Brights

Top: Milly. Skirt: Rachel Roy. Shoes: Christian Louboutin. Bag: Vintage LV. Belt: Jcrew. Sunglasses: Chloe. Jewelry: David Yurman, Pomellato, BR, GAP, Jcrew, Max&Chloe, Michael Kors. Nails: Milani, Juicy Glo.

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Brights

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Suited

Polka Blouse: Jcrew. Olive Blouse: Equipment. Jacket: Zara. Scarf: Madewell. Shorts: Zara. Bag: Chanel. Sunglasses: Karen Walker. Shoes: c/o Nine West. Jewelry: David Yurman, Pomellato, Michael Kors, Gap, BR, Jcrew.

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Suited

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What Basque Cooking Is About

It has been hot in South Florida this past few days, reminding us that the cool weather that I love so much is leaving us soon. Mornings are still cool, but temperatures soared into mid to high 80s during the day.

This is the peak of growing season. It was really noticeable when I visited Robert and Paula at their farm Sunday afternoon. I had to get my weekly eggs and say hello to the baby goats and chickens.

Their tomatoes were ripening, the squash were also ready to be harvested and all the herbs were flowering. All this warmth and abundance of produce put us in the summer spirit.



"What do you want to have for lunch?" mom asked after breakfast. You see, this is how it goes in our family. We finish one meal, clean up, and start thinking about the next one. Is this normal?

"Let's stop at Whole Foods after the farmers' market and see what kind of fish they have today" I told her.

When we arrived, we picked up a whole yellow-eyed snapper. Fresh as can be. "Why don't we make your fish soup? I would love that". We smiled and proceeded with local clams, mussels, and Key West pink shrimp. I was anxious to get home and start cooking.




While my mom was busy in the kitchen making the fish stock, prepping all the vegetables, and also cooking a batch of arroz con leche, Miren and I ate a bowl of heirloom cherry tomatoes with olive oil and sea salt.

We went outside to look at the flowering herbs and our wild strawberry plant. There is one ripe strawberry at the moment. I think I will wait one more day to pick it. There are some more ripening and there is such anticipation in the family. They are nature's candy for sure.




When we came back inside, dad took over baby watching duties. By the time I walked into the kitchen, mom had the arroz con leche cooling and the fish soup ready. "I'm waiting for you to take photos so I can add the fish into it!". She's amazing. So efficient. And well, me?... procrastinating.



But I did manage to make a quick galette with leftover dough from the book shoot. Tossed together strawberries, rhubarb, apple, sugar, and chamomile leaves to make a super simple filling. By the time I photographed the soup, the galette was ready.

"Mahaire!" I shouted to get my dad's attention who was still bird watching with Miren. Lunch was served.

And so when people ask me what Basque cooking is all about I say, "taking what is available and fresh, and preparing it as simply as possible". No big fuss. Knowing how to pick the best ingredients, how to smell the fish and look into their eyes to see how old it is... That is what Basque cooking is about.



All the credit for these dishes goes out to my mom who keeps us nourished and well fed during this crazy time for me. I'm not sure what I would do without her.

Eskerrik asko amatxu.

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What Basque Cooking Is About

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Shades Of

Top: H&M. Skirt: Zara. Shoes: Pour La Victorie. Bag: American Apparel. Sash: Lilly Pulitzer. Hat: H&M. Jewelry: Michael Kors, David Yurman, Pomellato, AE, Jcrew., Max&Chloe, BR. Lips: Make Up For Ever Professional #41.

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Shades Of

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Rain Check

Dress: BB Dakota. Cardi: Jcrew. Trench: GAP. Boots: Hunter. Belt: Jcrew. Sunglasses: Karen Walker. Umbrella: Target. Jewelry: David Yurman, Michele, Pomellato, BR, Max&Chloe. Nails: Essie Guilty Pleasures. Lips: Neutrogena Poppy Red.

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Rain Check

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Is That You Spring?

Dress: Patterson J. Kinkaid last seen here. Shirt: Jcrew last seen here. Jacket: Gap. Shoes: Banana Republic. Hat: H&M.Glasses: H&M. Jewelry: David Yurman, Pomellato, Thrift, Gap, BR, Ring from Italy, Max&chloe.


