Finding Figs for Breakfast

I'm not sure what started my obsession with figs, whether it was realizing their sweet flavour and contrasting pink insides to the dark unrevealing skin, or the difficulty I've had finding them (making them all the more appealing) among groceries and market stalls. Nonetheless, I've finally found my figs, and have been chopping and slicing them, or biting into them just on the occasion of opening the fridge door, because they're so undeniable delicious, with everything.

Monday afternoon, while my sister was at work, her friends who had come down from Kingston for Osheaga had also stayed the night and had plans of exploring Old Port of Montreal. As I was already up, making a smoothie for breakfast with lots of the berries still in the fridge, I decided to go with them, and to see a little more of the city. 

We walked around the cobbled streets, poked in and out of shop windows, and pulled our sunglasses on and off the tips of our heads as shade and sunlight battled for space along every road. Families and couples rented out bicycle cars along the river, and raced around each other, among pedestrians and obstacles as well, as they both fought for the record speed. There were a lot of people also stopping for lunch in the square, a beautiful open space to the city where small trees grew up, and a fresh juice and smoothie hut had staked out the flow of thirsty people who milled about in the centre. 

After a refreshment of real lemonade, we continued down the square, and down a small alley filled with artist stalls and more people who danced around one another, eyes locked on the prize of a delicately entwined necklace, or a two for one deal on prints of the city's oldest buildings.

It wasn't until we had made our way back through the bustle of people, back onto the metro, and reemerged into daylight in the French part of the city, that we made it to the market. Known as one of the largest in Montreal, I was pretty excited to wander around, and hopefully find some figs to take back home with me. Stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables went aisle after aisle, colours contrasting against each other, and only broken by a stall which sold jars of honey and maple syrup. The larger stands, dominating the middle aisles that ran through the entire market, had plates of the fresh fruit chopped up for samples, but placed above the stands to avoid the pesky fingers of kids who would have happily grabbed handfuls of the sweet and juicy treats, I had to careful balance on my toes and reach to grab a slice of pear, or ripened nectarine from the platters. 

Finally, tucked away in a side aisle of the market, a young girl who spoke mostly French, sold baskets of deep purple figs, soft to the touch, and most definitely ripe.

Beside them, cherries of two types, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and grapes, and caught in the moment of innocent bliss, I almost bought two baskets thinking of how many dishes I could make with my fresh figs, and how many more smoothies I'd have a chance to try with a new ingredient. Even with the one basket of figs, I happily walked around the rest of the market with them tucked under my arm, drumming out smoothie ideas, pizza toppings, or simply dreaming of the taste of fresh figs.

So this morning, after my sister had left for work, I took to the kitchen in my pyjamas, and immediately began with the figs from the fridge. From there, a slice of gluten free bread slightly toasted with a spread of peanut butter, topped with slices of fig and more berries, and finally, a drizzle of honey. 

Tucked back up in bed, I snuggled up in blankets with my breakfast plate. 

With a little craving for something sweet, I also had a slice of yesterday's gluten free banana bread {recipe and post here} topped with natural yoghurt. It was a fruity and colourful breakfast, and with a warm mug filled with a maple ginger tea latte {oops! recipe dropping}, I was completely in bliss, and so happy to have the time this summer to spend long mornings without distractions, without television or computers if I choose, and to just enjoy the things around me as if being experienced new. It's amazing how structure and order, planned activities all day and everyday with rules, can be so exhausting once you come home to familiarity and comfort. Spending five weeks away from home is not long, I know, but it was definitely something I needed to do before going off to university when the time is longer, and there is likely more to get used to. With this program, at least the activities were designed to keep us from thinking too much of being away from home, especially for those who had never spent even a week away. However, as I sit here now beside a delicious breakfast and mug of homemade tea, I also realize the importance of appreciating every moment and everything that is familiar, because there won't always be time to come back and enjoy something afterwards.

Fig and Pear Smoothie

{print me here}

With the soft sweetness of pear, this fruit is the perfect pair (no pun intended) with figs, which have a deliciously natural and sweet flavour that will be complemented perfectly in this blend of fruits. 

Smoothies are perfect for busy mornings, slow mornings, afternoon or bedtime snacks. I love dressing them up by adding natural yoghurt on top, and more whole berries, plus, it feels like a delicious dessert when eaten with a spoon! The yoghurt can also be blended into the smoothie for a creamier texture, or as an easy way to save time during a busy rush. 

{serves 1}

{Ingredients:}

5 - 6 whole black figs, chopped roughly

1 ripe pear, save 1/4 for topping

Large handful fresh baby spinach

4 - 5 strawberries, roughly chopped 

1/4 cup natural yoghurt 

Spoonful of slivered almond and fresh blueberries to serve 

{Directions:}

In a blender, layer figs, 3/4 of the pear, strawberries, and baby spinach leaves. Blend on high until smooth. 

