I spent yesterday afternoon cooking up some Indian sauces and they were delicious. Where did I find the recipes you're wondering? Well wonder no further, they were compliments of our
GetFresh, who is brilliantly guest-blogging this week over at Darling
WMM's. For your own
Passage to India please click
here.
 |
| Cayenne comes in mild and hot versions, who knew? |
I phoned up
Berna and asked her to come on over and help me with the cooking. This way we could accomplish some big batches for the week, very convenient for throwing together some dinner on a hectic evening.
I served some of our sauces last evening to my family and I still have plenty left over for another meal. Berna's batch cooking will get her through 2 or 3 weekday meals I'm guessing.
 |
| Spice mixture for the spinach-tomato sauce. |
The truth is the cooking was so easy that we were free to drink wine and have some snacks, all while solving the problems of the world, of course.
 |
| Snacks and Wine |
Have you ever taken a map out of an old atlas for framing?
 |
| Framed atlas page. |
We had this gorgeous atlas lying around that was quite old and falling apart. It came from Austria with MrBP's grandparents.
You can see I've framed up
Paris, of course, but I have also framed New York, London and Prague.
 |
| Winter Outfit |
I've been relying heavily on my Brora winter wardrobe: sweaters, skirts and a warm stole. Everyday I wear some variation of the outfit above.
We've had a cold winter and to tell the truth the gloom has been getting to me. I find the only antidote to winter despair is to go outside and walk around twice a day. The sidewalks are icy and horrible and therefore difficult to navigate, but the fresh air is bracing and any bit of sun is welcome.
Still, I've been dreaming of spring and summer, and of course knowing me as you do, you know what that means: wardrobe shenanigans.
I bought something for spring.
 |
| Brora Spring Coat |
More pictures, a thorough review, and wardrobe ideas around a new coat coming up tomorrow.
I hope your week is off to the best possible start.
xoxDani
Hi Dani, That coat is beautiful... I love that color! We don't really need spring coats in my part of the world (the south) but I wish we did when I see things like that!
ReplyDeleteHi Jill, we seem to go quickly from winter to warm and humid weather but I'm hoping to get some wear out of this coat, I bought it to wear out at night with my black dresses.
ReplyDeleteOf course it seems as if winter will never end here so wearing the coat is far off!
Morning Dani - isn't GetFresh doing a bang-up job over at Wendy's? I'm looking forward to trying those sauces. I love your idea with the atlas - we had a similar one in our family, not as old of course, but I used to love looking through it as a child. I have an idea I might have it with me here, I must have a look for it.
ReplyDeleteI love your Brora spring coat! It reminds me of spring coats that my mum used to have in the 70s - very simple but dressy, single-breasted, one was a pale blue I remember.
Patricia the coat is very vintage looking, I'm in love with it. I was happy to make good use of the atlas before it disintegrated, the maps are so pretty. I hope you find your atlas!
DeleteI would love to be able to call a friend for cooking sessions, that should be a marvelous time! Thanks for the link and thanks to GetFresh, I will get there to find inspiration. We have been having some sun today for the first time since ages! I am sure it is nothing comparable to your winter, but we have had a pretty good one here in matter of cold and snow. I loved it very much. The only really missing part was some sunshine. It has been grey all the time.
ReplyDeleteThe coat is wonderful Dani, I am very curious to see which outfits you will put together as I would be absolutely clueless about what to wear with this piece...
Hi Steph, we had a bit of sun today and it was glorious if short-lived. Please tune in to the coat ideas, I know you'll love it being another massive Brora fan!
DeleteYour pics made me so hungry:)
ReplyDeleteI am def goint to try out GetFresh' recipe too!
The spring coat looks lovely and i cant wait to see more pics.
I am waiting for the jcrew micro tweed jacket in navy to use as a spring jacket.
Ina the recipes are great and easy.
DeleteThat jacket will be a perfect spring piece, I'm looking forward to seeing it on you.
