A feast for the eyes...

no. 01

Rosemary Honey Cheese with figs

I came across this image today, having saved it some time ago to my inspiration file. I find I'm always drawn to images of figs. —(They're so photogenic.)

The recipe sounds like something I'd like too.  

I wonder if I'll ever get around to making it? 

For now, I'm completely satisfied feasting on this beautiful composition by Susan Powers: See more images and the recipe on her website:  
Rawmazing.com—Rosemary Honey Cheese with Figs and Balsamic Reduction

Speaking of figs, you might also like

           these previous posts:

{ linen & lavender - origin of a name }

{ I Dolci }

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{ Goat Cheese with Honey and a Platter of Figs }

{ Around the World - Our Latest Discovery }

Can't wait for fig season?  Click {here} for the article that asks the question: 

 "Should figs go the way of apples and become a year-round fruit?"    —What's your opinion?

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linenandlavender.blogspot.com

see our new site:
www.linenlavenderlife.com

{Around the World} - Our latest discovery...

These gorgeous images are from Pratos e Travessas - "food, photography and stories" by the multi-talented, Mónica Pinto. 

Based in Portugal, Mónica is the most recent addition to our 

~Around the World~ list, 

our ever-expanding collection of  amazingly creative people from all over the planet.  

"I work in a studio in my house.  An independent room facing the garden and a very personal world filled with props and all sorts of things that inspire me and that are important for the development of my work...

...Loose pieces that come together taking account of textures, colors and shapes, to create the perfect food photo.  A food photo that tells a story and evokes emotions in the beholder." —Mónica Pinto

Visit Mónica for more beautiful photography plus her 

fig jam recipe I can't wait to try.

all images (photography and styling) by Mónica Pinto, her blog:
Pratos e Travessas - Portugal

linen & lavender

"My first source of inspiration is the food I grew up with.  Real food, satisfying and comforting.  There are several roots that sustain my kitchen and the portuguese one is undoubtedly the strongest of all.  So strong that it made me venture to recreate a true monument of eggs and sugar, the Fidalgo.  After that comes everything else.  My husband and my boys, the country, inspiring books, beautiful magazines, my kitchen garden.  And mainly the urge to eat!"  

—Mónica Pinto, Pratos e Travessas - Portugal

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I Dolci

Fichi Canditi (Candied Figs) an ancient recipe, Grosseto

Caffé in Forchetta (Coffee on a Fork) Lucca

Cookbooks by

Lorenza de'Medici:

TUSCANY The Beautiful Cookbook

(image 1 and 2, photographer Peter Johnson)

ITALY The Beautiful Cookbook

(image 3, photographer Mike Hallson)

ALSO BY Lorenza de'Medici:

MEDITERRANEAN The Beautiful Cookbook

ITALY TODAY The Beautiful Cookbook

The Heritage of Italian Cooking

A Passion for Vegetables

I love the inspiring images in these cookbooks!  

I've owned the first two for years and just recently ordered  

A PASSION FOR FRUIT 

featuring the amazing still life images of  photographer Mike Newton:

Inspired by the exquisite paintings of the 17th century Florentine artist Giovanna Garzoni, Mike Newton's color-drenched photographs bring to life the beauty of luscious, sun-ripened fruit.  To complement these images, celebrated Italian cook Lorenza de'Medici offers an elegant narrative and 100 Tuscan-inspired recipes.  Among the delicious main dishes are Pork Loin with Apricots, Duck Breasts with Cherry Sauce and Fig and Tuna Skewers, and to end the meal, there are plenty of enticing desserts, including Chocolate Peach Tart and Strawberry Tiramisu.  It is a book to inspire cooks, art lovers, and gardeners alike. –excerpt from the publisher.

view more from A Passion for Fruit:  {HERE}

Purchase:  A Passion for Fruit:  {HERE}

See all Lorenza de'Medici titles mentioned here in 

the emporium

Recipe:  Fichi Canditi (Candied Figs)

1/3 cup granulated sugar

18 fresh figs, peeled

grated zest of 1 lemon

2 Tablespoons honey

few drops of almond oil

Preheat an oven to 350° (180°C)

Sprinkle half of the sugar in the bottom of a baking pan and arrange the figs in the pan side by side.  

Sprinkle the figs with the remaining sugar and the lemon zest.  

Drizzle with the honey.

Bake the figs until the sugar caramelizes and is pales gold, about 30 minutes.

Remove the pan from the oven.

Brush a serving dish with the almond oil.  With a spatula, remove the figs to the dish.

Serve cold.

Recipe:  Caffé in Forchetta (Coffee on a Fork)

1 Tablespoon almond oil

4 eggs

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 3/4 cups milk

1/4 cup strong brewed coffee

Preheat an oven to 350° (180° C)

Brush a 9 inch square cake pan with the almond oil.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and sugar until well blended and thick.

Gradually whisk in the milk and coffee.

Pour the egg mixture into the prepared pan.  

Place the pan in a baking dish.  

Pour the water into the dish to a depth of 1 inch.  

Bake the pudding for 20 minutes.  

Cover the pan with aluminum foil and continue baking until the custard is set, about 40 minutes longer.

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack.

Run a thin, sharp knife blade around the pan edges and invert the custard onto a platter.

Serve warm. 

linenandlavender.blogspot.com

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

Josephine Ryan

The unpretentious and thoroughly

engaging design style of Josephine Ryan.

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via Josephine Ryan Antiques:

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More Josephine Ryan in this previous post: 
French Home and Essentially French 

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Discover Josephine's latest book:  Essentially Irish

Antiques dealer and stylist Josephine Ryan offers a privileged glimpse into a fascinating array of private Irish homes.  Their decorative styles may differ, but each home demonstrates the qualities that have made Irish interiors admired the world over- a rich color palette, an affinity with the landscape, an appreciation of the patina of the antique, and a passion for the work created by a rich tradition of artists and craftsmen. -excerpt from the publisher.

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image 2 via:  French Home by Josephine Ryan, Photography by Claire Richardson

image 10 via:  Côté Ouest Magazine, Josephine Ryan styling, photo by Claire Richardson 

images 15-22 via: Josephine Ryan website  

images 1 & 3-9, 11,12,19 & 23 via: Nuevo-Estilo

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