Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Trilliums, ISS, Canadian Commander.

TrilliumsI am not sure how many years I have been going to Barrie’s Asparagus Farm, but every year when we start going there, we pass some wooded areas which are full of Trilliums which is the Provincial Flower of Ontario. I keep meaning to take my camera with me in order to take some pictures, but every year I forget, yesterday was no exception. I strongly suspect that by my next visit they will be gone. They don’t have a very long life. One is not allowed to pick Trilliums although I believe you can transfer the whole plant. They are more numerous in the picture than they are on the road where we pass by them.

Monday the Canadian Commander of the ISS, Chris Hadfield, started Chris Hadfieldhis trip back to earth having been Tweeting for the 5 months he was up there and making a video of playing the guitar and singing a farewell song. This is the last video he made just before leaving the ISS and boarding the Soyuz capsule which will bring him back to earth. Canada is justifiably proud to have had a Canadian commanding the ISS for the last 5 months, he is the first Canadian to do so.

Today I go back to the sleep clinic for my assessment. It has taken long enough and I will be very interested to hear what the doctor says.

This is a recipe from Mario Batali who is one of my favourite TV chefs. I am not familiar with vin santo but there are many lightly sweet dessert wines which would fill the bill.


Grilled Asparagus with Pepper Zabaglione

3 large egg yolksA091211_FW_Batali_
1 large egg
3 Tbs vin santo or other lightly sweet dessert wine
2 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
1 Tbs heavy cream
1 tsp freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt
2 lbs large asparagus
2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbs freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

1. Light a grill or heat a grill pan. In a heatproof medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks with the egg and vin santo. Set the bowl over a medium saucepan of simmering water and vigorously whisk the eggs over moderate heat until the sauce holds firm peaks, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl of sauce from the heat.

2. In a small bowl, mix the butter with the heavy cream and pepper. Whisk the cream mixture into the sauce, 1 tablespoon at a time, until incorporated. Season the zabaglione with salt and keep warm.

3. In a large bowl, toss the asparagus with the olive oil and season with salt. Grill the asparagus over moderately high heat, turning occasionally, until charred all over and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the asparagus to plates.

4. Set the bowl of sauce over the saucepan of simmering water and whisk over low heat until thick and just heated through, about 1 minute. Spoon the sauce over the asparagus, sprinkle with the Parmigiano-Reggiano and serve.

Servings: 6
Author: Mario Batali

Have a great day
Jo_thumb[2]

27 comments:

  1. Hi Jo - the Trillium carpet looks delightful, while I love asparagus ... our season is about a month behind! I saw the Canadian commander and his video, twitter updates etc .. it will be so interesting to see more .. it was on our main independent news last night.

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. Hi Hilary, trilliums are lovely although I gather they are on the endangered list.

      Hadfield really brought a lot of attention to the Space station.

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  2. The trillium is our official Township flower, displacing the invasive purple loosestrife which I 'kicked to the curb' after my first election. Unfortunately, the trillium seem to be a favorite of the deer in our nature preserve.

    Think I might have to try the asparagus recipe.

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    1. The are so pretty aren't they. I suppose the deer round here like them as well. Maybe that's why they are endangered.

      It's a somewhat different recipe from the usual.

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  3. I love asparagus! And Mario Batali, too, and his orange crocs. Will have to give this one a go, too
    Those flowers look amazing, remind me of the blankets of flowers we'd come across wandering the woods behind our house in Sweden.
    Tina @ Life is Good

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    1. I'd forgotten about his orange crocs.

      Used to get some wonderful woodland flowers in England too, some of which we never see here in Canada.

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  4. I tried to grow trilliums in the garden of our previous house - the end of our garden was a 'woodland' garden - mainly because we had badger setts there and didn't want to disturb them. The trilliums all failed. I purchased the bulbs from very good suppliers so don't think it was the quality - maybe they were eaten by wildlife. Beautiful to see them en masse like this

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    1. Funny that they are so protective of them here then if you can buy bulbs in the UK. Lucky you having badger setts, never seen a badger live (maybe in a zoo but don't think so).

      Pity the trilliums failed they are so pretty. I've got to remember my camera next week although, with my luck, if I do, they will have died back.

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  5. I've had vin santo, holy wine that used to be used at Catholic mass. It's okay, but I generally don't like wine made from the lees of old wine. There's a taste to it I can't get used to. Good luck with the sleep study.

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    1. Never heard of it nor of using the lees of old wine. Sounds horrid actually.

      Saw the doc today.

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  6. Let us all know about the sleep study. I am due to do this as well in a few weeks. Ah, what a gift is a good night's sleep.

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    1. I will write about it tomorrow. The upshot of the test is that I am to try out a machine.

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  7. After all this time I have been able to join your great site..... don't know what the problem was before as I tried several times, but whatever it was it is fixed now.... also have subscribed for your posts by email.... have missed them.

    I LOVE LOVE Chris Hadfield.... I have learned so many things and he is such a terrific ambassador for Canada and for Space... great post!

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    1. Glad you have been able to get through at long last Patricia. Thanks for continuing to make the effort.

      He certainly has done a good job publicising the ISS and Canada too. He will long be remembered I think.

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  8. If I can come up with a veggie alternative, the recipe sounds great!

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    1. Duuh, I was thinking "what's wrong with asparagus?". Hope you can find something suitable.

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  9. Something similar to this is a favourite meal around here.

    There is a patch near a spot in Tofino, of trilliums that looks like a lush carpet of green. I just want to lie amongst them, but figure that's better left to the bears.

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    1. Where is Tofino? OK to roll in them after the flowers have gone, be a pity to do it before.

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  10. Hi, Jo. I nominated you for the Liebster Award. I tried not to tag anyone who had been nominated before, but I just saw your badge up there! Happy blogging.

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    1. Nice of you Jan, I have now been nominated 3 times. Where is your blog, I can't find it by clicking on your name.

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    2. Hi, sorry. Here I am: http://blog.janridernewman.com. 3 times! That's great.

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  11. I must get asparagus this week....MUST! Good luck with the sleep study assessment.

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    1. I have written about the sleep study in my blog for tomorrow.

      If you have a farm or a market, I hope you can buy it there.

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  12. Beautiful trillium, I heard the guitar man, astronaut, and he's fabulous, wouldn't it be fun to consider a flight to Mars and being able to be part of it the entire time via YouTube? Amazing.

    Maybe it's what we need to get past all the sh.. in Washington now, as long as the folks with money pay for it and not the poorest of the poor as usual. Another soap box.

    Anyway, just thought it would be lovely. No thank you on asparagus, but I am into lots of other veggies.

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    1. Well Virgin are offering people space flights for a large figure. It would be fun.

      Don't like asparagus, friend of mine is the same. She is particularly into corn.

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  13. Good luck on the assessment. And I wonder how long it will take Chris to adapt to living on our beautiful blue marble.

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    1. I imagine after living 5 months weightless it would take a while. Must feel quite odd to get back to earth.

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