two countries. many kitchens. one table.
fennel and orange salad with toasted walnuts and Argan-honey dressing
serves 4-6
what you need:
2 fennel bulbs, sliced (about 8 ounces)
1-2 beautiful oranges
⅓ cup walnut pieces, toasted
2 tablespoons Argan oil (or toasted nut oil)
½ teaspoon fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon quality honey
gros sel de Guérande (or fleur de sel), as needed Read the rest of this entry »
a chip, a root and a little bacon … Happy New Year from Paris
France often utilizes western ideas with French sensibilities of moderation. Take potato chips for example. For the last few months in France, la tendence (the “in” thing) is the use potato chips as a garnish or minor embellishment rather than a snack food (or meal, as the case may be). This idea of embracing a favorite American snack food with moderation inspired this week’s simple pleasure: celery root purée with crumbled bacon and potato chips. Read the rest of this entry »
celeriac purée with crumbled bacon and potato chips
serves 6-8
what you need:
1 large celeriac (celery root), peeled and trimmed (about 14 ounces)
bottled water (as needed)
2 tablespoons quality olive oil
¼ teaspoon ground cardamon
5 tablespoons cooking liquid
2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
kosher salt (to taste)
freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
lemon juice (as needed) Read the rest of this entry »
Je ne sais quoi faire avec mes enfants à Paris
(I don’t know what to do with my children in Paris)
having fun in the City of Light with children during the holiday season
I am often asked what there is to do in Paris with children. This week was no exception. I thought it would be more efficient to write a short post than to send an email to each family (and the post may help others of you as well). That inspired this week’s simple pleasure: what to do with children in Paris during the holiday season.
the gift of time:
holiday hosting just got easier with two delicious
(and simple) holiday desserts
My mother asked me what I wanted for Christmas. “Nothing,” I responded, “except more time.” The end of the year seems like a race. I know I am not alone in this sentiment. It is a juggle between the end of the school year activities and holiday preparations with an already over-committed work schedule and daily tasks of a parent. Multi-tasking at its best. In fact, I post this blog to you as I indulge in an early birthday gift of making the grey disappear from my hair. My wish for the “gift of time” inspired this week’s simple pleasure: two easy holiday desserts, eggnog crème brûlée and a pear frangipane tart with vanilla bean and orange. Read the rest of this entry »
holiday eggnog crème brûlée
serves 4
what you need:
custard
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup lowfat eggnog
½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
½ cup (4 ounces) granulated sugar
1 tablespoon brandy
5 fresh egg yolks Read the rest of this entry »
pear frangipane tart with vanilla bean and orange
makes one tart
what you need:
shell
½ pound (8 ounces) unsalted butter, plastic state
4 ounces granulated sugar
2 egg yolks, room temperature
1 egg, room temperature Read the rest of this entry »
celebrating the season with chocolate
holiday tree of chocolate
(sapin de Noël au chocolat)
I could not believe my eyes when I saw holiday decor in the Los Angeles stores before Halloween. While I understand the excitement, that two month vendor jump on the holidays does not exist in Paris. In Paris, the holiday decor does not go up until the first week in December (with the exception of certain tourist streets such as the Champs Élysées) and it stays up until the Epiphany (January 6). This week the pine trees have arrived. There are no Christmas tree “lots.” Instead, the corner florists and grocery stores sell them and the decorated trees are beginning to embellish store fronts, hotels, and apartment buliding lobbies. The gardienne for our apartment building put our lobby pine tree up yesterday. Covered in white flocking with white ornaments, it is a welcome sight and smell coming in from the 40 degree (Fahrenheit) chill and it was the inspiration for this (very) simple pleasure: holiday tree of chocolate (sapin de Noël au chocolat).
chocolate holiday tree
(sapin de Noël au chocolat)
makes one 1 tree
what you need:
1 pound bittersweet chocolate (or milk chocolate)
4 cups cereal (corn flakes or puffed rice)
~ 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted (as needed)
powdered sugar (as needed) Read the rest of this entry »
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