The Art Institute Chicago tells us that this painting is from a much larger portrait of a family that Manet decided to cut into sections, not all of which have survived. It was not the only time Manet decided to…
Good Old Corned Silverside
Words that come to mind when thinking of good old corned silverside: hearty, tender, filling, aromatic, nourishing, mouthfeel. Honestly, I eat cold silverside leftovers like I eat popcorn at the cinema. After the MANY years I’ve been cooking good old…
Apple Pie with Shortcrust Pastry Sheets
I’ve referred before to my belief that frozen puff pastry is the lazy cook’s best friend. Well, frozen shortcrust pastry has just joined the BFF party 🥂 . Hunting around for a simple and quick “apple pie with shortcrust pastry…
Woman and Child at the Well – A Poem
Part of what appealed to me about this painting was the Art Institute Chicago description: Woman and Child at the Well is one of a series of works depicting peasant girls taking a break from their chores, their poses and…
Still Life with Asparagus and Red Currants – A Poem
In the National Gallery of Art’s description of Still Life with Asparagus and Red Currants, it notes: “Whether depicting a bowl of cherries, an arrangement of exotic shells, or a bunch of asparagus, as in this small masterpiece, [Adriaen Coorte]…
Parmesan Crisps
This recipe for parmesan crisps has one ingredient and one instruction. However, its value is ten times that. Have you ever considered making your own parmesan? Perhaps you’ve gasped slightly, thinking I’m about to inform you how I stomp my…
Old-Fashioned Rice Pudding
There is never a time in my house when rice pudding is not greeted with cheers. With a little stewed fruit, it’s a creamy, healthy dessert. These days, we make it with lactose free milk. I’ve not yet not tried…
International Potato Day
May 30 is designated by the United Nations as International Potato Day! Potato facts: Here is my little tribute to the humble potato: And some potato recipes: placki, sweet potato fritters and salmon, and my cheats’ potato salad.
Strawberries, Nuts, &c. – A Poem
Riddle Me This How is it possible –Orange, so fresh the leaf is intactRuby-red strawberries that if wild would collapseTogether with nuts and raisins, to beIn the same still life in a nineteenth centuryComposition? What, summer and winter?Unless, if not…
A Pomegranate, Siena – A Poem
George Henry Hall was considered a “master of fruit, vegetable and flower still-life painting”, although that’s not all he painted. Here’s a selection of some of his works. A Pomegranate, Siena is a beautiful example of the artist’s renowned realism….
For the People Waiting – A Poem
So many still lifes of previous centuries feature abundance. As The Met points out, for this particular painting by Severin Roesen: “Nineteenth-century improvements in cultivation and shipping practices enabled the extravagant assortment.” It was about status, and fortune, and horticulture,…
Chocolate Biscuit/Cookie Truffles
These chocolate biscuit /cookie truffles are a lovely visual feast. With only three ingredients and a swing of a rolling pin, you have a nice little treat for yourself, or to box up as a gift for some lucky other….
