Wednesday, March 25, 2009

daily bread























Home made Bread  ~ made by my friend Taina
Growing up in a family of seven children, daily bread was part of survival.  Learning to bake and break bread was simply part of each day.  Bread and butter is still considered a daily luxury.   A dear friend gave me a subscription to Cook's Illustrated.  Just look at this bread that she shared, a slice of heaven.  I love anything illustrated to show me how to.  I have always been big on directions with pictures.  Another friend, Debra - asked me to share what's cooking and my cook books.






















An artful Salade Nicoise for lunch prepared by Taina
So much of enjoying good food is not merely in the cooking, but in the artful presentation. Just look at this lovely Spring Salade Nicoise, tuna, lettuce, tomatos, potatoes, an egg, olives, green beans and top with a home made vinaigrette.  I know for many, that eating healthy can be a challenge especially if the process was not instilled at an early age.  I was fortunate to have parents who built a produce business in 1945 and it is still thriving today.  We had many a meal made from things that just were not worthy of selling.  Many a fabulous meal, home made soup and bread.


















my kitchen shelf, above a doorway - the Joy is cooking is one of my favorite books.
( excuse the blurry photo )
Simply streamline, stop buying processed food, buy organic, make or grow your own if possible.  Spring time is a wonderful time to focus on all the healthy items from local farmer's markets.  Peruse cookbooks and share on-line recipes with friends.   Plant a garden and promise yourself to eat good food daily and break a little bread.

21 comments:

Debra said...

Such a colorful, delicious and healthy lunch. I love salade Nicoise. Around here, we cannot wait for the local farmer's markets to open. I'm thinking that your photo has inspired me on what to serve for dinner tonight. Thank you for sharing Patricia.

Formerly known as Frau said...

Trying to embrace our farmers market and cook healthy, so hard to stay away from the pasta and processed foods just so darn quick.
Have a great Wednesday!

pve design said...

Debra,
I loved seeing your collection of cook books.
pve

Frau,
It must be asparagus time in Germany. I love white asparagus and the markets there.
pve

Kwana said...

That bread of Taina's took me right over the top. She is amazing. The lunch was so wonderful from presentation to taste. Quite and inspiration. I'm thinking a cooking post too.

pve design said...

Kwana,
I know - I could have locked myself in a closet with that bread! Seriously!
your cooking post better include that "nana" -
pve

Laura said...

We must have some cosmic connection going...I have been on the biggest bread baking kick lately!

Julia said...

I loved this post! It's a beautiful reminder to feed ourselves goodness!

2 Girls and a Boy said...

Everything looks divine! I'm on a detox diet and looking to add more organic and natural foods. Thanks for the post!

Joyce said...

I'll bring the wine! Your Nicoise salad is making me hungry!
I too look forward to the famer's markets to open.
A very nice collection!
Enjoy... xoxo

Janet said...

Mmmm...you are making me hungry! There is nothing better than spring's bounty of tender veggies.

Karena said...

I am the eldest of eight and so you can imagine what our kitchen was like. My Dad was the stew and soup expert and Mother's specialty was baking,still is. Everything from her famous cinnamon rolls & apple dumplings to all kinds of fresh breads.

Emily said...

A small garden is my goal this spring; my daughter is begging for a strawberry patch! I love Cooks Illustrated too, and the bread your friend made for you looks like heaven. Yum!

Rachel said...

Homemade bread is good for the soul (and yummy!).

ArchitectDesign™ said...

Oh I love cooks illustrated! so fun to read through, though I must admit i've never actually made anything from it! I think healthy eating is so important: organic is the way to go!

Anonymous said...

Oh yeah!! I always make my own bread....well, my machine does. And I buy lots of organic food. That hysterical change came with the kids. So I totally agree with you! No matter how it looks like, but I Love every kitchen that has cook books!!!

jae said...

There is nothing like homemade bread. We love to go to the market. There is a baker that makes the most amazing olive bread....yum.

Purple Flowers said...

I was very fortunate to grow up on homemade crusty airy bread, and lots of vegetables. My parents believed in the dark leafy vegetables in soups and sauteed with garlic and oil. I remember one time my Father saying "this is like candy." To this day, we all eat our veggies, and still love good, crusty and airy bread.

Leciawp said...

I appreciate your emphasis on growing your own, eating healthily... looks like Taina is quite a chef!

Marilyn Brant said...

How delicious this looks--gorgeous pictures!! Thanks for sharing :).

ALL THE BEST said...

I can almost smell the bread it looks so yummy!

Laura @ the shorehouse. said...

I am so excited that eating locally will soon be upon is in the Northeast. There's nothing like bringing food to your table fresh from the earth...and MOST IMPORTANTLY supporting local farmers. Just say "NO!" to factory farming. I will step off my soap box now. ;-)

Have you read Animal, Vegetable Miracle? You would LOVE. And it's got fabulous recipes.