COOKING FROM PATARUOKAA BOOK

COTTAGE WEEKEND

Weekend at the cottage was pure slow living. Finnish cottages are often very basic. This time - no running water in the kitchen. The cottage was very old house where we could enjoy of fireplace in the kitchen. Such a cosy feeling it made for us. I was so happy that finally we had time to begin to cook from the book I have made with Meri-Tuuli Lindström. The book is called Pataruokaa, A Book of Stews. Stews are THE best on a cold autumn evening in the middle of nature in the candle light.

We made two stews during our stay in the cottage. Here you can see roasted Jerusalem artichokes. We made lentil stew with Jerusalem artichokes. We made also very hearty stew - chorizo beef stew. They were both so good.

 Our little Haruki also enjoyed the stay and she was very interested about the birds :)

Chorizo beef stew was made with tomatos. It took 4 hours to cook and worth to wait, I have to say. The meat was so tender. I ate it again next day with bread and it was so lovely. Rich and thick taste.  It's easy to imagine that after a very cold day outdooring this kind of food is heaven.

We are having grey days and the light is vanishing very early. I love the greyness I have to admit. I've learnt to love every season. It makes life very rich because every season has a very special atmosphere. After warm summer it's great to enjoy the darkness, candle light and warm woolly socks on the cosy sofa.

This is not my knitting work, it's my husbands. Yes, I have my camera and my husband has his knitting.

I've been thinking to photograph birches...so long time. But every time when I see a very good birch forest we are driving somewhere and we just don't stop only for photographing except today. Gorgeous burnt orange color from the leaves behind the birches.

 I admit. I took my own table cloth and two plates with us to cottage because I knew I wanted to photograph the food we make and you can't do it with ugly plates, can you?

We also brought with us these preserved pears and made delicious dessert from them. These ones are actually Finnish pears. We are going to make them again. They are in season now so have to be quick. They say also that we are going to have snow fall next week. I guess winter is knocking on our door. 

xoxo

Kreetta

Slow Living - Cottage Weekend

This blog post is about reminding you and me that it is important to see your friends and family. I got an invitation to my friend's beautiful cottage last weekend. I spent time in beautiful nature and in a good company.

Doing things together is very rewarding and relaxing. It's so easy to forget to call, write or have a cup of coffee with your friend when you are occupied with your daily tasks and challenges. I'm like that. I can use my days without remembering the most important people in my life. Luckily everybody else is having a bit same kind of problem...

With Friends

Sunny and warm weekend with friends next to the sea. A lot of eating, laughing, riding, talking and of course sauna and dipping to the sea. Not so much sleeping. 5 women seeing each other after a long time. I recommend.

Pie recipe by my mother-in-law. Gluten free onion bacon pie. Thank you for Päivi who made it. Tomatoes, rucola and avocado was great on top of it.Yummy.

Sunset.

Pretty Pippi Longstocking horse. We had a great day by riding and after that we went swimming. It was quite hot day. Our riding teacher was also very good.

Next to the beach there were a small sweet cottage with lovely retro furniture. We all remembered these couches from our childhood. We had white one. I just love that old stool too.

Ice cream, yes please.

Local beer and donuts. Good combination?

After dinner we ate rasberry, red currant pavlova without cream. On top of it there were edible Ground-ivy and peppermint with some dried lavender. I found this old black and white cake doily from antique shop. It must be from 1920-1930, I think. They are for special occasion and this weekend was definitely one of those.

She's getting married in next month. Then we will have a party! Thank you girls!

xo

Kreetta