To begin..
A fire.. friends.. music.. and earthy nourishment
surfeits the heart’s own hunger…
- 1/2 – 1 baguette, sliced thin and toasted,
- lightly brushed with olive oil on one side
- 2 tbsp butter, unsalted
- 1 pound (450g) crimini mushrooms, quartered
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- salt
- pepper
- 1/2 cup (splash) of white wine
- handful Italian flat-leafed parsley, torn
- 1/2 lemon
- cream cheese
- Melt butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the mushroom pieces until they begin to turn a deep shade of brown, soften and become glossy. Add the garlic and saute for an additional minute. Season with salt and pepper.
- Splash the pan with white wine and stir to deglaze the pan, allowing the liquids to thicken then evaporate.
- Remove from the burner and stir in the parsley. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice over and mix in.
- Spread a dollop of cream cheese on the toasted tartine, scoop a generous portion of mushrooms over top and serve.
To continue…
Soupe aux Pois et Jambon { Green Split Pea Soup }
- 2 cups dried split green peas
- olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 5 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp cloves
- 2 bay leaves
- 10 cups water
- 1 ham bone
- leftover ham, diced (about 2 cups)
- Creme Fraiche
- Measure 2 cups of dried green peas into a large container and cover with water. Cover with plastic wrap and allow the peas to sit overnight to soften.
- The next day, splash some olive oil in the bottom of a large soup pot. Add onion and lightly cook until the onion is translucent. Stir in the carrots and celery and sauté for an addition 5-8 minutes, just until the celery begins to soften. Season with salt, pepper and cloves. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Drain the two cups of peas into a colander and rinse with cold water.
- Add 10 cups of water to the vegetables. Put the ham bone in and simmer for 90 minutes, until the peas are tender. If there is meat on the bone, remove and cut off the meat and add back into the soup. Add the diced leftover ham and continue to cook until the soup is hot and simmering, about 20 more minutes. Remove the bay leaves, taste and adjust seasoning.
- Serve hot with a dollop of creme fraiche.
It would be remiss of me not to thank my fellow bloggers for the wonderful blogging awards they’ve passed on to me. Although I can’t seem to get around to playing by the rules.. I always feel so honored and grateful that I’ve been mentioned.
Sue has the prettiest blog, I was motivated to work on mine from the day I set eyes on hers. Sue is a visual artist living in Vermont.. a place I long to visit one day. She has beautiful photographs and stories, lambs and chickens (I’m jealous) over at her aptly named 129 Twig & Vine.
Thank you so much to Jo of restlessjo, as you can imagine, she writes passionately about her travels and her adventures are documented with luscious photography that will tempt you to travel.
The lovely Giovanna from Blue Jellybeans, was born in Panama and now resides in Spain, she’s full of surprises, introducing me to new foods and ingredients and her thoughtful writing always gives me pause to think.
Be sure to stop by Peri’s Spice Ladle and savor her wonderful global and Indian recipes… she’s sure to tantalize you with her exotic ingredients and Fusion Cuisine!
If photography is your passion, you’ll love Terri’s Images by T.Dashfield website.. she’s already been published.. a few times, so we’re really excited for her! She’s an insightful writer and this gives us insight into her photographer’s spirit.
Then there’s Viveka of myguiltypleasures.. she’ll make you laugh, cry and will inspire you with her passion for music, arts, and her travel adventures.
You might long to become a full time photographer, I know I do.. well then stop in and visit Joylene, Photography by Joylene you’ll love her portrait photography!
Richard of REM Cooks loves to cook for his beautiful wife, you’ll enjoy his recipes too! He’ll give you the background on his dish.. so much more than just the ingredients for a recipe!
Be sure to visit Meryl at Recovery Thru My Lens.. we’re often on the same wave-length with our poetry:) She’ll take you on her journey of healing through photography and the written word.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the lovely Mar of Life Through the Kitchen Window.. her food photography is often the starting point of so many inspirational ideas, just reading through her recipes makes me want to get cooking!
There are so many other blogs that I love to read.. the other day I had 200+ in my Inbox.. my son asked me how that was possible.. it just is, because each time I hesitate and then “click”.. I’m taken to another country, another home, another kitchen.. and another friend.
