tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58186440881678966562024-03-12T19:38:55.959-07:00Lunch in Paris DEMODiscovering Paris (and now Provence!)
- one meal at a timeElizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-58846632526774544602010-10-20T12:44:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.029-07:00There Will Be Blood<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530554854781280290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BKSC5SeTrS5dYp0KHt9IGzhlKhTjPjeLqLPPVH6wqoDoUNGOLjgVGcu5O90eSBeg2ZlM-H7a0Pftl8h3D9TyKa9CagQvvWZxfi7ndT7F6jpd5v4O4KBvI0ylKTnSqasy5wiFq9TBlh2l/s320/IMG_0372.JPG" />There is something about the first frost that brings out the caveman - one might even say the vampire - in me. I want to wear fur and suck the meat off lamb bones, and on comes my annual craving for <em>boudin noir</em>, otherwise known as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_sausage">blood sausage</a>. You know you've been in France for nearly a decade when the idea of eating congealed blood sounds not only normal, but positively delightful.<br /><br />As a woman recently pregnant, my body craved iron in silly amounts. I could have eaten a skyscraper. It's a shame this sort of thing is not on the French pregnancy diet - forbidden along with charcuterie and liver... <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530555004743848194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZklHjWgGPBnKvDXtUj4j2bH0M5UxhyphenhyphenVDI1xnLyJZyIo8xwNM-Ry7cJwWHjEwaB-PamHQSQXe-fEORHeZKaJfYi4oGFaddbaEwIKQjaaIB19be0kGSH1pZvX7D_P0FyK8TOuIqnPXpSa1h/s320/boudin+truck.jpg" />It's true that boudin noir is not the sort of thing I'd buy at any old supermarket - ideally, you want a butcher who prepares his own. I bought mine from a mustached man with a little truck in the Apt market. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530553660866024418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfB42sl6vP_j9DeaNML7qO4AMhb3gN4rK0L5P4qitNOrLs7s3RyHJq8eVt1_FBFdFSgKFOhOZwR-sRFYIrihsYp7KakvXmqRGeSyQKz8vcS5j8FuCANfGCJvzCM-EBimdbo_7T1FNDTH-x/s320/IMG_0373.JPG" />I serve my boudin with sliced apples - this time, some golden delicious we picked up from a farmstand by the side of the road. I tossed the apples with olive oil, sprinkled whole lot with sea salt and added a cinnamon stick and a star anise to ground the dish with cozy autumn spices. Boudin is already cooked through when you buy it, but 20 minutes or so in a hot oven gives it time to blister, even burst. I'm an adventurous eater, but the idea of boiled (or cold) boudin makes me think about moving back to New Jersey. (No, not really.) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530552812267437250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3qd2e7PJi7d2N1UbZw1RusuqpiQr48x4bFZ-NADfvLkcobMyK1xObhVNyAznEyYXENPlULJoQsjxbAYp28VYn4kBz1gFWRUiEZiAAEG5jvWBr9xxUADjHVPZBzdT34HheMy73qg_jpTZ6/s320/IMG_0376.JPG" /></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">By this point in the post, I know there is at least one reader (perhaps many) thinking...<em>but, that looks like large labrador shit on a plate</em>. True enough. But once you get past the aesthetics, you have one of richest savory tastes I can imagine. Good boudin has a velveteen consistency that marries perfectly with the slight tartness of the roasted apples.</span><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClGfL6GMHnLqyzfjh2T2NSo2iS0GJoClGMZC8-JAfTAo9IE54t2-VmO6X1WSYRdQdlPRVu8yDHks4F8KECi-AvfR1upJh4Sjq9vUa7Yj5Vx8BuJ7LeZoet3Qttu5GA8sir29CP0FPWD0U/s1600/vaseline.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530559835711732130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClGfL6GMHnLqyzfjh2T2NSo2iS0GJoClGMZC8-JAfTAo9IE54t2-VmO6X1WSYRdQdlPRVu8yDHks4F8KECi-AvfR1upJh4Sjq9vUa7Yj5Vx8BuJ7LeZoet3Qttu5GA8sir29CP0FPWD0U/s320/vaseline.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">A good boudin is not the only thing in danger of bursting in France this week. Strikes and protests against the raising of the retirement age have left students injured and 1/3 of gas stations empty. The French do love their <em>manifs</em>. It is admirable to have such a politically engaged public, but I suspect that the unions find the power surge of parades more useful than the search for actual solutions. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">As usual, the French government has backed itself into a PR corner. I heard a govt. rep on the radio describe the issue in exasperated tones as a “problème technique” – sure, it’s technical if your job is to sit in Paris and juggle a bunch of number that no longer add up. But this is also a “problème social” – there are real people ensuring the stability of the system, and they deserve to be consulted. Pensions are a social contract – yes, there needs to be change, but the government must also find a way to communicate that that doesn’t leave people feeling screwed with their pants on. (The banner in the photo says "Reimburse the Vaseline". Which means exactly what you think it does.) Add to that the fact (strangely absent from the press) that under the new law everyone has to work longer – except parliamentarians. And they wonder why the man on the street is out for blood…</span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530551992272961010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-xB8UXYmYJP024p-5xEV9r9pkukOQzaBKcMEpaRj1j_8BHxQd5A3LDA1WoKrZYjEqtaPM_u1dkeYe5Ov9vvbU14LLcicGzRBldmBICGCkV2mHE9suoLwzyW92rOetQLqsmiDqp8VEOvJ/s320/IMG_0377.JPG" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Boudin Noir with Apples and Autumn Spices</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Boudin noir for 4 (you’ll need about 5-6 inches of sausage per person)<br />4 golden delicious apples<br />2 cinnamon sticks<br />1 star anise<br />Sea salt<br />1 tbsp olive oil<br />A glass of white wine<br /><br />Heat the oven to 400F.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Core and slice the apples, skin on. (½ inch slices).Toss apples with the olive oil. In a large ovenproof platter with low sides, arrange the boudin (cut into individual portions) and the apples. Sprinkle with sea salt and nestle in the cinnamon sticks and star anise. Cook for 20 minutes or until the boudin starts to sizzle and the apples have begun to brown.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Add a glass of white wine to the bottom of the pan. Cook five minutes longer. Serve immediately. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Serves 4 as a main course. If you want to double the comfort food factor, serve with mashed potatoes. Although the dish is prepared with white wine, I serve it with a medium bodied red. