The other night I was hungry for something simple and satisfying. Ahhh… red potatoes with parsley and steamed cabbage with cream sauce … that ought to do the trick. (Pardon me, my Irish is showing.)
One of the basic pleasures in life is cream sauce — white sauce — bechamel. I generally whip up my own (with success), but I wanted something spectacular to top off my meal. Mario Batali delivered.
(Not to my house, mind you… although, wouldn’t that be nice!)
After investing the time and “TLC” in Mario’s recipe (which was worth every second it took to produce this luscious, creamy, THICK sauce), I proceeded out to the deck to take pictures.
Wait a minute… the sauce looks pink. (It wasn’t.) PINK, I’m telling ya!
Was it picking up the hue from the potatoes? Hmmm… I adjusted angles and fiddled with the focus.
And then…
I looked up… and around.
Sunsets are the basic pleasure in life — pink bechamel and all.
Enjoying the Light,
~ Kim
What a nice post!! Loved your pink Bechamel!! Looks yummy!
http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com
Thank you, Purabi! I wasn’t expecting “pink photos” — gotta love food photography! :)
~ Kim
Oh, what a sky!! And I’d love a bite of your bechamel, whatever color it may look!
Jenna, it was one of those sauces (and sunsets) I couldn’t get enough of…! We’ve been having technicolor skies ever since the solar storm last week. Pretty amazing to witness the grandeur on a daily basis — I feel very blessed!
~ Kim
Yum! I start off with a bechamel sauce then add in grated cheese to make my mac n cheese that everyone loves. I added tuna and peas last week and it was so nice and comforting. Love to finish it in the oven with panko bread crumbs (if I have them). Gorgeous sunset!
Nolita, I started drooling at “grated cheese…” :) Crumb topping (especially panko) on ANY oven baked dish is a treat! “Comforting” says it all!
~ Kim
I’ll take your bechamel (and Mario’s) any way you serve it! I’ll be sitting in my chair with a glass of wine. I’ll even help with the dishes after! :)
We will have to think up something lovely to put Mario’s lovely Bechamel on… it might take TWO glasses of wine before we think of just the right thing!
~ Kim
P.S. The Man Of Few Words says he’ll do the dishes. :)
This looks good.
Thanks, Christine! I’ve been “following my tastebuds” lately and surprised myself by only wanting vegetables for dinner! But no wonder — there are so many great veggie recipes out in blog land — including your Fancy Green Beans. I’m looking forward to trying them!
~ Kim
I think Oklahoma has some of the prettiest sunsets.
I didn’t know you lived on Lake Eufaula, we spent a weekend there this past summer & had a really nice time!
Oooh, I wish I would have known that! I met another Okie blogger last month when they vacationed on our beautiful shores (less than 10 miles from our house!) — it’s a delight to put a “face to the name!” Give me a shout next time you’re headed in this direction — I’ll feed you!
~ Kim
The sauce DOES look pink….but delicious and the sunset is stunning! Thanks for sharing!
You’re entirely welcome, Ann — and thanks for your sweet comments!
~ Kim
Now that is what you call a spectacular sunset! What a beautiful sight! :-) You live in such a fantastic place!
It’s been a blessing since Day 1, Manu, and we’re so grateful for that. Glad to be able to share it with you. Thanks for stoppin’ in!
~ Kim
Yeah, the sauce is pink, I can see!:)
What a beautiful scene that you captured! Ah, for the beauties of the God’s amazing creations;)
How very true, Christy! I see His beauty and artistry in everything — even pink sauce. :)
~ Kim
I love the way you listen to your desires. The photos and the food are stunning, as always!
Thank you, Sue Ann! I’ve come to appreciate the cues I get from my stomach and it’s a lot happier when I pay attention to them. It wasn’t always that way! Older but wiser? :)
~ Kim
LOL, Nice to know you have the friendly Irish blood in you, I won;t tell any Irish jokes then….only joking! :)
Everytime I come to your blog, I feel like I’m in a beautiful place, let alone all your wonderful food. The pic on your blog header somehow reminds me of Lake Como and also the beautiful scenes from Casino Royale :)
I’m so glad you feel the peace we enjoy here. I love your Sydney harbor shots (and picnics!) — smiling at the thought of Casino Royale! :) Thanks again for your comments and support!
~ Kim
Pink bechamel? Cool! I’ve just experimented on a sauce too & it tasted divine. It’s yellow for me tho. I’ve a weakness for pink. Lol! Sorry for dropping by late. Better late than never. Hahaha!
That’s okay, Shirely, I’m replying late, too! (Busy week… plus earthquakes!!) I loved your yellow sauce (luscious lemon and pan-seared scallops… yum!) Thankfully, mine was just an optical illusion — it really was a creamy color and tasted lovely. I appreciate your comments, Shirley, thank you!
~ Kim
Wow! I was wondering what could have lent your sauce a pink hue. Gorgeous sunset!
It caught me by surprise, Maia, but it was a fun way to “express myself.” I’m sure Mario Batali has never served a pink bechamel! :) Enjoy all of your musical endeavors this fall and winter!
~ Kim
I am only upset that you would pardon yourself for your Irish showing .. show it with pride.. LOL Cabbage and potatoes I can do corned beef not so much