Could not be more happier that it is starting to feel a bit more like spring. My Style Pill inspired me here to pull back out my pink gingham and olive combo I originally wore here! Hope all of you are having a great week...I am simply counting down the days until I head to New Orleans...
xo
BEE

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Is That You Spring?

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Peppergrass, Sorrel and More Weekend Cooking

"Can you make pancakes for breakfast before going to the farmers' market?" asked J. as soon as I walked downstairs Saturday morning. He was up early. He knew it was the weekend and that a trip to the farmers' market was the first thing in order. Just like every other Saturday morning."Can I help?"

Our bellies full with chestnut and sauteed apple pancakes, my mom and I headed down to the farmers' market. It is always so nice to have alone time with her.



"Let's go see what Jody has this week" I told mom. "The padron peppers might be ready".

On the way there, we picked up eggs and my new wild strawberry plant, which I hope starts giving fruit soon (keeping fingers crossed).

We looked through Jody's stand. So many varieties of greens that is always hard to choose. The padron peppers weren't ready, but we spotted greens I have never seen before.

"Taste this". Peppery and lemony cress. "It's peppergrass" Jody told us. It was fresh and bright, similar to watercress, but different. We put that in our baskets as well as some sorrel, chervil, tender Bibb lettuce, and some heirloom carrots. "it will be great in a salad".



As we were walking back to our car, I reminded my mom of how my paternal grandmother, amama Dolores, never ate lettuce. Despite growing lots of greens in her own garden, she always said that lettuce was for the chickens. We laughed. We were definitely going to eat our greens.

At home we roasted potatoes and baby beets. Also made pesto with some of the peppergrass and sorrel, and slowly poached salmon with herbs in olive oil. It was a delicious salad indeed.

We ate it with a creamy tomato soup scented with sorrel, similar to this one.



For dessert we had dark chocolate and quinoa shortbread cookies. Soft and intense. I dipped them in some hemp milk in the middle of the afternoon. It hit the spot.



Salmon, Roasted Potato and Beet Salad with Peppergrass and Sorrel Pesto

Peppergrass and Sorrel Pesto

1 clove garlic
2 Tbs pine nuts
1 cup peppergrass
1/4 cup sorrel
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1/3 cup olive oil

In the food processor, finely chop the garlic and pine nuts. Add the peppergrass, sorrel, and salt. Pulse until it turns into a fine paste. Add the grated parmesan and pulse twice to incorporate. Add the olive oil while machine running until pesto turns into a smooth paste. Reserve.

6 baby beets
6 baby golden potatoes, peeled and cut in half
2 Tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp salt

Toss all ingredients in a baking pan and roast at 425F for about 20-25 minutes.

2 (6 ounce) pieces of salmon
1/4 tsp salt
Fresh herbs (thyme, sorrel, parsley, etc)
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1 cup olive oil

Season salmon with salt on both sides. Tide the herbs around the salmon with butcher's twine. Over low heat, heat the olive oil in a shallow pan that will hold both pieces of salmon. Add the garlic. When it starts to form small bubbles around the garlic. Add the salmon and gently cook it for 6-8 minutes depending on the thickness. I half way cover the pot with a lid.

To assemble the salad, toss the roasted beets and potatoes with some of the pesto. Arrange peppergrass and sorrel leaves on a platter, season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1 Tbs lemon juice. Top with flaked pieces of salmon, beets and potatoes.

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Lazy Weekend...

Sweater: Men's ON. Fur Vest: Rachel Roy. Shorts: DYI cut off Seven Jeans. Tights: Hue. Bag: YSL. Sunglasses: Chloe. Jewelry: David Yurman, Michael Kors, Pomellato, Gap, BR.

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Elyse

Dress: Theory. Jacket: Stella McCartney for GapKids. Leggings: AA. Shoes: Loeffler Randall. Sunglasses: Chloe. Bag: Chanel. Jewelry: Lauren Elan c/o, David Yurman, Max&Chloe, Pomellato, Saks 5th, Gap, BR. Lips: YSL.


How incredible is this necklace, the Elyse, I received from Lauren Elan? Expect to see this fabulous piece in many posts to come…
xo
BEE

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Elyse

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Almost

Top: Vintage. Faux Fur Shawl: H&M. Pants: BDG. Shoes: Jil Sander. Belt: Vendor Sample. Jewelry: David Yurman, Pomellato, Michael Kors, RL, Jcrew, Gap, BR, Max&Chloe.

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Almost

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