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">If you’d like to do this as an appetizer: carefully slice the boudin into coins (1 inch thick) and prepare with apples as above. I might serve this with port – ideally, in front of a roaring fire. </span></div></div></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-67105343081527639112010-10-07T02:31:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.031-07:00Fig Fest 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjir-NJGmBbXd8x1Z47uS2NTa_6-YuAiqkAffhGOWpc_3wr4RCxNd0nrTqH3GBGunj0dnamK1N_0A-GgdVYfrSjRvEahgBSz027cB2xjY3iAcGdUdrdRvjLVjUQErNufVcLynooBglY9-Yr/s1600/fig+tart+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526687646830662466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjir-NJGmBbXd8x1Z47uS2NTa_6-YuAiqkAffhGOWpc_3wr4RCxNd0nrTqH3GBGunj0dnamK1N_0A-GgdVYfrSjRvEahgBSz027cB2xjY3iAcGdUdrdRvjLVjUQErNufVcLynooBglY9-Yr/s320/fig+tart+1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526687448850191298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7tf-vjnOr6xSk1gl_XNa19qt1rLkHNAqe9XsY6A_jNt7oW_6m40kVmt4OMIoKNVEO8DHr9jWvrmcJK8JVMRZUbhoyyMvTnLs7Mp1FHrXywEiKxZ7pXXi0dHNOSU12-orFBlrcCyF_Qzt/s320/fig+tart+2.jpg" />It's that time of year again. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Every September, I throw myself a little fig festival. A fig par-<em>tay</em>. Figapalooza, if you will. One of the many newfound pleasures of living in Provence is that fig season seems to go on and on. I made my first fig tart over a month ago, and my favorite fruit is still very much at the market. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526685896699932722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN3Ryur5_54XVMPrr6ps05Rqq60yaZzuiIcpenNpF-Z-sWdO-Bo8HcVUku8OB0A_JgBDztn8DfeihCa99Vu9zuIO0v6-rvjFIsH7MTHNuX8BE_cFfGdxxM-nA8XWCpA0Euol-9mCvrkOq/s320/IMG_0396.JPG" />Figs are a coy fruit. Figs hide out a bit. Their exterior is sober, matte – a dignified, often dusky, royal purple. But crack one open, and you have a plupy, fleshy kaleidoscope of seeds. A ripe fig should give slightly when you squeeze.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526684513774132626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3WxUIbXDYpItUBZjmmw_F-qY1bCh-TfKn-HiMvJlr_RnyljwxKddKyjSXKDprEQFIC5T74EvgxYifllAxs_nNWTLcFSa8NFGrXXJSOUlbwzYZdB1KQWhDVtWvuM5ODQcPBkDTfZ3KFse/s320/IMG_0351.JPG" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Figs make an excellent transition from summer to autumn cusine. This is particularly useful this time of year in Provence, where you’ll be eating in the garden one day, turning on the heat the next.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526683668327567634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFMCumZzw0li7YHp8ummc8PmeyI19mRnhYmMYVWEDF3vr8bk2bn-krbAqFP-PzOSQJs2OqG1OjNev1oYZNfbr0C_s2nOtAnjp5Zx8DLYK1AnDvHARtLwOgHHLbb2o1X3qhdARePcWun6S/s320/IMG_0354.JPG" /> Fresh figs are at home both <em>al fresco</em>, in a rocket salad with golden delicious apples, pine nuts and picnic cheeses,<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 197px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526683316529086546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYu7kbai4AxaTftUmRElG_geSLl5hsn6Lia4gDxa2fmVrcvcNm-lemBudWTNxk3M1jG1qfAPKM8Bi-ppgygpk4fPnU6kcnCBPoV9Yq5iU46EgM-PYbVvJ-gqV7okWgYYUDCbntHCT00zZ/s320/cropped+bright.JPG" />and inside, try these <a href="http://elizabethbard.blogspot.com/2009/09/fig-fest-2009.html">spicy chocolate pots</a> with a side of figs to ease the first chill.</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The other day, thanks to my babysitter (source of all knowledge), I discovered that the village has a public fig tree. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526682569653291330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Mz6dxtnSSp86pdEUjfSfcLJdEiPjPjReSkun9Wo0c9IBLe9FYChh8fGGGfK7_FND-tzK-7JTH4YtRJUNLqqyzLNtwspFzJJxqZQEyih4OU6h1dzPTiEpJHiFRkYhKDaTvXGlEwMvjz1J/s320/IMG_0387.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526682083369255698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRjjVsQ0da9jZ4ZjVRjE2hvXNoXxkcSrffITQW65TWNCxFiGSPOEgKAbILZqpTdetBxijoimntRryVLe4mRv4poc74jvwRz7XtyYbD_CWIaCd4Ay8rxxX4D1Yx7G5f_htXMq8zMdnU49_H/s320/IMG_0391.JPG" />I pass it every morning on the way back from the boulangerie. Like camembert for school lunches (<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6902333n&tag=contentMain%3BcontentBody%2F">see this terrific video</a>) and paid maternity leave – that’s my kind of public service.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We will be deepening our village social life this weekend – inviting our neighbors over for tea. Another fig tart is definitely on the books. Between you and me: I have an ulterior motive. I’m trying to sweet talk (or feed) Mr. C into taking me mushroom hunting with him…<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526681052309354786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL02o2pdwepFuZa01Bn0fjD7Hg9vAZ1o2PCL0gheQuyDFUsdm9M7_E11-De524Zii87ZRrHugB5rPKT2btLL6AkHjE3_t1E_JTCd5YjJUc1IJMM9E4Vz0sjCEXQ9Wlknzlql-ir4CC9Lhb/s320/fig+tart+4.jpg" /><br />Fig and Almond tart<br /><br />I’ve been in search of the perfect frangipane (almond cream) for most of the time that I’ve lived in France. I started with Eric Kayser's recipe (too greasy, too sweet for my taste), and the trial and error went on from there. The solution came from a colleague of G.’s. This is the almond cream she uses to stuff her <em><a href="http://elizabethbard.blogspot.com/2010/01/king-for-day.html">galette des rois</a></em>. It’s easy to make, sweet but not overwhelming, and the rum gives it the right to vote. I’m sure this tart would work nicely with pears as well…<br /><br />1 good quality pre-made pastry crust<br /><br />100 grams of salted butter, if you can find it with sea salt crystals – so much the better<br />100 grams of granulated sugar<br />3 eggs<br />1 tbsp dark rum<br />½ teaspoon almond extract<br />½ teaspoon vanilla extract<br />150-180 grams of ground (powdered) almonds<br />2 teaspoons of powdered sugar<br />6 or 7 ripe fresh figs – sliced (about 1/3 inch)<br />Small handful of pine nuts<br /><br />Heat the oven to 375°F<br /><br />Whip the butter until soft and airy. Add the sugar and cream the two together until light and fluffy. Add 2 eggs, whisk to combine.<br /><br />Break the third egg into a cup, stir lightly. Pour ½ of the 3rd egg into the batter. Put the cup with the remaining ½ egg to one side. Add the rum, vanilla and almond extract to the batter, whisk to combine. Then add enough ground almonds so that the batter will hold its shape when mounded on the pastry – it should be just thick enough so that it doesn’t ooze all over the place like a B-movie blob.<br /><br />Place the crust in a pan (preferably a metal tart pan with a removable bottom – metal helps the crust cook through). Leave the extra crust to hand over the edges. Prick the bottom of the crust with a fork. Top with the almond cream. Slice the figs on top. Scatter the pine nuts. Fold the extra crust over the top of the tart, to form a little border. Brush the top of the folded over crust with the remaining ½ egg.<br /><br />Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden and cooked through.