Barbara, thank you so much – honored – by the way you will be nominated by my tomorrow – so keep out for my post. That mushroom toast I will do – you’re the biggest temptress I know and the most lovely one too. Your soup is very close our yellow split soup that is our national dish every Thursday. You would love that.
Will send the shortlink.
Your poem is beautiful and touching. Just the love the word – snow-crusted. Thanks for being my friend.
You are so welcome, it is fun to recognize bloggers that have been great conversationalists:) I’m happy to be your friend.. xx
I suppose that was a compliment *laughing.
Scrumptious tartines!
My french is so weak.. I thought tartines were desert:D
Jimini criminis Batman! That looks delicious. And lovely as usual 🙂
Thanks, Sue.. and thank you for your last blog post shout-out:) xx
Lovely post Smidge. The food looks sooooo delicious.
Regards Florence x
Thanks, Florence:)
beautiful, where do you find the time for such sumptuousness .. have a glorious day, now i shall poddle off and see a few of your other friends! c
I love your invented words.. “poddle” that is invented isn’t it? I hope your writing goes well today! xx
Awwwwwwww thank you so much for the shout out, Smidgey Poo! But you had me at Tartine. Yummmmmmmm xo
Oh Barbara, the sumptuosness of your posts bowls me over every time! I know exactly what you mean because I was midway through responding to a challenge post when the little speech bubble appeared in my top corner. I never can resist seeing who’s there, and here you are, in all your glory. Fabulous! (if only I could cook)
Seriously, I am thrilled to be mentioned in one of your posts, and I shall pop this in my favourites so I can visit all your lovely friends. (but not before I’ve completed my post- there’s a deadline, for goodness sake!) Thank you so much, Smidge. I love your work.
A deadline.. where does this deadline come from? You’re so welcome:) xx
It’s a competition, to win a book voucher. I won’t win but don’t want to let the person down who nominated me, and it’s fun to do.
Lovely poem and beautiful post, as always, Barbara. The meal looks wonderful and I especially like the tartine.
You’re welcome 🙂
What a beautiful post, Barbara! The first image with the poem is like a greeting card. You should print it and use it this Christmas.
Thank you very much for your words about me and my blog, I’m content knowing that people read it and enjoy it, despite the limitations expressing myself in English.
I too enjoy so much reading other blogs, and sometimes I can’t do it in the same day, so don’t be surprise to recieve a comment a week later… but better late than never 😉
Have a wonderful day Oh! Almost forgot, congratulations for the award, you deserve it 🙂
That’s a great idea, I’ve not decided on what cards to do this year, so thanks for the idea! You do a great job.. I can’t imagine speaking and writing in another language as well as you do!
I always appreciate kind and grateful gestures towards fellow bloggers. Funny! I saw that Anthropologie bowl last year and I was tempted to buy it. Now, that I see how it photographs, I regret I didn’t 😉 Congrats on your award.
They have so many cute bowls, don’t they? xx
Really loved the poem.. quiet filling of feeders – watching… very nice… That’s some feast! All wonderfully done.
Yes.. quiet is me:) It’s how I love to spend my days.. Thanks!
Mmmm! Perfect for the fast approaching colder winter season. Thank you 🙂
😀
Nice shots and very cleverly balanced menu. Very sexy tastes.
I’d like to think so ;D
Firstly, the soup looks delicious 🙂 well done on being an amazing blogger!
Oh, Tandy, you’re a sweetie.. these little awards had accumulated over about half a year.. or more:) xx
Okay, now I am really hungry… Love the crostini!
Your poem is wonderful!
That crostini.. was much better than I thought, I blame the wine:) xx
Congrats on your awards!
What a beautiful poem dear Barbara, you pictured so beautifully as your camera. Should be all so delicious they are all. Thank you, love, nia
It was a great meal, nia:)
Congratulations to you and your awards! You deserve every last one of them. The way you feel about Sue’s blog is the way I feel about yours! So gorgeous and delicious! YUM to that dessert!!
What a lovely poem, Barbara. And the line up of fall gourmet goodies is just beautiful. You know how I love split pea soup too, the crème fraiche is a beautiful addition, I’ll have to remember that.
