Steed & Company Lavender – Sparta

Steed and Company farm shop, SpartaEver since returning from my French adventure this summer, I have been feeling a little nostalgic for quaint European charm and enveloping scents that stir up precious memories. It’s one of the reason French women fill their lives with beautiful perfumes – one reminds them of an ex-lover, another of the new one, and yet the third of one still to come (oh la la!). So on the most recent sunny September weekend, I packed up the boy and went in search of my field of dreams – lavender!

Just 20 minutes from London, outside of the tiny historical village of Sparta, sits Steed & Company Lavender farm. It’s one of a number of beautiful lavender farms that dot southwestern and central Ontario and fill the air with a wonderful calming fragrance. I stepped out of the car with big expectations of purple fantasies…and I quickly learned two things: lavender blooms in June/July, and there are many varieties of lavender, English being a much more popular cultivation than French.

Steed and Company small garden, SpartaLavender shrubs, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender flowers, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender field, Steed and Company, SpartaHence, we were greeted by tiny green shrubs laid out in geometric rows with only a sprinkle of the precious purple blooms. However, we found a few other things that fed my fragrant fantasies…beginning with some lavender ice cream!

Lavender shop, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender ice cream cart, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender sachets, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender cookbook and cookies, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender preserves, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender honey, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender soap, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender conditioner, Steed and Company, SpartaLavender gift sets, Steed and Company, SpartaAnd just at the entrance to the farm, I found another piece of magical real estate!

Enchanted forest sign, Steed and Company, SpartaEnchanted Forest clearing, Steed and Company, SpartaEnchanted Forest art, Steed and Company, SpartaFairy house, Steed and Company, SpartaFairy house, Steed and Company, SpartaFairy house, Steed and Company, SpartaAlthough I was disappointed in missing the purple lavender fields, I look forward to catching them next summer (it’s already in the calendar!) and I hope I’ve inspired you guys to make the short trip to Sparta.

In the meantime, I will be enjoying my jar of lavender honey which I picked up on the way out!

Sign-off

Roasted Potato and Mushroom Salad

Roasted potato and mushroom salad on spinach and arugula with hemp seedOne of my favourite things about trying new dishes in restaurants is attempting to recreate the ones I enjoyed at home (not always with success, unfortunately).

On a recent girls’ lunch in Toronto, celebrating 10 years of an amazing friendship, I had the opportunity to vist Harvest Kitchen, a place where vegetarians bring their meat eating friends (in their own words). Although I am a carnivore through and through, the beautiful veg-based options bowled me over and I tried quite a few!  The ones that stood out for me immediately were the ‘Meatless Meatballs’ and the ‘Mushroom French Fry Salad’. I definitely thought the latter was worth recreating at home.

The resulting salad, my version, was a huge hit with the boy. A mouthwatering mixture of warm crisp potatoes and salty mushrooms on a bed of fresh greens. It has now become a staple of our Meatless Mondays and I thought I’d share it with you all. With a few substitutions you can make it truly vegetarian or gluten free.

3 large yukon gold potatoes
2 Tbsp duck fat (substitute olive oil for vegetarian version)
1/2 lbs of button mushrooms
1 tsp soy sauce (substitute tamari for GF version)
2 cups baby arugula 
2 cups baby spinach
2 Tbsp of mayo (substitute for vegetarian version here
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 clove garlic (grated)
1 tsp hemp seeds (optional for garnish)
 
Prep time: 10-15 minutes     Cook time: 35-40 minutes (mostly roasting time)
 

1. Place roasting pan in the oven and preheat oven to 425 degrees Celsius.

2. Peel and roughly cube potatoes into small uneven pieces.

3. Remove the roasting pan from oven and add 1.5 Tbsp of duck fat, spreading it around the pan. Then throw in the potatoes, coat with fat, and return to the oven.

*Roasting time will depend on your oven but may take approximately 40 minutes. Don’t forget to stir the potatoes once or twice during roasting for even crisping.Roasted potatoes 4. Slice mushrooms and place in pan with 1/2 Tbsp of duck fat and the soy sauce on medium heat. Keep cooking until all liquid evaporates and continue to caramelize and brown the mushrooms.Roasted mushrooms in a pan5. Wash the spinach and arugula and place in mixing bowl.Baby spinach and arugula in a bowl6. Place mayo, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper and grated garlic in a small bowl and stir to combine. Olive oil and garlic mayo dressingMixed mayo and olive oil dressing7. Once the potatoes are roasted and mushrooms are browned, combine all warm ingredients in a bowl with the greens and cover with dressing. Roasted potato and mushroom salad topped with dressingTossing roasted potato and mushroom salad8.Toss to combine and plate. Sprinkle with hemp seeds for a little extra protein.Roasted potato and mushroom salad with hemp seedsI want to dedicate this post to two special ladies that always keeping me laughing. And yes, my smile does sparkle that much when I’m with these two!Cobblestones and Cappuccinos and friends.I hope you enjoy and give this delicious salad a try. And if you’re in Toronto, pop into Harvest Kitchen for those meatballs!

