Travels with George and Marta – Page 63 – Journeys in the Botanical World

Braised Lentils

Posted on October 16, 2008 by MartaOctober 16, 2008

I’ve been reorganizing my pantry and trying to use up the older food. I came across some Umbrian lentils that I bought several years ago. Hmmm… what should I make.

I pulled out “Everyday Greens” by Annie Somerville. I love “Field of Greens”, her first cookbook but I haven’t made that many items from this book. But it had a wonderful sounding recipe for Braised Lentils.

It was very easy and extremely good. I served it with a pan fried fillet of Salmon. The earthy flavor the lentils are a perfect foil for the oiliness of the salmon.

I didn’t have any red wine so I substituted about 1/3 cup of white wine and 3 tbs of balsamic vinegar. Balsamic vinegar works extremely well and adds a good sweet-sour to the recipe.

Braised Lentils

2 tbs olive oil
1/2 large onion, diced, about 1 cup
salt and pepper
1 tbs minced garlic
1 medium carrot, peeled and diced, about 3/4 cup
2 celery ribs diced about 3/4 cup
1 medium red or yellow pepper, diced about 3/4 cup
1/2 cup red wine
1 cup French Lentils
4 cups cold water
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh thyme
3 fresh sage leaves

Heat the oil in a dutch oven. Add the onion, 1/4 tsp salt and a pinch of pepper. cook over medium heat until they begin to soften, 3-4 minutes. add the garlic, the vegetables, 1/4 tsp salt, a pinch of pepper and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Pour in the wine and cook until the pan is nearly dry, 3-4 minutes. Add the lentils, water, bay leaf, and herbs and simmer until the beans are completely tender, but still hold their shape, 30-35 minutes. The lentils should be saucy, but not soupy. If the broth is thin, cook the lentils longer to reduce it. Remove the bay leaf and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Fall Colors

Posted on October 15, 2008 by MartaOctober 15, 2008

From the University Farmers Market:

Linguine with Clams in Spicy Pernod Sauce

Posted on October 14, 2008 by MartaOctober 14, 2008

The harvest is almost done here in the Pacific Northwest. G harvested all the tomatoes last week and has them boxed downstairs. He has devised a system to ripen the tomatoes by putting wrapping them in newspaper, storing them stem side down and putting a banana in the box to help ripen.

I have been looking for ways to use the fresh tomatoes. I don’t have enough to can so we have been eating them as fast as we can. Judith of Think on It posted that she was hosting this week’s Presto Pasta Night. Ah, just the push I needed. I went searching for a pasta recipe that would use some of our fresh tomatoes.

I came across this recipe for Linguine with Clams in spicy Pernod Sauce on Epicurious from Gourmet 2000. I love Pernod and I love linguine with clams. It also used fresh tomatoes.

I reviewed the comments. Several of the reviews mentioned that the instructions cook the clams too long. The clams here in the Northwest are small and will open in just a few minutes. They would be tough if I cooked them 8 minutes. Also it is important to use good dried pasta. I choose Delverde which is one of the better pastas I can find in the stores here in Seattle.

I omitted browning the clams and instead added them at the end. It was perfect.

Linguine with Clams in Spicy Pernod Sauce

24 small hard-shelled clams such as littleneck or Manila, well scrubbed
1 teaspoon fennel seeds, coarsely crushed
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 Tbs shallots, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 large plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons Pernod
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
12 oz dried linguine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Bring water for linguine to a boil in an 6-8 quart pan. While water is heating, heat olive oil in a deep heavy skillet over med-high heat. Add fennel seeds and saute quickly for about 1/2 minute. Add the shallots and saute for 1 minute, then add tomatoes and garlic. Cook until tomatoes soften 2-3 minutes. Add wine, water, Pernod, and red pepper flakes and bring to a boil. Add the clams, cover and cook until the clams open – 5 -7 minutes.

When the pasta water comes to a boil, add the linguine and cook until al dente.

Add cooked linguine, butter and parsley to clams and toss over low hear until pasta is covered in sauce. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.

