I find baking so relaxing, do you?
A perfectly calming weekend treat.
Measuring, mixing, hand kneading…
Dough rising in the warm garden…
Rustic French bread…
(the pink things in the ramekin below are some impressively yumm radishes I pickled last week)
I make other types of bread, but had never made a French bread before.
I used this recipe for artisan style baquette – rustic French bread.
Followed every detail, and voila.
(kneaded by hand for about 5 minutes, and I always use rapid rise yeast)
It worked.
Give it a go?
While the bread was rising, I was wondering what else to whip up.
I wanted a light fresh fare.
Did I tell you I still have a couple giant fairy tale pumpkins I grew last year?
This is the hugest.
I thought for sure we would have eaten it by now, and I would have used to seeds to grow more.
Alas, it’s in perfect condition, and I can’t bear to eat it yet.
I love seeing it in my kitchen everyday.
A couple others are in the living room.
When I was at my grandma’s last month, she said she couldn’t imagine cutting hers up.
I guess we feel the same.
(by the way, fairy tale pumpkins are the best for eating)
I stole some young onions early, for grilling.
And snatched some basil…
The rabbits ripped through the enclosed garden and ate all my tomatoes.
Little ones and huge ones.
But we still have basil and onions and leeks and carrots and…
Peppers coming too.
Also some volunteer sunflowers, pumpkin vines and tomatillos are growing out there.
Doing better than if I had planted the seeds myself.
I didn’t make full blown pesto, just some basil, lemon juice, salt and garlic…
Love that green.
Chop chop chop.
I made chicken souvlaki, tomatoes in a sweet and tart vinaigrette I have been making for years, grilled onions and French bread.
You should try making the bread, it was a hit.
Sooo beautiful.
I am impressed.
I guess we didn’t enjoy that at all.
🙂
(I am so embarrassed at my un-ironed tablecloth)
I put one loaf away, and we have half of one left.
French toast?
By the by…
Have I ever told you how cheeky Mister Lovee is?
Tonight over supper he was playing some video music in the background, and a whole team of artists including Sting were singing.
I said, did you know Sting has been with his wife for like 40 years?
(okay my facts are all wrong, but who’s checking?)
Mister Lovee munched away never looking up.
I should mention that he is not the best dinner conversationalist.
He just gobbles away.
He also closes his eyes, and munches in this weird shoulder sway/rocking motion of bliss.
Strange, but true.
🙂
Sorry Lovee, but you do.
And you know it.
Anyhow, I said to Lovee – yep that’s right, Sting has been with his wife forever and a day.
Me: Her name is Fifi L’Amour
(one whole minutes passes)
Lovee (looking down pensively): Is Sting’s wife a wrestler?
Me: Why would Sting’s wife be a wrestler?
(in a 100% serious tone)
Lovee : Well, with a name like Beefy L’Amour, you would think she was a wrestler.
Me (spits out drink): I said FIFI!!!
Okay, so I was wrong anyway, her name is Trudie Styler.
Close though.
🙂
We keep on eating.
Munch munch munch.
Then another convo goes like this.
Me: Did you like the bread?
Lovee (munching still, and nodding up and down): Mmm-hmm
Me: It’s really good isn’t it?
Lovee: Mmmm-hmmm
Me: But, did you think it was like real French bread?
Lovee: Well, there’s only one way I can tell if a bread is French.
Me (puzzled): How?
Lovee: Only if it speaks to me in French.
(proceeds to talk all sorts of nonsense in a French accent)
Me = Spits out drink
He did say some other things about this and that.
But I am not sure any of it is blog friendly.
By the random by…
I have these daisy like flowers in my garden.
They are about 4 ft. tall, and they have been in the same place for 3 years.
The plant does not die in winter but only flowers in late spring/summer.
Any idea of what exactly they are?
Alrighty then, I best be on my way…
Hope you are having a most splendid weekend!!!
Love, V
I think those are Shasta Daisies. 😉 We LOVE daisies around here.
All of your pictures are straight out of Hearth and Home type of magazines. So gorgeous! Everything looked amazing.
Good week-end indeed.
Delicious food. I am salivating as I speak and daisies are fun.
Hello Miss Vanessa! How ARE you??? It sounds like you are having an absolutely lovely time. Your dinner conversation had me in stitches. Your Lovee sounds like my hubby – he would totally say something like that! I’m reading this before breakfast and it’s making me hungry. Baking is indeed relaxing. I love it soooo much! Today we are going strawberry picking! Then there shall be fresh strawberry handpies, strawberry rhubarb pie, and strawberry jam. Plus, lots left over for salads, oatmeal, and just popping in mouth! I love pesto, as well. My poor hubby has an allergic reaction now to pine nuts – so we have to leave those out. 🙁 In fact, I need to get a start on our day. SOOOO sorry I have not been here to visit. I will pop back in later and catch up on all the goodness I have missed, my friend. 🙂
Shinpai, thank you sooo much! You are 100% correct.
