France: a way of life

My husband and I just recently returned from an amazing, whirlwind trip of France. This trip, having been something that we have talked about for years, was even more incredible than we had originally anticipated! We decided to take this trip as reason to, pardon the expression, kill two birds with one stone... With our five-year wedding anniversary quickly approaching, we wanted this to be partially an anniversary celebration. On the other hand, we have talked about moving to France for some time and we really wanted to go and see the country from which our dreams spring!

France really was incredible. Being back, I really realize how great they have it across "the pond." One of the things I really came to appreciate about the French was their commitment to a slower pace of life. I had always heard about the French and their long lunches and you know, it really is true! If we tried to hit up a town during the lunch hours, the only places open were cafes, restaurants, and bars/tabac shops. This really shows that even the working class get to have a  leisurely lunch, go home, perhaps even take a short siesta before returning to work. How wonderful!

People seem more relaxed over there. Maybe because they don't have to worry about healthcare costs in the same way that we do? Over here, with no insurance, forget about it. One medical emergency or even worse, a long-term sickness in the family, and you are ruined financially and emotionally. Maybe they are just healthier, did you know that GMO (or as the French call it OGM) crops are banned within Frances' borders? Considering how hard it is to acquire non-GMO foods in this country, it felt really awesome eating over there, where I had a degree of safety over my food! I know that there is controversy over whether or not it is safe to consume GMO foods, for now I am happy to omit as much of it from my diet as possible. I do not trust or support its largest backer, Monsanto. 

 

In any case, I cannot forget about the delectable food! I have to first say this, I wish that the bakeries in my area could create treats and breads even half as good as what we ate over in France! I kid you not, every single boulangerie that we entered was like walking into a pastry-laden dream! Pain aux raisins, pain au chocolats, croissants, tarte aux pommes, meringues, beignets and so on and so on... Every piece was delicately decorated and shaped. I wanted to buy one of everything! Only my lactose intolerance held me back! But oh, how I wanted to try those little cakes, the slices of mouth-watering flan and the custard-topped tarts. Every town seemed to have at least one of these boulangeries and some had multiple ones! In a culture where buying bread daily from your local baker is paramount, it makes sense that each and every ones of these bakeries is central to the life and happiness of its own village or city.

It was something in the air. It was something in the food. It was something in the sunsets. It was a certain je ne sais quoi. It was like returning to a place I had already known before, a certain sense of familiarity hung about me as I walked the cobblestone streets and glanced into the windows of the boulangeries. Sipping a cafe, chewing on a flaky, buttery croissant, and watching the people as they drift on by.

Going to France has spurred my desire to learn how to create delectable pastries and breads, as I write this I have four loaves of French bread rising in the kitchen. Tomorrow morning I hope to bake them and have some fresh baked bread alongside an omelet! Next project? Making the perfect, flaky croissant!

Bonne nuit!


- Night Owl

Throw together pasta sauce!

Our tomatoes are over flowing! After giving several bowls worth away to in-laws, co-workers, and friends we still have more than we know what to do with! We decided to make some home made pasta sauce with some ingredients that we had on hand, including a bunch of delicious tomatoes!

This dinner was extraordinarily delicious and to boot it only took about a half hour to finish! We had some local garlic, onions and carrots from the natural food store down the street. On top of which we used a couple pounds of our own home grown tomatoes and fresh basil from the back yard. A splash of organic olive oil, some pasta noodles and go!

Fresh pasta sauce 

about 4 carrots, these were small ones, diced

1 onion, diced

4-6 garlic cloves, diced

4-5 large tomatoes, diced

6 basil leaves

2 tbsp. olive oil

whatever pasta you prefer!

Saute your onions, garlic and carrots until tender.

 

Add the tomatoes... Toss in the chopped basil and allow to simmer, covered, for 15 minutes.

Season the sauce, to taste, with salt and pepper and ENJOY!

You really won't be disappointed, it was scrumptious!

- Night Owl Gal

Quick weekday dinner

Sometimes you simply want a quick, under 20 minute dinner. I believe that Madame Rachel Ray would be proud of me here! A quick, healthy and Italian-inspired dinner! What fun! Plus, to top it off it is vegetarian friendly.

It was just one of those days...Hubby and I were not feeling 100% and we felt more like resting and playing some FFxiv than cooking all night. So we perused the cupboards and fridge and came up with tofu and cheese sandwiches!

We had some local whole wheat and brown rice bread, some firm tofu, pasta sauce, fresh basil from the garden and a bit of shredded cheddar cheese.

Try is out, it really is deelish!

Tofu sandwiches

block of firm tofu
marinara sauce
cheddar cheese
basil leaves
bread (whatever you prefer)

 

Start by slicing your tofu into 6-8 slabs. Heat up a couple tablespoons of coconut oil in a large frying pan. Cook the tofu for 10minutes on one side on med-high heat, don't mess with them or they will not cook evenly!  After 10 minutes turn them over and cook another 5 minutes, until they are golden brown. 

