{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. 

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Hotel Feature - Le Chaufourg

Le Chaufourg

en Périgord,  Dordogne

In the heart of the Périgord, overlooking the Isle river is the 17th Century manor house photographer Georges Dambier converted to a romantic hotel in the late 80's. 

. . . . .

Georges Dambier was 20 when the Second World War came to an end, a moment when the social scene in Paris suddenly took off. Nightlife, subdued during the Occupation, exploded. Le Bœuf sur le toit, Le Lido, la Rose Rouge, Le Lorientais, Le Tabou : he frequented cabarets and jazz clubs in Saint Germain des Prés, where famous artists and celebrities organised glittering parties and balls. One night, he managed to take pictures of Rita Hayworth who had come incognito to a famous night club, Le Jimmy’s. He sold the exclusive images to France Dimanche, a daily magazine recently created by Max Corre and Pierre Lazareff, and won himself a job on the magazine as a photo-reporter. In his new post, he was sent to all over the world to cover current events. However, with his predilection for graphic design and aesthetics, his liking for refined mise-en-scene, and at the urging of many friends, such as Capucine, Suzy Parker, Jacques Fath, Bettina, Brigitte Bardot, Jean Barthet, he was led towards fashion photography.   -excerpt from Georges Dambier website, continued [here]

Georges Dambier Photography

Fashion model and actress, "Capucine"
photograph by Georges Dambier for ELLE 1953

Images from:  Chaufourg website and 

The Hotel Book, Great Escapes Europe

linenandlavender.blogspot.com

update 2012:  La Chaufourg now closed.

see our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com