Hi Dani-Love that coat! What color are those gloves? I am pining for some navy ones and I haven't been able to find them anywhere. All that cooking sounds like a wonderful pastime, especially with the cold winter growling outside your door. We are fortunate-having a bit of sunshine this am before round #3 of snow/rain/ice. Can't wait to behold the latest frock shenanigans!
ReplyDeleteHi David, the gloves are black as is the trim on the blue coat. Navy gloves are indeed very hard to find. If I ever see any I'll let you know pronto.
DeleteCooking, eating and drinking wine=the only way to combat winter!
We had such beautiful almost summer weather in LA last week, and now it's all gray and gloomy again. I just love that coat and can't wait to see it on you. Unfortunately, in LA Spring coats are not needed at all. It's such a beautiful color.
ReplyDeleteKathy it's a beautiful colour and the silk lining is a stunning and gorgeous blue.
DeleteHow are you feeling? Did I see on WMM that you had to cancel your trip? If so I'm so sorry. I hope you are mending, what a long haul you've had.
Hi Dani,
DeleteYes, we ended up canceling our trip. I feel OK now, but still don't have my usual energy level back, and the idea of being in Europe traveling around when it's so cold and rainy, just wasn't sounding very appealing.
We were trying to squeeze it in before our first two grandchildren are born this summer, but it's probably not going to happen. I feel like taking some road trips around California anyway - I can tell my daughter doesn't like the idea of me being too far right now, and I don't like it either. I'm feeling very homey and like nesting.
Kathy that's the pits but on the other hand, it's good that you're home. It's a nerve-wracking time for your daughter for certain, and a second grandchild, well it's all speeding up now, how excellent.
DeleteYou've been really sick. I think some nice drives around California with restorative stops would be just the thing. (Our ideal holiday is doing just that, we've never been to California and we need to get there.)
It's going to be an exciting spring and summer for your family!
Dani, never had Indian food and after seeing your pics I am anxious to try some! It's been a long winter here too. Every thing looks dirty outside .Cant wait for March to end and the buds on the trees to start blooming. Filthy snow ,broken branches,sandy littered roads it's just a mess! April showers and a good spring cleaning is what we need here. I can see an extra bounce in everyone's step come April . Love your spring coat,the color is beautiful however way way out of my budget! Your a lucky girl Dani ! As always look forward to your posts and admire your ways. Your a great mom and wife!
ReplyDeleteAnon everything here looks quite filthy and horrible. I am very much looking forward to some spring sunshine and snow melting.
DeleteThanks for the nice compliments. Yes the coat is a splurge for sure but check back for the details, you'll see why I love it.
I rarely cook Indian, but my fridge is full of Babybel and olives. That coat is a stunning colour Dani - looking forward to hearing more. March always makes me feel a bit more cheerful - Spring is on the way!
ReplyDeleteHi Sulky well so far no March signs of spring but we can dream. Babybel and olives=perfect snack. Good with restorative cocktails.
DeleteCOOK-UP Oh Dani, how neat to get a taste of your blog read result! Trust you wore your apron ;-) Thank you -and WMM of course - for the shout-out too.
ReplyDeleteGotta know I would love the idea of a framed set of favourite city maps. Like people used to have a row of "world clocks" in some offices. I know Google Maps and GPS are great, but not the spirit of adventure of a globe or atlas.
PS Wednesday's guester post is specially for you and FFM (my "monogram" inspirations).
PPS Please pass the Babybel cheese.
GF thanks so much for the excellent recipes. Yes wore piggie apron and needed to!
DeleteCan't wait for your other posts!
Hi Dani, looks like you and your friend cooked up quite a storm! I had always thought Indian cooking was too complicated but the recipes that GF posted look very straightforward. I am always on the lookout for recipes that can be frozen and saved for busy days. I also love the idea of framing the city maps. We have a map of Paris that we got from a hotel, that we marked up with all the walking routes we took. Now I am thinking of framing it! Also - looking forward to your outfit photos with the new Brora coat!!
ReplyDeleteLouise you'll have to try those recipes, so easy. My daughters loved them too, you could leave the cayenne out for your kids and add your own at the table.
DeleteThat map of Paris would be an excellent reminder of your trip!