Your post is making my hungry – that pie is amazing! Have a Great One:)
I’ve been back and forth now (half the morning it seems!) between here and some of your friends places and been filled to brimming. (Thank you for the introductions! I’m a soon-to-be-fan for the reasons you’ve stated!) I love the way you feed us here Smidge. Such goodness! Your poem (and the way you’ve presented it!) so Beautiful; your crostini (sumptuous earthiness we crave this time of year!), and that pie of yours (man!) – I go back to where I started…How very well you feed us here! xx
I need to read this again when it snows here. It will remind me of all the good things about winter – which sometimes is hard to do. 🙂 Beautiful poem. And this meal looks delicious. I could fill up on starters alone! Congrats on all the awards. It’s a joy stopping in your kitchen/home/world every time Smidge.
I love stopping by for a visit! You always have interesting company – the comments are an extraordiny testament to a community that shares knowledge and encourages creativity. In a world that is fast losing the ability to have face to face connections, you have created a space to celebrate accomplishments and nurture friendships. By the way, did you change your blog look? Looks fantastic!
I love mushrooms on any sort of toasted bread – this recipe sounds yummy I especially like the sound of cream cheese. Beautiful poem and equally beautiful picture behind the words. 😉
Beautiful post, Barb, I was oohing and aahing as each dish scrolled onto the page. Just the crostini and soup would have been enough for me, and then there was the beautiful chicken and dessert! Stay warm in this cold weather! xx
Another beautiful poem Smidge with wonderful words and I love the background behind it. I love the crostini with the cremini mushrooms. I think I could eat more than a few of those. Thanks for promoting some new blogs for me. I’ll be sure to hop on over and take a look xx
A beautiful poem, so evocative of the turn of the seasons. Such lovely looking comfort food for the cold wintertime, too. xx
Lovely post…from beginning to end.
Oooh…lovely mouthwatering food…love the mushroom tartines, yummy…the poem is beautiful and touching, Barbara:) Thank you for your wonderful words for Peri’s Spice Ladle. xx Peri.
Nice menu – I especially like the tartines!
What a beautiful post…I was transported into the cold, brisk air and snow, could hear the birds and could touch the ice on the limbs of the hawthorne. Then taken inside where it’s welcoming and warm to have some of those wonderful tartines and split pea soup. Thanks for taking me along!
I will be right over to enjoy this feast made for a king. Am I too late? Thanks for introducing us to your friends and looking forward to giving them a visit. Take care, BAM
The Snowbird Hawthorne is wonnnnnnderful, Barb. I love it. What a beautiful poem.
You guys are making my week with these recipes. Thank you so much! I love both of these. Between you and John, I can officially stop complaining about not having something good to eat (and something I’ll actually eat) at lunch time. Hubby will be so happy 🙂
Barb, where do you find the time? That is such an impressive line up of dishes. I especially like the Soupe aux Pois et Jambon. We just had this soup tonight for dinner — it is hardy, delicious and always very popular with the ponytails. I hadn’t thought of adding a little creme fraiche. Great idea! (And it sounds so much nicer en Franciase.)
My ponytail is 21.. and my son is 19.. that’s how I find more time:D Although they still require a fair bit of supervision these days, lol! xx
Thank you from Down Under: such a delightful post to follow . . .
Such a beautiful post, Barb. Here, we are so busy dreading the onset of Winter that we forget that, like all Seasons, it has it beauty. Your poem is a gentle reminder of that. Now this is some feast you set before us, made all the more enticing by your photography. The tartines would be the perfect appetizers. The spilt pea soup is a favorite, with the creme fraiche a very nice touch. And love the idea of bringing puttanesca flavors to baked chicken. Can there be a better way to end this fabulous meal than with a slice of your heavenly pie? I think not. This is one sumptuous meal, Barb. You spoil us.
Other than because I live in Singapore and there is no winter, I couldn’t have put it better than John ! Another gorgeous post Barb !
Because you are a true star … have I nominated you to “ ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ – http://wp.me/p293Pw-4c9
Lovely post Barbara! You are very kind, your dishes are gorgeous and I love your photography and poems!
Heavenly, from beginning to end.
🙂 Mandy xo
A feast for the eys and ears! Am having a bit of a love affair with mushrooms at the moment so loved the crostini!
