Lunch With Elise

For those of you who only know Elise  on line I can tell you she is a delight. We spent several pleasant hours  chatting over lunch yesterday.  Also with us was my delightful French blogging friend, the angelic  Celine.

I'd like to have gone all out and presented Elise with a traditional New Zealand Lamb Roast  followed by a  Pavlova  for dessert but energy was not on my side.  A reader of Elise's blog had left a comment she should try Kumura chips with sour cream and chili sauce while she was in New Zealand which gave me a starting point for what I might prepare.

I'd decided to do a "hunting and gathering " lunch which is where you go to the shops hunting and gathering a selection of food that takes little preparation.  Because I never deep fry the  kumara chips were never going to be part of my menu...but Kumara Soup...now there's a thought. 

Kumaras are a sweet potato and legend has it the kumara  originated in South America and was brought to New Zealand by the Maori.  I have read  some complicated DNA research that points to kumara coming from China.  There are three varieties of Kumara available - white, orange or purple.  The orange kumara are a more delicate taste and ideal for soup. Usually I would add some grated ginger and a splash of orange juice to the recipe. It was important Elise should understand the taste of kumara so I made a plain and simple soup without the addition of any other flavours.

KUMARA SOUP

1 oz butter
1 onion chopped
4 medium kumara peeled and chopped into chunks
Chicken stock to cover

Melt butter in saucepan, add onion and soften.
Add kumara and cover with chicken stock.
Simmer until tender.
Cool soup and blend until smooth.
Reheat soup and serve with a dollop of sour cream and sweet chili sauce.

Our next course was based on a recipe from the Zuni Café Cookbook and so simple.

CARPACCIO OF PERSIMMON AND PROSCIUTTO
Layer thinly sliced ripe Fuyu Persimmon with prosciutto, drizzle with a little olive oil and a sprinkling of balsamic vinegar and serve.

We followed this with a selection of New Zealand cheeses, quince paste and almond wafers.

And finally a selection of yummy cakes  Celine had gathered from a new Auckland Cake shop.

Chatting with fellow bloggers is a very pleasant way to spend a cold and wet Saturday in Auckland.

Click on photos to enlarge

Comments

[Joan]

Barbara..the best part of the post is knowing that you're well enough to do what you did! a big big smile as I type..picturing you preparing..flower hunting...yonks ago I had a recipe from the Botanical Gardens Restaurant..sweet potato and tomato soup..by golly it was scrumptious..it's disappeared into that place recipes disappear in to..hugs

[elise]

Hi Barbara,
Thank you so much for hosting me yesterday afternoon. It was such a pleasure to meet you and Celine, to enjoy a fabulous meal, and be thoroughly entertained by your husband Brian. On the drive back Celine and I were remarking how we could have stayed for hours more. I'll keep you in my prayers for your continued recovery and hope to return the favor of our visit someday, perhaps on your next trip to California?
Blessings to you,
Elise

[Judy]

I can't imagine a better way to spend a Saturday, and your menu sounds delicious. The photo of you, Elise and Celine on Elise's blog is lovely - you look so well, Barbara.

love & hugs.

PS Go Socceroos!

[Gisele]

Good morning Barbara, I would appear that you had a beautiful day, something that you definitely deserve!!

I'm interested in the DNA research that you read regarding kumara and china. Are you able to let me know the name of the book/journal article? It would be much appreciated.

yours,

gisele

[Caroline@Bibliocook.com]

Kumara soup is fabulous - wish we could get our hands on that vegetable over here in Ireland! While we were in NZ, the Boyfriend's mother used to make a gorgeous spicy pumpkin and kumara soup which was a great winter warmer. When they're next in season, I must start exploring kumara recipes using the American sweet potatoes that are so readily available here in autumn and winter.

[barbara]

Joan - sounds delicious. I must try it.
Elise - I wish you could have stayed longer too.
Judy - Thankyou, I feel so well.
Gisele - I'll see if I can find it again and send you a private email.
Caroline - Kumura is the one food I'd miss when we move to Australia, but I think it is available there.

[Ramya]

Hi Barbara,
Nice to know you in http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/2006/06/garden-update-5.html.
I have tagged you for my first meme..Hope you won't mind.I will be happy if you send picture of flower with some inspirations.
Though I couldn't take part but a big fan of Donna Hay. Thanks.

[Ivonne]

That meal sounds incredible, Barbara. Nice to hear you had such a wonderful time.

[barbara]

Ramya - I'll do the meme when I find a moment.
Ivonne - thankyou.

[arfi binsted]

It was surely a pleasure to meet fellow bloggers who share the same interests with you. I've met some of my online-foodie bloggers back in Indonesia, and it was a delightful Lunch I would tell. If anyone has any interest to go down South Auckland one day to our farm, I would be very glad to have you all :)