The apple orchard and a savory squash, apple and quinoa crumble

It had been raining all day on our last day in Vermont. I loved the grey skies and how they brought out the intensity of the colors. Before heading home, Nadia had one more stop planned for us. We were to visit her good friend's orchards. It was the pinnacle of our trip. A farm filled with apple and plum trees, grape vines, raspberry bushes, horses and so much more we didn't get to see.

As soon as we arrived, the skies turned bright blue, clouds dissipated, leaving us with a beautiful summer-like afternoon. I knew how excited the kids would be to pick fruit right off the tree.



The orchard provides much more fruit than the family can consume and Nadia goes often to pick whatever they do not want. "Will they mind if we take some home with us?" I asked feeling a bit shy about taking from someone else's orchard. "Believe me, they are happy we are picking it" she replied.

So we went at it.

There were so many different varieties of apples. The intense dark plum skin on some really drew my attention. I had never seen apples quite that dark. Inside the flesh was white with streaks of pink. Absolutely gorgeous. Do you know which variety that might be?

We loaded a box with apples and plums that we brought back home with us. My mom made vanilla bean, cinnamon and lemon-flavored apple and plum jam as soon as we returned, which she is still enjoying every morning for breakfast.



Needless to say, I cooked a lot with apples last week. One of my favorites, this savory red kuri squash, apple and quinoa crumble with goat cheese, sage and parsley. We ate it with a green salad. It was lovely.

For dessert, one of my childhood favorites that is included in my upcoming cookbook. Gluten and dairy free vanilla and cardamom flavored natillas with sauteed apples. Natilla is a light custard that we grew up eating. My grandmother made it perfectly every time with raw milk and cinnamon. Always makes me think of her.



You can see Nadia's post with images from our visit on her blog. So beautiful.

Red kuri squash, apple and quinoa crumble

serves 4 to 6

Crumble topping

1/2 cup (70 g) superfine brown rice flour
1/2 cup (70 g) quinoa flour
1/2 cup (70 g) cold cooked quinoa
1/2 ounce (15 g) finely grated Idiazabal or Manchego cheese
3 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 tablespoons (90 ml) olive oil

In a bowl, whisk together the first six ingredients. Add olive oil and stir until a sand-like crumble forms.

Chill the crumble while preparing the filling.

Filling

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 medium leek, thinly sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 medium red kuri or hokkaido squash, peeled and diced (about 3 cups diced)
1 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
3 sage leaves, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
2 medium Gala apples, peeled and diced
3/4 cup (185 ml) chicken stock
1 ounce (30 g) goat cheese, crumbled

Preheat oven to 400F (200C)

In a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the leek and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes until tender, but not browned. Add the squash, parsley, sage, salt, pepper, and coriander. Increase heat to medium high and stir. Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

Add the chicken stock and cook for another 5 minutes. Add the apples and cook another 5 minutes until soft but not mushy.

Transfer the filling to a greased baking dish or individual over-proof bowls. Top with the crumble.

Bake the crumble until topping golden and filing bubbling, about 30 to 40 minutes for a larger dish and 20 minutes for individuals. Serve warm.

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The autumn light and colors of Vermont

Ever since our time in Vermont this summer, I have been dreaming about returning. "You would love it so much", I told my dad over the phone. He loves nature like I do. Rivers and forests are where he feels most at ease, so I knew it would be a gift to him to spend time there. I asked Nadia if we could visit once again to witness the foliage and quickly made arrangements for our trip.

I took the kids and my parents during what has to be the most beautiful time of the year. No question about it.



Nadia and I had just arrived from our workshop in France. I had two days to recover, but Nadia had literally gotten off the plane when she came to pick us at the airport. "You must be exhausted" is the first thing I said to her. She smiled. I knew she was, but it was good exhaustion. She was beaming.

As soon as we left the airport, I realized we had arrived at the peak of foliage. We couldn't have picked a better time.

"Stop, stop right there" I shouted. I couldn't believe my eyes. Fire-colored trees lined by a lake on the side of the road made the most beautiful sight. We jumped off the car and ran to admire it. Breathtaking.



The kids played with the dogs and fed the chickens and ducks. We took walks every morning stopping every minute to take it all in. My dad and I took over two thousand images of foliage, rivers and children playing.

"When will we go to the pumpkin patch?" Jon asked over and over again. That was the one thing that he really wanted to do. "Don't worry. There will be plenty" Nadia reassured him. There were indeed. We visited a different pumpkin patch every day and they loved it.

Rolled around the dried yellow leaves and laughed hard.



We visited the Middlebury farmers' market on a Wednesday. Also stopped at Nadia's friend Ethan Mitchell's family farm where three generations live surrounded by trees and thirty sheep. I left so inspired once again.

As we were driving around, Nadia pointed out the rivers and areas that had been affected by hurricane Irene. The damage was visible, but things were slowly coming back to normal. I saw the devastation in Williamstown where we had spent time this summer.