Wild Mushroom Show

Posted on October 12, 2008 by MartaOctober 12, 2008

The Pacific Northwest is a great region for wild mushrooms. G studied fungi while he was at the UW stuying for his Botany degree. I remember foraging for wild chantrelles with directions he received in class in the forests just a few miles from Seattle. We collected about a dozen chantrelles and had them for dinner. Chantrelles are pretty easy to identify so I felt pretty comfortable eating the ones we found in the wild.

Over the years, we have looked off and on after the first rains for autumn but never really been foragers. I prefer to purchase my wild mushrooms in the market where I’m certain what I am eating. I wish it was an easy as it is in France where you can take your wild mushrooms to the pharmacy and have them identified.

This weekend we went to the 45th annual Wild Mushroom Show sponsored by the Puget Sound Mycological Society. At the show, the mushrooms were organized by spore type and displayed on moss and leaves as your would find them in the wild. Each mushroom was identified and denoted if they are edible, toxic or no use. There are several choice edible mushrooms in the area, chantrelles, boletes (known as porcini or cepes) and the matsutake. I really enjoyed the show and we should go looking for mushrooms again.

There was also a cooking demonstration by Kathy Casey. We had a sample of the polenta with wild mushrooms and watched her prepare a wild mushroom risotto. I need to keep both of these dishes in mind since they are perfect for autumn months.

Here are a few photos of the mushrooms from the show.

Boletus edulis – This is known as porcini in Italy or cepes in France

Matsutake – another choice edible mushroom

Click through for more photos…

Continue reading →

PhotoHunt: Lazy

Posted on October 11, 2008 by MartaOctober 11, 2008

Lazy old day rolling away
dreaming the day away
don’t want to go
now that I’m in the flow
crazy amazing day

~ Lazy Day by Enya

A lazy Sunday morning in France. I walked up to the local bakery for croissants and a newspaper. I spent the morning enjoying sun on my apartment balcony while reading the London Times and watching the boats on the Villefranche sur Mer harbor.

Look closely at the headline. It was just over a year ago – September, 2007, and a British bank was being bailed out. Who knew what would be happening financially a year later.

Squash, Corn and Coconut Soup

Posted on October 8, 2008 by MartaOctober 8, 2008

Squash, Corn and Coconut Soup

Last weekend we went for a hike up at Washington Pass which crosses through the North Cascades National Park. It is one of the higher passes here in Washington State at over 5,000 ft. We were searching for larches, beautiful deciduous conifer trees whose needs turn golden at this time of the year. We found them but we also found snow flurries. The pass was dusted with a light coating of snow.

Tonight’s forecast is for more cold. The snow level is to drop to 2,500 ft. It seems early to me – it isn’t even mid-October. We checked our records for last year and the first frost was not until October 26th. It may be earlier this year.

We picked up some late harvest corn. I had also bought a butternut squash. I was originally going to make phyllo squash turnovers. I was looking at Epicurious to get an idea of what to do with 10 ears of corn and came across a recipe using both squash and corn.

Their version suggested using either calabaza or kabocha squash but the reviews said it worked well with butternut.

It was very easy to make. Cutting up the squash was the most challenging. It was so delicious – rich, creamy and Asian from the coconut milk. This one is a winner.

Butternut Squash, Corn and Coconut Soup
Based up recipe from Gourmet

For Soup
2 TBS olive oil
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro stems
2 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 (~2 1/4lb) butternut squash, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
4 cups water
1 1/4 cups well-stirred canned unsweetened coconut mil (12oz)
3 ears of corn (fresh or thawed frozen), kernals cut off and reserved and cobs cut halved crosswise
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne

For Corn Relish
2 Tbs fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp salt
pinch of sugar
2 Tbs olive oil
2 cups corn kernel from above
2 TBS coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 TBS finally chopped shallot

Soup:

Heat oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot over moderately heat, then sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften and edges are browned, about 4 minutes. Add cilantro stems and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Add squash pieces and cook, stirring frequently, 3 minutes. Stir in water, coconut milk, corn cobs, salt, and cayenne and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until squash is very tender, about 15 minutes. (It took about 20-30 minutes at a low simmer for the squash to cook)

Prepare corn relish while soup simmers:

Whisk together lime juice, salt, and sugar in a bowl, then add oil and whisk until combined.