<br /><br />Serves 8<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ds6AXyMygnwEGPvGINuI6x0HCXtEaxKmzdxrcNwG1KiPrAcvSx5AWUBia1d1UwkRg96nQr0tERWaItQb9uiu4Q14QD1HIbaS3ghb2puYLJOZMTiWlwdgkLvfqyeln779P-4btjVYajpg/s1600/fig+tart+3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526681416068929106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ds6AXyMygnwEGPvGINuI6x0HCXtEaxKmzdxrcNwG1KiPrAcvSx5AWUBia1d1UwkRg96nQr0tERWaItQb9uiu4Q14QD1HIbaS3ghb2puYLJOZMTiWlwdgkLvfqyeln779P-4btjVYajpg/s320/fig+tart+3.jpg" /></a><br /></span>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-88352453874904144492010-09-30T11:06:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.033-07:00Take Back the Kitchen<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvuZTEkQ3gPel6O1XA-7qnIQQy8jG7KxAe1hkJ4g1MLxLoMwEp64WOsr31gdXSzV-aPzNQy2_dwDk7WO8P0pfG_v0L8UBuksfUp_p8ZjM6cdndFUowKP4JVfqiQ1H_CiwKc_I3rXL3i5V/s1600/Napoleon.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 169px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522769952899415090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvuZTEkQ3gPel6O1XA-7qnIQQy8jG7KxAe1hkJ4g1MLxLoMwEp64WOsr31gdXSzV-aPzNQy2_dwDk7WO8P0pfG_v0L8UBuksfUp_p8ZjM6cdndFUowKP4JVfqiQ1H_CiwKc_I3rXL3i5V/s320/Napoleon.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm reconquering my kitchen. Clearing the counters and throwing out the rice cakes. Pitching the leftovers and Wildberry fruit roll ups. After my mother's five week visit to our new home in Provence – I’m in need of a scorched earth campaign: leave nothing behind that the enemy can use. Not her instant Vietnamese soup, not her Skippy chunky peanut butter. Following in her Napoleonic wake, I had no choice but to burn it all, exorcise it with the ritualistic pleasure that some girls get from burning pictures of old boyfriends.<br /><br />Let me be clear. I hate hate hate throwing away food. It makes me feel like a spoiled brat. And yet every time my mother leaves France, she saddles me with a huge bag of leftover, canned, partially hydrogenated horrors that neither I nor my family want to eat. Food is one of the central pleasures of my life in France, and particularly at a time when I am doing my best to lose the last of the baby weight – I simply cannot tolerate (excuse my French) putting shit in my mouth.<br /><br />When I lived in Paris, I could discreetly deposit the bag outside our building in the evening, and it would be gone by morning. Here in the village, there no spot to discreetly do anything. I can't imagine what my neighbors would say if they saw me throwing away a shopping bag full of instant Raspberry Cool iced tea and processed chorizo pizza. Would anyone here even know what to do with instant Raspberry Cool iced tea? For now, the bag is sitting in the vaulted stone cellar, awaiting further study.<br /><br />Since I moved to France, my mother has been on a campaign to bring the familiar into my otherwise foreign life. She began with the silver (which I cherish and adore), then she brought over a chipped flower pot in the shape of a tudor mansion from our old den (ok, some sentimental value). But soon we moved on to the apricot Jell-O and Crystal Light. It’s all part of my mother’s Stuff is Love theory: If you transfer enough objects from your old home to your new home, you never left.<br /><br />Until we were under the same roof for an extended period, I didn’t realize how oppressive this was. I felt violated. The kitchen is my territory, and by filling it with things my family would never eat, she was ignoring my wishes, my independence – simply turning my house into a version of hers. One morning, G. slinked off, bewildered, for an espresso at a friend’s: “I opened the refrigerator door," he said, “the fridge was full, and there wasn’t a single thing in it that I wanted to eat.”<br /><br />It’s not that my mother takes no pleasure in my cooking. She did cartwheels over the beefsteak tomatoes and fine buffalo mozzarella we often ate for lunch in the garden. She happily tasted the <em>tomme de Brebis</em> at my newfound cheesemonger. She watched with amusement as I squeezed the figs and sniffed the melons. But I – her only child - am so far away, and now I’ve kidnapped not only myself, but her grandson as well. What good is his American passport if he doesn’t eat peanut butter?<br /><br />I love my mother very much. I like her even more. One of the reasons why this happens is that we are so close she often fails to see us as two separate people (with two separate refrigerators). She’ll read this, and we will probably talk about it. Maybe it will make her more aware of how I was feeling – of taking care to treat me like an adult in my own house. And I hope it will make me a better guest in <em>her</em> home – rather than my classic reversion to a child who comes and goes as she pleases and leaves her underwear on the bedroom floor. That’s the difference between my mother and Napoleon. Napoleon never made up with anyone.<br /><br />Things are slowly getting back on culinary track here. I have some butternut squash for roasting (my mother’s recipe – though tossed with olive oil instead of Pam), and our babysitter just loaded me up with a huge sack of tomatoes from her neighbor’s garden. I think I’ll make some last-of-the-season sauce for the freezer.<br /><br />Before my parents left, I made a farewell dinner – a variation of <a href="http://elizabethbard.blogspot.com/2009/12/presentable-lentils.html">my lentils</a> with sausage from our local butcher. Lentils are one of my favorite French comfort foods – warm and welcoming – like the big hug I often forgot to give my parents this month. Now that everyone is gone, I can hear the creaking of the house again. Last night, I gave Augustin some leftover lentils for dinner. Yes, he was eating leftovers, but they were my leftovers. And somehow that makes all the difference. </span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlKtBdF2n8HTmesn4J_D4KOlp6ZD5LZMYITW6VjTvaIa-0jtYGsHgr4FEMtPe71kXrqVrvn5kbm5JOKo_jbyQl6MZE2N3fU7CwyyZ8IbwO5LAQMVk_ow1_hlHQJ_spbP0W6YuEIzThpqg/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522774839203979538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlKtBdF2n8HTmesn4J_D4KOlp6ZD5LZMYITW6VjTvaIa-0jtYGsHgr4FEMtPe71kXrqVrvn5kbm5JOKo_jbyQl6MZE2N3fU7CwyyZ8IbwO5LAQMVk_ow1_hlHQJ_spbP0W6YuEIzThpqg/s320/IMG_0341.JPG" /></a>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-62897169768988914192010-09-09T00:29:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.036-07:00Back to School Bundt Cake<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514938115151581730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmIPCBMPejDvbd_6ZJ5X8CHV_Ma_1qZFYNCeYjVnqJ6s3gOYceQbMkih2hnC2e8ivtpTUXyM2eLSHvafMLmnzfMP6X5Ks_7_XTjBw7cw7HFbQS1kIDWn6ffMZ-0GwDFOl7ZGr6Wq7a0knJ/s320/IMG_0321.JPG" />I'm a back to school girl. A white knee sock and patent leather shoe lover of the first day of anything. Today is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Although I'm not a particularly religious person, I've always liked the idea of celebrating the New Year in September, when the leaves are crisp and the air is sharp with possibility. For me, fall has always been the season of new beginnings. If I still had a pink plastic lunch box, I'd fill it with the tiny mirabelle plums from Mr. C's garden, which he keeps bringing over by the basketfull. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514938503370326834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt4X-EV2qrVfFdglpWewm72glGQkKZIxmglgO58khaGFIFaVSmChWpdrovYA7x_WNZUUl2Mj4MQwnccGUcotNxFcNaRMM4oCCqGPicX8im2VgG8e5cK389vFbpsJVthYX4RVTKG3wM8p6/s320/IMG_0319.JPG" />I've had to start using the punchbowl for fruit. Mirabelle season, like the New Year feeling, is a short window of opportunity - a time when everything feels shiny and golden and new again. I know, I know. Gag me with a spoon. But I get like this every year...