Friday, November 14, 2008

Experiment Part 2

I put the experimental blocks away and decided to try the same technique, keeping the fabrics that worked and replacing the ones that didn't. I liked the resulting blocks so much better that I went ahead and made sashing or connecting blocks for the two new blocks. Of course I had to try the new blocks with the original, unloved ones. They actually blended pretty well. I now had the core of a quilt that was pretty interesting to me.
IMG_0380v2
I've now made more blocks, staying with the on point setting. I love the abstract, very colorful look. I became a little obsessed with it last weekend. It is a really neat technique developed by Sandi Cummings
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Monday, November 03, 2008

Marsala Honey Pears with Gorgonzola

I guess it is that time of year again when I want to cook. This recipe was taken from Nigella Lawson's book Nigella Express and I heard about it on The Chef's Table on WHYY a couple of Saturday's ago.

Serves 2

Ingredients
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (one was enough)
  • 2 Pears, peel left on and cored
  • 3 Tablespoons Marsala
  • 2 Tablespoons Honey
  • 50g Walnut Halves
  • 500g Gorgonzola
    (honestly, I don't know what a gram of anything is. I just put some in. Enough that it looked right)


Directions
Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Cut the pears into eighths, leaving the skin but cored.
Fry the pears for 3–4 minutes on each side, or until softened.
Meanwhile, whisk the Marsala and honey together in a cup or small bowl.
Add the Marsala mixture to the pears and allow to bubble and become syrupy.
Transfer the pears to a large serving plate, reserving the syrupy mixture in the pan.
Add the walnuts to the same pan and stir fry them for about a minute, or until they are slightly darkened and sticky all over.
To serve, transfer the walnuts to the serving plate along with any remaining pan juices and place the gorgonzola onto the plate.

This was excellent. we had it with a salad and chicken breast.