As the weather cools off a bit I’ve got the “cooking bug” again!  I’m sharing one of my favorite menus with you for a light weekend dinner or lunch…or anytime you feel in the mood for comfort food!  I have been making this version of French Onion Soup for years and it is always a big hit!  It’s easy to make and so delicious, paired with a light salad, crusty bread and a full bodied Grenache wine.  I hope you’ll try it!

French Onion Soup

Salad of Mixed Greens with a Light Vinaigrette

Crusty French Bread

Berry Crisp

Grenache

French Onion Soup

2 tbsp. butter
2 large yellow onion finely minced

1 large purple onion finely minced

4 shallots finely minced

2 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and cubed

8 cups beef or chicken broth (I have made this with vegetable broth as well…yum!)

¼ cup Madeira wine

1 bay leaf

1 tsp.  Sage Leaves, ground

Sea Salt and Black Pepper to taste

8 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated

8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)

1 French baguette, sliced and toasted
Heat butter, add onions, shallots, apples and cook over
medium low heat until caramelized, about ½ hour. Stir in
broth, Madeira wine, bay leaf and sage. Simmer for 20
minutes. Remove the bay leaf. Fill French onion soup
crocks or other deep soup bowls with soup. Top with two
baguette slices, shredded cheese and bacon. Place under
the broiler or use a small kitchen torch to melt the cheese
until bubbly.

Salad of Mixed Greens with a Light Vinaigrette

1 head red leaf lettuce

1 head butter lettuce

1 head radicchio

1 head endive

Tear the greens and toss with vinaigrette and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper

Vinaigrette:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons champagne vinegar

Sea salt & Pepper to taste

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Whisk ingredients together in a bowl then toss with the salad greens.

Berry Crisp

1/2 cup fresh blackberries

1/2 cup fresh raspberries

1 cup sliced, fresh strawberries

1/2 cup sugar

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together and place in a pie pan.  Top with Crumb Topping

Crumb Topping:

6 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed

3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 cups quick-cooking oats

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup chopped almonds

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Mix together and spoon over the berry mixture.  Bake at 400 degrees for about 1/2 hour, or until browned and bubbly.

Melissa | Finally Friday!, food & entertaining | 10 5th, 2018 | 1 Comment »

 

 

This is the causeway.  It is the longest causeway in the world!  It crosses Lake Pontchartrain, The distance and expanse bothered me at first.  Then I realized it is a straight shot, you can almost put your vehicle on automatic pilot and use the time to relax, listen to good music and enjoy the views.  When first entering the causeway you cannot even see New Orleans.  It is like entering an endless highway suspended over the lake.  Even that aspect of the causeway has become a friend to me.  You have to get from one side to the other.  Yes, there are places one can turn around if need be, but to remain on course is better.

We’ve learned the hard way to check conditions before heading out for early morning appointments.  If there is fog or an accident you don’t want to take this route.  Sitting for hours while suspended over the lake is not my favorite thing.  Especially in bumper to bumper traffic!  But I’m learning that “it is what it is”.  Life has taken on a different complexion for me now.  I have a different “take” on life, if you will.  I take each moment as it comes, realizing that every day is a present.  And, speaking of fog, my brain is feeling much clearer…it just takes time.

This overview will give you a sense of how things are laid out here.  The white line down the middle of the lake is the causeway.  The area in which we live is referred to as the North shore, for obvious reasons.  I like having the option of city life or country life.  The city of New Orleans is not so big that one feels overwhelmed by crowds, but a city feeling is there that I feel surpasses some of the larger cities I have visited or lived in.  I feel we have the best of both worlds here!  It’s a beautiful lifestyle.  People who love to celebrate, who parade at the drop of a hat, and care for each other in ways so rare in today’s world.  Color me happy!  I’m glad we’re here!  This feels like my forever home.

Melissa | Out&About | 10 3rd, 2018 | 4 Comments »