Nadia cooked for us everyday. Red kuri squash and leek soup, roasted chicken with root vegetables, quinoa spaghetti with roasted squash and herbs, banana and quinoa bread and apple crisp with the apples we picked at her friend's orchard. We were so thankful for everything she did for us.

My parents left eternally grateful and happy to know that I do indeed have great friends. I even spotted a tear in my mom's eye when she hugged Nadia goodbye. They were touched by her.



So I left ready to come back. Another season perhaps.

Vermont has stolen my heart.





Thank you Nadia once again for your generosity and hospitality. We can't wait to come back. Oh and Nadia... Jon is still waiting for his slingshot. He loves you.

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What I could eat for the rest of my life

This morning I was answering some questions for an upcoming interview and the following question arose. "What would you eat if you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life?" I thought about it. I debated whether it would be lentils, avocado, eggs, or chocolate. Then I glanced over at our dining room table and saw a basket full of apples.

"Apples!"

For now, without a doubt, if I could only eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be these apples. The apples we picked and brought back with us from Vermont.

And you? What would you eat for the rest of your life?

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Food Styling & Photography in La Dordogne, Part 2

I woke up to the sound of the church bells ringing.

It was Wednesday at 7 o'clock in the morning - our third day into the food styling and photography workshop and still as excited as day one. I made myself a quick tea and headed out for a walk. The air was crisp and fog had set into Beynac. I walked up the cobblestone path alongside the castle and took a deep breath. I was beautiful beyond words.

I was ready for more.



For our third day, we had planned a trip to the Sarlat farmers' market. We were to gather local produce and cook lunch for our students back at the Manoir de la Malartrie. Of course, we would style and photograph it all.

Sarlat is one of the main urban areas in La Dordogne. It was a crowded day with lots of tourists, but we still felt deep into the Perigord food culture. Stands full of the best local cheeses, jams, honey, charcuterie, and lots and lots of produce. Winter squash, hearty root vegetables, greens, and local dried cèpes and morels. Lots of them.



We walked the back streets of Sarlat and watched people come and go. Filled our market baskets with ingredients for the day and made one last stop - potatoes fried in duck fat. We sat next to the park while we shared this decadent snack. No plastic forks - only our fingers and insatiable appetites.

We were happy.



Back at the manoir, I cooked a swiss chard and cèpes risotto for everyone to style and photograph. I loved seeing everyone's brains turn. You could see the level of commitment in each of their faces. They walked around, found "their" light and styled and shot until there was no more to do. It was beautiful to watch.

After all was set and done, we sat around the garden table and ate this satisfying risotto along with some salad, local cheeses, olives and crusty bread.

We continued styling and shooting into the afternoon until we decided it was enough. We were all ready for a relaxing evening. Stephanie hosted at dinner for all of us at La Maisonette (you can read Olivia's post). It was such a beautiful night. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. Really, I laughed until I cried.

That night I slept like I hadn't slept in years.



We left our last day in Beynac to do a little bit of sightseeing. Toured the medieval castle right next to La Maisonette. The views were breathtaking. From there we took a stroll down to the village center, along the river. We stopped for some coffee and tea and chatted up a storm.

A surprise awaited us by the river.

Stephanie had arranged a beautiful picnic for us to enjoy with crusty bread, cheeses, charcuterie, chocolate and lemon custard tarts. Everyone raved about them (unfortunately not gluten-free for me). I loved spending time with these women in a scenario that wasn't only work. I felt we had known each other for years - like old friends.



After the picnic, we drove to a walnut grove where walnut oil is pressed. We learned about walnut trees, harvesting and the methods used to extract the oil. I always love seeing trees perfectly lined. They make the best photos. We couldn't stop photographing as we knew this was such a special place.

This put an end to our trip. I was sad to leave yet so excited about what we had shared and the new friends I had found. I think every one of them will say the same thing. We became close.



We drove to Paris that night where we spent our last day before heading home. It was great to be back although it was too short and I was by this time exhausted.

Managed to visit Poilâne, Pierre Hermé, Merci and Steph's favorite, Mamie Gâteaux.

Also had a great lunch with the lovely Clotilde at Rose Bakery where we all had the assiette de légumes (an assortment of the salads of the day).

After some more walking and a few failed attempts at finding dinner reservations, we ended up at Les Cocottes. It reminded me very much of how we eat in the Basque Country with an assortment of small plates and desserts written on a chalkboard. I spotted a lot of Basque cheeses, meats and fishes in fact, which of course made my day. I had a poached egg salad with lardons and a dish of cod, potatoes and cèpes. Lovely. And once again, I was ready for bed.

Our flight left early in the morning the next day. I left with my belly, heart and mind full.



This was an experience of a lifetime and I hope we can make it happen once again. We will keep you posted.

I have to thank Stephanie and Nadia for all their hard work. They made it happen for me. And of course our wonderful students who pushed and pushed. I thank you.

Here are their latests posts. Lorna, Romina, Kimberly, Olivia, Jennifer, Sanda.

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