Kitchen Culinaire

Julie Marr's blog, Kitchen Culinaire, is a gastronomic tour de force when it comes to sharing, styling, and photographing the season's best.  I first came across her beautiful photography through instagram, and quickly became a follower and fan of her work.  For me, good food blogging has always been about style, context and composition.  Kitchen Culinaire exhibits these so effortlessly, and what's more, Julie's website is organized with a good layout. A well-organized blog is something I truly appreciate, because it's what compels me to come back time and time again for inspiration.

When you go through the singular, inimitable style that is Julie's, you too will connect with what she is teaching us at any given moment and be inspired to create your own plat du jour in the kitchen.  Whether she is throwing a dinner party or is teaching a cooking class at home in Vancouver, Canada, for chef Julie, it's all about making the connection between what is on the plate, how it got there, and her guests.

Isn't this why so many of us who are passionate about cooking and baking, as well as entertaining write a blog?  That we want to share the best of the very best with those that mean the most to us is one of the main reasons why we blog and it is no different for chef Julie.

Julie mentioned to me that she was currently in the process of taking her yearly tour of Italy and France (she's already arrived), where she visits, learns, and in turn, shares her gustatory delights with readers.  

While visiting Messors in Puglia, Italy, she will volunteer for their Masseria La Selva culinary tour.  Messors hosts a variety of workshops for art restoration and preservation, as well as culinary, shepherding and writing.  It isn't too difficult to wonder why this area is special and why those who are lucky enough to experience a Messors workshop come back.  I can't wait to see what Julie will be sharing with us in the coming weeks and months.  The photos above, were taken last year during her stay there.

France is also on the agenda for Julie, and I, for one, am eagerly anticipating what she has to share during that particular visit.  For the seared duck breast main course and apricot tart dessert recipes, visit her website.

Kitchen Culinaire Recipes (Index)

This is the index that awaits you when you click on the recipes tab.  I love the visual contrasts in color, the long list of recipes divided by seasons and courses.  It's simply beautiful!  The list of recipes I want to try is rather long and when I do find some time or when the mood strikes me, I will simply don an apron and get to work.

In the meantime, I thought I would devise a menu of my choice from what Julie has already shown on her website.  This small list of courses reflects what I like to eat and why.  Bookmark them or come up with your own menu and throw a dinner party or an impromptu get together with friends and family!

My Menu a la Kitchen Culinaire

Crab Cakes with Remoulade Sauce

I love crab cakes when I can get them ultra fresh and properly done.  I don't like my cakes to have too many ingredients, because I crave the sweet, tender flavor of jumbo lump crabmeat.  Serve them with a dollop of remoulade, and I guarantee that these will disappear the moment they hit the platter.  

Corn Chowder with Bacon, Red Pepper and Thyme

This corn chowder sounds utterly mouthwatering, with bits of bacon, fresh thyme, potatoes and some heavy cream to thicken.  Corn in any form is welcomed on my dining table when I can get it straight from the farmers market.  If it comes from the nearby Lancaster County Amish farms here in Pennsylvania, then it's on the menu at chez moi.

Lemony Risotto with Seared Scallops and Truffle Oil

Scallops may be my favorite type of seafood for a main course.  Diver scallops from New England seared to caramelize the surface, served atop a flavorful lemon risotto cooked to perfection is a delicious main course.  Serve a rosé with it this summer.

Zucchini Ribbon Salad with Nicoise Olives, Mint and Ricotta Salata

You'll think it odd of me, but we prefer to eat our salads after we've had the main course.  It's something I've been doing since I lived in New York back in the '90s.  I find it a nice way to end a meal, but of course, feel free to serve this zucchini ribbon salad before the main course.  The ricotta salata and the nicoise olives are perfect salty accents to the sweetness of the zucchini.  Tasty!

Mini Pavlovas with Summer Garden Fruit

Pavlovas served with juicy summer berries are exquisite and not difficult to make.  There is no guilt here when eating one or two of them.

Blood Orange Sorbet with a Cardamom Scented Citrus Salad

Although this sorbet is made with blood oranges which are not in season during summer, Julie says we can substitute other citrus fruits in their place.  If you give the option of two desserts at your dinner party, your guests will feel ultra special.  Making pavlovas and sorbets don't take up too much time in the kitchen and any leftovers can be enjoyed the following day.

Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies with Toasted Almonds

Seeing this stack of chocolate chip cookies put a smile on my face because they are my favorite cookie.  Good enough for the cookie jar, these tasty treats make excellent favors to give to your guests at the end of the meal to take home. The nice thing about these cookies is that they don't take up too much time preparing and baking.  In fact, you can prepare them a day or two ahead of your dinner party.  Follow Julie's easy step-by-step instructions.  

I hope this small introduction to Kitchen Culinaire prompts you to visit the website soon.  There is so much to discover and learn from Julie Marr, whether it be a recipe, a wonderfully styled photograph or from taking one of her classes.  If you're fortunate enough to take a Messors culinary tour in Italy and/or France, then so much the better!

Thank you, Julie, for your inspiration, your vision and for giving us a small glimpse into your culinary world.  

Woodland Bird Cookies

Being surrounded by woodland birds here at home, I can't help but admire the seemingly endless variety that make this area their dwelling.  With a beautiful set of American made copper cookie cutters that I recently added to my collection (more on that later), I baked and decorated a medley of adorable cookies as surprises for a few individuals.  Some of the cookies are whimsical, while others look rather much like what I see outside my windows.  Sweet, delicious and colorful, these Woodland Bird Cookies are bound to attract a lot of attention.    

It's always a wise thing to keep a cookie or two after a cookie decorating project so that I can have a sweet nibble with my afternoon tea.  Bakers should always check to see if their product is up to snuff!

Ingredients for this baking project include

• Chocolate Cookie Cutouts (baked & cooled)
• Royal Icing (tinted in pastel colors)
• Green nonpareils
• Heart Candies
• Disposable Pastry Bags or Squeeze Bottles
• Piping Tips #1, #2 & #3

Bluebird and Dove shapes decorated with pastel colors are so much fun to make.  I think these are nice for any type of celebration, be it a birthday, baby shower or wedding.  Pick colors according to theme or preference and then ice away.  There is nothing difficult about decorating these little creatures.

Cardinals and Hummingbirds are naturals in any woodland setting.  Again, you can choose whatever colors you want, but if you want to make them a bit on the realistic side, tint royal icing dark reds and greens for these feathered individuals.

Cardinal Cookies

• Outline and flood the body, minus the face and beak, in red royal icing. 
• Outline and flood the cardinal's face in black royal icing.
• Pipe a yellow beak, and add a white eye.  Let the cookie dry.
• Outline the body and wing with red royal icing using a #1 piping tip.
• If you wish, you can delineate the belly with more royal icing (outlined and flooded), then sprinkle with red nonpareils until it's covered;  let this dry and shake off excess nonpareils.

Pastel-Colored Bluebirds

• Outline and flood the body of each bird in your choice of pastel-colored royal icing; let dry.
• Outline and flood the leg area with white royal icing; let dry.
• Pipe a bead of icing around the body of the bird with a #1 piping tip.
• Using the colors of your choice, pipe small daisy flowers for wings, add a dot for an eye and pipe "lollipop legs"
• Lollipop legs: a simple line of royal icing with dots for feet.
• Voila! 

Dove Cookies

• Outline and flood the base in white royal icing and apply a heart candy on the dove's chest. Let dry
• Pipe scrolled feathers and add dots in a pastel-colored shade of royal icing with a #2 piping tip.  Add a dot for an eye.
• Finish the cookie by tracing the outline of the head and chest of the dove in the same color of royal icing as the feathers.  Let the cookies dry

Hummingbird Cookie

• A.  Outline and flood the head and back of the hummingbird in a light leaf-green royal icing.
• B.  While the icing is wet, flock the body in green nonpareils.  Let dry and shake off excess nonpareils.
• C.  Section the belly of the hummingbird in red and white royal icing.  Drag the icings into one another to create a variegated pattern.
• D.  Outline and flood the beak and feathers of the hummingbird in a mint-green royal icing.  For the wave pattern, add leaf green stripes on the base of the wings while the icing is wet.  Working quickly, drag a toothpick through the stripes to create the pattern.  Let dry.
• E.  Once the cookie is dry, add a dot for an eye and trace the outline of the wings in a mint green royal icing using a #1 piping tip.

