A Tuscan meal and the first part of my Kitchen reveal

Today I invite you into my kitchen to not only reveal our updates but also to share in a meal.

They say visual presentation is the first taste sensation to the palate and hopefully how you feel.

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."

~Virginia Woolf~

But of course no meal invite planned and made with love should ever meet without a pretty arranged floral bouquet...

I hope you find amusement in my photo essay and take away some fondness of my attempt to engage you in culinary play.

"Happiness held is the seed; happiness shared is the flower."

~William Feather~

"If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change."

~Buddha~

(Crepe filled with asparagus rolled in a garlic herb cheese sauce and served with Ruffino Posecco)

My dreams imagine life in a hill town in Tuscany as the region is shaped on the map like an abstract heart,

A crepe appetizer of late Spring called "Crespelle agli Asparagi" is first course and where our meal will start.

"People who love to eat are always the best people."

~Julia Child~

For me it's not the kitchen that ever takes center stage, it's all about the theatre in preparing a meal.

Ingredients enhanced by herbs and spices layering favors in taste and how eating it makes you feel.

It becomes a symphony of rhythmic sounds while the hand gracefully flies during chopping and slicing...

Or during the sheer bliss of a spatula in hand forming soft peaks in a homemade cake that you are icing.

A quote from Elizabeth Edwards I proudly display which has become my motto in life.

I took a photo of a photo from a Italian Regional cookbook, I have always loved this picture of Tuscany.

(mixed baby greens with roasted golden beets, chopped plum tomatoes and shaved Reggiano Parmigano ... tossed lightly in a lemon, pepper and extra virgin olive oil dressing)

Tuscan recipes are classic simplicity ... evoking a world defined by poets and artisans, no elaborate sauces or gravies to enhance or disguise the food.

Just a rustic clarity of a simple harvest with very few ingredients to transform a meal in appearance and ultimately set an enjoyable culinary mood.

I find irresistible charm in setting a table to welcome my guests and highlight a special meal to express my culinary intention.

I carefully plan the menu, fresh seasonal ingredients are foremost but cutlery, dishes and glasses never meet with in attention.

The planning and preparation is truly when the kitchen for me enchantingly transforms into the heart of our home.

I delight in dining out to experience ethnic tastes- but even then my mind races back home where my creativity loves to roam.

I enjoy reflections that catch you by surprise during your hurried day,

they bring unexpected beauty into your mind's eye as you pass by the way.

I try to prepare food daily that not only nurtures but also feeds our soul...

steeped in ethnic traditions of family pride, oftentimes simply served in a bowl.

(Tuscan Shrimp with White cannelloni beans, sun dried tomatoes in a garlicky cream sauce with herbs over Lemon Pepper Parradelle pasta. Rosé Domaine La Rabiotte wine from Provence)

"Age and glasses of wine should never be counted."

~unknown~

Be it decaffeinated or regular please enjoy a cup of Cappuccino and a Biscotti cookie before we say goodbye and I wish you a good day.

I truly appreciate your visit and invite you back again soon, so we can once again have fun and play, please say that will be perfectly okay.

I thank you for joining me today in part 1 of our kitchen update reveal, as our beams are lime waxed and finished in our garage and await scheduling with Nic for their installation. To say we are excited is an understatement as we hope it will be soon. Part 2 will complete my Kitchen post reveal with many more photos.

Appreciation of food has been such an important part of my life and although I don't like the word "foodie" in some ways I just may be. All the recipes featured have been adapted by me and if you want any of my Tuscan recipes please ask in your comments and I will provide them. I do not consider myself a food or wine snob/expert just an apprentice in appreciation of taste and a student in living a good life.

xx,

Vera

"So how was the cruise Dad?" "OMG ... the deserts were the best!"

~ my brother Kevin and my Dad Mike ~

"You don't have to finish dinner... save room for dessert, it's really good!"

~ My Dad's advice to EVERYONE ~

"So remember be it Savory or Sweet, food is a blessing in life and should be enjoyed as an appreciated treat."

~ me - Vera ~