</span></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514941559744576194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2Rk4HjNpV85qkzD59q_6wrbIXi1gDn5ngQS0XnMbzl_IVfZBFViD1ijNlZ5ykvwNYXhNLCkyhzhwJm-uCVIEMSo1bIc41W_PVRFgQa-jVcMI2P5hbUWB0XGMw71W6_3IyJ_7gyxKFPrM/s320/1060+cropped.JPG" /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">New Year is also a time of closure, when things come full circle. This time last year, I had a manuscript on one hip, and a month old baby on the other - making last minute changes to one, marveling at the tiny uncanny perfection of the other. Now Augustin is ready to run wild, and Lunch in Paris is running full steam ahead. In addition to the American and Australian editions, the book will soon be published in Germany, Holland, Poland, The Czech Republic, Brazil, Taiwan, and even Korea. Like any over-enthusiastic student, my head is full of new projects, new stories, and of course, new recipes. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514841265313073570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIdRG2JvtZEOehXZ_GocE_uiKeb-riN8ZkVmHobnG2Rzu8_HU3mqxFieO_F6lLxUM-AUsATKrmdfOaP_aMdJa11dsRd-Y5kCI2rQuOxTI8gI4_RWz5qgRkdfCTlaYqvFTpKsIChtqNDYC/s320/IMG_0085.JPG" />I'm finding echos between past and present even in the kitchen. When we moved to Provence, I vowed to decipher (or weedle) the recipe for Madame N's homemade apple cake out of the local boulangerie. Turns out, my Grandma Elsie (her recipe for Spaghetti Sauce with pork ribs is the proudest family heirloom in <em>Lunch in Paris</em>), made a very similiar cake.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514830611226066370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPn5Jhx_W7Bw5wqwgF-IwAJI3vlErapu_I-2J2qB9Tq1f7GAIaeNn4YnyNS3DgiLM78FQLeMxuIgmXAoTkAaDfbaCbadAfPwte6G4VINGAz8DvOx4nVZVXDHl1GCwcEC71FIdIdD34mfea/s320/Grandma's+apple+bundt+cake.jpg" />In fact, my Aunt Joyce made one just last night. (Skype is a modern day miracle that any bibical prophet would be proud to call his own.)<br /><br />So this year, my future found a way to catch up with my past, in the form of a moist, dense, comforting apple bundt cake. Life is like that. We are often chasing our tails, looking for stuff that was there all along. And finding a little piece of home in a brand new spot.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Wishing you a wonderful beginning to whatever you might be starting today.</div></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><p>Grandma Elsie's Apple Cake<br /><br />5 or 6 apples, peeled and cut into slices (due to Mr. C's generousity, I might have to try it with plums)<br />2 tsp cinnamon<br />5 tbsp sugar<br /><br />3 cups all-purpose flour<br />3 tsp baking powder<br />1 tsp table salt<br /><br />2 cups sugar<br />1 cup cooking oil (canola or vegatable)<br />1/4 cup orange juice with pulp, fresh squeezed is even better<br />4 large eggs<br />(It's not in Grandma's recipe, but I might add the zest of half an orange...)<br />2 1/2 tsp vanilla<br /><br />Preheat oven to 350F.<br /><br />Peel and slice the apples. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and 5 tablespoons of sugar. Set aside.<br /><br />In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, orange juice, oil and vanilla. Lightly stir flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Pour 1/2 of the batter into greased, 10" tube pan. Arrangle 1/2 of the apple mixture over it. Pour in the rest of the batter and arrange the remaining apples on top.<br /><br />Bake for approximately 1h and 30 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Let rest in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes before removing from the pan to cool completely.<br /><br />Freezes well.<br /><br />Serves 8 to 10</span></p>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-28638302943179205662010-08-31T01:16:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.038-07:00Old Wives Tales<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtshQUPGV6UOAG2RopKfjvPznyLnY0E8cnePgbzw-JkSIcWtygKzBCGA4zSD2drVdjyVNpOlNrnK0TSaS9HeRjKXRn_MlnvTrdC4ySAWPVAWZ-91V2Xgbf6uA7KSgyek8XDUtVPtmZkGgx/s1600/IMG_0073.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511490487686701570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtshQUPGV6UOAG2RopKfjvPznyLnY0E8cnePgbzw-JkSIcWtygKzBCGA4zSD2drVdjyVNpOlNrnK0TSaS9HeRjKXRn_MlnvTrdC4ySAWPVAWZ-91V2Xgbf6uA7KSgyek8XDUtVPtmZkGgx/s320/IMG_0073.JPG" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Five generations of my Russian peasant ancestors are rolling over in their graves. Long did they toil, sweat, struggle, to escape the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shtetl">shtetl</a>. To make it to the New World, to live the American dream of streets paved with gold and Hebrew National salami. A chicken in every pot and a dryer in every mudroom. And now their progeny reduced (<em>voluntarily</em>, no less) to hanging her clothes out on the line in the garden. Oy.</span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div><br />G., of course, thinks it’s perfectly normal to hang our undies out under the stars. It smells good. It saves electricity. Yes. But. I’m American. God help me, I love a good tumble dryer. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Not only does the sun not fluff your towels, it comes with folklore as well. The other night, G. hesitated on his way out with an armful of laundry. "I feel like there’s something about not hanging your white sheets out in the full moon." he said.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Huh? </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><div><br />This was how I felt the first time I burned my finger in our apartment in Paris. G. sliced open a raw potato and put it on my hand. The starch, he said, would soothe the skin. I swear, sometimes it’s like being married to a Trappist monk. </div><div><br />PS – The potato actually works. As for the sheets in the moonlight, I’ve since heard various theories, all having to do with UV rays and bleach. Anyone. Anyone? </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">PSS - My mother arrived this week. I left the sheets up on the line, just to see her reaction. (What's the point if you can't have a little fun at the expense of the city folk. Especially since, until about three weeks ago, I was city folk...)<br /></div></span>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-75584193202950675672010-08-10T00:53:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.040-07:00Tomatoland<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVgWB9lkDP56RioH9oKjdFNm7LlDXwwuH_4RwM15-1ZO4QXEABwfM7tpanAgR3KJ8yeWbZtGJyVhaD2ggu1KvAqXp6D1Aejl-5ForQcozMSGwZzKk-gcGmvXyil15T8H836Gh-1YMyC6h/s1600/tomato1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507025326510767298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHVgWB9lkDP56RioH9oKjdFNm7LlDXwwuH_4RwM15-1ZO4QXEABwfM7tpanAgR3KJ8yeWbZtGJyVhaD2ggu1KvAqXp6D1Aejl-5ForQcozMSGwZzKk-gcGmvXyil15T8H836Gh-1YMyC6h/s320/tomato1.jpg" /></a>Hello All - Slowly getting my Provencal act together! We found a lovely babysitter for Augustin, so now I have a few hours each morning to work (and share). I know everyone is expecting house photos - and I'm on it - just found the charger for my camera after a (desperate) two week ransacking of the boxes...