Progress….
Sometimes it’s visible and goes in vast leaps.
Sometimes it’s hidden, buried underground, as it were.
The big story today is the windows.
We don’t have a lot of them, by American standards, but they are big, and, today, they are being replaced.
This is our kitchen window. Yes, only one; but it’s almost 7′ (2m) high by 3 1/2′ (1+m) wide
We have 2 just like it in the dining room and the living room (lounge).
They need rather big screws for these old houses.
As I type this they are chiseling away parts of the old frame to fit in our new door.
This is the old one – from the outside:
And the inside:
Yep, you guessed it: It’s 10′ high (3m).
Those are the windows leaning on the wall next to it. It will be nice to finally open all the shutters. The old windows didn’t close tight, so we were very ‘old French country‘ and kept our shutters tightly closed all winter.
Once the windows are in mon mari will no longer have an excuse to avoid plumbing the kitchen sink.
I had no idea how challenging it would be to cook without access to a sink. I’m organized now, and have a small basin of soapy water and a pitcher of clean water… Barely adequate.
Which I realize when it comes to doing things like draining pasta….
Or steamed veggies….
Nothing can finish off boring old steamed broccoli like a nice sprinkling of garlic chips!
Someone once accused me of posting recipes that were too simple….
But, if simple is this good, why not?
Broccoli with Garlic Chips
1/2 small broccoli
2 tbs olive oil
4 cloves garlic
a bit of sea salt
Cut broccoli into small florets and stems. Steam over boiling water for 8 – 10 minutes or until just done. Remove from pan and put into a serving dish.
While the broccoli steams: Slice garlic as thinly as you can. Put olive oil in a small frying pan and, over medium heat, fry garlic chips until brown and very crisp, about 10 minutes. Mind them so they don’t burn. Remove chips and drain on paper towels. Keep oil warm until needed.
To finish: Drizzle oil over the broccoli, sprinkle with garlic chips, a bit of salt, and serve.
Mon mari says I might have a kitchen counter to tile this week…
I hope he means my kitchen counter….
Recipes that are too simple ??? Their head is screwed on backwards. A recipe’s difficulty is not part of evaluating it’s worth. You evaluate a recipe first on is it something you’ll want to eat.
Garlic chips . . . bring em on.
The windows . . . WOW!! Counter to tile … you are cruising!!
Someone accused you of making too simple recipes? Doesn’t people have a job to do? Are they too bored or what?
Simple things are the best in all ways! Hand me a plate please 😀
Bring on the simple! Who has the time to cook like Julia nowadays? A recipes degree of difficulty is NOT what defines it as delicious.
Sounds like things are moving along quite nicely in the kitchen! When everything finally comes together, you will just be that much more appreciative!
Tanna, I agree, especially these days, I like simple.
Nuria, I knew you’d like that garlic!!!
Cindy, yes, it’s moving along…. some days better than other!
Oooohhh…garlic and broccoli…how lovely! Julia
Too simple, eh? There’s always someone complaining about something, isn’t there? (I know someone who complains that a recipe is too complicated if it contains the word “meanwhile” in the instructions.)
Your broccoli with garlic chips sounds absolutely delicious. Although, I might be tempted to make it more complicated by adding some julienned ginger in with the garlic.
A new kitchen counter needs to be adorned with ginger.
Looks like you are continuing to christen every accomplishment and every progression with amazing foods.
What mon mari says – mon mari does! Congratulations for getting it all renovated – but keep it simple like your cooking. If simple is sublime why make it complicated…the broccoli and garlic flakes exude simplicity at their best.
I am struck by the beauty of the views through your windows and out your door – gorgeous! As far as your recipes, I always like that you follow the KISS rule – Keep it simple, sweetie!
First of all, I worship at the temple of simple! And especially when that simple includes garlic — how can you go wrong?
Secondly, your windows and door will be spectacular when they’re in. 7 and 10 feet??? Wow!
But cooking without a sink WILL be a challenge. Re-heating would be my speed. 😉
Garlic chips mae this way may be a bit strong for my taste… I like doing the same thiing to shallots though 🙂
Oh, you have fingernails! You are obviously not out playing in the dirt these days like at least one of your readers is. Very fatiguing playing, I might add.
If one wants complicated, there are plenty of other sites out there. Simple is the key to what makes yours particularly interesting. ESPECIALLY when one has all kinds of heavy construction work going on but must feed the hubby. (We get a support wall knocked out tomorrow and an I-beam inserted — who has time or energy to prepare complicated meals under those circumstances?)
I know to toss cooked green beans with chopped raw garlic, but this sounds like a fun change. My guy loves garlic, I love broccoli, I’ll definitely have to give this a try.
As another American living in France, I so related to your shutters story. They also thought we were crazy, but we knew when they got up in the mornings!
I know those screws. Wicked looking, aren’t they?
Henhouse, one can never have to much garlic.
Elizabeth, it’s the old ‘you can’t please everyone’ So I try to please me!
Val, the reward at the end of the day.
Samantha, slowly, it’s getting there
Zoomie, the views were what really convinced us – thankfully, they don’t need renovation.
Toni, at some point one has to cook… or go crazy. We manage.
Jude, shallot chips would be good..
Azurienne, the shutters are a hoot – crazy Americans, letting in the night air. The fingernails disappear with the spring.
Heh, I agree that’s there’s no such thing as too much garlic. It’s a great addition for a variety of meals – not in soup, nor in pasta. Anyways, the new windows seem nice. Big ones work well in houses that get a lot of sunlight outside. All that natural light coming though during the day feels very fresh!