Where Five Valleys Meet is Running Out of Steam!
This blogger has been making 'man size' mugs of tea, and has a weary right arm from cleaning the floors with the Dyson cleaner over the last few days. I'm a very reluctant participant of 21st century gadgets, but sometimes it is a case of needs must. There's a new shower in the main bathroom, and the kitchen has been revamped. I now have worktops using nanotechnology so no bacteria, bugs, or other nasties are welcome here. I need to get to grips with my 'all singing all dancing' brushed steel oven along with the other new gear - a very necessary learning curve as a house full of guests arrive within days.
My first foray into testing the cooker was to make a tart with figs from our garden using a recipe idea from Lorrie here.
I half baked a sheet of puff pastry blind for 15 mins in preparation for the topping. Whilst baking I cooked some red onions in rapeseed oil until softened and add balsamic vinegar and sugar which I continued cooking until caramalised. I topped the partially cooked pastry with the onions, sliced the figs in half, crumbled on a mature Stilton blue cheese, scattered some fresh thyme and sage leaves and sprinkled over a little oil, then cooked for a further 20/25mins in a hot oven.
Using a good strong blue cheese, such as Stilton, means that no other seasoning is necessary
Quick, easy, and very tasty - thank you Lorrie - the oven works a treat too!
Hope you can get it all figured out! I am sure that it will be worth it in the end. The tart looks delicious, so you must have the oven working well already. Enjoy your guests!
ReplyDeleteJust a few more bits in the kitchen finish off Amy, but I will be glad to finally say goodbye to the men!
DeleteHello Rosemary, I love all kinds of gadgets, but I must admit that most of the time I turn to the old, trusty stand-bys. That tart must contain an interesting combination of flavors--it certainly looks good.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - we really enjoyed the flavours in this tart, and will definitely make another - also I have a glut of figs presently ripening in the garden.
DeleteThe first triumph from your new oven!
ReplyDeleteHopefully many more to come
DeleteThat tart looks delicious! You have obviously mastered your new oven.
ReplyDeleteRenovations always means having a lot of work men in the house making a mess. Still once it's over it was worth all the chaos. Enjoy the new additions. ;-)
I am hopeful that 2 - 3 more hours this afternoon will see the back of the work men for good, and then I shall have to think about meals for our guests.
DeleteThat looks so good and I don't even like stilton.
ReplyDeleteYou would probably need to use a mature cheddar or some parmesan instead if you wanted to make it.
DeleteOoh, looks wonderful! And I am glad you are enjoying your fantastic sounding new kitchen!
ReplyDeleteIt's very tasty Jenny - not quite enjoying the kitchen yet, the men only left late this afternoon so I am still clearing up. I expect I will enjoy it in time.
DeleteCan imagine you will be glad to see the workmen go, but I´m sure it was worth it. A fantastic new kitchen and your first tart looks beautiful and delicious, figs with blue stilton are a great combination and then ....I need a glass of port!
ReplyDeleteI am sure that you are right Janneke - once I have finish clearing up and had time to get over the upheaval - at the moment I am thinking 'never again'. Cheers Janneke a glass of port sounds perfect.
DeleteGreat recipe
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DeleteA piece of heaven, really looks yummy !
ReplyDeleteLovely to see you back - hope you have enjoyed your break.
DeleteThat looks delicious, Rosemary! Here in Berlin figs bought in the Supermarket are often a desaster - so I am not sure whether I will try to bake it.
ReplyDeleteFor a short moment I was shocked when I read your header - then I was calm when I read the text (I sometimes think about stopping my blog - which shows again the old psychological wisdom that we transport our "problems" or thoughts into communication with others :-)
Shocked, because I would miss your very substantial (also in a cognitive way) blog.
Dear Britta - we have a glud of figs in the garden this year, but I think that they are different type to the ones seen in the shops as they are longer and not so fat.
DeleteI am only blogging once a week now as so many people have vanished from the blog scene. I think that really I use my blog rather like a diary and a way of keeping a record of what has been happening.
Dear Rosemary, I would love to see a picture of your new kitchen. What an interesting idea nanotechnology must be. Your tart not only looks delicious but also must be very nutritious and healthy.
ReplyDeleteThe tart was a great hit Gina and will be on the menu this coming week for my guests when they arrive.
DeleteDearest Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteYou sure have been working very hard but in a couple of weeks you no doubt can look back on the time that you hosted your guests successfully.
This recipe looks yummy.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette - I found the whole business of having the kitchen done not really to my liking but now it is finally finished and I am very happy.
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DeleteI'm pleased as Punch that you were inspired by my blog post. It's a delicious combination. Kitchen renos can be lengthy and frustrating. Glad to hear you're nearing the end of it.
ReplyDeleteExactly - longer than we anticipated and there were frustrations too - never again!!!
DeleteI'm sure that first dish made in your new oven will be the first of many, it looks delicious. It must have been quite an upheaval having work done both in the bathroom and kitchen. Sarah x
ReplyDeleteNever again Sarah - glad it is all done and dusted, it is time now to enjoy.
DeleteYour food photos are better and more inspirational than most of the new food related guidebooks I've seen in shops recently.I thought the title reflected my own temporary indifference to blogging recently for a minute as everyone goes through periods of 'Oh, what's the point' especially if you have been going a while online and real life gets too busy.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly where you are coming from Bob - I used to post three times a week, but there is not the interest around anymore.
DeleteLook´s so tasty and good! Always nice visiting your lovely blog Rosemary...
ReplyDeleteLove from Titti
I always love to see you here Titti♡
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