Button mushrooms with dried porcini mushrooms are a great taste combo

Hi R

I'm back!  Where have I been?  Publishing and marketing the book "Mosman Meanders & foreshore flavours", following up with a "Balmoral Picnic" e-book, new grandchildren etc...  How did life get to be so busy?

 

You are moving to a new season of course, and mushrooms of all varieties, transcend seasons and cuisines. 

C 

ps - My newest grandson is an absolute dreamboat!

 

Porcini Mushrooms
 

These delicious, earthy mushrooms are a favourite in French and Italian cooking. They have a smooth texture and a pungent, woodsy flavor.

Dried mushrooms have a more concentrated flavour than fresh. Always soak dried mushrooms in very hot water for 20 minutes or until soft before using. Delicious in soups, stews, sauces and with pastas, meat and poultry, along with the liquid used for reconstituting the mushrooms.
Both fresh and dried mushrooms contain unique compounds that are believed to boost your immune defence.






Dried porcini mushrooms combine well with fresh mushrooms
to make a tasty side dish or  dip.
 

 

 

 

 

 Porcini mushroom sauce / dip

I head garlic
60g / 2 oz dried chopped porcini mushrooms
250g / 8 oz  button mushrooms - chopped
1 bay leaf
sprig thyme
1/4 cup  extra virgin olive oil
1/4  cup sherry vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt
Handful flat leaf parsley  - chopped


Preheat oven  to 180 degrees C/ 355 degrees F
Baked garlic - Cut top third of garlic head away to expose the flesh.  Wrap garlic head in oiled foil and bake for 30-45 minutes until tender. Squeeze out the flesh of the garlic and set aside.
Meanwhile, pour boiling water over porcini mushrooms and leave  for 30 minutes. Lift porcini mushrooms from liquid and squeeze.  Reserve liquid.
Put porcini and other mushrooms into a flameproof dish with rest of ingredients (excluding garlic) and cook for 30 mins until tender.
Remove bay leaf and thyme.  Add garlic, mushrooms and all juices then process to achieve a coarse puree, or leave whole to serve as a side dish. Add parsley and season to taste. Serve with crusty bread or as a sauce to accompany meat or chicken.

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Bird's Eye View or Orange You Glad

Hi C,


We're all thinking spring here despite the blanket of snow that covers the ground. As you know, I'm an early riser and have witnessed signs of spring in the wee small hours. The birds are singing, the owls are hooting and the geese honking its arrival. I still have trouble getting the concept that you're experiencing just the opposite down under. You mentioned soft hues of grey and taupe as showing up on Sydney's fall fashion forecast. Here we're happily unpacking boxes of color at Nextdoor. For the past two years it seemed that everything came in two shades, black or grey. This spring orange is on the horizon in all its glory, every shade you can imagine from soft corals to bright tangerines. Our customers are loving it! Course, we're pretty casual here as you know. Everything has to work back to a great pair of jeans, a cute handbag and some fun accessories. I have lots of shades of orange yarn in the studio and have enjoyed knitting up some colorful easy wraps to wear indoors now and outdoors later on. I'll keep you posted as the season progresses, but so far it looks like a colorful spring!


R

Wild weather for Autumn in Wisconsin

Hi there

The seasons are alive and well in Wisconsin - I'll let the video tell the story.

Check out  Winter Preparations  http://grannycircle.blogspot.com/2010/10/hunkering-down-for-wisconsin-winter.html

I love Roberto's statement at the end of this, "It's a challenge, you can get killed - it's fun, you take it in your stride cos it's going to happen anyway. It's invigorating - and snuggy inside the house - you against the elements. I love it!"

 Life is easier here without the severe 'weather' but...........

Clara

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Creative scarves bring cosy warmth to Wisconsin



Getting ready for the photoshoot

 Hi there

An amazing creative day in Wisconsin which took me back 30 years, as R and I worked side by side in her studio.  Well, she did amazing things whilst I absorbed the ambiance of a wonderfully creative environment. 

We have kept tabs on each other's work via email and blogging, so it was great to connect the dots and actually be there at the creative coal front.

As you know, Renotta has pledged to photograph something she creates every day for a year so here I am witnessing this actually happening.

What I have learnt is that there are not more hours in the Northern Hemisphere but that I could get up earlier. Damn!

Creatively

 Clara
Visit Blog - http://shopatnextdoor.blogspot.com/ for Renotta's One a day blog.

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Autumn leaves crunch in Wisconsin

Hi there

Have you ever heard the crunch of autumn leaves beneath your feet?  It's a wonderful sound which takes me back to my childhood but you need to tread carefully  as you plough unsuspectingly through unchartered topography since an even carpet of autumn leaves disguises the mounds and holes beneath.

Not easy to do so since one is surrounded by a  tranquil autumn landscape just waiting to be photographed, with cool fresh currents of air carrying the fragrance of damp earthiness.  Hope you enjoy the photos.

Clara

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Wild from Wisconsin

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/parks/specific/iceagetrail/

Hi there
Have you been wondering why the blogs haven't happened in the last week?   
Well, it's because I am visiting R in Wisconsin and as we speak I am looking out over a very different landscape than usual.  The harbour views of Sydney have been replaced by  glorious Autumn Wisconsin, complete with red barn.  As you know, R & I reconnected via Facebook after 3 decades, and now thanks to Roberto's generosity and loyal following of our fantastic communication via grannycircle blog,  here I am. 

Today we explored the countryside, part of Wetlands - huge prairie combined with ridges, ravines, creeks, rivers and lakes.  R tells me that historically this area was carved out by glaciers and so is called the Ice Age Trail. Fantastic to roam this aspect of USA which is often not explored and it is very special to have the opportunity

Stay in touch
Clara

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Autumn hydrangeas reflected in felted wool wraps



Now that's a wrap  - Sept 27

 Hi R
I know you showed these pieces a few days ago. 
They are beautiful! 
You said -
'What I love about felted wool is that it's a win, win situation. No one is "harvested" for the pelt, harmful synthetic chemicals aren't necessary for the faux and my friend the sheep goes happily on with his life. Baaaahhh...that's sheep talk for Gooooddd!'


Clara - Baaaaahh is my language - (being a New Zealander before an Aussie.)  So many concepts combined here - as is so, of course with most of your concepts.  There is an ethereal quality, combining the compact nature of felting with a certain transparency. Then the blending of colour resembling antique weathering. 
Similar to the weathering of my favourite flower, - hydrangea - which I am lucky enough to have growing in the back yard.  I see in the photos, the autumn hue which is my favourite.
 
Go Hydrangeas! One day I will somehow, creatively express your essence.
Clara


Felt like felting


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