Something pretty, another rescue and french onion soup!

Photo by Janis Nicolay

I saw this shot as I was pulling the others for today's blog. I love it. It's from a shoot done for Gardening Life Magazine last year. It's the same time of year now. Grapes are almost ready for picking. I just thought I'd share something pretty.

Yes, another rescue at the farm! Today I freed a trapped bird that had become entangled in blueberry bushes. He had a caught wing. You should know, he was rather large, and had a very menacing beak. I got him free only to see him fall a few feet later. So, off to the bird rescue we went. He has a sprained leg and hurt wing, but should be just fine. Oh, FYI - that is not my hand. It is the man at Monica's bird sanctuary and I loved the aged worn look of them. He let that bird bite him and never felt it. He pointed out he deals with hawks and eagles - and they do hurt when they bite.

photo by Janis Nicolay

My onion has been turned into French Onion Soup! OUI, c'est true!
Here is my recipe for vegetarian French Onion Soup. You can of course use beef stock if you like.
5 Medium Onions
1/2 cup butter
5 cups vegetable stock - or beef
1/2 cup cognac or brandy (it's much more affordable!)
French Bread
Parmesan - a fresh block - no Kraft shakers permitted!

Peel and slice onions into thin circles. Saute in the butter till golden brown (be patient, it's worth the time to really saute them nicely). Add stock, cognac, and return to heat - simmer half an hour.
Pour into oven proof bowls.
Slice bread and toast the slices.
Lay two slices on top of each bowl, sprinkle on Parmesan then place in oven under the broiler.
It only takes a minute for the cheese to melt and turn just a wee bit brown. Keep an eye on it.

Bon Appetit!

After I was harshly awoken to Eye of the Tiger yesterday blasting out of my alarm clock, I thought, this could be a not so good day. I drove two hours to a shoot, only to find the home covered in scaffolding. Very Bad. I had another shoot on the same day at 2pm, and was given this lovely bottle of wine by the homeowner. I will be partaking in it this evening. Very Good.