Showing posts with label gatherings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gatherings. Show all posts

8.28.2015

Kate & Dave | Ranch Dinner | Port Hope, ON






























On the evening before their wedding, Kate and Dave hosted a BBQ gathering at Kate's family's ranch in Port Hope, Ontario. It was a magical evening accompanied by some swift weather changes. Dinner outdoors was rained out by a downpour but eventually the storm cleared revealing a double rainbow and a spectacular sunset. The evening concluded with a game of custom-made trivia which we Canadians learnt is a favourite past-time in Australia.

3.05.2015

A Scandinavian-Jewish Brunch | The Wandering Chew












On a very snowy Sunday morning in early February, The Wandering Chew hosted their first community food event of the new year. It was a Scandinavian-Jewish inspired brunch complete with Glogg, Lox, cinnamon buns and other fresh savoury and sweet items to satisfy a winter's morning appetite. It's always a pleasure shooting for this organization and is so nice seeing familiar faces time after time.

For more info and upcoming events visit: www.wanderingchew.ca

10.30.2014

One Evening in July | Summer 2014




These photos date back to when the sun set at 9 pm and the days seemed endless. Time is certainly flying by this fall and I am patiently finding my way through sets of photos that have been left unattended. Without having to spend more time in front of a computer I am seeking ways to share such photos- to give them life and appreciation. Alas... a mid-summer supper with Julia.

9.01.2014

Savory Summer-Inspired Galettes | Part Two: Restaurant Day | Sunday August 17th















Before summer sneaks away I wanted to share the recipes for the savory galettes that I served this past Restaurant Day (see previous post). Simultaneously trying to photograph and prep food is not as simple as one would think and takes double the time to get through a recipe. However, the process is always enjoyable. 

Ingredients for the pastry:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, chilled in the freezer for 30 minutes
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces and chill again
1/4 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup ice water
1 egg yolk beaten with 1 teaspoon water (for the glaze)

Make dough
Whisk together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Sprinkle bits of butter over dough and using a pastry blender, cut it in until the mixture resembles coarse meal, with the biggest pieces of butter the size of tiny peas. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream, lemon juice and water and add this to the butter-flour mixture. With your fingertips or a wooden spoon, mix in the liquid until large lumps form. Pat the lumps into a ball; do not overwork the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.


1. Simple Zucchini & Ricotta
Ingredients for the filling:
1 large or 2 small zucchinis, sliced into 1/4 inch thick rounds
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil
1-2 medium garlic clove, minced (use 2 if you want a punch more of garlic)
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 tablespoon slivered basil leaves

Prepare galette: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a floured work surface, roll the dough out into a 12-inch round. Transfer to an ungreased baking sheet (though if you line it with parchment paper, it will be easier to transfer it to a plate later). Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the bottom of the galette dough, leaving a 2-inch border. Shingle the zucchini attractively on top of the ricotta in concentric circles, starting at the outside edge. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of the garlic and olive oil mixture evenly over the zucchini. Fold the border over the filling, pleating the edge to make it fit. The center will be open. Brush crust with egg yolk glaze.

Bake the galette until the cheese is puffed, the zucchini is slightly wilted and the galette is golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the oven, sprinkle with basil, let stand for 5 minutes, then slide the galette onto a serving plate. Cut into wedges and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

2. Burst Tomato & Summer Corn
Ingredients for the filling:
1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
1/4 teaspoon coarse Kosher or sea salt
3 cups (about 450 grams) cherry or grape tomatoes
1 ear corn, cut from the cob (about 1 cup)
1 small (8 ounces or 225 grams) zucchini or summer squash, diced
1 bundle (3 to 4 ounces or 85 to 115 grams) scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup (2 ounces or 55 grams) grated parmesan

Make filling: Add olive oil, tomatoes, salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes (if that’s your thing) to your sauté pan then cover and heat over high heat. Roll the tomatoes around from time to time so that they’ll cook evenly. In a few minutes, you’ll hear some putts and pops as the tomatoes burst a little. When most have, remove lid, turn heat down to medium and add zucchini chunks. Saute for two minutes, until they soften. Add corn and cook one minute. Add scallions, just stirring them in, then turn off heat. Adjust seasonings if needed. Transfer mixture to a large plate and spread it out, so that it will cool faster. You want it cooled to at least lukewarm before assembling the galette.

Prepare galette: Heat oven to 400 degrees. On a floured counter, roll the dough out into a 12-inch round and it really doesn’t need to be perfectly shaped. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet; I like to fold my dough gently, without creasing, in quarters then unfold it onto the baking pan. Sprinkle tomato-zucchini-corn mixture with half of parmesan and spoon the mixture into the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border. If any liquid has puddle in plate, try to leave it there as you spoon. Sprinkle with almost all of remaining parmesan, leaving a pinch or two behind for the crust. Fold the border over the filling, pleating the edge to make it fit. The center will be open. Brush crust with egg yolk glaze. Sprinkle glaze with last pinches of parmesan.

Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes, then slide the galette onto a serving plate. Cut into wedges and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

Bon Appetit! 

Recipes adapted from Smitten Kitchen. The original (and more cheesy) recipes can be found here and here.

Photos 13 & 14 taken by Camille.

About

Lauren Kolyn is a lifestyle photographer based in Toronto, Canada.

Contact: kolyn.lauren@gmail.com