Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Kitchen Escape - Soup and Galettes

Last week was hard on me, a bit under the weather Friday, dull headed Saturday. Just too many things on my mind. Time for a little kitchen escape. Befitting my condition and mood our California skies were grey and temperatures positively dreary. Time to revisit my roasted broccoli soup for a bit of creamy comfort. This version I added about two cups of roasted potatoes to the mix and a creamy puree of roasted red pepper, bacon, yogurt and a hint of cayenne. Can I prepare the same recipe twice without modifying it?.... only rarely. How about you?

roasted broccoli potato soup
Roasted Broccoli Soup topped with pepper bacon cream
When the sun finally emerged on Sunday I was so excited to see a bounty beautiful yellow pear tomatoes ready to be harvested.

yellow pear tomatoes
Freshly harvested yellow pear tomatoes
Looking for a bit of fresh air, I popped out for a quick walk. Imagine finding these treasures hidden in the hillside grass and foliage. What lovely wee little wild strawberries and hardly bigger than a minute. It seems like nature wanted to cheer me up. I was positively giddy.

wild strawberry 3
Tiny wild strawberries
I felt so much better I rolled out some pie dough and made not one but two galettes! A bit of jam on the bottom, nice arrangement of apple and black plum slices and a sprinkle of raw sugar to give some sparkle. "Honey, do we have vanilla ice cream?"

golden delicious galatte
Golden Delicious Apple Galette

black plum tart
Black Plum Tart
Around the dinner table, cheery conversation and pie anticipation. Sunday ends on a high note. Thank you kitchen escape.

7 comments:

  1. The yellow pear tomato photo is stunning...I love the strawberry too. I rarely make something again without tinkering with it...unless I am making it for someone who requested something from me. Now that looks like a great way to end the weekend! Yum!

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  2. Hello Lyndsey my friend, welcome back! I am so happy you like the photos of the tomatoes and strawberries. Thank goodness I wasn't using film or I never would have gotten the shots!

    Us recipe tinkerers need to stick together .. don't you think?

    Hope you have a great rest of the week!

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  3. Sweet lovely post Robin! I agree with Lyndsey, the golden pear tomatoes and baby barries are SO beautiful! Those galettes are simply wonderful, sigh...

    Loved reading about your kitchen escape and its evocation of color, soothing flavors and re-connection with nature and a brightening of mood and spirit. I'm feeling rather dreary this morning and this journey has helped perk me up--thanks!

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  4. What a beautiful, flowing and kind comment Jenn. You connected directly with my sentiments exactly.

    Life is not always a cheery prospect, eh? Finding the bright moments and good friends help us through.

    Hope and pray the earthquake wasn't too scary or damaging where you are. After 67 years, I'm sure the shake, rattle, and roll took everyone by surprise. All the best to you.

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  5. Hi Robin,

    All was rumbly and alarming for a minute or so--Jamison knew instantly what was happening from living in Japan for several years, whereas I hoped it was the sound of our neighbor having roof work done!

    No damage...thankfully!
    Best wishes,
    Jenn

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  6. Well, blessed be that Master J had the experience to help you through. Us Californians "Drop and cover" in doorways, under desks until the shaking stops. Drilled into us in grammer school. I can't begin to tell you the horrors of the 1989 Loma Prieta Quake in our little town of Santa Cruz, near the epicenter. Sometimes we forget how powerful nature can be.

    So glad all is well on your side of the world.

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  7. Oh. OH. I think galettes are so pretty! Want to make one so bad and will do so soon! Yours looks wonderful. I'm ready for a slice! :D

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