Toast your bread. Then take a slice of it and lather a bit of marinara sauce on it, sprinkle some cheese on that and then layer 2-4 pieces of fried tofu on top. 

Lather more sauce on top of the tofu and lay a few fresh basil leaves on that! Top your sandwich with your other slice of bread and cut in half. Serve with a salad or some other yummy vegetable dish and ENJOY!

- Night Owl Gal

Harvest

Fall is nigh.

There is a distinct crispness in the air. The nights are growing cooler. The tomatoes in the garden are busting off the plants. My favorite time of year has arrived at last! 

First signs of fall

Fall has always held a special place in my heart. My husband and I were married in the fall, on a beautiful October day five years ago. When the leaves start to change into a collage of reds, oranges, yellows and greens my heart sings! Fall implies an end to a crazy tourist season in my town, this is always a welcome change! Fall means I can binge watch Halloween movies! Fall brings pumpkin season and with it pumpkin muffins, breads and soups! Fall is apple season - my mouth is watering thinking about apple pie, fresh apple sauce, and apple cider! Fall means sweater weather, since I live in a northern climate most of my wardrobe consists of "fall weather" clothes, thus I cannot wait to start wearing my sweaters and stylish woolen skirts!

Fresh cherry tomatoes from the garden!

I welcome you, Fall!

Hearty boiled dinner

When I was a child, my mother used to make boiled dinners for us all. My husband's grandmother also used to make boiled dinners when he was younger. Needless to say, hubby and I both have fond memories of delicious, comforting boiled dinners from our youth. A few nights back we were at the supermarket and there, in the produce isle, was the entire contents of a vegan boiled dinner... and even better, all of the veggies were grown locally!  Carrots, cabbage, onions, baby potatoes, oh my!

There is really nothing simpler to make! You literally just chop up your vegetables and boil them until soft. Season to taste with salt, pepper, a little butter and some apple cider vinegar and enjoy!

Boiled Dinner

Approx. 15 baby potatoes chopped in half or quartered

6 carrots, chopped bite size

1 large onion, chopped bite size

1 head of cabbage, chopped up

Fill a large pot about half-way with water. Place your vegetables in the pot and allow to boil. Turn heat down to medium and let cook until vegetables are soft (about 20 minutes).

When the vegetables are soft, drain the liquid and serve up. Season with salt, pepper, butter and apple cider vinegar! So yummy, believe me!

The same night that we made this scrumptious meal, my hubby and I boiled up some locally-grown beets and made them into a grilled cheese and beets sandwiches! So delicious!

- Night Owl Gal

Tea time

My husband and I started our very first garden together this summer. In said garden, we planted some mint plants... I first thought that the mint would be a great adornment to my baking needs; mint brownies for example! However, I have recently learned how to make something deceptively simple, and incredibly delicious with mint as the star ingredient!

Got some fresh mint? Got some hot water? Well then! You, my friend, have fresh mint tea! I feel strange writing about something so simple on my blog, however I never realized, for whatever reason, how simple tea can be to make. I was definitely always the one to buy pre-packaged, pre-bagged tea from the supermarket - this summer, however, I am using more loose leaf tea and also dabbling in teas without tea leaves at all! Such as this mint tea.

Mint tea is great as a relaxing, caffeine-free drink. I am really shying away from caffeine in the evening hours and this makes a great hot beverage to sip before bed! Drink it unsweetened or add whatever sweetener you prefer, I think it is great alone or with a drop of agave nectar in it...Yum!

To make this tea get yourself a couple sprigs of mint, stem and leaves are fine! Boil a cup of water and mix the two into a mug or tea pot. Allow to rest at least 5 minutes, I just leave the sprigs in mine while I drink it, the flavor only gets better!

This summer I have been making a lot of home made iced tea and this mint tea will make an excellent addition to my ice tea roster! 

Enjoy and drink up! 

- Night Owl Gal

Bagel time!

I have a weakness for bagels; toasted with butter and jam, slathered with fresh-made hummus, or grilled with egg and cheese! Yum! I used to buy bagels from the store, however I have learned that making home made ones is healthier and tastier. Over the past few years I have been perfecting my bagel recipe of choice and now I want to share it with you, readers.

This recipe is super simple and takes less than 2-hours to complete.  It is also husband-approved! Which is even better!

Bagels

2 packages of fast-acting yeast

1 tbsp. agave nectar

1 tbsp. olive oil

dash of salt

1-1/2 cups hot water

4 cups of flour

In a large bowl combine the yeast and agave nectar

Add the olive oil

Add the water

Mix in the flour.

Using a spatula, mix the ingredients until well blended, then knead the dough until smooth.

Shape the dough into a ball and place on the counter

Slice the dough into 8-sections, like so...

Place the eight sections on a tray and let rise for 25 minutes.

After the dough has risen, take each piece and shape like a bagel:

Set these aside for another 20 minutes.  Meanwhile, start preheating the oven at 425F. 

