Mar 022012
 

Caramelized Onion and Feta Cheese Buckwheat Tarts

We were on vacation. A nice, long vacation.  We were preparing for this trip for a very long time and finally we were here at Red Mountain in Rossland, British Columbia. It is just a few hours north of Spokane, Washington. The drive coming up was beautiful. The drive going back home? Not so much. I will be posting about our trip home soon, it was very interesting.

The routine was the same, everyday. It was nice. Wake up early, feed the boys and set them off for a day of skiing. Hubby on his way for cat skiing with Big Red Cats and our photographers Matt Small and Kenny Blum and B off to his ski class with his favorite instructor, Maude from France.

“Mommy, is Maude going to teach me skiing today again?” he would ask as I helped him get dressed in all of his layers.

Layer.  After.  Layer.

“Yes she is,” I would tell him and then would come the smiles. Big smiles. He really enjoyed his days skiing, thank you so much Maude. You’ve created wonderful memories for him.

While everyone was off enjoying their days of skiing, I would walk around the resort and take photographs and seek out inspiration for our next meal.  The fact that I had my box of goodies from Full Circle Farms was an added bonus.  A box full of fresh, organic veggies — the possibilities were endless. If you live in Washington State, Alaska and Idaho I am sure you have heard of Full Circle Farms.  They are an “organic food delivery service,” and it feels like Christmas morning every time my box is delivered to my door.  Community Supported Agriculture — I am very proud to be a supporting member.  Here is more about Full Circle Farms

Red Mountain Resort, British Columbia

Out of my box I pulled some beautiful organic red potatoes, an onion and got to work slicing, sauteing and assembling.  I have only made sweet tarts before, never a savory one.  I was excited for this one.

Potatoes, buckwheat flour (I have been on a buckwheat kick lately — I am in love with the taste), caramelized onions and parmesan cheese — once baked together we experienced deep, earthy savory flavors.  It was incredible.

Buckwheat Tarts with Caramelized Onions & Feta Cheese

After I picked up B from class we came back to the Airstream for some hot cocoa (our apres-skiing ritual).

He saw the tarts on the counter, cooling.

“What are those mommy?” his eyes wide with curiosity.

“A potato tart.  Would you like one?”

He ate two.

Caramelized Onion and Feta Cheese Buckwheat Tart

Recipe for Caramelized Onion & Parmesan Cheese Potato Tarts with Buckwheat Flour

 

Feb 292012
 

Base of Red Mountain at Red Mountain Resort, Rossland, British Columbia

Spending 10 days in the Airstream on a cat skiing vacation in the the middle of old man winter is an incredible experience.  You are warm, cozy and it feels great to be so off the grid knowing you are totally self contained and comfortable.  Conserving and enjoying life — the way it should be.  Here is our spot at the base of Red Mountain in Red Mountain Resort.  We are in British Columbia – specifically Rossland.

It is truly absolutely beautiful here.

Red Mountain Resort has been delivering incredible skiing longer than any other area in Western Canada, with the first recorded powder turns in 1896. With accolades ranging from “Best Authentic and Funky Resort Experience” to “Best Powder, Best Trees, Best Steeps”, to “Best Fall Line Steeps” and one of the “Top 5 Free ride Spots”, Red Mountain Resort is the hidden jewel of BC’s Kootenay Rockies region.

On this beautiful morning, we awoke to blue sunny skies.  To help the boys get on with their big morning of skiing I prepared buckwheat cakes for breakfast.  These were delicious!  Have you ever baked/cooked with buckwheat flour?  It really is delicious and did you know that aside from it’s name, it does not contain any wheat?  It’s perfect for a gluten-free diet.  Of course this recipe also contains flour that does have gluten, but you could use pure buckwheat flour if you are gluten-free.

Skiing Red Mountain with Erik Kalacis from Red Mountain Resort, Rossland, BC

Again I would like to thank Matt Small for his amazing ski photography!  He is one of our ESPN photographers that have graciously accompanied us on our trip!  Thank you Matt!!

Today Matt was photographing Erik Kalacis! Erik created and built an international sports and TV production company with clients including Swatch, Kokanee, General Motors and Salomon.  Erik was the pioneer behind the popularization of Boardercross (now Snowboardcross) and Ski Cross, which are now Olympic sports events.  He now enjoys being the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Red Mountain Resort.  It was the biggest honor for me to meet Erik.

What a very kind, nice guy he was to me and everyone in our group  — and did I mention what an awesome skier he is?

Skiing Red Mountain in Beautiful Rossland, British Columbia with Erik Kalacis

Sweeping views of the Kootenay Rockies . . .

Buckwheat Cakes to Fuel a Morning of Skiing Red Mountain, British Columbia

Click to print Buckwheat Cakes Recipe :)