<br /><br />I could say I've been cooking - but that would be a slight distortion - it's more like arts and crafts: combining, stacking, slicing and dicing a few essential summer ingredients: tomatoes, tomatoes, melon, jambon cru (raw ham), peaches, plums, figs, tomatoes. And did I mention the tomatoes? I haven't turned on the stove in weeks.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507021541555523410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68jO3zqDaqNiUjant-TdtQzipStrE01SxpEgpKNvvNMBiP5E6IRssjgo5cGZ0mU9ZUD_cmaxNcPHTbH_nGLTl5j4cdNfa3MenOiwOFSs6tblLOSg3ktHwOzO_dBb9IOszz-DXFdJ8wPP1/s320/tomato2.jpg" />The Provencal tomato is a thing of wonder - small as a marble, large as a human heart, red like a valentine, yellow like a sunflower, orange like an overripe apricot, bright green like a brand new leaf, even purplely olive, like seaweed seen through moving water. The names are equal to the colors: Ananas (Pineapple), Noire de Russie (Black Russian), Brin de Muguet (Lily of the Valley).There's no messing with perfection (ok, a little messing, just for fun) - a few crystals of coarse sea salt, a drizzle of local olive oil and a sprig or two of purple (yes, royal purple, my favorite childhood color) basil. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507024858600151682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLk6wyFb_1if73nWxsSTHNJQAz6Egd2HwHHEwiFBv3KxGEDXmGoSbqp99cF9qdgzL0lUmto5_JnnUXETNsCPf4Kx3WLid65uLwte-1hBa7YqZNx578m3SW8bYILCo0HSEJr9NAeo7DoMjx/s320/tomato4.jpg" />I did do some impromptu matchmaking...Baby tomatoes with smoked mozeralla, red onion, fennel and balsamic vinegar.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPDnRA3k1PsC0jUBiiUzLBF5HWsO9VqG2mQO1p5l12X4Koqt5FhZKV2Trw5UKpkbS_-2pVXOMX0OXUz0QAjhsm_yCuzYWjm2M1mefeBY_yzjG8ZGu-hSZI9ZU48b0zU07auoZl-gY0Ndq/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507021139462253138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPDnRA3k1PsC0jUBiiUzLBF5HWsO9VqG2mQO1p5l12X4Koqt5FhZKV2Trw5UKpkbS_-2pVXOMX0OXUz0QAjhsm_yCuzYWjm2M1mefeBY_yzjG8ZGu-hSZI9ZU48b0zU07auoZl-gY0Ndq/s320/IMG_0064.JPG" /></a> A giant yellow tomato (That's him. Her? Him, I think. It's a very muscular tomato)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507020787780206498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWnGcrRuMNHyKW_1qHM8QcSUrk0d-WsgWpl0NPA4kDZIM5nNyqSpx60MGeKvL_XNksDNM1fxOhPhPYf3AWn-4ULi0JToKdBVUHQiEdF4IO0Puh9zm9R1jEUEa1_KFTRdbyJYO3ZkFotKt/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" /> with a local sheep's milk cheese (feta would do nicely) and green basil.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8E0RSRhGtV9XoyNoc4g_SXb9jPt720KIvTPxgvHAQCjYRhTWOIZAgyHLGE-d5CQQgeHtIKV0QEOoV5FIZVOcVM5l4CBW3RZoVJ8Tu3JPaXIJbw5Gdd8kzK8CkCpZYz_frEh_hKJY808Q/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507020468323498370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8E0RSRhGtV9XoyNoc4g_SXb9jPt720KIvTPxgvHAQCjYRhTWOIZAgyHLGE-d5CQQgeHtIKV0QEOoV5FIZVOcVM5l4CBW3RZoVJ8Tu3JPaXIJbw5Gdd8kzK8CkCpZYz_frEh_hKJY808Q/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" /></a> Last night I got a little fancy and layered slices of beefsteak tomato with artichoke puree and slivers of parmesan. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOtiIqIItFIWDYmOORl9u00jrSI3paW0j-72d_StyFLKYMLjOFIiBr8uB1yUmba9lp2lNekJXCIHRhbbaUb0gyS2rPgs62iCi1396zoBvJli2kaMs-Yv1fnYpYMbXzGGWohWOncJuOoTC/s1600/tomato6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507019938502538866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKOtiIqIItFIWDYmOORl9u00jrSI3paW0j-72d_StyFLKYMLjOFIiBr8uB1yUmba9lp2lNekJXCIHRhbbaUb0gyS2rPgs62iCi1396zoBvJli2kaMs-Yv1fnYpYMbXzGGWohWOncJuOoTC/s320/tomato6.jpg" /></a>I love to think of the utterly pretentious name this would be given in a trendy Parisian bistro...<em>millefeuille de tomate Provencale, tapanade d'artichaut frais et coppa de Parmesan d'Italie (AOC) sur son lit de salade sauce apricot.</em> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507019719544075250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguT-VQQ4q7qr7CDuNE5_mQxiFGHXK5PLi8NzTayXsWLiKiWt7bJj1vGH0rWqamqJ3GDUGuJqGIT08AYwkbOOd-iZT3YgzweJDWsLMeKxjMP64-uOmuZIT_Nktb8v1K8tfZhKFtlYZmd78N/s320/tomato7.jpg" />The "sauce apricot" was an happy accident. While making the dressing for the green salad, I mistook a bottle of peach/apricot syrup for the olive oil. Since it was already at the bottom the bowl, I decided to try my luck. Mixed with dijon mustard and some olive oil, it was very nice - much sweeter than a French vinagrette, more like an American-style honey dijon. I decided to add it to my pretentious Parisian bistro dish because (believe it or not) they love imitating American food. Anyone who has been in Paris this past year or two will note the rise of "le Tchizzburger" (that's bistro for "cheeseburger").<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM-xjlXicebPvfg2aXYvs7HqUq-wDfU9zWSRzQaofcAm16bLRqOuFhr-nNm4HSZpmFbroMathuR-QqHyAhfAlg-i7bo9r7S00aRTTCgI3ueNHqqGy8StINAvO-N5p_thIn3-YFog5O6km/s1600/IMG_0264.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507019454550936690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQM-xjlXicebPvfg2aXYvs7HqUq-wDfU9zWSRzQaofcAm16bLRqOuFhr-nNm4HSZpmFbroMathuR-QqHyAhfAlg-i7bo9r7S00aRTTCgI3ueNHqqGy8StINAvO-N5p_thIn3-YFog5O6km/s320/IMG_0264.JPG" /></a>Friends who sold all their worldly goods to go on an extended trip around the world stopped in for lunch (yes, even people freshly moved to Provence can experience travel envy) - and I discovered that my vegetable peeler makes very nice parmesan curly whirlies for yet another tomato salad. Excuse the close up. Tomato porn. Yes, must move on.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjsEoXeXxr0KTFQGVDW6TPi1BuuoEkUhdxpuk2S5ok8nVW_P7tSdR1DuPQbtBbykgbOP_5epDzFWH_vk7QcdKQJ6Hc-l3Y2Oz9hk7fj2-gD0UoHxy8JR4pe7XG8dIQ4jQq2EYaAvwFWdV/s1600/tomato+with+view.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 160px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507034251898014466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNjsEoXeXxr0KTFQGVDW6TPi1BuuoEkUhdxpuk2S5ok8nVW_P7tSdR1DuPQbtBbykgbOP_5epDzFWH_vk7QcdKQJ6Hc-l3Y2Oz9hk7fj2-gD0UoHxy8JR4pe7XG8dIQ4jQq2EYaAvwFWdV/s320/tomato+with+view.jpg" /></a>The days are hot and sunny - lunchtime is a search for shade. The evenings are cool and often breezy - ideal for long dinners in the garden (G. managed to snap this photo of both tomato salad <em>and</em> the view from our upper terrace.) I too am being eaten - the misquitos have been feasting on my ankles. My dad used to say it's because I was "sweet meat"...<br /><br />Hope you too are enjoying the sweet days of summer!