Shasta Daisies!
I just looked them up – hardy perennial 3 ft tall or more. yes!
Thank you so much. I love knowing such things!
😉
Jill, the bread was incredibly splendid. I highly recommend that recipe.
I make challah and such all the time – but not a baquette.
Soooo good.
Miss Linda, helooo there 😉
Are you havign awesome weather up in your nook?
Miss Theresa!!!!
Strawberry picking, YAY! We had so many this year, but I was sad to see the season leave is in my neck of the woods.
That is, until I spied a whole new bath coming – oh gifts from the earth I tell ya!!
Oooo, yes be very careful with nut allergies. EEK!
I am opff to catch up with you as well!!
xoxo
i read the conversations between you and lovee to my husband. he laughed delightfully! sometimes i can’t believe that a couple like you two exist. it is my dream life xx
I used to do a lot of baking when the kids were little.
I agree with the others ^ I think those are Shasta Daisies. Do they give off an awful scent? I used them as cut flowers once – big mistake.
I think a rabbit might have invaded my garden – found my Early Girl tomato nipped off near the root line.
Vanessa this post is like watching food network…..makes me hungry and want to start cooking and baking!
Your conversations are so funny!!
Rabbits have mowed many of our new sunflower, holly hock and poppy seedlings! How they got through the chicken wire fence we cannot figure it out! So annoying!
by the way..Jerry and I celebrate 40 years of marriage this year!! woohoo! Cheers!
Hallooo Miss Vee!
I have been away from Blogland for so long, and here I come back to find you cooking up a feast. Wow, that looked good.
I hope you and Mr Lovee are well and happy,
see you soon…
Kate
Mmmmm, that all looks amazing. My best guy friend, (Don,) taught me how to make a bread boule and it turned out great. I haven’t made one in ages though and now he’s moved 1200 miles away, so I’ll have to do it on my own, literally, like a beginner. Hahaha. A little bit scary to me, but since I love fresh bread SOOOO MUCH, I should try. I’m so spoiled though because I have a fabulous Italian market near me and their fresh bread is “to die for” delicious…but you give me hope and inspiration. A foodie *should* know how to make their own bread loaf from scratch. 🙂
How apropos your post…I am heading to Baltimore on Wednesday to see Sting in concert. We are going with friends (this friend’s sister is a close friend to Sting, so she arranged for a meeting…back stage pass and all)….fun, fun, fun!!!!
Wonder if Fifi will be there?? I’ll let you know, nes pas?
Au revoir!
Bev
aka Babette!!
Yes, I was going to say Shasta Daisies too, as we had a huge bush at our home in Bellflower, growing up. A very hearty (harty?) plant.
The French bread looks divine! Yum! Yum! And the totally red color on those radishes is amazing!
Wry table humor must be a past time at your place during meals. Mr. Lovee is a crack up!
Ta! Ta!
Miss Teresa
Yay for baking! I just made bread today and posted it on my blog too! Also, made pot roast for dinner, bread was for on the side. Having the oven on all day makes the AC work overtime I think, but it is totally worth it! A lot of the things I planted this year have dried up despite me watering them all the time (luckily not the zinnias and sunflowers, they are still going strong) mostly herbs and things, but it is a bit discouraging. I don’t know whether to by more and try again or just give up and focus on the things that are still alive. Oh well I am getting my first produce box delivered this week so hopefully that will make up for the dead things that I wanted to eat.
Hahahahaa!!! Well, we are nutz. You should see us bicker 🙂
Tami, I have not smelled them. Eeeek, now I am curious 😉 I will sniff thm tonight.
e
The rabbits are really hurting me.
I feel so sorry for them, but all my hard work is just disappearing.
I think it’s because a wall went up on our west property side, trapping all the creatures in.
They have started eating my smaller rose bushes, and peeling the bark off.
Sigh……… SO sorry about your tomato. I know your pain.
Sue, 40 years!! Wowie Zowie!! Congrats congrats congrats!!! Love you!
OH my goodness gracious!! Kate Tracton, I don’t believe my eyes!!! My gosh, it’s a treat to see you. In fact, I think about you quite often, it’s more than wonderful to see you!! xoxo
Go Misha, go Misha, go Misha….
You know, I was about to just go buy some myself. But, there is nothing that compares to fresh bread out of the oven. Nothing.