Hummingbird II

This hummingbird isn't flocked with nonpareils (top left).  It is left plain, but is given an outline of royal icing on the back of its body and scrolls for tail feathers.  Dots may or may not be piped on the wings.

Woodland Bird Cookies, Green Tea and Fire King Jadeite.

Bake and decorate Woodland Bird Cookies for the nature enthusiast in your life.  They're a nice way to bring a bit of cheer to a bird-themed celebration.  I think they're also a good way to introduce a bit of ornithology to the young members of your household if you make them very true to form.  Whatever the reason for making these bird cookies, make sure you make them sweet, delicious and thoroughly fun for everyone.  Don't forget to save one or two for yourself!  

Happy Baking,

David

Fox Kits & Mom

Watching the fox kits and their mother relaxing on our lawn is truly remarkable.  Over the course of this past week or so, the babies have been rambunctious, hilarious and really adorable.  I love how they emerge from behind the forsythia one at a time, and begin their playtime activities with one another.  At times they even manage to get their mother to play along, but most often, mom sits upright with her ears perked and her eyes watchful of any intruders.  She is a good mother who fiercely guards her kits.

It's amazing how tan-colored, bordering on the brown, the babies are at this stage of their life.  In a few months their coats will take on the familiar red tones of their mother.  

I would venture to say that the kits are no more than two months old, but I could be wrong.  Even so, at this age, they are already showing the common traits of little hunters.  The babies stalk and pounce on one another, only to end up biting each other as they roll around on the lawn.  It's almost too hilarious to watch!

This little baby clearly sees something on the lawn.  I have to say that their behavior reminds me so much of a cross between a puppy and a cat.

Mom is grooming herself.

This is the mother who is always nearby.  She is never far from her litter.

Mother fox cleaning her baby.

Look at how lovingly mom grooms her babies.  The little one rolled onto its back is having its chin nibbled on by mom, while the other one crawls all over her.

This short video is a real treat.  I took it from one of the upstairs bedrooms (forgive me for the background music).  The babies are a riot!

Four of the five fox kits.

There are a total of 5 kits in the den near our house, with two female foxes who take turns watching over them.  From what we've observed, the pack seems to consist of the two females, one male and the 5 kits.  Every year we think we won't see anymore foxes, but sure enough, they manage to make a home and have a litter or two on the hill next to our house.  Believe me, I feel very fortunate to be a witness to this little bit of nature.

National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

It's National Chocolate Chip Cookie today, so I thought I would bake a batch of my all-time favorite and bestselling cookie.  For me, it's chocolate chip cookie day whenever the craving strikes and in order to satisfy that hunger, I turn to my favorite recipe.  

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Happy Baking!!

Layers in the Woodland

Here in Pennsylvania, May is all about flowering dogwoods, crabapple trees, viburnum shrubs and even some Cercis siliquastrum (Judas trees).  It's as if the cherry blossoms and beautiful magnolias bow out gracefully, giving these other beauties the chance to take center stage for us to admire.  I'm not reticent about the love that I have for the numerous trees which surround our home.  

It is the layers of the woodland, however, during the warmer months that deserve to be noted for what they are.  I have been wanting to share with you the various noteworthy layers which are crucial to any property, big or small, and I've even included two short videos taken while on my walk around the meadow for you to see what I'm talking about.  Layers in the woodland have several benefits in promoting biodiversity for plants and animals.  The more 'structures' one provides near and around one's home, the more flora and fauna it can sustain throughout the seasons.

The Woodland Layers

The deciduous trees in our woodland far outnumber the coniferous specimens, but both are equally important.  If we observe closely, from day to day, we'll note that during the months of April and May, the layers, from ground to canopy level, fill in very rapidly.  The only thing to complain about is the amount of pollen that gets dropped.

Let's explore the ground layer, shrub layer, sub canopy layer and canopy layer around my home.   

