Seillans lunch in Provence

While in Provence this last October, we found a very nice restaurant for lunch recommended by a British shop owner.  Chez Hugo in the village of Seillans was just the cutest little spot.  The door was open to the outside as the weather was very nice.  The waiter told us they had only opened two months prior, but they had a nice crowd for lunch.  A much needed good restaurant in this village.

You see our appetizer above.  Oh my!!!  Oh my!!  I don't think I have ever tasted anything so good.  I know, I have said that so many times before while dining in France.  But this....sigh

The chef named it Gratin de Moules de Bouch ot Safranees Tombeé.  Yes, my love for mussels (moules) has just been expanded.  In these little cast iron pots were onions, garlic which were slightly thickened.  Then mussels and spinach and saffron were added to the pot and then into the oven to bake to perfection.  These are the flavors I made out.  So delicious, the rest of the meal was almost not that important.

There was also entertainment at this restaurant.  As I said before, the door was open.  Pretty soon after we were seated, a cat strolled in and looked around.  There was a chalkboard on an easel sitting on the floor with the days menu written on it.  Well, the visiting cat started rubbing against the legs as cats do.  All of a sudden, the easel collapses to the floor and the cat goes flying out the door.  Quickly, the waiter runs over to see what the noise was.  I told him the cat knocked it over.  He goes to the door and yells for "Romeo".  Seems Romeo lives in the restaurant.  It took quite a while before Romeo strolled back in as if nothing happened.  Cats are like that, aren't they?  If you know me really well, I simply tolerate cats but do not have a great love for them; not like for dogs.  But when a cat can be this entertaining, you gotta love it.  If only you could have seen the fast run out of the restaurant and then the nonchalant stroll back in as if nothing happen.  

Spice up the Garbanzo beans

Several times in the last few years, while dining in southern France, an appetizer has been placed on the table as soon as we arrive.  It happened again on this last trip, and this time I decided I needed to make this at home to go with afternoon cocktails.

It is so simple, so messy, but so darn good, and possibly a little healthy?  These little morsels are positively additive.  Absolutely love the taste!!

So my simple recipe is this:  Empty a can of garbanzo beans or chick peas.  Drain and rinse in cold water.  Pat the beans dry and add a small amount of olive oil.  Then add curry.  Judge by the color and taste as to how much you want to add.  I added simple curry powder and then some red curry which has a little more kick.  Mix together, chill and serve in a small bowl.  Toothpicks won't work, so simply use fingers and napkins.  Enjoy!!

Ah - Hoo - Ah...aka Jalapenos

It is hard to believe, but in the last 2 months, I have made this appetizer at least 6 times. What is most remarkable, is that I have not blogged about it. They just disappear before a photo opportunity.



While visiting our daughter, Angie, in July, she showed me that she had purchased THE PIONEER WOMAN'S COOKBOOK. I read Ree Drumond's blog frequently, but had not seen the cookbook which can be purchased here.

I did not take the time to copy the recipe, so this is kind of my own rendition, giving total credit to The Pioneer Woman.

Stuffed Jalapenos

12 jalapenos

1 8 oz block cream cheese

shredded cheddar and monterey jack cheese

thin bacon

toothpicks

I cut the jalapenos is half and scraped out the seeds and membranes. It is best to wear a plastic glove for this task. Then mix the softened cream cheese with the shredded cheddar/monty jack cheese. Stuff the pepper halves with the cheese mixture. At this point, you can top the cheese with drained crushed pineapple. It is a nice touch. Cut 6 thin slices of bacon in half and tightly wrap around the stuffed pepper and fasten with toothpicks. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour. I lay the peppers on a cooling sheet that is positioned on top of a baking sheet. This gives the heat a chance to get underneath the peppers and cook them through.

Amazingly, one pepper can be very mild and the next one will blow your brains through the roof! I don't think there is any way to judge these peppers. I do know that MEN absolutely love this appetizer. They go over quickly at a potluck where you are asked to bring something.

A very good appetizer!

I read on Facebook where my niece, Kim, made Herb and Cheese Poppers twice in one week after reading the recipe in the November issue of Bon Appetit. With a party coming up and wanting to bring an appetizer to go with drinks, I thought I would give these a try. They are actually fun to make. Possibly, a little bland, I might add a little minced green onions next time. They are kind of like popcorn--you just want to keep 'popping' them into your mouth. You can find the recipe here. The herbs came out of my garden, so that was easy.

I baked a few to sample and the rest I froze, as the recipe states it is an easy thing to do. I will bake before the party next week. I thought it was something nice to keep in the freezer for those unexpected moments.