‘Lekker’* news and a sweet taste of Quirky Provence

So much things to share, so little time…

Quirky Provence dinner by la gourmande

I’m so excited…

Guess who’s gonna be guest chef at the trendy Quirky cafe this friday in the Hague?

Monday’s quickie: pasta with broad beans and farm egg

Hurray, I’ve been swimming into the sea at last! Can you believe it’s the first time this year (and I’m just back from summer holiday).

‘Easy-peasy’ dinner tonight… a big plate of pasta and fresh greens, freshly grated parmegianno, al fresco of course!

Craving strawberries…

… and cherries, and raspberries, and everything red and not red as long as it’s ripe, juicy summer fruit.

But who doesn’t? There is actually something else I want to share with you today, something I’ve been hiding from you for too long, something very personal and magical I’d like to share with you…

Maastricht… Dutch capital of Gourmandise

It’s been a while since I’ve been willing to share with you my crush for the epicurean city.

Maastricht, with its eternal ‘Joie de vivre’ and its oozing Gourmandise will always have a special place in my heart… It’s a city of passion, and incidentally, the place where I met my dutchie for the first time.

Since, every single time, I fall in love with Maastricht…

Sweet sunday bite: Rustic rhubarb tartlet

This is one of these sundays when there’s nothing better to do than dream about better days and bake: all cuddled up in a fleece blanket, with a warm cup of tea, I’m trying to forget the pouring rain outside.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not whining. I’m having the best flashbacks while the sweet smell of rhubarb, butter and cinnamon is slowly taking over the house… It was a couple of weekends ago, a warm evening in the middle of the Dutch countryside, in the ‘Achterhoek’…

One last batch of asparagus for the road

Yes I know, the asparagus season is almost over!

I just can’t get enough of them.

Before it really is over, let me indulge with you into one more asparagus feast: a thin crispy savory tart with a pesto of green asparagus and almonds and a generous layer of mozarella buffala… All the tastes and flavors of spring, Provence and Italy in a bite!