I’m in love with the new Discovery Coffee location on Blanshard Street near the corner at Fort, in Victoria BC. They make an excellent hot chocolate and serve Yonni’s Doughnuts, if they aren’t all gone!
Archives for category: Food
Quick pickled vegetables I made this morning – cauliflower, carrot, onion, and watermelon radish. Fast and easy, you just have to eat them up fairly quickly.
I was too busy cooking and enjoying our friends and cats – and eating of course – to take very many pics on Christmas Day. We did a beautiful turkey and so many delicious dishes. One friend brought rum, another fresh home-made eggnog and another pickled carrots and beets, plus wine galore. We totally cleared off GJ’s workspace and transformed it into a dining table, with his beautiful candle sticks and wine glasses, mismatched vintage plates and fragrant beeswax candles, orange pomanders and branches of bay. A perfect, peaceful and joyous day! The only thing missing was snow!
A gift of a green centrepiece, my baking, juicy oranges and English candies sent by my sister from her recent trip to London!
Our lovely table!
We were gifted a bag of quince which we helped pick from a small tree in friends’ back yard. I found this recipe, bought some lids to go with our assortment of jars, and embarked on my first canning! The jelly went fine, ending up with 5 1/2 small jars. The paste is more like the consistency of apple sauce, so I’ve been mixing in with my morning oats (yum!) and might use the rest in some baking. I love the delicate rosy flavour of the quince; I’m quite addicted.
Fuzzy and flavourful: my new favourite fruit!
Weird that a yellow-fleshed fruit can make such red jelly! No colour added!
GJ made the best risotto the other night. It was very simple but delicious. First he made a large batch of risotto bianco by sautéing a simple soffritto (finely chopped onion, garlic, celery and carrot), adding the arborio rice and then stirring in homemade vegetable stock in stages until the rice was the perfect al dente; a bit of yogurt at the end added extra creaminess. While that was resting, he sautéed a bit more onion and garlic with some whisky smoked lardons from Ravenstone Farm, fresh thyme and green peas. This he combined with some of the prepared risotto. The left over risotto was made into arancini (rice balls) with spicy tomato sauce for dinner the next night.
Had a wonderful walk yesterday with our friend M. She lives very close to our beautiful city park. We walked all around the gardens admiring the plantings this year, saw some turtles and baby ducks, and ended our visit over delicious beverages at Heist Coffee Co. on Courtney Street.
Our friend Annie is extraordinary and lovely. She’s a painter, fabric artist and wonderful chef. Many of my posts have already included her home and amazing cooking. When last we were there, the light was so gorgeous that I had to take many photos inside her home. We have some of Annie’s art in our on-line store, and if you are in Victoria BC, visit Eclectic Gallery who carry her art cards and fabric creations.
Beautiful Annie
Sunlight and shadow magic with Annie’s paintings and peacock feathers.
Annie’s House
Annie’s House
Annie has a way with fabric, even if it’s just draped for curtains.
More magic with sunlight and shadow.
Sweet Carlos takes a break from his crazy friend Zelda, who was moving too fast to be part of this photo series. He is surrounded by his mamma’s incredible fabric art.
One of GJ’s copper bud vases and a colourful plate rest on a small embroidered piece by Annie.
Annie’s Kitchen
Annie’s Kitchen
Annie’s House
Clockwise from top left: curry dip for veggies, lentil samosas with tamarind chutney, and potato samosas with tomato chutney. Yum.
It was such a glorious day yesterday, that we decided to make it a walk day. Our route took us through the neighbourhoods of Fernwood, Jubilee, the edge of Oak Bay and Rockland, where we spent a bit of time in the grounds of Government House.
Later in the spring and throughout the summer, the grounds at Government House will be full of beautiful plants and flowers. Yesterday we were content to see so many narcissus.
Ducks and fountain along a pathway through the gardens.
The view towards the front of Government House, the office and official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
There is a gorgeous rock garden behind the house.
Looking south to Fairfield through the woodlands behind Government House.
Time for a treat: hot chocolates and snacks at Bubby Rose’s Bakery on Cook Street, near Fort.
Cherry blossoms on Meares Street.
The last day of February and I’m squeezing in a couple more hot chocolate treats. Yesterday, I had a lovely one at Street Level Espresso. Dark, rich, creamy and beautifully presented with a piece of chocolate on the side.
Last one! Maybe until next year! Out early this morning for a lovely walk. Spring was in the air and the sky was blue. I stopped in at a Victoria icon, Murchie’s, for hot chocolate and a currant scone with jam and cream. Very lovely.
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