Very few people can boast a lack of vanity. In fact the need to look good often transcends the need to feel good with popular sayings like "too look good is to feel good" supporting peoples love of vanity. I know that I like to be happy with what I see when I look into a mirror often overlooking the age and the flaws that come with age. I recognize myself but to be honest I do not look like I did when I was younger, most of us dont, a little wrinkle here a bit of pudge there some gray hair to top it all off and voila its the "new" you. I am more than happy with the new me.
How do I keep my vanity sanity? Continually learning new things is what keeps me going. I am forever on a quest for knowledge be it culinary, historical or just plain trivia I revel in getting the facts and the information processed so that I can use it in my everyday. I will be reviewing one of the wonderful items available through CSN Stores in the coming days and if you havent had a chance to peruse the many, many items available I urge you to have a look. In case you are wondering I am going to choose something cookware related since it is my passion. One new thing I have learned recently is how to make a pithivier savoyarde (process pictured above). In this case its a lovely potato gratin with a little extra gruyère cheese and prosciutto all wrapped in a nice puff pastry and baked until golden. One of these and a salad is the perfect lunch. Served warm they are excellent but even cold on a picnic this delicate yet hardy pastry holds its own.
Another favorite picnic item is the frittata. This is a potato spinach frittata, one more dish that is also good warm or cold and I like mine with a spicy brown mustard.
My favortite place to have a picnic is anywhere in New Mexico, and nothing keeps my vain more sane than trips out west, but for now I will settle for just a patch of grass. I am submitting this to Smackdown "picnic basket".
27 comments:
WTH have you been??!!
The food you present are without exception GOOD!
Nicely done!
u look cool though i bet new mexico is nice do you get homesick?
I like the picture which I presume is New mexico! Love your food, too, of course. And with my dearly beloved telling me I'm the prettiest girl on the block all the time, I can't help but be vain. Until I remember that almost all the competition is between 60 and 90.
Pretty good food photos...love those fritatas and pastry...would you believe me if I said I have never been to a picnic? :|
such mouthwatering food!
blowing peachkisses
The Peach Kitchen
peach and things
i like new mexico for it's wonderful lack of nasty humidity.
Continued learning is key. New Mexico is God's country! :) I'll take a big slice of that frittata!!
You are a man with much knowledge, passion and talent! Your quest to be better is something we can all profit from. Mmmm frittata.
So are you going to give that pithivier recipe or just leave us hanging here?
The pithivier pastries and the frittata look terrific!
I'd love to visit New Mexico. I have a friend who lives and and I always inviting me to go.
Great pictures! All of them...the food looks yummie!
Fantastic!! I have not seen those puff pastries before but I can imagine mine on a Piazza in Roma, a glass of some fine cool white wine out of a non-descript carafe. Thanks DB, I can get through the day now!
I too like the "new" me. More than the outward appearance, I like how the "new" me thinks and feels and oh the confidence that comes with getting older and (hopefully) wiser is unmatched.
Mmmm! That frittata looks so good, and it could easily be part of my picnic!
that picture is a little road behind my parents house in New Mexico where I grew up - I have spent many hours near that very spot - that shot is from a couple winters ago when we went home for Christmas...
Frittatas are so versatile. Personally I like them right out of the oven when they've cooled ever so slightly, but warm or room temp is also okay. Also love your pretty puff pastry.
I didn't realize you grew up in New Mexico. Lovely photo of the area. I would miss it too, especially if I lived in the city as you do.
Sam
wow, your photos were worth waiting for you to post! the savoyarde looks delicious but too time consuming for my laid back ways...not that i wouldn't eat one if you were here cooking for me ;)
how about sharing the recipe for the frittata?? it reminds of of hearty peasant food and anything that cooks in one pan is always something that will catch my eye!
really nice post, christo, as usual-i am beyond impressed!
What a lovely post! I think that there is some truth in the old "not getting older getting better" adage. Yup! Old enough to know better, young enough not to care! Your food is mouthwatering! You would love a picnic in the vineyards outside of Nantes in the summer!
Wow, those pithiviers looks to die for. Must add to my "learn how to make" list. Meanwhile, I'm up with a little gruyere action for the picnic smackdown too.
The photos of the pithivier savoyarde in progress made me wish 'I could get my hands on some now. They looked incredible.
WOW. That Fratatta looks incredible. I've never had anything that good on a picnic !!!
DoggyBloggy, what a lovely little surprise in pastry! I love the idea of a compact, no mess little treat packed in pastry. Do you have the recipe? Is this something you made up?
Fritatta is a standby in this house as it's so versatile. You can have it for breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch or cut into little squares for company. It can be hot or cold, the perfect picnic food actually! Great job, this is going to be a hard choice! Thanks for participating!
I want the fritatta recipe, post the friggin recipe, I mean it! Do it NOW! Damn it, I go out of town for a few days and you finally decide to blog again...
Waving from my mountain home in New Mexico :o) . . . I'm going to make that frittata tonight!
That frittata is looking pretty nice........almost like a tortilla with those potatoes.....and love the skillet!
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