photograph by Melissa Placzek ~Potato & Leek Tart~ So, I’ve been going through old magazines and selecting special recipes to make on the weekends. Oh my, there are so many. I decided to start with this savory French tart recipe that I discovered in the March 2008 issue of my favorite, Victoria Magazine. It’s kind…
I absolutely love James Beard’s book, Beard on Bread. In my opinion, it is the definitive bread cook book. I made some of this walnut bread last week and we’re already down to the last loaf. It was wonderful with my pork chops, apples & kraut…and made a very interesting, yummy egg-in-a-hole for this morning’s…
photograph by Melissa Placzek I’m in the process of refining all of my pictures and developing my photography style. My husband is teaching me the mysteries of photo shop and I am smitten with the effects and embellishments this program offers. It’s exciting to get closer to some final photos I can include in my…
Another easy Dutch oven meal for you and your family to enjoy… ~pork chops with apples & kraut~ 8 pork chops 3 Tablespoons olive oil 1/4 cup white wine 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 medium onions, peeled, sliced 1 large clove garlic, minced 4 large carrots, cut into sticks 2…
illustration and photograph by Melissa Placzek ~Nancy’s Strawberry Cookies~ “On a strawberry sundae of a day, all daisies and June sun…” ~John Vinocur This is my friend Nancy’s recipe. These little cookies are adorable on a tea tray for a garden party or for a children’s tea. 6 oz. packaged strawberry Jell-o powder 1 cup…
photograph by Melissa Placzek Good morning! This is a foolproof quiche that tastes yummy and is easy to prepare. Dress it up however you like. Add mushrooms, or diced ham or bacon. I’ve done a combination of fresh sage, apples and sausage before and it tasted delicious! For a richer brunch pie, substitute half and…
photograph by Melissa Placzek ~No Knead Bread~ Unlike many of the no-knead bread recipes out there, this one doesn’t take 24 hours to make. I got this recipe from a friend of mine who makes this for her family every week. Tried and true, and so yummy. Jeff and I made it into honey toast…
photograph by Melissa Placzek Jeff made his roast duck over the weekend and we had leftovers in the fridge. So, I decided to create a new dish for lunch today! What I ended up with was seriously one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Try this…I really think you’ll like it. If you don’t…
photograph by Melissa Placzek This two step poached pear recipe was adapted from the beautiful cookbook, Van Gogh’s Table at the Auberge Ravoux-Recipes from the Artist’s Last Home and Paintings of Cafe Life. Recreating recipes that were the favorites of Van Gogh makes me feel connected to him somehow. Other recipes we’ve enjoyed from this…
Today we’re craving New England pot roast. Here are the step-by-step instructions for making a fabulous roast in your Dutch Oven… Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Add 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil to your Dutch oven. Turn heat on medium-high under pot. Generously sprinkle a 4 lb chuck roast with kosher salt and…