First, that lovely, lovely poem. Then the mushroom tartines that immediately made me think of including them in the holiday open house I’m planning. I own Laura Calder’s cookbook and love it, but sometimes I need to see one of the recipes on a beautiful blog like yours or Spree’s to really wake up to it. And after that, the split pea soup with the surprise of cloves. Cloves? Now I’m intrigued… And throughout your post, tantalizingly beautiful photos. Then finally, the jolt of delighted surprise when I saw my blog mentioned and your generous comments. Thank you! What an amazing post this has been!
I love mushrooms, I love split pea soup, I love pie…what’s not to love in this post?!!
By the way, two questions: could I use lentils instead of split peas? Just curious if they’re interchangable. Also, I can’t ever get creme fraiche here – is sour cream the best alternative?
I’m not sure if you can substitute lentils.. Yellow split peas for sure. The soaking overnight process helps the thin skins to pop when they cook the next day. Then the soup almost becomes a puree all on it’s own. I’m not 100% sure, but maybe check a few lentil soups to see the texture? You could always use an immersion blender, but I don’t think it would be as creamy? Green split-peas are a little different.. All with a caveat.. I think:)
Thanks, Barbara!
Oh, and maybe just a swirl of heavy cream? I think sour cream could work as well, it’s not even necessary, just a garnish:)
Thanks again. I have attempted to make creme Fraiche, but haven’t succeeded in my two attempts…
Wow.. I haven’t ever tried making that.. I should ask ChgoJohn.. he’s adept at making cheese.. maybe he could teach us how to make creme fraiche?
Oh, do ask, that would be so great!
This all looks absolutely delicious. Right now, I’d love to have some of that soup! X
I am in awe of your prose, young lady. Thank you.
Une bonne soupe aux pois et jambon… Quel bonheur! Reminds me of my Grand-maman… what a nice memory. Your delightful spread is surpassed only by the lyricism in your poetry Smidge. And I have to say, I just love the design, layout and feel of your blog. There is so much originality and beauty here.
Thanks Kelly.. I love the creative side of blogging.. Wish I could change it often, but then no one would recognize my blog:D
Wonderful bountiful feast for friends.
Can I come for dinner at your house? It all looks amazing! (I love that soup bowl!)
There is no stopping by here for a quick visit. You’re definitely a destination and after consuming this entire post I have all sorts of new people to visit!
What a beautiful poem, Barbara. I love the way you introduce a calming tone and then invite us in to sample your delicious recipes! You have a hospitable blog site that represents you so beautifully. Each recipe is incredible, but right now I would just love some of that soup! And I read as many blogs as possible, too, for the pure enjoyment of experiencing life from new vistas. But I haven’t yet admitted just how many to anyone…It’s hard to explain to anyone not already a committed blogger, isn’t it? oxo
Firstly what a beautiful poem, secondly what a fest, thirdly I adore that bowl, did I say ADORE clearly enough? And what a lovely way to respond to awards, gently you.
I know what you mean about reading blogs – so many tales an dsights to be told and sahred. As Debra says above, its hard to explain… x
Thanks for reminding me of the beauty of winter through your poem, I am feeling wamer already. Did you make all those dishes for one meal? I am coming over right now.
beautiful words and beautiful food Barbara. (and like Claire said, the little bowl is gorgeous!)
Beautiful poem Barbara. You must have a beautiful heart to be able to write this way.
The line up of recipes are beautiful as well…and I have to say those little bowls are cute. Dishes are my weakness besides other things.
When I read your posts it makes me want to crash your house for dinner. (And then breakfast the next day.) (And possibly lunch.)
I love your mushroom tartines! I love that kind of food. That puttanesca chicken looks really sumptuous too! Your poem is really beautiful. Now I have this beautiful winter scene in my head.
The joys of reading food blogs, its travel and cuisine in your desk.
First of all congrats to the awards!
I enjoyed reading through your poem, lots of soul in it. But then I dont only know you as a great food blogger but also as a great writer and player with words. Please never stop any of these 2!
The Tartines make me feel hungry and the pea and ham soup reminds me of my grandmother.
I can taste those mushrooms though that image. Delish!
Lovely in every way, Smidge!