{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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Recipe: Peach Gelato

This is super easy to make and sooo fresh and delicious.  

visit our new site: 

www.linenlavenderlife.com/recipe-peach-gelato

It's just three ingredients -peaches, sugar and mascarpone- and a few easy steps.  

 Here's pics of Alex showing you how we did it:

We used both white and yellow peaches and peeled most but tried leaving the skin on a few -since most of the vitamins are found there- it not only looked pretty with the flecks throughout, it tasted great too. It is creamy like a fine gelato with the peach bits providing just the right texture.  

As indicated in the recipe, once you freeze it for a length of time it may become quite hard but you can just pulse it a couple of times in your food processor to return it to its original creamy consistency.

Peach Gelato 

The recipe is by the Sicilian chef, Ciccio Sultano from the book "How to Pick a Peach" by Russ Parsons.  The book (not just about peaches) contains 100 recipes and tips on selecting, storing and cooking fruits and vegetables.  

We hope you try it and love it too.  (We're so happy.)

linen & lavender

visit our new site: 

www.linenlavenderlife.com

At Home with May and Axel Vervoordt

Recipes for Every Season

by May Vervoordt with

Michael Gardner and Patrick Vermeulen

(beautiful!) photography by

Jean-Pierre Gabriel

..

(it)~ (es)

I pre-ordered and had my copy in-hand on the September 4th release day and I've enjoyed perusing its pages since. The recipes reflect May's penchant for healthy, balanced meals based on seasonal offerings and influenced by ayurvedic principles —(such as using herbs and spices not only to flavor but for digestive health and overall vitality.)  

Images from the Vervoordt estate – the castle of s'Gravenwezel, their chalet in Verbier and their apartment in Venice are interspersed with lovely quotes and accolades from well-known friends who have broken bread with May and Axel:

"May Vervoordt combines the simplest,most delicious food with natural, rustic tableware, and she does it all in the most elegant settings.  I'm thrilled that she's sharing her secrets so we can all bring a little of her style into our homes." —Ina Garten

"It's all good, it's all beautiful!  I would call it healthy cooking, seasonal cooking, light cooking – the sort of cooking that I love!  The vegetables, salads, and fruits are all fresh from the château's gardens."—Marielle Labèque

"May has been as creative with recipes as she has with her ability to conjure up an inspiring ambience around the table... When May prepares a table, the result is like a still-life painting... May believes that food is energy and has the power to make a person feel better, spiritually as well as physically.  The best food should not take a lot of time, as long as it is prepared in the right way. Cooking can be a great pleasure, and just as for a potter who sculpts clay, the skill is a craft and the creation is a work of art."

—Axel Vervoordt (excerpts from the foreword)

 The book contains over 100 recipes, here are just a few I can't wait to try:

• Zucchini Tartlets with Cumin
• Green Salad with Mango and Grilled Sweet Potato
• Pumpkin Risotto
• Shallots Roasted with Lemon, Thyme, and Sage
• Spinach and Tomato Quiche
• Lentil and Tomato Soup

Creamed Butternut Squash Bruschetta 
with Gingerroot and Hazelnut Crumble

• Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Winter Truffles
• Tomato, Buffalo Mozzarella, and Olive Mille-Feuille
• Salmon Sashimi with Soy Sauce and Sesame Seeds
• Arugula and  Green and Yellow Zucchini Salad
• Poached Apples with Turmeric and Blueberries
• Lemon Tartlets
• Molten Chocolate Cake with Almonds and Cranberries

.

.

.

Need I say more?(!)

images by Jean-Pierre Gabriel

linen & lavender

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

..

You might also like a new design book just out in some countries and
soon-to-be released in others:
  

 Interiors Atelier AM 

by Alexandra and Michael Misczynski 

introduction written 

by Axel Vervoordt

..

 (it)~ (es)

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

Flowers in Profusion - Tasha Tudor's Garden in June

"I don't make proper flower arrangements; mine just grow, like the garden."

—Tasha Tudor 

My Grandma H. introduced me to the magical world of Tasha Tudor.  She always admired her and it's easy to see why.   These gorgeous images by Robert Brown are from the book Tasha Tudor's Garden I've had in my library for a number of years and each time I open its pages I'm enchanted and inspired by her simply beautiful life.

