Veal Piccata With Capers In A Lemon Sauce

Lately I have been trying to prepare much healthier food and instead of too much red meat I started to make more fish. I also tried this veal recipe which is easy to prepare and delicious.

Ingredients:
4 large veal cutlets
Plain all purpose flour (I use 100% whole wheat flour) seasoned with salt and pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken stock
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley

Place the veal between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet until an even thickness. Lightly dust each side with flour.

Heat the olive oil and butter in a large frying pan. Fry the cutlets over moderately high heat for about 2 minutes on each side, or until golden. Season and transfer to a warm plate.

Add the wine to the pan, increase the heat to high and boil until there are just 3 - 4 tablespoons of liquid left. Pour in the stock and boil for 4 - 5 minutes, or until it has reduced and slightly thickened. Add the lemon juice and capers and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Taste for seasoning, then return the cutlets to the pan and heat through for 1 minute. Sprinkle with parsley and serve at once with mash potatoes and a fresh salad.

Enjoy!

All images taken by me

Modern Mexican Interiors

Beautiful interiors are one of my greatest passions! While growing up in South Africa and then married to an architect and building contractor I was exposed to different kinds of architecture styles, interiors and gardens. We moved to the USA thirteen years ago and that is when I discovered and fell in love with the warm, rugged and stylish Santa Fe Style Homes. These homes with their romantic beauty originated from the Spanish and the Pueblo Style homes. Originally native materials were used in the construction.

I decided to share two lovely homes built and designed by a blogger friend of mine Ryannan Bryer and her husband Jim. Please visit her inspiring blog at http://sottoilmontevineyards.blogspot.com/2009/12/modern-mexican.html  

Ry and her husband built these homes in the Modern Mexican Style. All the rooms of the first home opened up into a central enclosed courtyard and they enjoyed dining outside most of the time.

Double adobe walls finished with hand troweled plaster tinted with pigments from Italy gave the walls a rich colorful texture.





























































The natural materials and colors used in the Pueblo and Santa Fe style homes create this desired feeling of harmony with ones surroundings and make the homes feel "at one" with nature.


The exterior colors of Ry and her husband's second house was done in bolder colors because they got tired of the traditional brown color used all over in Santa Fe.

Clean lines characterize this modern mexican home and the kitchen counter tops were made of concrete.
































A lovely idea of a stream of water coming out of the ceiling to fill the tub in the bathroom is unique but Ry said it wasn't too practical because water splashed everywhere...












































Terra cotta planters and a beautiful painting bought in Mexico add character to this intimate space













































































































































































































I hope you enjoyed and found much inspiration from these beautiful homes built by Ry and her husband!

All images taken by Ryannan Bryer and she can be contacted at RyBryerPhoto@gmail.com

To All Women!

`

I know this coming Sunday is Mother's day but this post is for all the women out there! Many women do not have any children but precious pets they love and care for. There are those women who do not have pets but care for elderly people, the poor, sick and needy. I therefore dedicate this post to all women....thank you for all your love, care, patience and encouragement! I salute all of you!







Super Mom



Mom, you're a wonderful mother,
So gentle, yet so strong.
The many ways you show you care
Always make me feel I belong.



You're patient when I'm foolish;
You give guidance when I ask;
It seems you can do most anything;
You're the master of every task.



You're a dependable source of comfort;
You're my cushion when I fall.
You help in times of trouble;
You support me whenever I call.



I love you more than you know;
You have my total respect.
If I had my choice of mothers,
You'd be the one I'd select!


By Joanna Fuchs

This is our precious cat kid Tomi

This is our precious cat kid Elijah

To all the wonderful women out there, thank you for all your love and care...... whether it is for a person, pet or animal.....blessings to all of you!
All images taken by me

Provencal Scallops And Vegetables With Herbs

I have decided to make more fish and less red meat because fish is so much healthier for us. I must admit that although cooking is my passion I hardly have fish recipe's. I added sautéed mushrooms to this delicious Provencal Scallop recipe from the Barefoot Contessa.




































Ingredients:
1 pound fresh bay or sea scallops
salt
black pepper
All purpose flour for dredging
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter divided
1/2 cup chopped shallots
2 garlic cloves minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1/3 cup dry white wine
1 lemon cut in half
*1 tablespoon butter
*6 large mushrooms
*salt

Sprinkle the scallops with salt and pepper. Toss the scallops with flour and shake of the excess flour. In a large saucepan heat 2 tablespoons of butter over high heat until sizzling and add the scallops in one layer. Lower the heat to medium and allow the scallops to brown lightly, 3 to 4 minutes. (*In a separate pan, melt some butter and slice the mushrooms. Sauté the mushrooms until brown. Sprinkle the mushrooms with a little salt.) Melt the rest of the butter in the pan with the scallops and add the shallots, garlic and parsley and sauté for two more minutes tossing the seasonings with the scallops. Add the wine and cook for one minute and taste for seasoning. Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice.



















I served a roasted vegetable couscous salad with the scallops that is tasty and healthy. See the recipe on my January 3, 2010 post






































Vegetables with herbs
This butternut and squash vegetable dish is so easy to make and is another option to serve with the scallops. I took one small butternut and one squash and sliced it. I drizzled it with extra virgin olive oil and seasoned it with salt and pepper. I went to my herb garden and took almost every herb I could find and placed it on top of the vegetables. I placed the lid on the dish and baked it in the oven at 350*C for 20 to 25 minutes. The taste of the different herbs in the butternut and squash is unique but wonderful!

All images taken by me

Pearls And Flowers

There is something about pearls and flowers!

Pearls are a symbol of purity, honesty, integrity, innocence and faith to me, qualities that I value and try to emulate.

Flowers exude a symphony of scents and perfumes. I love closing my eyes and breathing in the rich aromas that they so freely give. I am also soothed by their beautiful lines, pure forms and deep colors!

Pearls and flowers....what joy they bring to our lives!

All images taken by me