Door Knockers of Malta and Gozo

Lion head knocker on red door, MaltaThere is one more thing I have to share with all of you from my trip to the magnificent islands of Malta and Gozo. At every turn, and down every street, beautiful knockers dot the doors of Maltese buildings like opulent jewels. Known as “Il-Habbata” many are intricate works of art in bronze and brass.

The sea-faring nature of the island is reflected in many of the motifs like dolphins, seahorses, and sirens. But you will also find faces, coats of arms, and animals. More importantly both the knocker and the colour of the door, some dating hundreds of years, represent the personality and taste of the home owner. And based on some of my examples, I would be more than happy to make their acquaintance.Brass hexagon door knocker, MaltaBronze angel knocker on wood door, MaltaCoat of arms knocker on red door, Mdina, MaltaPig head knocker on red door, Valletta, MaltaEagle knocker on pink door, MaltaLion head knocker on purple door, GozoAngel head bronze knocker on wood door with studs, Valletta, MaltaDetail of angel knocker on wood door, Valletta, MaltaBronze dolphins and Malta Cross knocker on wood door, MaltaBacchus face knocker on green door, GozoBrass Bacchus face knocker on cream door, GozoBrass Bacchus face door on brown door, GozoBronze creature face knocker on white door, GozoDolphin knockers on blue door, GozoBronze stylized dolphin on blue door, Valletta, MaltaBrass circle door knockers, MaltaStylized dolphin on purple door, Valletta, MaltaGirl Scout clover knocker on navy door, Valletta, MaltaBrass mythical creature knocker on wood door, MaltaBronze mythical creature knocker on wood door, MaltaThere are many more whimsical knockers and colourful doors than I could possibly include in this post. I encourage you to discover them yourself on a trip to to the mystical island of Malta.

9 Perfectly Chic Frozen Treats

Chocolate semi freddo

Photo courtesy of food52.com

 

I scream, you scream, we all scream for something cool and delicious! I haven’t given up on the hot summer weather just yet. So when I found this post on delicious frozen treats, I had to share it with all of you. Alice Medrich is a master of the chocolate truffle and a genius in cutting edge desserts.

Enjoy!

Bonjour Paris Part 3

Green chairs in Jardin du Luxembourg, ParisGreen spaces abound in cosmopolitan Paris. From tiny squares filled with laughing children, embracing couples, and tired tourists to sprawling parks dotted with iconic metal green chairs and their sunbathing occupants. Everyone has a favourite.

Two of the biggest and most famous happen to be Jardin du Luxembourg and the Tuileries Gardens. And I count these among my MUST stops while in Paris.

The first dates back to the 17th century and was constructed as a royal residence. The palace still stands as a crowning jewel of the park, but its real treasure are the beautiful fountains and statues sprinkled among the lawns and tree-lined alleys. It’s worth the hunt to find them all!

This is a place were real Parisians come to play and relax. Whether listening to live orchestra or pushing sailboats across a circular basin, it’s a little piece of heaven for old and young alike. I usually stop at the nearby Grand Epicerie to stock up on cheese (Comte is my current favourite), and baguette. And with those in hand I head for a quiet corner to put my feet up and watch the world go by. Listening to the orchestra in Jardin du Luxembourg, ParisPalace du Luxembourg, ParisWater basin with sail boats in Jardin du Luxembourg, ParisPalm tree in Jardin du Luxembourg, ParisFor a stroll along the dusty paths of the Tuileries Gardens you have to cross the river from the Left Bank. Or, post a lengthy museum visit, head straight out of the Louvre toward the masses of tourists swirling in front of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. The magnificent green gardens lie just beyond and provide some of the most memorable photo opportunities in Paris (the iconic Louvre Pyramid and the Eiffel Tower are only two of your background options)!

These gardens also began their existence as part of the royal residence of the French monarchy in the 17th century. The strewn green chairs, the reflective pools, and flower filled beds all appear very similar to the Jardin. But to me, the Tuileries have a more formal feeling. This is where you come to see and be seen. It’s not by chance that the manicured lawns and gravel alleys appear in photos during Paris Fashion Week every year and that many films have made use of the sprawling elegance of the area.

Chic shopping districts like Avenue des Champs-Élysées and Faubourg Saint-Honoré are only steps away. And  mouthwatering macarons from Ladurée or hot chocolate from Angelina’s are available to-go for an impromptu posh picnic on the grass. I’ve enjoyed my share during this trip.

So if your time in Paris is limited make sure to head for this fabulous green heart of the city. I guarantee you’ll find what you’re looking for.Bridge to the Louvre Palace, ParisRoof and facade of the Louvre Palace, ParisWater sprinklers in the Tuileries Gardens, ParisView of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel in the Tuileries Gardens, ParisAlley in the Tuileries Gardens, ParisGreen chairs in the Tuileries Gardens, Paris Pond with statue in the Tuileries Gardens, ParisCarrousel, ParisCaroussel at the Tuileries Gardens, ParisAnd I couldn’t leave off my travel blog without the image that sums up the city for me, the Eiffel Tower. I glimpsed it often while roaming around Paris, and each time I was filled with joy which reminded me that I was in my favourite place on earth!Eiffel Tower from the roof of Printemps, ParisThank you for coming along on this trip. I hope you have enjoyed it. Let me know what your favourite part was!