Hello, Patio! Spring is here. Fresh veggies are popping up at local markets and we can eat comfortably outdoors- YAY!  Don’t you love al fresco dining?

I got out one of my favorite cookbooks by Joanne Weir and decided to try a couple of new things.

I  chose one recipe solely because the quirky cooking method for a pork loin made me laugh. It was way too much fun to tie a french baguette around something and cook it!

pork loin wrapped in a (halved) baguette

  It just looks funny, doesn’t it? Like one enormous cartoon-like sandwich. But we sliced it up and it tasted delish!

The colorful veggies were tasty, too. (The recipe did not call for goat cheese, but we bought some fresh at the market, so I couldn’t resist adding it).

Gratin of eggplant and veggies with oodles of fresh basil and garlic

I see family picnics in the near future!

  Bon Appetit!