Some readers may wonder where Smidge’s particular passion for “all things edible” arose. Having grown up in a home that was constantly filled with the fragrance of home-made baking, it began innocently enough. But once that tiny seed was planted, it grew into a passion. I think it truly became a life-journey after reading a…
Tao of Toohsday: “Rabbit’s clever,” said Pooh thoughtfully. “Yes,”said Piglet, “Rabbit’s clever.” “And he has Brain.” “Yes,” said Piglet, “Rabbit has Brain.” There was a long silence. “I suppose,” said Pooh, “that that’s why he never understands anything.” Golden and ruby red beats found their way into my kitchen, fresh from that market the day…
by Barbara Bamber | justasmidgen
I loved that book and remember the village festivals that he traveled to. I can understand how he influenced you!
What a great way to live, eh??
I would love to try the “immersion” program. Very little of the 4 years of high school French was retained!
I enjoyed that book too – it feels a bit like my life now! What a great recipe for beetroot, you´re right, it is a very under rates vegetable with not many recipes using it…well, it can also be used in chocolate cake but I prefer it in its “natural” salad state like this recipe!
You now I love Provence. And look at the glaze on those beets!! Gorgeous.
Sounds so exciting… Thank you dear Barbara, I note everything of all these beautiful sharings, you did great. With my love, nia
Smidge, I read that book about 20 years ago and then read his second one Toujour Provence. Both fantastic and like you captured a place in my heart. As a family we go to France a lot (my mother in law) has a house there. And you’ve also hit on something else I love, beets!! My husband looks on in amazement at the large volumes of beets I manage to pack away!! Anyway this recipe looks amazing and one I look forward to trying. Rhoda c
I have heard of this book but an yet to read it – from the sound of it though it was obviously inspirational
And your recipe is as always delectable
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
My mother in law gave me this book to read. She and her husband split their time between Aix and Oxfordshire. Provence is a truly amazing place – especially ‘Le Baux’ a beautiful if slightly scary place! She blogs about AIx at aixcentric.com.
That book and it’s meal that you’ve reprinted sound wonderful! I know what you mean about finding recipes for beets. There just aren’t that many “out there”. Your recipe here, though, adding the blueberries, honey, and goat cheese, certainly makes up for whatever shortcomings that were there previously. What a great dish!
Oh I remember the book too! The version you have there has a lovely cover. And your market dip recipe reminds me a bit of one I make an australian one, so now I have to try yours
And todays recipe, just droolworthy. May there be many more beetroot recipes to come!!
Gosh this post brings back memories I had almost forgotten about Peter Mayle’s book. I have a vague memory it was made into a TV series but I could be wrong. Thanks for reminding me about it I am going to seek it out. I have just finished reading a book called Almost French by an Australian journalist who fell in love with Frenchman and came to live in Paris the memoir charts her new life as she struggles to adjust to a different culture.
Beets with blueberries. This is certainly a new idea to me.
This looks wonderful, Barbara. The Dutch has a very weird but actually delicious way of eating red beets. It is boiled and served with mayonnaise to go with boiled potatoes, fried pork and onion rings.
I read his books every summer but so far we have not been to the Provence….
A book I need to check out! And someday, I shall endeavor to try beets again.
It sounds like I really need to read this book. It sounds sooooo wonderful.
I’m admire your passion for beets. If you love them that much, they are worth me giving them another chance. Honestly, I rarely see them here – out of sight out of mind I guess? It’s a shame. The recipe you’ve shared sounds delicious. And the picture…stunning!.
I have this book on my bookshelf right now. My Mom lent it to me some time ago and I never read it. Well, Now I’m going to take it with me on my trip to California. Funny, one of my Mom’s favorite vegetables is beets. I prepare them only on rare occasions, but your recipe looks so interesting, especially with the addition of goat cheese (my favorite). I have to try it! The photo of the finished dish is soooo pretty.
Isn’t that book just so beautifully written! I love it. And wouldn’t you just love to be presented with a meal like that if only see if you could finish it with the attitude that you’re doing it for your country! I love beets but yes, I agree with you that recipes using beets are scarce. I love how you’ve paired them with blueberries – I will have to try this! xx
Barb, I am also a fan of this book. I re-read it on my honeymoon in Provence and then convinced my husband to to stop in Les Baux-de-Provence on our way back to Paris so that I could buy olive oil at the place mentioned in the book and eat at oustau de baumaniere (also mentioned in the book). It was so memorable! Your beets look beautiful!
What a lovely recipe! Oh, now I am longing for France
That is one of my truly flavourite series of books, Barbara. We were very fortunate to have been able to get to Provence s few years ago, such a memorable trip! There is a chapter on how the local men in his little town bring their own cork screws to the local restaurants; we got a Laguiole olive wood cork screws, and then the steak knives. It’s getting more andorra difficult to get the authentic brand, and not that crap made in China (grrrrr, don’t get me started!)
Beets are one of my flavourite vegetables! I live them roasted with goats cheese too, but have not tried them with blueberries!
You are right, beet recipes are too scarse. This is such a good recipe for if you have a sweet tooth and are trying to slim down for the summer. Tab for sure!
You even have a way of making beets look beautiful Smidge! I’m not a fan…try as I might and I do try. Repeatedly because I think they’re pretty and want to like them. Maybe some day. And I think I will have to read that book. Your excerpt had me absolutely salivating!
I enjoyed that book! Not such a fan of beets, though. My husband likes them but I just haven’t been able to get over my childhood aversion…I’m sorry!!!
