Martigues, France

Martigues, a waterway town on the train line of 'la côte bleue', or otherwise known as the Miramas à l'Estaque line.

Boats, water and close to the lovely beach of Sainte Croix not to be confused with the train station of Croix Sainte!  The station required is La Couronne - Carro for sand, sea and sun.

Sugar & Spice, Marseille, France

Macaroons

Whatever your flavour is, Marseille has it, hundreds and thousands of crispy chewy macaroons.

Marseille isn't famous for it's ice-cream, but luckily the old district: Le Panier has a wonderful parlour Le Glacier du Roi scooping wonderful Italian gelati. 

(http://www.leglacierduroi.lesite.pro)

The flat peaches and nectarines AKA Mountain peaches and nectarines are like nectar for the gods.  Superb fresh produce markets not only in Marseille, but in Aix-en-Provence and all other towns.

Mediterranean Tart

My daughter is struck with the worst case of Hay fever (any remedies welcome).  We have been house-bound  for ages in this glorious weather!  She is cooking the Tart with a little help from her sous chef.  At seven years old, it's a great activity bringing together lots of different skills, as well as having the satisfaction of making something delicious.

Parmesan Pastry: as previous blog

Roll out the pastry thinly on a lightly floured surface and line one 20cm flan tin.  (The left over bits of pastry can be baked to a make for nice savoury biscuits.)  Cover and chill for about 20 minutes.  Prick the base several times with fork and bake blind at 200c for about 15 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.

450g onions, peeled and fine sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon of dark brown sugar
50g sun dried tomatoes in oil, chopped
125g feta cheese
2 tablespoons basil, chopped

Meanwhile heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the onions and saute over a high heat, stirring until they begin to brown, about 5-6 minutes.  Stir in the brown sugar and cook for a further 3-4 minutes until the onions caramelise.  Allow to cool slightly.

Add the sun dried tomatoes, crumble the feta cheese and mix together with the onions.  Fill the tart and sprinkle with the basil.  Season with Pepper.



Enjoy.

Brocolli & Spinach Quiche

It's not that I haven't been cooking and baking, just that our stomachs shout their requests before the camera manages to come out of the bag.

This was supposed to be a Seafood Quiche, but like all cooking, adapting it to your taste is far more important than following a recipe.

Quiche

The original shortcrust pastry I replaced with a more flavoursome Parmesan pastry.

175g Wholemeal Spelt (or plain flour)
75g Olive oil not Extra Virgin (or butter)
3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 egg yolk

Sift the flour into a food processor (it's easier into a bowl and then the processor) with the oil, Parmesan, egg yolk and 3-4 tablespoons of cold water.  Mix till it forms a firm dough.  If a little too dry add water spoon by spoon.  This is a crumbly dough, so don't worry.

Roll out the pastry thinly on a lightly floured surface and place in a 20cm flan tin.  Cover and chill for about 20 minutes.  Prick the base lightly before baking blind at 200c for about 15 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.

defrosted Spinach (I used three cubes of chopped and frozen from the supermarket!)
Broccoli
Olive oil
1 bunch spring onions trimmed and chopped
3 large eggs plus the left-over white
150ml single cream (I suppose you could use Crème fraiche, but I haven't tried it)
1 tablespoon of tomato puree
pepper
25g grated cheese of your choice, maybe cheddar or Gruyere

Heat the oil in a small saucepan and add the spring onions, cook gently for 5-7 minutes.  Do not allow the onions to brown. 

Meanwhile, cut the broccoli into small florets, wash and microwave in a covered dish for 3 minutes.  They need to have a bit of bite to them.

Beat the eggs, cream, puree and pepper.  Mix in the broccoli and spinach and pour into the pastry case.  Sprinkle with cheese and bake in a preheated oven 150c for 30-35 minutes.

Have with veggie or a lush salad.  Enjoy.

PS  I don't add salt, but please do if you prefer.
PPS

London in the Rain!

My daughter's gone to Legoland to celebrate her 7th birthday with her Godmother.  And I've taken the opportunity to see an exhibition at the Tate Modern - Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance and the Camera (not suitable for children) and walk along the river in the rain.  Almost nobody about, a rare occurrence in London, and most enjoyable too.  A couple of beach combers and a few mothers with water-proofed children, but everyone else inside.  Yippee for rain!

Centre and Right-hand-side of the garden

Today's a day for computer manipulation, ie, cold and wet.  Enjoy the garden from the comfort of an easy chair. 

Shark Fin Garden

A peak at the left hand side of the garden!  Just the best time of year, for growth and flowers.