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1iOsPOrIo0aLsfOz85RQ9FVB0A2duGQX_19_ZXRzDb0UROBBXgDqXw7H8seV-wDuz28GIHvqLB_OYibmTZV96TAMEV-Am87_B4XRs2fj4QYHB0wzCSvsr0vBkEbXair8-xdi8_FUIxZB/s1600/tomato5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507027707541071682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB1iOsPOrIo0aLsfOz85RQ9FVB0A2duGQX_19_ZXRzDb0UROBBXgDqXw7H8seV-wDuz28GIHvqLB_OYibmTZV96TAMEV-Am87_B4XRs2fj4QYHB0wzCSvsr0vBkEbXair8-xdi8_FUIxZB/s320/tomato5.jpg" /></a>P.S. I'm thinking of another tomato experiment - "tomato tatin" - which amounts to an upside down tomato tart. We'll see if I get up the courage to actually turn on the oven to slow roast the tomatoes... </p>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-15657822889381517812010-07-26T07:00:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.042-07:00Not So Little Lamb<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnqzdYZT6Om7_KdqBJb5tkzjClytDnq0xkb3Sh4lMtO34dJgq3-Aoq7YxpEM16qJBCORDmQjhXV5QpbJDmt3fNBP2gkm-qotp7PMX6d77dSlVtjFYLTl7-VBWthhNCpa9hz_6THb4swrF/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499062339952328114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnqzdYZT6Om7_KdqBJb5tkzjClytDnq0xkb3Sh4lMtO34dJgq3-Aoq7YxpEM16qJBCORDmQjhXV5QpbJDmt3fNBP2gkm-qotp7PMX6d77dSlVtjFYLTl7-VBWthhNCpa9hz_6THb4swrF/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">"Today we sacrificed a lamb in honor of my firstborn son." I always hoped I would have a reason to write a sentence so thoroughly biblical. Except is wasn't today, or even yesterday - it was two and a half weeks ago, and this is literally the first chance I've had to sit down at the computer. My new life in Provence is getting the better of me. We left our childcare in Paris, so my days are spent between Augustin and his new blow up kiddie pool (love at first splash), sorting cartons and preparing meals with veggie baskets kindly brought over by the neighbors. (I swear, the photo below is not a <em>mise en scene</em> - it was just that pretty when Mr. C brought it over.) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499061183054050642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEafzCVL81-ektUuM-tpjTEBN4B6kt_WGtUZDQLpjISfrP3qd1UZ1Mjcq2W0uTCzStFswx7TmB-AF1rir4CRliSJ8TwJjKSvty09oywIVf0Z187PC-qU3OtRiWJR6heRUyDmlSNyr2J68/s320/Mr+Cap+basket.jpg" />Back to the not-so-little lamb. No sooner had we stacked the cartons in our new house in Cereste then we were off to visit G.'s godparents in Brittany. When Augustin was born, G. asked them to host the traditional mechoui (a whole lamb roasted on a spit over an open fire). There was one when G. was born - and for every subsequent child in the family. Rumor has it, there exists an alarming photo of my late father-in-law, munching - Neanderthal style - on a leftover leg of lamb.<br /><br />G.'s godfather, A., has been a cooking mentor to me. His recipes read like poems - not much more than a list of ingredients with a flourish of interpretation. I try to stick close to him in the kitchen - it's the only way. Precious bits of advice drop like pebbles that I sort and collect over time. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499058327256216754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj29-OEIu-BdM_Typr4cTPn12tNzrJFjwkAuDJ9jXjhQlRYqhWNtLfpe6Ukf0rVZpToNmTQM3eeFO5sZDl8RaWisGSxwODoTp0gK2u0gN2CdiX2WXBjZiFNdd1uc_SGmZcmb9BVxz378i2j/s320/IMG_0203.JPG" />A. and his wife live in a stone farmhouse that has been in her family for several generations.They've turned the old barns into a gallery. There are two resident tortoises, who eat very well.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499059781541097346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDq2_D3YGDtKbFJbpbluXucSlDeNTgBCvbVX6EDWv8ZFVu8EeAw55YOfOW0kFyCgcv2QwyW4SwwunSRBlcbdjXVaaiN-qV0NiTpSLIRrRk-hZvDWZJjYM_fz-gQfA58hHtwK1sJFdJ8d9/s320/IMG_0130.JPG" />A. keeps a pair of binoculars handy, to show his grandchildren the foxes that sometimes sprint across the neighboring fields. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499056912945891650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3EN9ERyQugTD60NtFyjwyQbJV0SBW_UC295IO_0enLC9oh3yPgJEKRYrpDCnmp6cgc3EFwxjqTdNjq8qnUSDyU2Mx3tdHhdk11cPEROC6fMTOsXK7j6T9AezlLZc8aH2DbLABbeLXSgj/s320/IMG_0155.JPG" /> When we arrived, the fire was already going in the old boulangerie attached to the main house. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499056116027243794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSCBrG1QPMRS7JL70H8-RcjaJBm_39uyX9AJ3nVQAKhEM9qd9d0XBZHiMYCJ0zTv9ApOsk7OA6KCx9AiW0vjficJISWViooMSLCpMLr4zNlDvwE4FtQwm_qmOjf9STu-Hsdjr_RcwLxOR/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" />On it was a paella - a surprisingly ubiquitous dish in France.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499055691816242290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEldb-6Pe5txmLF93WzyfRZEd_FYn0wFeX-nvpy7qWVLJIwKUnHfgBfBgQms6syAPOtU7_oup04_7RmqL_dNLez5R7EATXA1WjHEOp2pmcTgN2XzEdBD3UsNs8y3CzBdm155FgYKZJTGh/s320/IMG_0122.JPG" />The rice was bubbling away in a saffron sauce, and A. added the raw shrimp as we arrived, which started to pink up immediately in preparation for the hungry crowd. Our aperitif, always champagne when my mother-in-law is around, was served on an old wheelbarrow. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499054481676610418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XjwE7j54NUvizrL9TeLEWuO37dh85VFpmbG4NiVhGV81zv9LHJBvpChk-wvAP6nhCh3E6j3C7DBQBlah0LTrIfh0kEO5RYhq5AwsnInnkP_9XuphcVPmiyUrxefYfz2tUhrD4x72j0aG/s320/IMG_0125.JPG" />The day of the mechoui, G. was waiting eagerly at the door (with a surprising number of other people), for the Super U to open so he could fetch the lamb. For my first mechoui, several years back, A. bought the lamb from a local producer. He killed and prepared it himself - but restrictions were getting tighter on this sort of thing, he said. So he decided to order.</span><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Prepping the lamb was quite the surgical adventure.</span> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499052378285811234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9fw_HKeMlpqVHQEyJRNoW4z96F7RO0Qhz46FPlNZnyOx8_bkJb6pTJ4sJsGaDK-mLndChtXWwSRFRQS8shaEnQ2GKL1BfJ_O3jWtfGST9Y7A-_GJ4BSgb3Ktp2wwa31JK50J5CSHAjeCe/s320/IMG_0180.JPG" /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">A. had been up since 6am roasting peppers, peeling tomatos and slicing onions for the stuffing. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499051984097627954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LOoYDgyBgug6Z9qkUT3hlCupvvLxSi0D83mLz0i7TexOqsNN18h_w3C0a7BxabuRCeVZ7ODIp8SwiGy7a6c59oVpAmOQa6UO38Nk21P1ifylL8s1CJeOYlsKumGy74IEt-rXl77MEnXr/s320/IMG_0189.JPG" />He asked me to fetch thyme from the garden and bay leaves from the tree at the front of the lawn - never quite sure if his favorite city girl will come back with the right thing...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRFM0bT93GslXn1_dODGaxl56Vh2jahYxCuV_GT_7A46qJuxTRTMaexuEt6He-Flizk8KQJUYArZgt2Sa7jWkkYhjP6Kpz5BRod3VD08iC-GvU_0jMf4eZLj2ANGzJV9PTccm49cVbozz/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499048997112272130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRFM0bT93GslXn1_dODGaxl56Vh2jahYxCuV_GT_7A46qJuxTRTMaexuEt6He-Flizk8KQJUYArZgt2Sa7jWkkYhjP6Kpz5BRod3VD08iC-GvU_0jMf4eZLj2ANGzJV9PTccm49cVbozz/s320/IMG_0196.