A Table! Dinner is Served...

Autumn is lingering like the afterglow of a wonderful soirée under the full moon. Tonight, a rainy evening beckons me to the little French village tucked away in my imagination, where winding streets lead to lofty castles and humble cottages.



Tonight chez nous, it's raining outside and it's time to start cooking. Will you put on your raincoat and come with me to the village to do some last minute shopping?



There are just a couple of simple ingredients that are essential for our recipe tonight that can be found on the simplest of grocery shelves.



So let's get ready and make sure that everything is in check and that we follow the master chef's directions



and that our oven is correctly set



to bake the rustic French bread that will mop up the glorious olive oil





and that will accompany our Salmon and White Bean Stew. The most important ingredients go first, to set the stage for the star players. Take two crushed garlic cloves and chop one large onion and sauté in olive oil in a dutch oven until translucent.



Add two 15 oz. cans of Fire Roasted tomatoes



two 15 oz. cans of cannenelli beans



two salmon filets



one tablespoon of Herbes de Provence and a dash of salt and pepper



a pinch of saffron



and last but certainly not least, make a chiffonade of fresh basil, about 1 cup.



Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn to a simmer, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the salmon falls apart and the stew is thickened. Serving suggestions: you can also make fresh basil pesto and do as the French and Italians do by drizzling the pesto into your stew. And, if you are not a fish lover, you can substitute with chicken



and it will be just as comforting



and is sure to put a smile on your face.





So now my dear friends, entrez dans la salle à manger



and let us sit and enjoy each others' company over a humble, yet elegant meal



and retire to the music room and share each others' talents



until it's time to call it a night



and let another moonlit, misty night shower you with dreams of promise of another beautiful day.



Que notre Seigneur vous bénisse!