Ground Layer

The ground layer consists of many crucial plants and vegetation.  Thick grass, moss, herbs, plants and flowers play a vital role in our woodland.  The hundreds of bees and butterflies that forage our herbs, wildflowers and perennials need these in order to exist.  They in turn pollinate countless other flora.  Many other invertebrates use these low-lying areas for their day-to-day existence, which then get consumed by countless woodland birds, such as bluejays, robins, crows, mourning doves, cardinals, woodpeckers, finches and wrens.  

I'm standing at the bottom of the hill, right on our driveway, looking up toward the meadow.  This is one of my favorite spots to take notice of what's going on around us.  Besides the humming of those busy bumblebees, I love to hear the cheerful chirping of the robins and the distinct calls of woodpeckers.

A freshly mown meadow gives you a clear picture of the various woodland layers.  Those large deciduous trees on the horizon, wind their way around the field.  Let me assure you, they are quite majestic to behold up close.

The meadow is dotted with clusters of wildflowers which range in color, from whites and yellows, to light mauves and pinks.

This short video is really meant to be listened to.  There is quite a lot happening here.  Do you hear the crickets?

Let's not forget the herbs and beautiful ostrich ferns which thrive enthusiastically.  The flowering herbs (I do let them flower) are very popular with the bees and butterflies.  Nothing gives me greater pleasure than watching them buzz from flower to flower when the weather gets warmer.

The proliferating ostrich ferns provide a lot of shelter to smaller animals, such as woodchucks, squirrels, chipmunks and foxes.  

At the moment, we have a fox with her kits taking refuge behind a hill of ferns and forsythia.  We've spotted them on the lawn next to our house (photo above taken on Mother's Day), so it's only a matter of time before they become bolder and venture out beyond the surrounding acres.

Shrub Layer

Shrub layers provide a number of benefits to the woodland and one's property. Not only do they serve as windbreaks and barriers for privacy, but they also have the added advantage of providing shelter and food to the wildlife (look at the fawn standing next to those raspberry shrubs).  Some of our favorite shrubs here at home include: rhododendron, viburnum, azaleas, forsythia, holly, and of course, raspberry.

You know it's May when the azaleas are in full bloom.  They seem to punctuate the landscape with glorious colors this time of year, and they aren't shy to show just how beautiful they are.

Every single year I harvest some raspberries for our consumption and am thrilled at their tart, full-flavored juiciness.  More often than not, we eat them as is, but if I'm feeling especially decadent, then I add them to tarts and other desserts.  I never tire of these berries and neither do the wildlife!

Looking down our driveway, you can see the various woodland layers.  We have a lot of shrubs that line this steep path, and yet, the dense canopy of trees provide most of the shade here.  Even on very hot days, this area stays cool.  This photo was taken in the thick of summer. 

Sub Canopy Layer

It is the sub canopy layer that really garners so much attention during the months of April and May.  The crabapples have been glorious!  So fragrant, infinitely beautiful and very colorful, it's nice walking up to one.

Dogwoods are among my favorite trees.  You can always count on their flower show in May.  Although we have mostly white dogwoods here, I noticed a few pink and coral-colored ones in a wooded area behind the barn.

Canopy Layer

The canopy layer is perhaps the most important layer for any woodland, property or area.  These tall trees are useful in so many ways by providing shade and thus lowering surrounding temperatures, supplying oxygen, removing greenhouse gases and smog, protecting structures from high wind, reducing noise pollution and minimizing flooding.  If that weren't enough, the trees are home to a number of wildlife.  It's good to have large trees on one's property.

Our trees include:

• Eastern Hemlock
• Eastern White Pine
• Pitch Pine
• Black Ash
• Catalpa
• Flowering Dogwood
• Norway Maple
• Silver Maple
• American Beech
• American Chestnut
• American Linden
• Black Locust
• Black Walnut
• Black Oak
• Magnolia
• Sycamore
• Tulip Tree
• White Oak
• Yellow Birch

Over the course of the past 5-6 years, bare areas of land have slowly but surely been replanted with native trees in an effort to benefit the landscape.  It's been very successful as you can see from the photo above.  I can only imagine what this will look like in another 5 years.

Standing at the western end of the meadow, you can hear how much activity there is on this particular afternoon.  