                                                                               

linen & lavender home

in the emporium:

English Cottage Gardening

Text and Photographs by Margaret Hensel

Foreword by Tasha Tudor

A Child's Garden of Verses

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Illustrations by Tasha Tudor

The Private World of Tasha Tudor

by Robert Brown (photographer)

and Tasha Tudor

The Tasha Tudor Cookbook:  

Recipes and Reminiscences from Corgi Cottage

by Tasha Tudor

The Art of Tasha Tudor

by Harry Davis

Tasha Tudor's Garden

by Tovah Martin, photographed by Robert Brown

(all images this post from this book)

For a site devoted to all things Tasha Tudor,  
be sure to visit Natalie 
(Office Manager at Tasha Tudor and Family Inc.) 
at 
Rookery Ramblings

To go directly to information on touring 
Tasha Tudor's Cottage and Gardens, visit
Tasha Tudor and Family 

{Thank you Natalie for introducing yourself! ~L}

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

Recipe for a romantic evening...

Vianne's Spiced Hot Chocolate
     (serves 2)

• 1 2/3 cups milk
• 1/2 vanilla bean, cut in half lengthwise
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 1 hot red chile, halved and seeded
• 3 1/2 ounces bittersweet (70 percent) chocolate
• brown sugar to taste (optional)
• whipped cream, chocolate curls, cognac or Amaretto to serve

• Place the milk in a saucepan, add the vanilla bean, cinnamon stick and chile and gently bring it to a shivering simmer for 1 minute.
• Grate the chocolate and whisk it in until it melts.
• If you must, then add brown sugar, but do try without it.
• Take off the heat and allow it to infuse for 10 minutes,then remove the vanilla, cinnamon and chile.
• Return to the heat and bring gently back to a simmer.
• Serve in mugs topped with whipped cream, chocolate curls or a dash of cognac or Amaretto.

recipe page 237, My French Country Kitchen

click link below to view book:

My French Kitchen - A book of 120 Treasured Recipes 

by Joanne Harris (author of Chocolat) (us) - see other country links below)  Harris encourages cooks to engage all their senses when cooking -look at what you're cooking, smell the ingredients, mix them with your fingers, and enjoy their sounds and textures.  Cooking she reminds us, is about as close to magic as modern society allows:  to take a handful of simple, fresh ingredients and turn them into something wonderful, otherworldly.

The 120 recipes include French classics such as Onion Soup and Onion Tart, Coq au Vin, and Créme Brûlée, as well as family favorites like Anouchka's Chile Garlic Bread, Great-Aunt Simone's Marinated Tuna and Great-Aunt Marinette's Slow Fudge Sauce.  And, of course, there's an entire chapter devoted to chocolate -cakes, meringues, and spiced hot chocolate. -excerpt from the book's description, Amazon.

.

"Chocolat" movie still, Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche

music from this scene:  "Caravan"

(us) ~ (fr) ~ (uk) ~ (ca) ~ (de) ~ (it)~ (es)

Enjoy!

linenandlavender.blogspot.com

image 1, movie still by lb

image 2, movie still via IMDb

..

(us) ~ (fr) ~ (uk) ~ (ca) ~ (de) ~ (it)~ (es)   

..

(us) ~ (fr) ~ (uk) ~ (ca) ~ (de) ~ (it)~ (es)   

{Romantic and Peaceful Cottage Retreat by l&l Lifestyle.}

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

Give-Away extended to June 22!

{This giveaway is now over.  

Go here for the latest GIVEAWAY NEWS}

Dear Readers,

I promised a giveaway and then I had the chance to get-away for a little vacation and I jumped at the opportunity.  For those of you left hanging on the edge of your seats, I'm so sorry for the delay!  The good news is I've extended the deadline and I've come up with several easy ways you can increase your chances of winning. 

All FOLLOWERS are eligible for the drawing.  For more chances at winning, here's what you can do:

Between now and June 22nd:

1.  Make a comment on any post -past or present- and each time you do, your name will be added to the drawing. 

2.  If you leave your first name and your country with any comment, I'll put your name in TWICE for each comment containing this information.

Note:  Your first name and country will suffice--no need to leave any further comment unless you feel like it.   Just take the time to leave your  name and your country -on any as many posts as you like- and your name will go in the hat twice each time you do.  (Feel free to include your city if you like, but it's not necessary to be eligible.)

3.  Lastly, if you email me a favorite recipe I will add FIVE extra chances at winning.  (Be sure to include written permission for me to re-print and/or publish your recipe in a future post.) 

Submit here:  linen & lavender recipe submission

This is the opportunity to get your name in the drawing literally hundreds of times!   And what's at stake?

A $100 gift card

to shop in the emporium and select anything your heart desires!

Best of luck!

{This giveaway now closed.} 

visit our new site:

www.linenlavenderlife.com

 

image via:  Côté Ouest Oct-Nov 2005