Sunday, March 23, 2008

Kitchen Fun

In my effort to try every single recipe in the "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day" cookbook, last week I made the roasted red pepper Fougasse. I did add a few ingredients that weren't in the recipe, but the addition of chopped kalamata olives, chopped, fresh rosemary and Romano and Parmesan cheeses added another layer of flavors that were quite complimentary. The final product was deeeelicious! The bread was crunchy on the outside and chewy and flavorful on the inside. This one is definitely going on the "favorites" list.

Cabin fever and ennui set in last week, so H and I drove out to Schoodic Point just to get some sun and enjoy the beauty of the park. It was a bit too breezy and cold to walk, but just seeing the blue in the ocean and green of the spruces and pines lifted our spirits.

The Hoggemoggin Reach Yacht Club is our fun name for our neighborhood kayaking group. Our friend, JB was elected the "Commodore", since his little cabin on the shore houses all our equipment and he graciously built a rack to hold all our kayaks.

Soooo, since a paddle was most definitely out of the question this time of year, a pizza party was in order. I made a huge batch of dough, and since I didn't have room in the fridge for it, I stuck it out on the front porch to cool it enough to handle it without sticking to H's hands when he rolled it out for the pizzas.

We had veggies with salsa and a smoked salmon spread with Triscuits for appetizers and 7 pizzas with various toppings. H was the master chef, baking all the pies to perfection.


Spike and Sluggo were both on their best behavior as I think all the commotion overwhelmed them a bit. Normally, Sluggo is quite the little thug, curious and wanting to be in the middle of everything, so we were surprised at his shyness.

Poor H can't even do his daily cross word puzzle without Sluggo trying to chew on the end of his pencil.

On my daily dash up the drive, looking for signs of spring, I was thrilled to see the pussy willow in bloom! What a joy to see something coming out of it's long winter nap. It's been a dreadfully long winter and in looking back, the Farmer's Almanac's predictions for the northeast was dead on. They said we'd be having lots of storms and snow and oh, how right they were!

Life is Good -

Hugs, Giddy

9 comments:

Kerri said...

You've heightened most of my senses this morning, Giddy, with your wonderful descriptions and pictures...or at least made me long for some of that scrumptious looking bread, or the salmon spread, or the veggie tray, or the yummy pizzas, or that fabulous view.....need I say more?
When can we schedule a visit? Did you say you run a bed and breakfast? :) How about lunch and dinner, when are they served?
I could help out in the garden if you like, while H teaches my husband how to cook :)
We'd be most helpful at cuddling Spike and Sluggo!
See you soon (I wish)!

Anonymous said...

Giddy, please tell H we'd like a large pizza to go, delivered to AL. I'm with Kerri, could he maybe have a cooking class for husbands (in your pretty kitchen, of course)? Once again, I'm baking some bread after seeing your pictures. I'm trying the Light Whole Wheat this time.

S.W.

Anonymous said...

You guys have really got your use out of that bread book! Now tell me, does every loaf you bake come out that beautiful, or are you only showing us the good ones?

We are getting sun down here, but a very cold wind to go with it. Just heard a report of a bit of snow for tomorrow, but not enough to plow.

Schoodic Point is one of the prettiest place along the coast, don't you think?

Giddy said...

Well, we don't have the B&B anymore, but we would love to have everyone over for a good old fashioned Maine Lobstah Bake! Y'all come!

Sally, after this long winter, delivering a pizza to sunny Alabama sounds nice.

Sandy, I have yet to have a flop out of that bread book. So far, every recipe has been great. And yes, I think Schoodic is one of the most beautiful places on earth and we never tire of visiting. We had a dusting of snow this morning, but it's still pretty cold.

kris said...

Hi Giddy - your Fougasse looks wonderful - it's just such a pretty loaf, isn't it? I like the additions you made. The photos of Shoodic Point are gorgeous - all of the photos of kayaks and open water have me yearning for spring. We have a little melting around the edges, but snow over the weekend and the snowmobiles were out in force - so the ice is still pretty thick out there. Lucky you to have had some time cleaning off gardens!! I don't think I told you last time I left a comment - but congrats on your retirement!!

Diana LaMarre said...

Please sign my husband up for H's cooking class.

One more post of that wonderful bread and I may have to go buy that book! You should get a commission. :)

Are you finished working or is this your last week?

Unknown said...

This is swell, Giddy, lots of fun and informative writing in this post. I like the way your naughty kitty 'helps' your husband-several of ours also enjoy reading the news paper with us. And I'm hopeful that the signs of spring you've mentioned will make their way north-east soon!

Anonymous said...

Hi Giddy . . . that bread sure looks yummy! I never did learn to make bread . . . mine where always Egyptian Rye Bricks! You inspire me to try to learn again.

CanadianGardenJoy said...

Giddy ! hello there .. thank you so much for stopping by my blog and letting me know about your handsome devils .. Spike and Sluggo are beautiful !
Wow .. looks like very good food is served at home .. my hubby will cook too .. but totally BBQ .. i don't touch that thing .. same with the snow blower .. hum .. I wonder if there is a connection ? haha .. the girls are sleeping right now .. so peace and quiet for a bit of blog hopping here.
Thanks again !
Joy
PS .. are those names from the Nancy comic strip ?