Family reunion

Sunday, November 24, 2013
Last weekend we drove to my cousin's farm near Dutton, Ontario, where we celebrated our annual pre-Christmas reunion. With the exception of a few university and high school students who were in the middle of midterms, everyone made it out. For those of us who live in the city, it was a wonderful chance to get out of town and breathe in the fresh air of the countryside. For all of us, it was a great opportunity to reconnect with the extended family that we don't see often enough.


The cattle were perplexed by the arrival of city slickers:



Tom and Gwen left just before this photo was taken. Here's the rest of the Baker and Woolner clans that attended last week:

I wish I had photos of the delicious food that was served at our reunion. (All of the women in my family love cooking as much as I do. There was great food and lots of it.) Instead I'm posting a recipe for a side dish that would be good at a pot luck meal or just served at home.  I didn't change this spinach sauté at all from the original recipe and it was perfect exactly the way it was. Just like my family.

Sauteed Shiitakes, Spinach and Green Onions
(from Fast, Fresh and Green by Suzie Middleton)

2 Tbsp unsalted butter
3 1/2 ounces (100 grams) shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced
1/3 cup green onions (scallions)
4 cups lightly packed stemmed fresh spinach leaves, washed and lightly dried
1 tsp low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp sesame oil

In a medium nonstick skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter.  Add the shiitakes and green onions and season with the salt.  Toss and stir to coat with the butter.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until the shiitakes are shrunken and very lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes.  (Don’t brown too much, as shiitakes tend to toughen.) 


Add the spinach and the soy sauce and stir until all of the spinach is wilted, and it’s well-combined with the mushrooms, about 1 minute.  Remove the pan from the heat, drizzle the sesame oil over the vegetables, stir and serve.





18 comments:

Valerie Gamine said...

Nothing compares to country air (and adorable cattle!).
This salad looks lush! *Love* shiitake mushrooms - apparently spell check does not. :D

Belinda said...

How lovely to be with family in such beautiful settings! And a great dish!

Anonymous said...

Looks like it was a great reunion!

Monet said...

What a wonderful place to reunite! Good food and sweet fellowship. What can be better?

Joanne said...

So fun! Getting together with family in such an awesome setting is always great. And what a nice salad you've made! I could use a few servings of it leading up to the holidays this week.

Anonymous said...

oh such merriment and joy flows in during family reunions....it is wonderful...the mushroom salad is a winner :-)

grace said...

i love farm life. :)

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

What a fantastic fun reunion my friend, thanks for sharing :D

Cheers
CCU

Anonymous said...

Great little reunion and great food. I love the simple spinach and mushroom stir fry. Quick and delicious. Take care, BAM

Meg @ write meg! said...

That side dish looks awesome -- as does your trip! There's nothing like spending time with family, especially when it seems to happen so rarely.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Sounds like a terrific time! And some mighty fine food and company. Bliss!

Barbara said...

What fun! Our family reunions are always so far away, I rarely go anymore. It's always the relatives that live nearby that attend.
Nice recipe, Beth, I'm going to try it.

Inger @ Art of Natural Living said...

What a fun event! We do an extended family party a few weeks before Christmas too and it is so important for keeping in touch (not to mention fun!).

Katerina said...

Family reunions keep the roots of the families alive! And what a beautiful place you chose as a scenery! I love your side dish too!

Julie said...

Looks like a wonderful time with family!! Those make for some of the best memories!!

Anonymous said...

Your spinach sauté sounds like a fresh and delicious side dish...I'm sure your family enjoyed it along with all the other good food that you must have enjoyed. It sounds like a terrific day.

nancy at good food matters said...

Hi Beth,
How wonderful that your family holds this reunion at the farm. Food and Fellowship in the Country! What could be better? A lovely prelude to the holidays.

vanillasugarblog said...

Family reunions when they are held at summer homes, cottages, or even like you on a farm are the best because it makes people stay longer, relax, and really enjoy life. Wonderful post.

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