Cook corn kernels in a saucepan of boiling salted water until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain in a sieve, then rinse under cold water to stop cooking. Drain well, then transfer to dressing along with cilantro and shallot and toss well to coat

Finish soup:
Discard corn cobs, then purée soup in batches in a blender (use caution when blending hot liquids) until smooth, transferring to a 2-quart measure.

Divide soup among bowls and gently stir 1/4 cup corn relish into each.

PhotoHunt: Sad

Posted on October 4, 2008 by MartaNovember 2, 2014

Sheep carcass in a farmer’s field near Nieuwoudtville in South Africa

This week’s Photohunt theme is sad. I remember when we came across this carcass. We were in Nieuwoudtville in the Western Cape region of South Africa. We were there for the Spring wildflower bloom. The Bokkeveld Plateau where it is located is rich in bulbs and veld wildflowers.

There was a hot dry desiccating wind blowing. We had finish a wonderful tour given by conservationist and farmer Neil MacGregor. He gave us directions to a farmer’s field that was still in bloom.

Our car bumped along the red dry dirt. The field before us was covered in yellow and orange blooms richly contrasting against the red soil. We stopped and started to walk among the flowers. Shortly we came across this carcass of a new born lamb. It was so bittersweet and sad. Here among the beautiful flowering spring flowers was evidence of death and the circle of life. Rebirth and death in the Spring. The lamb was left where it died to give back to the earth.

Some people may find this photo startling but we found it very interesting and life affirming.

Here are two more photos of the field

Back from Kauai

Posted on October 2, 2008 by MartaNovember 2, 2014

I can still hear the soft hush of the waves and the rustling of the palm leaves. A soft breeze blows across my shoulders and I can smell the sweet scent of plumeria. I’ve just returned from 5 short days in Kauai.

I’m still in contact with several friends from high school. This period of my life was tough. So much was new and different. You are torn by changes in your body and changes in your emotions when you are a teenager. There are so many challenges. Through this time, I made several lifetime bonds with 4 girl friends.

We got together in 1997 for a ‘Fem-Fest’ and again after our 30th high school reunion. Two of my friends stayed in the central Valley of California. My friend R and I have moved farther away – me to the Pacific Northwest and she to Virginia.

I first met her when we were 13. We were in junior high school and we shared several classes. I remember going to her father’s grocery store to see her after she returned from the Philippines. She was so sweet and brought me a lovely handkerchief that was locally embroidered. We partied together through high school and piled into her father’s station wagon to go to the drive-in. We spent the first year of college together at the local junior college. She married and moved away. Her husband and G were best friends in high school. They actually got G and I together by asking us to ‘double-date’ with them a couple of times. Yes, our first dates were double dates with R and her husband. G was the best man at their wedding and I was a bride’s maid. Later, she finished her college at my alma mater – UC Berkeley and even lived on the same street I did while I was in college.

Over the years R and I have communicated through letters and email. Sometimes we went for long periods between touching bases. It was always amazing to reconnect and just pick up.

She phoned me for my birthday in July and I told her I wasn’t working. We talked about what was happening in each others lives and she mentioned she was going to Kauai for work at the end of September and was going to stay on for a few days. Her husband and sister couldn’t join her, was not working – would I be interested in joining her? For sure.

I arrived last Friday night and joined her at the hotel. We spent the next 5 days exploring, shopping and reminiscing. Our common background and bond provided the security to relax. We explored Koloa and then returned to Lihue to attend a local hula contest – Mokihana Festival. It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon. Sunday we drove north and caught a slack key guitar concert in Hanalei and a good dinner at the Dolphin Cafe at Hanelai. Of course we got in some good shopping at Ola’s Gallery.

Monday, we headed to Waimea Canyon. We thought we might go hiking but the sign for Hanapepe – the “Biggest small town in Kauai” seduced us. We turned off and spent an enjoyable morning exploring the art galleries and shops. We lunched at the Hanapepe Cafe before finally heading to the canyon. The canyon was as lovely as I remembered. But the clouds had thickened and by time we made it to Koke’e, the rain was falling. We stopped and checked out the small museum and enjoyed seeing the chicken families before heading back.

