Parchment

I promised to report back on recipes from the book I brought home from one of the Garden Conservancy’s Open Days. I wrote about “A Glorious Harvest” here.

I have been tempted by many of the recipes in this visually stunning book, which really is inspirational as it encourages cooks to use what is in season and what is at hand. As potatoes are abundant right now locally, and parchment paper is always in my kitchen drawer along with foil and plastic wrap, I decided to try one of the root vegetable offerings.

Potatoes. Wrapped in paper.

It is an easy recipe, using smaller, new potatoes, oil, and herbs. The potatoes are basically steamed in the make-shift bag crafted out of parchment. There was that “oo ah” moment when the twine wrapped around the package was opened and herb-laced steam teased our senses. We enjoyed the tasty tots on our plate, but, I must admit that for all the time involved tying up this potato package, I do not think I will make them again.

I usually use similar ingredients; olive oil, seasonings – whatever is my whim of the moment, but, I usually use Penzey’s Greek seasoning. I roast them in a moderate oven and I do use parchment paper, but, I put it on the bottom of a shallow pan, toss the potatoes on top and I always let the potatoes get a bit toasty and crisp on the outside.

I use parchment paper, frequently, lining cookie sheets instead of greasing them and when roasting chicken. It makes for easier cleanup and, for some reason, my chicken always tastes better “parched”.

Do you use parchment paper in your kitchen?

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A Glorious Harvest

A few weeks ago, I mentioned a book we received in one of the private gardens during an Open Day for the Garden Conservancy. I meant to post on it sooner, but life, in the form of young grandchildren and lots of great family time, filled my days until now.

And do, once upon a time in a garden  . . .

When we approached to ticket table at Mettawa Manor, we were given a raffle stub, along with a map of the estate and some general directions. Our delightfully informative greeter invited us to return with the stub to the ticket table when we finished our garden visit and to return it in exchange for one of the many books the estate’s owners were giving away from their personal library.

What a generous gift – and a great idea to file in my revolving folder of a mind –  perhaps to use sometime in one of my activities.

There were still many lovely books about gardening, landscaping, cooking and such when we wandered back to the table. As soon as I saw the cover of “A Glorious Harvest”, I knew it was destined to follow me home. Poor Tom. He didn’t have a chance.

“A Glorious Harvest: Robust Recipes from the Dairy, Pasture, Orchard, and Sea”, by Henrietta Green, is filled with enticing recipes, informed text from the author, a culinary writer, and the most delectable photographs.

From entries like Paper Bag Potatoes and Roulade with Asparagus, to Tarte Tatin and Whole-wheat Bread, I am putting on weight just browsing this engaging cookbook/reference book/instruction manual on all things gastronomical. As I sit here putting words to screen, a recipe, really quite simple, called Paper Bag Potatoes, is calling to me. Perhaps I will visit a farm stand tomorrow, dig up some new potatoes from one of the bins, pull out some parchment paper, and see what aromas and tastes issue forth.

Ah, the many wonders of visiting gardens on Open Days.

Have you eaten, I mean read, any good cookbooks lately?

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