Figs 6 ways

This is a no photo blog, because I was so busy presenting it at the office in makeshift kitchen conditions, I didn't even think of taking photos.  We have an office lunch for everyone's birthday, normally take-away from one of the many restaurants in Crows Nest.  This was a 60th and I wanted to cook for it instead.  Richard chose the main course, which was a barbequed quail in a fig bath dish from a Maggie Beer cookbook resident in the office.  I took this on board to present a menu based on fig over 3 courses.  It was enhanced by a lovely tablecloth, table settings, and some freshly picked sage as the greenery.  The menu?

A tasting platter with:

• black figs wrapped in prosciutto
• sauteed prawns with a hint of garlic (they were delish)
• pan fried asparagus with slivered almonds
• slow cooked roma tomatoes
• balsamic figs topped with goats cheese
• pizza slices with leeks caramelized in burnt fig jam with gorgonzola cheese (these were adventurous and amazing)
• Labna with fig & fennel paste served in filo cases (surprisingly good)

Mains
Barbequed quail in a fig bath, with freekah salada with preserved lemon, fig paste and mint

Dessert
spiced figs and almonds topped with vanilla marscarpone


Not sure I would do it all again, but with figs in season, it was a lovely lunch.  Happy 60th Richard, and no leftovers - it was all gone by the end of lunch!

The arty part of the trip

Thought I'd cover my wonderful trip to the Pacific Northwest in a few genres - this one is admiring some artistic features.  So it is very visual...

This is the exterior of the EMP (Experience Music Project) building in the Seattle Center precinct, with the 50 year old monorail running through it.  Didn't actually get there - have to leave something for a future trip!

The start of the huge amount of glass art, but I liked the style of this.

The glass is starting to get a little more complex - shells represented here.

This series was symbolic of baskets woven by the native Indians.

Rosie and I found this guy outside Union Station in Tacoma.  The station is no longer used, but is preserved with artwork and was lovely.

The bridge to the glass museum in Tacoma - the Venetian Glass Wall.  They were all gorgeous, and quite unitque to me as outdoor art.

My new facebook profile pic - Rosie captured me well with floating glass behind me.


Just loved this duck.

I loved this art at Pike Place Market, but as it turns out, it was just a painted canvas wrapped around a pillar.  Just captured the winter season so well.

Loved this pictorial as to the restrooms, below Pike Place Markets.  All hexagons!

Who'd have thought street lighting could also be artistic!

The chewing gum wall was amazing, and I think, artistic.  A bit hidden, but I'm sure they take all the tourists down there. 

This fountain was a favourite.  This first time I saw it, the child was obscured.  The water jets apparently vary at different times.

This was at the La Conner quilt museum.  A Lone Star quilt design, but I thought the bottle of wine and wine glasses quilting was pretty unusual.

This was my pic of the ones I was able to photograph.  Fresh applique, random and some good colour.

Some great building art in Vancouver - a large building.  Actually, there was a lot of street art in the 3 major cities (Vancouver, Seattle and Portland), but I wasn't aways comfortable in pulling out a lovely camera, or the Iphone.  Trying to blend in without being a tourist target.

These totems were in Stanley Park in Vancouver.  They were really impressive, and in a stunning location.  On the downside, I'd have to say the Vancouver Art Gallery was the least impressive I can remember being in.  Maybe I just went at a bad time, but I'd rather the street art!



More to come.  Promise.  Maybe.