Sunday, August 15, 2010

A sweetness writ in remembrance

Before leaving for "the Island," I was on a mission to cook every vegetable that was ripe in my garden. I was a sauteing, frying, mincing, chopping, roasting, grilling machine. I returned to the Quinoa Cake from Chocolate and Zucchini but instead of the mushroom-bacon filling, I went with a tomato-basil-fontina cheese combination. I used half-and-half instead of cream and reduced the eggs. Even the non-tomato eater in my house ate this cake.




Tomato-Basil Quinoa Cake Ingredients (Change amounts according to taste)

1 box quinoa cooked according to package instructions (2 cups)

2-3 cups cherry/grape/pear tomatoes. Some cut in half and others left whole

1/4-1/2 cup slivered basil

1/2-3/4 shredded fontina cheese (Pecorino or Parmesan also works - I added some Parm)

1/4 cup half-and-half

2 eggs

salt and pepper to taste



Tomato-Basil Quinoa Cake Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9- inch springform pan.
2. Combine cooked quinoa, tomatoes, basil and cheese.
3. Whisk eggs, cream and salt and pepper. Add quinoa mxiture into cream mixture. Stir well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 35 minutes. The top should be browned and if you insert a toothpick, it should come out clean.
4. Let stand for five minutes. Run a knife around the pan and remove the clamps. Slice into wedges and serve.


It's grand for any meal - on the side or even as an entree. Add a salad and call it a day. Which is what I finally did. Called it a day. Packed and headed northeast to the Wisconsin side of Lake Superior.


Madeleine Island in the distance - as seen from Bayfield, WI. It's a big lake.


A very big lake. We waited for the ferry. We read the brochure and in it they gave times for the sunset. Sunset time on the brochure! How sweet. How quaint.



How lovely - watercolor, music and poetry created by nature. From the island that is both a wild and tame wonder, we walked the beach.


- The setting sun and music at the close



- As the last taste of sweets



- is sweet at last.



- Writ in remembrance



- more than things long past. - Shakespeare



And so it is now. Writ in remembrance. But a rembrance shared with my family. All four of us. A wonder. A last taste of sweets. A sunset on Madeleine Island.

55 comments:

Reeni said...

What a gorgeous place Claudia! Welcome back! I hope you had a lovely time spent with your family and lots of r & r. I like the sound of your quinoa cake. It's something different - in a good way!

Jeannie said...

You do have a way with words...such beautiful sunset photos. The quinoa cake looks delicious!

Kim said...

Welcome back Claudia! Madeleine Island looks like a gorgeous place to spend time with family. Sounds like you are making the most of your garden's bounty. The quinoa cake is a wonderful and hearty way to serve up your garden's best. So nice that you can change out the ingredients as you've done. Looks very pretty!

Anonymous said...

welcome back! gorgeous photos!

chow and chatter said...

wow beautiful and this is a cool cake

Monet said...

Welcome back...what a beautiful place you were able to experience. I loved seeing those photographs. Your recipe is so unique and different. My husband and I are going to try something like it later on this week. Thanks for sharing!

My Little Space said...

Claudia, thank you so much for sharing the most beautiful moment of your trip. The view is speechless! Btw, your cake looks simply amazing. I'm sure I'll like it too. Enjoy your day.
Cheers, kristy

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Welcome back Claudia! Now I'm away on the west coast on vacation :-)

Madeleine Island's sunsets look so beautiful! The quinoa cake sounds really good and a wonderful way to use garden veggies.

Whats Cookin Italian Style Cuisine said...

wow what a sunset, I got the morning not the night coming up soon. This quinoa is an awesome way to make it, love to try different things with this awesome grain, I cant wait to whip this up when my kitchen is done being remodeled... thanks for sharing these beautiful moments in time glad you were able to relax some...been a tough year for you the other Claudia ")

OysterCulture said...

Sunset on an island - now that is a special time indeed, and to kick it off with a heavenly sounding cake, perfection!

I am so happy you were able to get away and have what sounds like a lovely break.

Anonymous said...

Delicious quinoa cake! I love the sunset pictures, gorgeous!

Barbara GF said...

That quinoa cake is a fabulous idea, Claudia. It would definitely make for great picnic food. I must try it out.
And what a beautiful lake and sunset. Nature is truly grand.

Mister Meatball said...

Summer memories are made of things like this. You have some good ones now, methinks.

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a lovely post, Claudia. You have fed both body and soul. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Jen_from_NJ said...

Your photos are just beautiful! What a lovely place to spend time with your family. I will be trying the quinoa cake - great idea!

theUngourmet said...

what a great way to use quinoa...and your garden veggies! Such a gorgeous place. I love the sunset photos!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I have got to give quinoa another try and your recipe seems like the perfect start. I hope you're having a wonderful time on vacation. Madeleine Island looks just perfect - especially sharing it with the whole family. Beautiful, beautiful photos and I love the quote from Richard II.

Wanda..... said...

Lovely, lovely post and sunset, Claudia!

Magda @ Be Nutritious said...

That looks delicious and very interesting, I've never had anything like quinoa cake. Great idea.