I love having time on the weekend to batch food for the week -- that looks delicious! And then the week goes so much more smoothly just pulling containers out of fridge and freezer instead of debating and stressing over what's for dinner. I haven't framed maps but I do frame record album covers as nostalgic remnants and reminders of youth and the past millenium and a continuing thread between who I was then and who I am now.
ReplyDeleteLTee I love the look of framed record albums, so nostalgic! Great idea!
DeleteI don't really need to prepare ahead as I'm home all day but it's nice to do so, my friend Berna runs a busy practice and really needs to have these things to turn to after a long day. Beats take-out!
Yay for the good cooking! Love doing that! Tonight is our big curry night!
ReplyDeleteWas just in jcrew - only got a scarf and bracelet. Still on budget!
WMM good job staying on budget. MrBP was the one who went crazy shopping in NYC last year, how's your Barry doing?
DeleteYou're going for curry tonight! Enjoy it!
Barry has bought nothing... I do have a Ralph Lauren jacket that may take me over... It will go back if I find shoe of dreams to tomorrow.....
DeleteThe coat! Looking forward to see what hoops you make it jump through.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't take your winters!
Tabs the coat stands alone, it seems to beautify everything!
DeleteOh I can't take our winters either. Even though I love to be out walking and I love to ski, it's a bit much!
Thanks for the link to WMM's recipes. They look very doable. I am pretty intimidated by cooking Indian food because there are so many ingredients and steps (and condiments). My neighbor recently hosted an Indian meal that we all cooked together and it was quite a production but so much fun. We even made homemade paneer, the Indian cubed cheese which was the least complicated dish and the only one I might try to make again in the future. I think that cooking Indian food with friends is the way to go!
ReplyDeleteI love your Brora stole. Can't wait to see the new spring coat.
Hi AmW, well that sounds like a fun night! Those recipes are so easy, I don't like fiddling with 9000 spices but really they are very streamlined.
DeleteAMW, I agree homemade paneer is worth the process. My best trick to help get good curds is to use 2% fat Greek yogurt. It also really helps to weight it with something like a large can and make it the day before you want to eat it. Once you have that, the spinach or whatever you serve as sauce can be very fast. If you like it crisp, toss the cheese cubes in a tiny bit of flour before pan-frying (resto trick).
DeleteGetFresh, thanks so much for the suggestion! I'll have to try that.
DeleteMy pleasure AMW. I have a pretty foolproof recipe/ method fine-tuned from a few versions. (I like to cook but not fiddle or stress.) Happy to share > getfreshpress at gmail dot com
DeleteI am looking forward to your outfits with your new coat. Is it the same one featured on Tabitha's blog? It was lovely. Our weather has no real middle ground. It is either freezing or too warm for a coat.
ReplyDeleteKnitYarns it is the one. I ordered it as soon as Brora released their spring line, I saw it and completely lost my head. Typical! I'm hoping for a real spring, we've been having that right-into-heat thing for a couple of years, I don't like it.
DeleteThe coat is light and fabulous, I really bought it for dressing up, I've got a few events I'll be wearing it to in April.
Oh and I still think Tabs should buy it, it was stunning on her! It's not a raincoat though and Scotland is a bit soggy I hear.
DeleteToo funny. I agree, it did look stunning on her. I think it is event worthy, but would also be lovely for daytime brunch, church, or travel. Except, as you say,in a down pour. Silk lining too!
Deletewine, cooking and solving the world's problems...the best way to spend a day!
ReplyDeletexo
Loved that coat on Tabs, but was not her thing. May be yours? She'll findsomething wonderful too, I hope.
ReplyDeleteTonight we are having lentil sauce and roasted parsnips/carrots/onions + middle eastern cous cous, plain with some basil cubes. Weird menu but good.
GetFresh 's sauces look so good. At least your belly will be warm even if it's cold outside. I must admit I was envious when I saw the snow in a couple of posts. But I couldn't do it and I can't imagine how Wendy gets through the long winters.
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me I'm going to love tomorrow's post.That coat was the first thing I noticed. I received the new colour swatch and the indigo is pretty.