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">I love this last photo - I think it looks like a Dutch still-life.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span></div><div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499046556163257858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDv_BbWLzEJP-NQ4hluRBpF961CgdqfEKZr81kTVsC0xiTdiqp22s4P1KA6B5LIp1TpDtN9i2wcVc0TeB9lB5Adyhh5OBvWh2hVnFJOR3ai95q3IqaTgl_D4Di4y7FWqvGX_1PSnH4-NTY/s320/IMG_0216.JPG" />To keep everyone going until the main event, the mechoui always begins with brochettes of grilled lamb's liver - marinated briefly with a slick of olive oil, spicy red harissa pepper, salt and a good earthy dose of cumin. When A. butchered the lamb himself, he would save <em>la voilette</em>, the delicate, lace-like membrane of fat around the organs, to wrap the hunks of liver - and give it a bit of sizzle on the grill. Unfortunately, the supermarket butcher chose to throw this part away...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499044847605887154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4S1KyRUFUQC0WEOVunlfBLUJFfJYqhakJQ5a8j2Vqy_1sb0Sad44YpHFW_mmYkP6p3tKWoACvDEZE2sb6Z-CfZpSWiGLpYtle8rEn0NAEVk6ILabcZ_UrkUxzGTyJm-gOqe49RpzZSgn/s320/IMG_0205a.JPG" /> There's me in my shades, preparing <em>brochettes</em> - who knew liver could be so glam... Augustin, at 11 months, LOVED the liver, which is proof enough, I think, of his French nationality.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the lamb was hoisted - not by me - into the flames. A.'s spit is a homemade affair, rigged with rusting bicycle gears.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498994028563390482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbw5NmP-4k1_hnvVhx1XZYWU9TcD9MW9ctlOKZUirBG0_CvvzRIUQ0XMnBfb2ScYgyE0BltYb546_XftfuZsWNc5UHzxH0phnj2lKlhxijf0rPWa7_zIHgZmZKuy0iy7rUST6PI2UI7BDK/s320/IMG_0231.JPG" />The smoke in the boulangerie stung my eyes, but I made it in there a few times to baste. After several hours, I got the honor of the first piece of crackling. Take your diamonds, boys – just give me the skin. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE5FuEEVAKKU_yb4rJ341mQl4Th6cxqFFXoW5qAs08znDOVanw3A_CUlbEy9mU9OPtDvOZDApFJcQl1MBpmJKYX1fnuES_s3NFAMfovAOpIf9n9cuJeSFYGcfMJKnX67qBa1CdrrIEPUC/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498991901316882850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJE5FuEEVAKKU_yb4rJ341mQl4Th6cxqFFXoW5qAs08znDOVanw3A_CUlbEy9mU9OPtDvOZDApFJcQl1MBpmJKYX1fnuES_s3NFAMfovAOpIf9n9cuJeSFYGcfMJKnX67qBa1CdrrIEPUC/s320/IMG_0243.JPG" /></a>The finished lamb could bring out the carnivore in anyone - I had to resist the urge to pick my entire meal off the spit with my bare hands.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_0vW6TAnQeNL1Z9CDR3S4kkIcIpaAUBIwLvWcb_QgOkRoC7EUWZJgvKmWY-Pz-8vE1Hm9GuWGK504Cog8lpIN3X4fOBH-qszyZKRjfedgrJ12wNHi51ky5ukC8gyWoxMkgrrCn4vj-_l/s1600/IMG_0139.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498991188639232338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_0vW6TAnQeNL1Z9CDR3S4kkIcIpaAUBIwLvWcb_QgOkRoC7EUWZJgvKmWY-Pz-8vE1Hm9GuWGK504Cog8lpIN3X4fOBH-qszyZKRjfedgrJ12wNHi51ky5ukC8gyWoxMkgrrCn4vj-_l/s320/IMG_0139.JPG" /></a>There were other traditions to attend to. There is a photo of 3 generations of G.'s family in front of the yellow cherry tree in the back pasture. We took a picture with Augustin to complete the album.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRHN2gOUp_O7iL6dTRU1HX4vgrzg-d3y2lF0QUwT6hp1a_Ek8vbH2t9ohlY8QuTRDlpS3Ulgef0lAAm7B_R4Nf5BhNEJxwgAQpeMrOFF3ghYII1BohrbumLxU0TdwZYYcokvZtkKiMmNF/s1600/IMG_0258.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498987002081234882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRHN2gOUp_O7iL6dTRU1HX4vgrzg-d3y2lF0QUwT6hp1a_Ek8vbH2t9ohlY8QuTRDlpS3Ulgef0lAAm7B_R4Nf5BhNEJxwgAQpeMrOFF3ghYII1BohrbumLxU0TdwZYYcokvZtkKiMmNF/s320/IMG_0258.JPG" /></a>We ate our evening meal of merguez and baguette sandwiches with considerable relish -considering what we'd devoured at lunch. Our friend Anne had driven halfway across France with two cases of melons in her backseat, perfectly ripe and impossibly orange.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498984592916296562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgG52QcY_nXfncT9oj4DZ8oW6bsQBiakmXmI0b-LR6W5nKQFxTWlOdLSvjIA9GKByH5Gv4URGGwPVRIrGHZaeMsg6b_WXIHZuC7gbnCag8EibkCrg_Iht-R0xryuNY09ru5W8fsjkJByw/s320/IMG_0260.JPG" />I can't say this mechoui went as late as the one I remembered, with songs and wine, wine and songs, stretching into the night. The kids, the rare Brittany heat wave, and the good Bordeaux wore us out. We slept like little lambs - and woke up (if you can believe it) hungry.</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQJDcrMrnrUirQbrs-lqZEscRoTbtie47VI3DptGxVTVT36Qi3yDNIcShAGDUGqJrkNaYLbzy8L_a4q20sjWCmUK4OfWde2G-QmInMT4JiTbSrQXxGgAyO9_aMdmrN_ha2U6yd5kO3O3S/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498976899073237586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQJDcrMrnrUirQbrs-lqZEscRoTbtie47VI3DptGxVTVT36Qi3yDNIcShAGDUGqJrkNaYLbzy8L_a4q20sjWCmUK4OfWde2G-QmInMT4JiTbSrQXxGgAyO9_aMdmrN_ha2U6yd5kO3O3S/s320/IMG_0262.JPG" /></a>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-54393837132701241482010-07-05T12:05:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.045-07:00Picnic in Provence<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_Z3JSHO7UYVNGdNn4m_07wq7fE9GDRaZSBwJxJBSbG9Im_uls1Zi15-HQqSuSKurtrA4MxTH7h1yBGN6vrIVZM0YO24399cU_t5_zz6uGW461Uq2hL26apR7FNy3PDIjM2vBLxJHNcrY/s1600/IMG_0085.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490727736035972578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_Z3JSHO7UYVNGdNn4m_07wq7fE9GDRaZSBwJxJBSbG9Im_uls1Zi15-HQqSuSKurtrA4MxTH7h1yBGN6vrIVZM0YO24399cU_t5_zz6uGW461Uq2hL26apR7FNy3PDIjM2vBLxJHNcrY/s320/IMG_0085.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What would happen, dear reader – if we decided, one day soon - very soon - to have lunch a bit south of here? Provence to be exact. Just a simple picnic of oozing goat cheese from Banon, wrapped in a chestnut leaf. A wooden panier of the first white peaches, downy with fuzz. I haven’t found the good bread yet, but the local boulangerie sells a excellent apple cake – moist and yellow with the give of slow cooked apples and the glint of sugar crystals on top. Would you care to join me?</span> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490727309142789362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNW6W69i3FIEPJhE-rBZOD0VA3qQJGHhEsB3_2Tunvd5xfUFs5Xxim4wDUDWgxmI6EJUTRjmyy3Il6OdJtM_N9z9GJrex8ByM5CyO6T0jPHqfdscqE9ZSwQ75xyHBWDBf7y-cEwVhBTCt/s320/CIMG0074.JPG" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Let me explain. We've done something a bit crazy. We've up and moved. To Provence. A small village called Cereste, about an hour outside of Avignon. I’ve been keeping it under wraps because I didn’t want to jinx what, until now, seemed like a long shot - a distant dream. I love Paris; it’s been my home for nearly a decade – maybe even the first real adult home I’ve ever had. But G. and I have been looking to make some changes – refresh and take charge of our personal and professional lives – and of course, give Augustin, who just turned 10 months old – a world of green to conquer.