Note: If your speakers are on high, I suggest you lower them a bit, because of the birds.  They can be loud!

Layers in the Woodland

Improving one's landscape by planting trees, shrubs, flowers, herbs or reseeding lawns is always a wise thing to do.  Knowing how each of these layers works and recognizing the importance of biodiversity will help guide your choices when planting.  As stewards of the land which surrounds us, how we treat our woodlands, properties and landscapes today, will have a tremendous impact on what we leave behind for generations to come.

Happy Mother's Day!

To all mothers, past or present, who have done the courageous job of raising children by giving them love, encouragement and sage advice, a very Happy Mother's Day to you!  

To my very own mother, I love and cherish you more than words can say.  

Happy Mother’s Day! 

Patchwork Rose Quilt Cookies

Patchwork Rose Quilt Cookies make wonderful gifts for any mother this Mother's Day.  Many moms adore roses in any form, so for all of the fantastic mothers out there who like roses just as much as my mother does, bake and decorate a few marvelous sugar cookies to make her feel extra special this holiday.  The homespun quality of these "patchwork" cookies will have you wanting to create them for other occasions besides Mother's Day.  Think weddings, birthday parties, art gallery receptions or bake sales and tag sales. Arrange them on a dessert buffet in a patchwork pattern for an eye catching presentation.

What I love about the Rose Quilt Cookies is the simple color scheme.  You can, of course, pick and choose the colors for your roses according to taste.  The idea is to create custom, one-of-a-kind patchwork cookies that will charm the recipient.  Another good thing about these little sweet edibles is that they are a cinch to make.

Let me show you how!

Ingredients & Tools

• Sugar Cookies
• Royal Icing
• Scalloped Square 3" cookie cutter
• Gel Paste Food Colors: red-red, pink, leaf green, burgundy
• Piping Tips #2, #3, open star #13, leaf-tip #65
• Piping Bags, Squeeze Bottles, adapters & couplers

Note-- you will need: stiff royal icing to pipe rosettes and leaves; flooding-consistency royal icing to flood white bases and for dot accents around the bases. 

The first order of business is to flood the bases of your square, baked cutout sugar cookies with plain white royal icing.  Let the icing dry completely before proceeding in order to minimize color bleeding.

Rosette Technique:

A.  With the #13 open star tip, begin piping stiff royal icing in light pink, red or pale burgundy into rosettes.  Holding the piping at almost a 90 degree angle, pipe icing with gentle pressure, and lift the bag.
B.  While still piping, immediately begin to move the icing up and over in a circular motion.
C.  Continue to pipe a circle around the middle, working outward.
D.  Stop the pressure and release the icing.

Continue piping rosettes in one color, leaving gaps between each rosette.  You will go back and fill those spaces in.

You will immediately notice those little end peaks on your rosettes, which should be corrected.  Using a toothpick or an icing pick, gently push the peaks back into the icing.  Done!

If you're unsure of your piping technique, use a small plate to practice on before doing it on the cookies.  Believe me, these are worry-free and completely forgiving when it comes to technique.

With a different color, pipe more rosettes to fill in the gaps.  You can pipe them wherever you see fit.  Remember, this is homespun "patchwork" so perfection is not what we're after.  

Using the leaf tip #65, pipe small leaves here and there to make a pretty bouquet.

Patchwork Borders:

A.  Pipe dots on each corner of the flooded base, making sure that the dots adhere to the ends.  Find the midpoint of each side and pipe another dot.
B.  Pipe another dot midway between each gap.
C.  Again, pipe another dot between each gap.  You can see that what we're doing here is making sure each side is even.
D.  You can leave the borders like this, or you can pipe a contrasting color to fill in the gaps even more.  This gives nice visual contrast to the cookies.

Done!

Let the icings dry before packaging them up in clear cellophane bags or arranging them in a "patchwork pattern" on platters.

How simple was this?  I guarantee that you will love making a set of these cookies because of the joy they will bring to the mother(s) in your life.  Again, think outside the box and make them for any special occasion that requires some flowers.  Choose your favorite colors and pipe away those tiny rosettes with ease.  It's the kind of cookie design that you will want to make time and time again.  

Have fun baking and decorating!