Tuesday was the big adventure day. We had reservations for a 7:00 zip-line adventure at Princeville Ranch Adventures. We got our helmets and harnesses. I was nervous. I’ve been afraid of heights at times but I was pretty certain I was prepared for the heights. I think my biggest fear was landing. My knees are not in the best of shape and I didn’t know how difficult (or fast) the landings would be.

We headed out and did our first zip on the ‘bunny slope’. What a rush. I was hooked and ready for more. We did 7 more over the creeks and treetops before we hiked down to a swimming hole fed by a bubbling water fall. We jumped in and floated around on inner tubes before eating lunch. We hiked back up and did one more zip before returning. I highly recommend it.

We were done by 11 and headed to Hanalei for shaved ice and more shopping. We returned to the hotel to shower and relax before heading off for some local island dinner – saimin. It is a soup similar to ramin or pho. The best place to have it on Kaua’i is Hamura’s Saimin. We took our seats around the counter and ordered. I had the special and R had the traditional. The special had bok choy, sliced pork, hard boiled egg and fish cake. It was so tasty We also had a couple of chicken skewers. For desert, I couldn’t resist the Liliko’i chiffon pie. My god was the crust so flaky. It was the best crust I’ve had in ages. The flavor wasn’t really strong but it was tart and sweet. The perfect finish to a salty warm meal.

Wednesday morning, we headed for our massage on the beach and then breakfast. We headed off to explore Poipu and make our final purchases. It was time to pack. I dropped off R and her co-workers at the airport and returned to the hotel for a final swim before heading for my flight. Too short. I want to return – soon.

Here are some pictures.

Beach at Marriott Kauai

I loved the pool.

Boats on the beach at Kalapaki Bay

Shoe shot at Kalapaki Bay

More pictures here…

Continue reading →

PhotoHunt: Road

Posted on September 20, 2008 by MartaDecember 26, 2014

Road through Namib Desert in Namibia

It never fails. Everytime we go on a trip, we end up on some type of dirt road. White roads of Italy, Forest roads of Washington state, gravel roads through the bush of Australia, single roads in the backroads of New Zealand.

Namibia had the largest percentage of dirt or gravel roads. Only 10% of the roads are paved. Traveling between the major sites, no problem but if you want to go to the dunes or around Etosha, you will need to be able to drive on gravel. They are in excellent condition. I normally drive around 20-30 miles an hour here in the state but once you get used to the driving in Namibia and you have a long open stretch like above – 50 miles hour is nothing.

The longest drive we had was across the Namib Naukluft Park between Swakopmund and Sersriem. Of course we had to stop along the way to check out one of the strangest plants in the world – the Welwitschia.

Here are some other photos of our drive through the Namib desert.

Our trusty Toyota Corolla

Which way to the Welwitschia?

Welwitschia Plains

Yes, they are that ugly.

Crossing the Tropic of Capricorn on the way from Swakopmund to Sersriem.

La Fin de L’Été

Posted on September 16, 2008 by MartaSeptember 16, 2008

There is a chill in the mornings. A mist coats the windows. The shadows are long and the rays are golden. The days continue to be warm and sunny lulling me into thinking summer will not end but I know the end is coming.

To take advantage of these last days of summer, we have been going down to our local beach to watch the sun set. You can tell that a change is coming. Last week the blue would linger in the sky tinted with golden. But tonight there were a few clouds and everything turned golden and pink. We took dinner tonight. I made a salade niçoise using green beans and tomatoes from our garden. The beach was surprising busy. A lot of families were out along with groups of friends and couple who had similar idea of having dinner at the beach.

After dinner, we sat along the waves and watched the sun slip behind the Olympics . I’m not ready for the rain.

We are leaving to California for a couple of days. My beau-père is having a milestone birthday and we’re going down to help celebrate. There will be mariachi and lots of family.

Here are some more sunset shots. These were taken from Marine Park in Edmonds.