Also start boiling a large pot of water, you will boil the bagels in this!

Boil the bagels for 1 minute on each side. After they are boiled, place them on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake the bagels for 15 minutes. 

Enjoy your delicious home made bagels!

- Night Owl Gal

Bountiful garden!

It has been raining a great deal lately. The days go from raining and overcast to sweltering and humid, the plants in the garden absolutely love it! Something is working right because our tomatoes, leeks, strawberries, cabbages and mint plants are nearly doubled in size since we planted them! Today I spotted tiny tomatoes on one of the peace-vine tomato plants and I got so excited I had to take some pictures!!

Yesterday my hubby and I bought some marigolds as a repellent to pests, we'll see how they work! So far we haven't had much of a problem with any pests - merely the slugs that love our strawberries. To every single luscious, ripe strawberry I find, a hungry slug has found it first. Since we are going organic we had to find a more natural way to deal with this issue. The unlikely answer to our slug problem came in the form of a can...of beer! We took an old pie tin and filled it with some beer, this we put in the strawberry patch overnight, the next day it was full of dead, bloated slugs! Wow! Perhaps this will deter them from eating our strawberries... Apparently they can't resist the smell of beer!

tomatoes!

cabbages and leeks!

strawberries!

- Night Owl Gal

Our first organic garden!

I wrote a post a few months back about why everyone should start their own "Victory Garden" and I am certainly no exception! About a month and a half ago, my hubby and I got some cedar wood (cut by our local hardware store into 5'x3' planks), which we weatherized and put together. Two weeks ago we placed them in the yard and filled them with loam and local goat manure and planted! Over the course of the summer I plan on mentioning how our garden is progressing, as well as utilize some of my own home grown ingredients in my recipes!

Our local natural foods store was selling locally grown tomato plants, strawberries, cabbages and basil! We also acquired some leeks and a couple mint plants! Everything we planted is 100% organic and will remain so for the duration of our wee garden.

All of our tomato plants now have tomato cages for support!

Our little strawberry patch! I have since added more strawberries to this patch, so it looks a little more populated now. 

I am a HUGE proponent of eating local, organic and natural! I am super excited to have some of my food right here on my own lawn! I cannot wait to pluck one of my cherry tomatoes off of the vine, later this summer, and pop it into my mouth...Nothing is gonna taste sweeter!

- Night Owl Gal

Upside Down Cake...A healthier take!

My husband and I have been working on cutting refined sugar from our diets. We have successfully not brought any into our home since this winter and we are feeling all the better for it! Hubby used to get, what we could best describe as a sugar crash in the afternoons, and since we gave up sugar he has not had one! We are both feeling healthier and have much better energy throughout the day! Undoubtedly, giving up sugar was the best choice ever!

Since giving up sugar I have been scouting out new and interesting sweeteners to use in my baking - sometimes I use real maple syrup, apple sauce, bananas, and most recently Agave Nectar. Agave is probably the best, as far as taste goes. It can be used as a sugar substitute in any baked goods. Agave tastes a bit like honey, can be used instead of sugar at a ratio of 1/4-1/2 cup per cup of sugar and it is low glycemic, which means that your blood sugar will remain more stable after eating it. Also, it comes from the same plant as tequila!

In the spirit of turning a new leaf, both in my life and here on this blog, I have re-created my delicious upside down cake from a previous post to be less sugar and much healthier! My husband and I absolutely LOVE this cake, and since I have remade the recipe to be a bit healthier, we don't feel so bad indulging in it from time to time. I hope you enjoy, as always my recipes are a work in progress!

Berry Upside Down Cake

1 3/4 C. unbleached flour

1 3/4 Tsp. Baking Powder

1/4 Tsp. salt

1/3 Cup Olive Oil

1/4 C. + 2 Tbsp. Agave Nectar

1 egg, beaten well

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1/4 C. Coconut milk

1/2 C. water

Bag of frozen blueberries + a few frozen strawberries

1 Tbsp. Pure maple syrup

(The berries are so juicy that you don't need added butter or sugar to create a gooey top!)

1. Preheat your oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9" round cake pan and pour your bag of blueberries into it, pop in a few of the strawberries as well, drizzle the 1 Tbsp. of maple syrup on top of the berries and then set aside.

2. Mix up your batter. In a large mixing bowl, beat your egg well, add in the liquid ingredients until well blended and then add in your flour and baking powder. Mix well with a whisk. Mixture should be creamy and free of lumps.

 3. Pour your batter over the berries...

And spread evenly with a spatula...

4. Bake for 40 minutes, until golden and knife inserted in center comes out clean!

5. Here's the tricky part, take a large plate and hold on top of your cake pan and flip the pan quickly so that the cake drops top side down onto the plate.

Sometimes I can't resist and we dig into the cake before it's cooled, but if you have the patience the flavors come out sweeter and better after it has cooled for at least 1/2 hour! But I promise you, this cake is delicious and pretty guilt-free! So eat up!

 

- Night Owl Gal