Reason to Celebrate
May 24, 2014
I thought they were going to be a “no-show”, but, after a couple of 70 degree days in a row this week I noticed a bit of activity on my Dogwoods. Excitedly I clipped a branch to bring inside and by the morning…well… we had bloom. To celebrate I decided a Mint Julep would play well into my Dogwood celebration. It all just seemed simple and modern and southern some how. Perfect.
The Garden & Gun video for this perfect modern take on the classic Mint Julep will have you making one for yourself and wondering why people don’t make these more often. http://gardenandgun.com/media/mint-julep
Better Late…
May 18, 2014
than never. While I usually schedule my Spring clean-up for somewhere nearer the middle of March, this past Winter and Winter-like Spring has only now allowed me the luxury taking stock and pulling on my gloves. Clearly Mother Nature has taken her revenge and has left my property to resemble Chernobyl after the blast rather than a rural retreat in the Midwest. Boxwood hedges…gone. Yew hedges…stripped to skeletal by hungry deer. Japanese Skyrocket Hollies…a moment of silence please. And, what is left in the way of birches, pines and spruce had taken one last good beating during a severe hailstorm on Palm Sunday. Devastating. At least the grass is finally green. And, on that one positive note I will look to the light at the end of this tunnel, entertaining the thought of rewarding myself in a setting like this…pea gravel soft underfoot, a gentle afternoon breeze weaving its way through the masses of miscanthus, and a cocktail. Oh yeah…after this mess there will be cocktails.
photo via: http://cabbagerose.tumblr.com/post/85363575103/outdoor-room-via-lorrainepennington
A simple, lighter spin…
May 4, 2014
on potato salad. We want to move into Spring and Summer but the weather’s still holding us back. While a side of potatoes is comforting we want to shift into salad mode right? Isn’t it about time? This simplified version of an Everyday Food favorite…Potatoes Vinaigrette…is the perfect simplequietmodern transition salad. Young Yukon Gold potatoes, celery and the simplest Dijon vinaigrette will get you there in no time. Served at room temperature on a cooler day or chilled when the temperatures start to rise and you’ll find that this might just be your new Summer “go to”.
I’ve done a simple adaptation on the original recipe below by using either new white potatoes or small Yukon Gold, as much celery and celery leaves as I like…and I like alot. My vinaigrette uses only Dijon mustard, general-use olive oil and apple cider vinegar… because that is what I always have in the pantry. http://www.marthastewart.com/315005/potatoes-vinaigrette
It’s no wonder…
April 20, 2014
that they were once more valuable than property or gold. What man could even come close to producing anything near the tulip? Some simple…some exquisitely complex, each holds a special delicate beauty that is unrivaled. While white is typically my first choice, after months of gray all Winter long I am opting for a bit of color this Easter. And, lucky me…this bunch of parrots just seemed to evoke the very feeling I was looking for. The eggs? How about let’s leave ’em white?
Blueberry Pancakes…the remake
April 13, 2014
The idea of blueberry pancakes always sounded good but seemed to lack a little something once I took a dive in. I finally figured out that it wasn’t the individual elements, it was the way they went together that mucked things up. So, to simplify, I start with an Austrian Pancake. While that’s baking there is just enough time to reduce some pure maple syrup by about a third…to thicken it and intensify the flavor. Off heat the fresh berries are gently added to the syrup…warming them and taking the raw edge off without actually cooking them. Then plating. Who knew that a little deconstruction would lead to this… simplequietmodern pancake perfection.
Just in time…
April 10, 2014
to celebrate. As I was trying to make up my mind on the glaze for my order of a modern cup from Heath, they introduce their new seasonal collection. What perfect timing for not one, but two…in a larger capacity…12 ounces…and the perfect finish…Basalt. The tall modern cup. One for my coffee and the other for a handful of white hyacinths. And, as long as this Spring here has taken a decidedly black and white turn…and I have some simplequietmodern basics covered…some tacky birthday cupcakes with a little neon frosting couldn’t hurt.
tall modern cup photo via http://www.heathceramics.com/catalog/product/view/id/1656/s/tall-modern-cup-pair-basalt/category/3/
Liquid Harvest
March 25, 2014
A uniquely North American experience…the tapping of maple trees…is now in full swing. If we remembered that a fresh harvest of maple syrup was the reward after a hard cold Winter, well, I for one would be a little less cranky as Winter seemed to drag on and on. To celebrate I plan on incorporating that amber sweetness into everything possible starting with this Maple Walnut Fudge. In true simplequietmodern fashion,it takes just a few ingredients that you probably have on hand and no power equipment is needed.
I added a cup of rough chopped toasted walnuts to this recipe…that was simple enough.http://www.canadianliving.com/food/baking_and_desserts/maple_fudge.php
Like a shot in the arm.
February 22, 2014
It’s still winter but you’ve had your fill of your repertoire of comforting pasta dishes, soups and stews. The warming spices of Indian cuisine might seem like just the ticket to shake things up but learning a new kitchen culture might be more than you want to take on. Time to put a simplequietmodern plan into action…make something from scratch and get a little help from a jar. While you are simmering a classic combination of peas, potatoes, cauliflower and onion in a jarred Masala sauce you have time to whip a batch of complimentary Coriander Cilantro Flatbreads from scratch. Add add a handful of cashews and raisins to the vegetables and a side of Raita and some Basmati rice and you have got a perfect meatless meal in less than 45 mins. This should hold your interest till Spring.
The flatbread recipe can be found here: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/ground-coriander-and-cilantro-flatbreads-242112
Valentine’s Day befores…
February 5, 2014
and afters. Instead of dinner why not keep it to a satisfying starter, a complementary salad and of course, dessert. This “before and after” menu will cover all of your bases providing savory, sweet, salty, spicy, warm, cool, crunchy and smooth with a minimum of effort. Begin with a nice Brut Rose…then Maple Sriracha Bacon wrapped shrimp… a salad of frisee, toasted walnuts, blue cheese and pomegranate lightly dressed with a maple vinaigrette and finish up with a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake for two. The first two are near no-brainers and while you are at Whole Foods picking up the wine, bacon, shrimp and salad ingredients, make a stop at their bakery for the cake…layers of dark chocolate cake and chocolate mousse covered in ganache. That was simple enough wasn’t it?
The appetizer recipe can be found here:http://www.inspiredtaste.net/15948/spicy-maple-bacon-wrapped-shrimp-recipe/ and my Maple Vinaigrette here:https://simplequietmodern.wordpress.com/2012/11/11/i-dont-love-brunch/
What a grip!
January 22, 2014
And, it doesn’t look like Mother Nature will be loosening it up any time soon. With another week of temperatures well below the freezing mark, and wind chills in the single digits at best, it make you think twice about venturing out if you don’t absolutely have to. Just a glance outside can have you coming up with a dozen excuses to stay in, catch up on a few things and turn on the oven to help cozy things up. While it’s on you might try my simple adaptation of a Martha recipe for a Winter Salad; Farro with Roasted Red Onion, Grapes and Arugula. Again, not a recipe as much as a guideline and in simplequietmodern fashion, just a few ingredients.
interior photo via: http://www.youaretheriver.com/
simplequietmodern 