never been so  easy and fast to bake your own bread. Almost no kneading. No rising time. I usually freeze the breads (already cut in halves). Once needed, just put the frozen bread directly in the toaster and enjoy.

Pancakes

An american classic that has now become a classic on our week end breakfast table as well. The only difference: we scaled down their sizes.  Here is the recipe (in French). And here +/- the same recipe  with whole wheat flour  (in English).

Chocolate Chip Cookies

The winter never ends this year. We have a rainy day again today. Rainy and windy. A good excuse for baking some cookies. Since I've been here in the US, I've tried several recipes. The one I like the best is this one (in french). Important tip: do not mix the dough too much.

Beets Soup (Chilled)

I'm the only one in the family enjoying the beets. Usually I eat them cold with some salad and potatoes after they have been roasted at 400 degrees F for about 35' (in a oven safe dish with a little bit of water - covered with aluminium foil - peeled after baking when cooled). Here I made a soup mixing the beets (cooked as I just wrote) + water + orange juice (1/2 of the water) + onions/garlic fried until tender + salt/pepper). Recipe from the Everyday Greens cookbook (which uses 3 types of beets for adding color to the dish). Do not forget to put some orange threads (obtained putting them in boiling water for 1 minute or 2) and some "creme fraiche " on the top.

Blue Cheese/Walnuts Crisp Polenta + Arugula

Quick lunch inspired by a recipe from the Everyday Greens Cookbook (p.281). With yesterday's dinner leftovers.

"Pseudo" Nutella

Camille helped me peeling the hazelnuts. She was very motivated since I told her that we were going to make Nutella. The result is ok but far away from the real Nutella. I'll keep trying and let you know...

Custard/Apple/Caramel Pots

I told you that I couldn't wait... I made the second Fuji Apple inspired recipe (here) and it turned out very well. You should try too.

Lentils/Kabocha Soup + Fennel/Parmesan Salad

In winter I would only eat soups and salads (besides desserts!). I'm always looking for new recipes. This one was published a few days ago by Heidi Swanson. I made the exact same soup except that I didn't put the fennel in it since Alberto is not a big fan... Instead, I served the fennel on the side together with the salad and some parmesan cheese. Yesterday night I prepared the soup and baked the fennel (*) so that everything was ready for my lunch today. What I love about the lentils/kabocha soup is the combination of the two ingredients and its ginger/anise flavor. Another great and more traditional lentils soup here (in French).

* (cut in slices and sprinkled with soy sauce and sesame oil in a preheated oven at +/- 375 degrees F for about 15-20 minutes)

Rice Cooker Tatin Cake

I love this unusual apple-pie-tatin-style. The recipe (also translated in English) is from my favorite foodblog "il cavoletto di Bruxelles". Delicious and super easy to bake .... in a rice cooker! I can't wait to try the 2 other  Fuji Apples inspired recipes.

Poached Pears

Poached pears in a flavorful syrup (water, sugar, fresh orange & lemon juice, orange zests, fresh ginger, cinnamon stick, and vanilla bean).

Roasted Tomatoes

I have often some roasted tomatoes around. They keep well in the fridge and they are wonderful on pasta, in homemade soups, or just on a piece of bread. They are also easy to do: cut the Roma tomatoes in half (side down), brush them slightly with olive oil, salt and some fresh herbs (thyme, sage, rosemary for example) and put them in a preheated oven at 400 degrees F for about one hour. Enjoy!

Tapioca Pudding

I didn't know the existence of the tapioca pudding before living in the US (even though it's not a typical american food). Now that I tasted it, I've become a big fan. Recently, I tried this recipe and I loved it.

Big Sur Bakery

Another one that I love. I've just received the book for my birthday. I can't wait to go to the restaurant sometime soon.

Greens

A book that has changed my cooking. Love that book. Love that restaurant.

Butternut Squash/Potatoes Gratin

This gratin has become a classic winter dish at our table (recipe). There are only 4 ingredients: butternut squash, potatoes, parmesan, mozzarella and a little bit of olive oil/butter and herbs (sage, rosemary or whatever you'd like).  Even the girls love it.

Brussels Sprouts

The Brussels sprouts are also famous in California. At the farmers markets, you can even find them on stalks. A simple and tasty recipe here.

Cantuccini

I've always wanted to bake these famous biscotti from Tuscany. I've tried this recipe (here). They are so goooood. They would taste even better dipped in a Vin Santo (Italian dessert wine), which I don't have. Too bad.

Matcha Rolls

It's so beautiful that it's like "deco", isn't it? I've stolen the recipe here (one of my favorite food blog). I did do something by myself: these matcha rolls. Not only nice, but also delicious.