Proud Italian Cook said...

Welcome back Claudia, I need to make a trip there soon, beautiful sunsets, and what a creative way to eat qunioa!

Magic of Spice said...

Excellent choice as a combination...perfect flavors. And I am still gawking at these last photos, gorgeous :)

Nicole@The Dirty Oven via twitter @ovenloving said...

What a great post. Love the pics.

May Ling Wu said...

Love the idea of a quiona cake. Beautiful sunset!

A SPICY PERSPECTIVE said...

Fabulous idea! I love quinoa, and garden tomatoes and basil are the perfect summery addition!

Table Talk said...

Funny how August turns into "tomato/basil everything" as we find ourselves with an abundance all at once.
Your pictures are beautiful---you have captured the peaceful setting so well!

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous pictures and the cake looks fantastic!

Claudia said...

Thanks all. Quinoa is becoming a staple in this home. I'm always lookin for more ways to use it. Still smiling after vacation...

Torviewtoronto said...

lovely pictures and cake

Juliana said...

Claudia, the quinoa cake looks delicious...love dishes with quinoa. The pictures are absolutely gorgeous...so much fun!

Trish said...

Wow, that looks so good! Quinoa cake is such a fun and unique dish. The pictures are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I made a quinoa fritatta once that was delicious... this sounds right up my alley!

Lyndas recipe box said...

Such a glorious sunset Claudia; thankyou for sharing it with us. The lake is so beautiful and peaceful.
Your cake looks divine; I've wanted to buy quinoa, but so far it's not avaiable in my town. I'll have to look in a nearby city.

La Bella Cooks said...

Wow, what a lovely place to visit! The quinoa is right up my alley. I would love to try this soon.

ann low said...

Cool cake, I love it and the sunset pictures are beautiful.
Please visit my new site when you're free.

Laura said...

Yum! Great way to use up leftover quinoa! Will TOTALLY have to try this!

Anna said...

First the quinoa cake....Amazing idea it looks delicious, I would never think of that. Loved it. Now the Island...wow...how beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I love your mission, this quinoa recipe and all those gorgeous scenic pictures :)

Fresh Local and Best said...

Tis the season of summer and such abundance leads to creative fresh flavored recipes. This quinoa cake looks so good!

I hope you're having a great time at Madeleine Island. The sunset looks beautiful.

megan said...

What a great way to use quinoa. Looks delicious! As delicious as that sunset. Welcome back!

Heather S-G said...

Beautiful shots, Claudia! I am lake lover, myself...having grown up in the Great Lakes state...those pics are so serene :) And that cake-magnificent!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I would definitely enjoy this! You really need a vaction after all that chopping and cooking. The fontina cheese was a wonderful change.

Gorgeous pictures Claudia, what a breautiful sunset!

Unknown said...

The cake is gorgeous, but those pictures are just mean. :) Seriously, they're beautiful and create such a peaceful feeling.

Cajun Chef Ryan said...

Claudia, the sunsets are amazing! One of my favorite times of the day!

Happy travels.

Bon appetit!
=:~)

denise @ quickies on the dinner table said...

Love the sound of that quinoa cake. Never had quinoa before and this sounds like the perfect place to start - with the safety net of cheese beneath ;)

Glad you had a wonderful time - that is one gorgeous sunset!

FOODESSA said...

How very sweet for you to enjoy such a charming vacation with your loved ones. I really hope you got what you needed from this break ;o)

This quinoa cake is incredibly creative...who would have thunk it?

Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
Claudia

MaryMoh said...

Oh wow....that sunset! It's just so beautiful!!! I really love it :D You are very lucky to witness that. Great photos! Thanks very much for sharing.

Gera@SweetsFoodsBlog said...

A totally sweet post with excellent photos although the dish is a wonderful savory one, a poem for the soul :)

All the best,

Gera

Joanne said...

I've renounced cake for a while in lieu of losing the food blogger fifteen but this savory cake is one I will certainly be making! Trick myself into thinking I'm having dessert...

Angie's Recipes said...

Claudia, you took some really amazing sunset pictures!
I wish I could have a large slice of this delicious quinoa cake while watching the sun going down...how wonderful wold that be!

Anonymous said...

Hi Claudia! That settles supper! We have loads of tomatoes, so I hope that other varieties will do - My kids are going to go crazy for this. I am glad I found another Bon Appetit pal... I love those magazines! I can page through them a hunderd times and still find something new. Glad you could enjoy something so lovely as a sunset! P.S. My daughter has been preforming as Titania in Midsummer's Night Dream for the past 2 weeks....we are loving every performance~ Megan

Anonymous said...

I really am making this right now!

Claudia said...

I hope you just love it. And tell your lucky daughter that Titania will stick with her forever - in the best possible way!

Mike said...

We are getting into quinoa and this looks like a fun and easy recipe.

Thanks.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

What a gorgeous place. Enjoy your time there. I like Chocolate & Zucchini's cookbook too.
Sam

Koci said...

That quinoa cake looks so simple and delicious. What a great use of some yummy summer veggies!