Pour smoothie into a large glass, and top with natural yoghurt. 

Cut the last 1/4 pear into thin slices, and layer on top, sprinkling with slivered almonds and blueberries. 

Bisous et bon appetit! xx S 

A Pear of Us

I write this sitting on the beach, (I never imagined my iPhone would be so useful) as the dog runs playfully across the white stones and bounds up and over the logs. She's sprayed me a couple of times already in her exuberance and excitement at being out and enjoying the bright blue sky and warmth of the sun. But I don't mind today, I'm not angry.

I've felt this odd sense of calm today, even as I walked through the house it was almost as if I stepped lighter, and freer. And despite being unable to catch the bus because it was full, I was relaxed, and eventually it worked out, I made the ferry, and came home smiling after a walk home. I can't work out whether its from the release of tensions and sweat in a class of hot yoga yesterday, with temperatures at 40°C at least, or perhaps I have finally finished term two in school, and I no longer have the pressures of deadlines weighing down on me. It seemed that everyone else was still caught up in the winter blues, and my acts of small kindness today, smiles and gestures, were unobserved today, or taken the wrong way. Many middle-aged women frowned at me, I was doing everything right, but to them, everything wrong.

However, I kept that out of my mind, and focused on this feeling keeping my spirits uplifted and my mood enlightened. I've never felt such a strong release from exercise than yesterday's class of yoga. The room was packed, and after being led through poses for seventy-five minutes with the instructors calming and assertive voice, everyone could feel beads of sweat forming, and then falling from us. It sounds gross, being stuck in a hot, humid room with many other strangers, but there was also this strange sense of communion and strength in the practice.

I feel the space between my shoulders widen, and the crease of my brow relax. Instead of frowning with the feeling of cold droplets hitting the back of my legs as the dog shakes, I laugh, pick up her stick, and throw it back into the water, watching her bound and leap with energy and motivation.

It does feel like spring, little crocuses have begun to peep up out of the earth in bunches, and small white petals can just be seen unfurling to the flowers still hidden. Pink blossoms on the trees bud out along the branches, bright dashes of pink in contrast to the bleak grasses and grey leafless trees.

I think I might venture back to the yoga studio soon, I'm already missing the heat in this crisp air, and the energy I felt afterward is more than enough to entice me back.

My dog again paws at my legs, and as I turn to her she races down to the waves lapping against the stones,

"Where's your stick?"

I call out, and she pounces upon the wave behind her, swimming in circles looking. She must have seen something because at that moment she dove under the water only to come up with a snort, and a stream of water drained out her mouth. She might be a water springer spaniel, but she hasn't quite perfected her swimming, despite her big webbed feet.

She paces the beach now, still looking for the stick. The stick that sank when I threw it out, still heavy and water-logged from the weeks rain. At least I can see the blue sky again.

At the word 'home' she gets excited all over again, probably expecting that with it comes food. However considering its taken me more than half an hour to cross the length of the beach as I repeatedly pause to continue writing, I'm not surprised she's whining and jumping at me.

The word 'home' also reminds me of cooking dinner tonight, for mum and dad when they come home from last night's date-night in Victoria. I think of dessert first, perhaps pears.

"Okay. Home now,"

I promise, and she speeds up the trail ahead of me before pausing, and bounding right back down to where I am.

Chai Poached Pears with Chocolate Sauce
Print recipe here

Have you ever craved something sweet, but been turned off by the richness, as if it's almost too much for that small bite of delectable flavour you've been wishing for all week. These poached pears are the perfect balance of fresh ingredients with a bite of sweetness, and peared (pun intended) with a creamy chocolate sauce, it's the perfect denouement to dinner.

Serves 3

Ingredients:

3 pears, ripe
1 cup water
3/4 cup pure cranberry juice, wine could also be used
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 star anise
1 cinnamon stick

1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 - 3 tbsp almond milk

Directions:

Peal the skins from the pears, keeping the stem intact.

In a medium sauce pan, pour in water, cranberry juice, and lemon juice along with vanilla, sugar, anise, and the cinnamon stick.

Bring the pot to a boil, and reduce to a simmer.

Very carefully, drop the peeled pears into the pan. Allow it to simmer for approximately 20 minutes.

Toss the pears very gently, and continue to simmer for a further 10 to 15 minutes.

Turn off the heat, and begin making the chocolate sauce.

In a microwaveable dish, combine the chocolate chips and almond milk, heat until completely melted and stir together.

Remove the pears from the pan and set into small individual serving dishes, pour a small amount of the liquid over top, and spoon the chocolate sauce over top.

These pears are delicious when served with vanilla ice cream.

**Note: the juice leftover from poaching the pears can be saved! It makes a delicious warm spiced cranberry chai, just add a little more water and heat over the stove.

Enjoy! xx S.