Okay.. this post definitely shocked me. I had no idea those were beets. I typically don’t like beets, but these really look good. I have to mention this to my mother since she loves beets.
I like the sound of that Malou.
Warm beetroot, blueberries and goats cheese- what could be better? I’ve only ever boiled them, not oven roast. Could be tempted!
I have read all of Mayle’s books and just love them. Beets are so good and when on a menu I always order them. I plant beets each year…red, golden and candy striped. I can’t wait to see how blue berries meld with beets.
I guess when I started blogging, I didn’t realize just how big writing about food was. Good information for sure.
I feel so sheltered. I have not heard of this book before but now it is on my reading list. Thanks for the reading suggestion.
I will definitely be putting that one on my “to read list”
Sounds fabulous! Beets look delicious too 
I need to get that book !!
A marvelous passage of which I am glad to be reminded! Sorry you have snow for spring
We usually do-so we feel wary of this weird heat. I LOVE beets and will try this! Your photos are gorgeous (as usual)!
Very cool share, young lady!
Thanks:)
You know.. I think that’s why I love your blog so much:) You’re living this very same life!! I think beets in chocolate cake would be heaven:)
I do!! I got behind in your blog.. I switched to email updates and lost you for a bit.. so glad to have you back in my inbox:) xoxo
I’m glad you like this one… how is your squirrel:) xoxo Smidge
So did you read the book before you married.. how wonderful to have family in France!! I would love that and be there every opportunity!!
Ahhhh, it could have come out before your time, you young thing you;) it is a great series:)
I can see why they do.. I imagine that would be quite the life!! Le Baux.. why do you think it’s scary?? I’m going to check out her website!
It is a journey one would never forget, n’est-il pas? I love that you’ve got the cork screws and steak knives.. something I missed when over there, so I guess I shall have to back.. I did bring back olive oil. I think anything “Andorra difficult” to acquire would certainly be worth the pursuit;) It may be time for a holiday?? I’m pleased that you like beets as well.. I loved this dish!! c’était parfait:)
I think it’s possibly because they’re not loved by all.. as some veggies are. Glad you liked this one:)
I would love to see your recipe.. then I could make that one as well:)
I think it was a series.. but I watch so little television that I’ve never seen it. I thought the movie was a bit disappointing?? Anyway, loved the book.. as I always seem to!! I’m going to check out Almost French.. I’m ready for a new read!! Thanks:)
Me too.. I was thinking it was almost a fruit crisp when it was done.. a little more sweetener maybe..
I hope you do get there one day!! It’s fabulous!!
I loved the book.. beets.. well, they’re either on or off some people’s lists it seems:) Good luck if you ever try them again! xo
Sarah.. you’re not the only one who’s got an “aversion” to beets.. I grew up on Harvard beets so I guess anything sweet poured over a veggie will win me over easily;) xoxo Smidge
If you love food, you’ll love this one:) And the whole cultural experience for them must have been amazing. I’d love to do this one day! Thanks so much for stopping by!
One year when teaching, a parent invited my teaching partner and I to dinner and we had the same experience.. but with French Canadian Food.. I honestly felt like I was going to be sick but couldn’t decline anything, she wouldn’t hear of it!! Those nights.. I ate for the School!! Lol!!
Oh… you’re sooo lucky!! I didn’t eat at oustau de baumaaniere… I wish I had, oh, well, I guess I’ll have to go back!!
me too!!!
Oh, well, gives us bloggers something to invent:)
Oh, well.. some foods just don’t agree with us. My theory is that perhaps we are allergic to this food and our bodies are rejecting it? Especially when we’re five and our moms make us eat rutabaga!! (aka turnip)
Don’t be sorry at all!! There are foods I turn my nose up to as well.. if you see above, I think we’re allergic to those foods at some level. I’m totally turned off by turnips!!
She would love this recipe then.. very tender and sweet:)
I boiled them once when I was in a hurry (at the advice of my mother-in-law). I think the roasting really deepens and caramelizes the sugar?? Plus it’s way easier to slip the outer skin off.. I’d love to see your recipe for them:) xo Smidge
I don’t think I’ve seen them that often on a menu.. I’ll be watching for that now!!
Oh, dear, well, neither did I.. I’m shocked at the (probably?) 100′s of thousands of food blogs there are. But there is only one little me and only one you and I’m on my way to check out your blog:)
Sheltered? Perhaps just young:) These came out sooo long ago.. but still timely. When I went to Provence, it was just as he had described!!
I hope you enjoy it! If you did.. it would be the best compliment because you’re an amazing baker! I love your blog!!
It’s a series too.. fun reading if you like food and travel stories:)
Ah, well, the sun is shining, the grass isn’t ris and we’re still wondering where our birdies is (lol) my mom’s old rhyme she used to tell us when we were young. I hope we get a little heat and you get a wee bit of normal temperatures?
Maybe beets are more popular here in New England.
I like that idea – of being allergic at some level.
Hope you don’t mind me adding a link – but here is pink party food
http://promenadeplantings.com/2011/12/17/pink-party-food/ Hope you like it !
Yes I read the book a LONG time before I was married. It is great to have that opportunity, France is such a beautiful country and I love their fixation with food!!
Oh what a close call! I nearly missed this one! Counting my lucky stars I found it, nearly buried like beets in the wet earth! I love love beets and this recipe is going on my board! Honestly! Aren’t they the most Gorgeous color! Love this Smidge! Thank you. (And by the way, a very pretty post, again. Are you tired of me repeating myself?) xoxo
Whew! Glad you found the,:) repeat anytime you like, spree xoxoxo
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