C'est tellement beau que ca s'apparente a' de la deco, non? J'ai pique' la recette ici (une de mes food blogs preferes). J'ai quand meme fait ces "roules-matcha" moi meme. Non seulement beaux, mais aussi delicieux.

Merry Christmas.

Halloween Mice.

BBQ.

Summer Time.

Simply Ceremony...

Labor Day in Europe.

The Labor Day in Europe is celebrated on May 1st. Day off for everybody! And it is traditional to give a sprig of lily of the valley ("un brin de muguet") to the persons you care about. Isn't it nice?

Camille's Birthday.

Deco sans pretention pour faire plaisir a' une fan.... Ci-dessus, apres le gouter. Ci-dessous, avant le diner. Simple birthday table to make happy a little fan... Above, after the birthday cake at snack time. Below, before dinner.

Happy Easter.

HAPPY EASTER! JOYEUSES PAQUES! BUONA PASQUA!

Spring Time.

Spring, sun, flowers ... A good occasion to post some pictures of Camille's 5th birthday party.

Le printemps, le soleil, les fleurs .... Une bonne occasion de remettre a' l'honneur les photos de la table que j'avais faite a' l'occasion des 5 ans de Camille.
Primavera, sole, fiori... Una buona occasione per rispolverare le foto della tavola che avevo fatto per il quinto compleanno di Camille.

Epiphany.

Happy New Year !

Wii Birthday Party.

For my daughter's 10th birthday, I organized a Wii Party. And of course, I enjoyed making the invitations, decorating the table and the cake, creating the goodie bags (with, among other stuff, a fake Wii remote filled with candies). It was a successful party. The kids were very enthusiastic about the party and the decorations. My daughter even told me that it was the best party ever. Mission accomplished!

Pour les 10 ans de ma fille, j'ai organise' une Wii Party. Et bien sur, je me suis amusee a' faire les invitations, a' decorer la table et le gateau, et a' creer des goodie bags sympas (avec entre autres, une fausse telecommande de Wii remplie de bonbons...) Fete reussie. Les enfants etaient vraiment enthousiastes, tant en ce qui concerne la fete elle-meme que les decorations. Ma fille m'a meme confie que c'etait la meilleure fete d'anniversaire de tous les temps. Mission accomplie!

Per i 10 anni di mia figlia, ho organizzato un Wii Party e mi sono ovviamente divertita a fare gli inviti, a decorare la tavola e la torta, ed a creare delle goodie bag (con dentro, tra l'atro, un falso telecommando della Wii riempito di caramelle....) Festa riuscita. I bambini eranno davvero entusiasti, sia della festa in sestessa sia delle decorazioni. Mia figlia mi ha anche detto che era la migliore festa di compleanno ti tutti i tempi. Missione compiuta.

Saint Nicolas.

Is there anything better than the Holiday season to start a table decoration blog? Do you know Saint-Nicolas? Of course not, if you are American, Asian, African or Australian. Maybe yes, if you are European. Saint-Nicolas is celebrated on December 6th in North Europe (Belgium, North of France, ...). In Belgium, my native country, Saint-Nicolas brings toys, candies, and nuts to the children. Traditionally, you eat some caramelized biscuits called Speculoos, made with brown sugar, butter, flour, cinnamon and other spices. They are sold any time of the year, but in December they are shaped as Saint Nicolas' figures. Hmmmm, even yummier....

Qu'y a-t-il de mieux que le mois de decembre pour debuter un blog de decoration de tables? Connaissez-vous Saint-Nicolas? Bien sur que non si vous etes americain, asiatique, africain ou encore australien. Peut-etre que oui si vous etes europeen, mais rien n'est moins sur... Saint-Nicolas est celebre le 6 decembre dans le Nord de l'Europe (Belgique, nord de la France,....). En Belgique, mon pays natal, Saint-Nicolas apporte des jouets, des noix et des bonbons aux enfants sages. Les biscuits Speculoos sont egalement traditionnellement mis a' l'honneur. Ces delicieux biscuits au gout de caramel et de cannelle revetent la forme du Grand Saint a' l'approche du mois de decembre. Ils n'en sont que meilleurs....

Cosa c'e' di meglio del mese di dicembre per comminciare un blog sulla decorazione della tavola? Conoscete Saint-Nicolas? Se siete americani, asiatici, africani o australiani, sicuramente no. Se siete europei, forse si'. Saint-Nicolas si celebra il 6 di dicembre nel nord Europa (Belgio, nord della Francia,...) Nel mio paese, il Belgio, Saint-Nicolas porta giocattoli, caramelle e noci ai bambini che sono stati bravi tutto l'anno. Ci sono anche i tradizionali Speculoos. Questi biscotti deliziosi al gusto di caramello e di cannella in dicembre prendono le sembianze del Grande Santo... Cosi', sono ancora piu' buoni...