😉
Rooooooooooooooooxanne!!!!
Say hi to the Fifster for me Babette!! 😉
Miss Teresa, the pickled radishes, after a week in the liquid and peppercorns and garlic – were surprisingly good, even though they smell weird as heck 🙂
You did? Okay, I will go peek for sure!!! Yummo.
Well, I have a tricky a/c situation. So baking is off limits when monsoon hits.
😉
Your dinner conversation made me laugh out loud. I make things I think are good and will ask hubby, did you think that was good. He rarely says yes but if he gets another helping (or two) then I know he liked it. I will try the bread. I think I’m making a pasta dish tomorrow, another salad and your bread. 🙂
Today we had a huge salad with lettuces from the garden. We had sugar peas too.
Yesterday I was working on removing all the weeds from my little garden of zucchini, yellow squash, pumpkins and butternut squash. I was watching the bunnies top around scaring the 2 youngest calves when the jumped out from under something.
We’ve had hot sun and then rain today.
Vanessa:
I really want to try this french bread recipe. My whole family loves it!
First of all, are the loaves very small? The amount of ingredients seems like a single loaf recipe but it says it makes two. With 5 people in my family, should I make 2 batches?
I don’t have sea salt, so I’ll just use regular salt. I’m guessing the measurement would be the same?
Also, I always use a bit of sugar with my warm water and yeast. Does the honey react with the yeast just like sugar?
One more question. Does the honey make the bread sweet?
As you can tell, I am not a very experienced bread maker. I make homemade bread a lot, but I only use my one go-to recipe.
So excited to try this today
xoxo
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
Kimcakes –
OKay so…
the breads are not small per se.
But they are long and narrow like your standard French baguette.
Maybe you should make 4 just because of all the boys in your house?
The honey works like sugar would, so no need for sugar.
You can’t taste the honey at all though, not sweet.
It’s not much honey, so it spreads out, you don’t even get a hint of it.
I think they use it just to get the yeast to foam?
I usually never knead my dough, but I did this one, and it really should be done. I timed 5 mins.
And I used regular salt too.
It was a hit! xoxo
Thank you! I’m so excited to try this.
I’ll let you know how it turns out.
xoxo
Kim
The honey (like sugar) gives the yeast some “fuel”. I made the bread today. It is so good. I used regular salt and had exactly 1 Tblspoon of honey in the jar. I don’t want to tell you how much of the one loaf I ate! Next time I’m going to make 4 smaller loaves.
Kneading the dough wasn’t bad, it is something I like to do.
There is something so nice about making your own bread.
I have my baguette loaves rising right now. Putting them in the oven in about 25 minutes!
Kim
Gerushia’s New World
AWESOME!!!
Blog: http://www.aFancifulTwist.com
Website: http://www.VanessaValencia.com
In a message dated 6/10/2013 4:14:07 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time,
lol hahaha too cute. Very funny! 😀 Your food looks so so wonderful!!!!!! Our garden is being flooded with too much rain as we speak…the weather has been not normal. cooler then usual and now a lot of rain..i miss warmth and summer. I hope we get a summer soon.
Renee, soooo glad you made it!! You are awesome!!
Vanessa….I busted out laughing at the Beef L’amour comment! Haha how funny, I would have for sure sprayed my drink out all over the place too if I would have been there! That is just too funny!! Seriously though, I just received my Autumn 2013 issue of Romantic Country and on page 90 there is a great DIY using one of those Fairy Tale Pumpkins you spoke of. It shares a tutorial for a Bird Feeder and it is just so magical and adorable!!!! I know it is something you would also adore.
Love you bunches!!!
~Dena
Oh that looks delicious, I’m hungry now just after lunch. How on earth do you keep pumpkins from last year? They just last? That’s remarkable. I love your pumpkinnnnns!
Hi, we call them ivanjÅ¡Äica in Slovenia: Leucanthemum ircutianum
Love your post as usual!!!
Miss Vanessa!
Your dinner conversations with Mr. Lovey were so funny! I was laughing out loud at “Beefy L’Amour”!!! Unfortunately, I was reading your blog post in the middle of the night during one of my not-sleeping-when-I-should-be times. I tried to stifle my giggling, but it didn’t work. A few moments later, I hear Mr. V asking drowsily, “OK. What’s so funny?” Whoops.
He says it sounds like your conversations sound a lot like some of ours…!
Thank you for the giggles!
Betty
I would totally pay to eat your food.
Chez Vanessa.
Except you’d never open a restaurant, would you?
You’re killing me with poor Ms. Sting’s professions.
And I want that pumpkin in the worst way.