Memorable Meals: Episode 2, Marché des Producteurs in Soumensac

Memorable Meals: Episode 1, Barbecue in Duras

I will never forget that evening meal with Jean-Claude and his family. That balmy air and the gorgeous food and drink that we enjoyed under a sky full of stars. It was magical...

Pimped Up Mashed Potatoes

As I was rounding off my workday today and thinking about what I was going to make for dinner, this colorful idea suddenly jumped at me.  I had bought some Italian sausages at my butcher a few days earlier and decided I would serve them with some mashed potatoes.  Not just simple mashed potatoes though, but pimped up mashed potatoes with flecks of  tasty sun-dried tomatoes and little bits of fresh chives.  I was thinking of adding a little crème fraîche to the mash, but since the whole cream section at my local supermarket had been wiped out (how strange is that?!), I decided to try a touch of fat-free French-style yogurt instead.  The result was surprisingly good.  The yogurt made the potatoes light and added just a little tang which combined beautifully with the sweet, fruity taste of the tomatoes.  I served the potatoes and the sausages with some stir-fried, garlicky spinach and a glass of Montalto merlot.   A very easy, very tasty Tuesday night dinner!

Here's the recipe:
Serves 4

Pimped Up Potatoes
1 kilo starchy potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
small handful of sun-dried tomatoes, in oil
small bunch of fresh chives
3 tbsps fat-free French-style yogurt
salt, to taste

Boil the potato chunks in salted water, depending on their size, for approximately 20 minutes.
Drain the tomatoes, squeeze out most of the excess oil and cut into strips.  Chop the chives finely.
Drain the mashed potatoes, leaving just a tiny bit of water in the pan.  Add the tomatoes, the chives and the yogurt and mash to the desired consistency.  Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

Celebrate the Freshest Season with La Douce Vie !

What's not to love about the spring?  Birds singing, longer days, brighter skies and best of all, lighter foods!  I get all giddy just thinking about wonderful things such as the season's first asparagus, making rhubarb compote for the first time again or adding some fresh peas to a creamy risotto. 
And of course, I get very excited about the beginning of the gardening season.  Last year I grew so many things- courgettes, spring onions, Marmande tomatoes, French radishes, salad, strawberries, cherries.  It's such a joy to eat things I grew myself and always amazing to realize that they all started off as tiny seeds planted (with lots of love) in the springtime!
This year I am opening the doors of my home for students interested in joining me for my first seasonal cooking workshops.  I have decided to keep these workshops small and personal by hosting them for small groups.  If you are interested in joining me for my first spring workshop, please visit my website for more information. 

PS:  How about taking part in a culinary walk through Amsterdam's culinary avenue and first organic market?  This is the perfect season to join us.  Whether you are an expat curious about what the city has to offer, or a tourist who wants to get a real taste of Amsterdam!

Two Happy Guinea Pigs

We aren't really blessed when it comes to coffee houses in Almere.  Some do try, but they fail miserably with coffees that are too weak, too sweet, too big or too small. I once ordered a ristretto and got presented with a HUGE bowl of thin, way too bitter liquid.  Talk about disappointment. Last year, however, Marx O' Larry's came to the rescue.  Not just with scrumptious ice creams, but with coffees worthy of the pickiest  connoisseurs. 
I wrote about Marx O' Larry's here before, but must tell you again about our experience there this afternoon.  We walked in to have a little 'pick-me-up', not knowing we were in for an unexpected treat.  I decided on a Latte Nocciola (served in a tall glass, with milky layers, hazelnut and sweet, crunchy morsels of nougatine) and hubby had a Chocochip Cappuccino (yes, with actual chocolate chips!).  While waiting for our coffee, we were pleasantly surprised when two tiny glasses arrived at our table.  They were testing new recipes, and we happened to be the lucky guinea pigs!
The first sample was a thick, zingy, yogurt/ forest fruit shake.  After that, came yet another sample.  This time a light, fresh-tasting hazelnut milkshake. I loved the brightness of the yogurt shake while the hazelnut shake reminded me of the kind of milkshakes my grandmother made for  me as a child- mild and delicately sweet.  It's hard to decide which one I liked better, but if I really had to choose, I might just go for the yogurt/forest fruit combination. Interestingly enough, I wouldn't mind seeing what the hazelnut shake would taste like warm. As a bedtime drink, sort of like a Horlicks.
So, bring it on Marx O' Larry's! We were impressed! And by the way, the coffee was also wonderful.
For more information visit their website.