Feasting on Art

The holidays are a time for decadence. Although I rarely have a croissant hanging around long enough to become stale, in December it is particularly good fortune to find a little pastry hiding in the corner of the bread box.  In France, French toast is called pain perdu, or ‘lost bread’ to highlight the way the dish reclaims unfortunate lumps of bread that become too hard to eat. The recipe of a stale bit of bread, dipped in eggy milk and fried, is made especially indulgent through the use of a croissant – crispy on the outside while soft and creamy inside. When served with a small pot of jam or some salty bacon, croissant French toast becomes the centerpiece of a perfect Christmas brunch.

Giorgio Morandi, Still Life (The Blue Vase), 1920
Oil on canvas, 49.5 x 52 cm, Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen

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Liz from the beautiful blog Zested was one of my first ‘regulars’ here on Feasting on Art and she replied to my open call for still life suggest. Cotán’s Still Life with Quince, Cabbage, Melon and Cucumber was given the recipe treatment and lucky for me, Liz saved a doozy of a suggestion for our collaboration! I frequent her site for not only tantalizing flavour combinations – Frozen Citrus Cream with Candied Thyme & White Chocolate Grapes with Orange Curd – but diligently composed and lit photographs. My mouth waters every time I look at her caramelized tomato tart and I cannot even begin to wax poetic about her Mexican Hot Chocolate! Thank you for such an exciting collaboration Liz!

Be sure to visit Liz’s blog for the recipe for Scarlet Poached Pears and Ginger Pumpkin Bread.

Louis Comfort Tiffany, Pumpkin and Beets window, c.1899-1900
leaded favrile glass, 114 x 142.9 cm, The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art

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I am of the mindset that cheese makes everything better. Each day, at least one of my meals will feature some form of cheese and I enjoy finding recipes that act as a supplement to my beloved fromage. The pear butter is sweet and rich and is perfect paired with knob of creamy blue cheese on a peppery cracker.

Louis Lozowick, Still Life #2, image: 26.3 x 33.7 cm, sheet: 36 x 51.2 cm
Lithograph in black on woven paper, 1929, National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

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