The Zucchini Flower

Zucchini flowers

The female flower ( yes, flowers have genders! ) is a golden blossom on the end of each emergent zucchini. The male flower grows directly on the stem of the zucchini plant in the leaf axils (where leaf petiole meets stem), on a long stalk, and is slightly smaller than the female. Both flowers are edible, and are often used to dress a meal or garnish the cooked fruit.

Firm and fresh blossoms that are only slightly open are cooked to be eaten, but don’t forget to remove pistils from female flowers, and stamens from male flowers. The stem on the flowers can be retained as a way of giving the cook something to hold onto during cooking, rather than injuring the delicate petals, or they can be removed prior to cooking, or prior to serving.
My italian boyfriend’s Nonna ( grand-ma ) has a variety of recipes in which the flowers may be deep fried as fritters or tempura (after dipping in a light tempura batter), stuffed, sautéed, baked, or used in soups. Her favorite is the deep fried!

In Mexico, the flower is often used for a soup, sopa de flor de calabaza, and it is quite popular in a variation of the traditional quesadillas, becoming quesadillas de flor de calabaza. Zucchini is also used in a variety of other dishes (rajas), and as a side dish ornament.
Bon appetit!

The Hydrangea Tree at My Golf Club

Hydrangea Tree at Harwood Golf Club

I love playing golf, but I also love the Hydrangea tree at the entrance of the first hole at Harwood Golf Club!

Since I am a beginner, my boyfriend likes to take me to this charming little 9 hole golf course in Hudson. Every time I go, I can’t help but to stare at this gorgeous hydrangea tree, I am amazed every time at how nature can produce such a beautiful thing. The fluffy texture of the flowers makes me want to take a nap on top of the tree! I love it!

I dread the next time I go when nature will take its course and my flowers will be gone, it will be so sad …

La Fleur de Sel

La fleur de sel: l’or blanc de la cuisine

Stéphanie et moi n’avons pas seulement la passion pour les fleurs en commun, nous abusons clairement aussi du sel! La fleur de sel, c’est l’or blanc de la cuisine, le caviar de la mer, la 7ième merveille de la gastronomie. Ce produit fin, de saveurs et de couleurs variées et surprenantes, rehausse irrésistiblement bien vos plats, même vos desserts, c’est un pêché mignon pour nous. Avez-vous déjà essayé un caramel à la fleur de sel?

La fleur de sel est la mince couche de cristaux blancs qui se forme à la surface des marais salants, en général par l’action évaporatrice du vent. Elle est recueillie à la main, ce qui peut expliquer son coût plutôt élevé; la fleur de sel est cinquante fois plus chère que le sel de table!

Quel délice, j’ai faim!

The Flower Road: a Nice Way to Beat the Traffic

Pink Flower Road

Have you ever been stuck in traffic, especially in Montreal, like really bad traffic? Haven’t we all been through it? Some more than others, some longer than others. It’s never pleasant!

I challenge you next time you are stuck on a long never-ending road to picture in your head this beautiful image I found while browsing the web. I challenge you to go to this wonderful place and let the pink flowering trees relax you and guide you to your destination!

I hope at least one person can find relief travelling on this pink road … have a nice and safe trip!

Flowers For A Girly Cupcake Tea Party in Paris

Montreal Flowers: A girly cupcakes and tea party in Paris.

A girly cupcake tea party in Paris, was the inspiration behind this photoshoot that we’ve done a few months ago. The gorgeous pictures were taken by Amélie Cousineau, the very talented photographer behind many of the pictures you see on this blog.

We wanted to create a pink, girly, glamourous and luxurious ambiance. Now that I am thinking about it, I am realizing that maybe Gen, Amélie and I should have dressed up, and enjoyed tea and cupcakes on this set! Well, we were busy working. And looking at these pics, we’ve done a pretty good job, don’t you think? I am proud of this thematic.

The abundance of dark pink phalaenopsis orchid bouquets with their steams braded in fushia satin ribbons emerging from chandeliers on top of tall clear cylinder vases are definitely a show stopper. The small pink peony bouquets create a nice touch on the very festive table. J’aime, j’aime! And you?

A Flowering Water Faucet By David Vercelli For Hego Waterdesign

A Flowering Water Faucet By Hego Waterdesign

Some people are just creative. And I am in love with these people!
Imagine waking up every morning, entering your washroom and being greeted by a beautiful steam of pink phalaenopsis orchid resting inside your water faucet!

I was absolutely seduced when I discovered this wonderful product designed by David Vercelli for an Italian company named Hego Waterdesign. You simply need to turn the knobs and the water gushes into the vase and cascades out, keeping your flowers alive and your guests completely amazed. Aren’t you? I know I am!

Happy Canada Day!

It feels good to take a day off doesn’t it? I hope all our readers are relaxing with a nice red sangria on a terrace ( weather permits! ). Gen and I wish you a very happy Canada Day! We’ve put together a mood board inspired by the Canadian flag, and a few things we love ( Jelly Beans! Yum! )

Des fleurs qui poussent sur les murs

Flowers on your walls. It is possible!

Etant des passionnées inconditionnelles de fleurs, nous avons pensé que nous aimerions les éterniser dans notre décor. En faisant des recherches sut internet, nous avons découvert cette technique pour faire pousser des fleurs sur les murs. Et bien oui, malheureusement ce n’est qu’un simple collant, sans parfum! Cependant, la présence de fleurs, même dans ce médium, ne fait qu’égayer un décor. N’hésitez pas à essayer cette technique pour remplir votre maison de fleurs, sans arrosage!

Des fleurs sur vos murs.

Bleu et Blanc, Bonne St-Jean!

Bonne St-Jean a tout le Québec!

Impossible de ne pas apercevoir de bleu et blanc en cette journée de la Saint-Jean et vous n’y échaperez pas non plus sur notre blog! Voici un petit montage photo doux et festif inspiré à notre façon par la fête nationale du Québec, juste de belles image qui vous donnerons le goût sourire.

L’équipe d’Oxide Design vous souhaite bonne Saint-Jean-Baptiste et nous levons notre verre à votre santé!

Les fleurs envahissent la mode!

Les fleurs sont de rigueur cet été 2009.

Et bien, réjouissez-vous, amoureuses de fleurs! Les fleurs font une invasion sans pareil cet été.
Non seulement dans les décors d’événements spéciaux. Non, Non! Les fleurs sont partout. Elles se font une place sur vos souliers, dans vos coiffures, elles vont agrémenter vos robes dans des imprimés colorés. Et si vous aimez les bijoux, et bien n’hésitez pas a vous la jouer floral. Boucles d’oreilles, colliers bracelets, laissez-la femme en vous s’épanouir, décorez-vous de fleurs!

Personellement, je trouve la fleur le symbole ultime de la féminité et de l’élégance. Peut-etre est-ce pour cette raison-ci que j’ai décidé de devenir styliste de fleurs!