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490726921560526178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCx19DYuy6OkdrvG8K20jzG-S_-kfwNUjuWvlwaAClZc3vbzXAJESoJVNEnFz32HmMmkzUVYDIUu11TaCTPxUtekiV6InUSgW_iLeHEN17WDGZu9tZCTHykgh-jJBW902Y7RT-JSPcQc8/s320/CIMG0040.JPG" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">We found the house by happy accident. My husband is a great admirer of René Char, famous French poet and leader in the Resistance during WWII. Last Spring, when I was 6 months pregnant and unable to fly, we decided to take our Easter holidays in the South of France – to explore the region where Char lived during the war – the landscapes and events described in his most famous poems.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490725974958480210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEVFfGnC2rGN7viaR-6im1jW3ixBt14DNXxe8ydp-tbiy27PW5suYjMIPQiTC-f9pjLaj82QiW4V5TNPrX2UreFzagXttMcp3EkbpTKB0TIbFGcTR-LHuWVmJgjkVRqIrkOfDRJRipzG_/s320/char+2.jpg" /></span> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When we arrived in Cereste, our English hosts were curious. They were accustomed to guests passing through for a day or two on a tour of the hilltop villages nearby – but here we were, a round and waddling woman and a frankly tired looking man, staying for ten days. We know now, it was a date with destiny.</span></div><br><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">When our hostess learned about our special interest in René Char – she got very excited. Turns out, history was living just up the road. During the war, Char had a passionate relationship with a young woman from the village, whose own husband was a prisoner of war of Germany. Char’s lover had a daughter, Mireille, who was 8 years old in 1940. Now 76, she had just written a book about her childhood with René Char. Would we care to meet her…</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And so it went. The next afternoon we found ourselves invited for coffee in Mireille’s vaulted stone sitting room, the ground floor of the old postal inn they had meticulously renovated – looking at letters in Char’s hand, his pencil box, his radio equipment – listening to tales of the Resistance, the Gestapo, and Char helping her with her homework by the fire. In true Provencal style, we lingered on through the afternoon: one coffee, a second, one cognac, and another.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490722432802064530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1q7uclwAvl6iTQCLw4yrlrdydOb2YdPrIX3jVXRdzeP4XMcw0FUJIv_yTuovglZ1hCJyCtRDPNeewmg-UdHlOSTB2Nuq72pZdyRpLonnstgt5qugme-ilEFCLrMotGCo_eSCUKQYDFjD/s320/CIMG0126.JPG" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Before we left, Mireille asked G. if he had any other questions. He did. Char refused to publish under the German occupation; instead, he buried his manuscripts in the cellar of Mireille’s family home. After the liberation in 1945, dug up the notebooks and sent them to his close friend, the author Albert Camus, in Paris. Published as <em>Feuillets d’Hypnos</em>, these poems remain Char’s masterpiece. Where, G. asked, was this famous hole in the floor? That’s easy, said Mireille, we still own the house.</span></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The next morning, we found ourselves in the 17th century cellar of La Maison Pons, which had been Mireille's family home for 5 generations. Gwendal and I ducked as we followed Mirelle down the impossibly narrow steps at the far end of the room. The vaults of sand colored stone above our heads gave the space a slight chill, which, apparently, extends even into the heat of the Provencal summer. Mireille cleared away some empty wine bottles and pointed to a low wooden shelf, about a foot from the earthen floor. “That’s where Char buried his manuscript,” she said. “He came back for it after the war.”<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj066xBekcdofyrQgzSudhOJ5mL7rFYxUp8D_ULjbeivSaH9FDNMS4Va3ekUnoGjdqbTa0uXK1lSVqg_rohDvLTlfyUmxaD88NAPDn0MX9fnnItT1rS1ctaaL7WnWHBrShzJJXdZYJtx9Wi/s1600/CIMG0236.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490719951918800274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj066xBekcdofyrQgzSudhOJ5mL7rFYxUp8D_ULjbeivSaH9FDNMS4Va3ekUnoGjdqbTa0uXK1lSVqg_rohDvLTlfyUmxaD88NAPDn0MX9fnnItT1rS1ctaaL7WnWHBrShzJJXdZYJtx9Wi/s320/CIMG0236.JPG" /></a>Gwendal looked down. This is the man I love, I thought. A man who can be so visibly moved by a dent in the dirt.</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">“We used to store pigs down here,” continued Mireille, “In those days we ate everything. We sealed the cutlets in a layer of fat, and when you wanted one, you would dig it out.” As we were turning to leave, she stamped her foot on the packed earth floor. “My uncle Rene – he was Char’s driver during the war – before he died he said their might still be guns buried under here. But we never looked.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br />We entered the house through the small sitting room, it's open fireplace stained with smoke. It was a strange little house, two steps up and three steps down to every room. Walls thick and cool and white. </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDsw205b_HtQ1ZZ1FRhdOq_K3kHc52Uy4NqpIgfLbadyG8vUChvt76crn4sb1FWeBYmxhtHXSo_Z0W6zKEuEQ8CrQOi8ixxYQqflHqo1l-wVzH1gXfso_fro7n88kHsYKs0Rpwijjkwsi/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490719127875511970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDsw205b_HtQ1ZZ1FRhdOq_K3kHc52Uy4NqpIgfLbadyG8vUChvt76crn4sb1FWeBYmxhtHXSo_Z0W6zKEuEQ8CrQOi8ixxYQqflHqo1l-wVzH1gXfso_fro7n88kHsYKs0Rpwijjkwsi/s320/IMG_0090.JPG" /></a>Before we left, we went out to the garden, two large stone terraces overlooking the surrounding fields. “You can feel that your family was happy here,” I said. “We were,” she smiled briefly, “but I am sad now. I gave this house to my daughter, thinking that she would come back to the village, but instead she wants to sell it.”<br /><br /><div>And there it was. Our date with destiny. We both felt something of our future in these walls. We went back to the B&B, spent a sleepless night in front of an excel spreadsheet, and the next morning went back to ask them if we could buy the house…. </div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490717690488633186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKw3h2YS_Kl2e3tvIa8OdfS23gG8RNF0KZjPT8R6PIcPcylOEeuAqLTdBv7w2C56iioyU4xHTBRSS6b_i3CBerJovsRexmV-wbZj3tq8e65jksNEyhclYFWG70OfUpOJXJw6LNq62_olxp/s320/IMG_0093.JPG" /><br />It's taken the better part of a year to get ourselves sorted. One of the oddest things about writing and launching the Lunch in Paris book these past few months is that I've been reflecting on the past while also trying to construct our future. So here we go. We are off on a new adventure, and I hope you’ll join us. There’s so much to discover.</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Char said it best:</div><div></DIVSPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: trebuchet ms"><br /><em>Impose ta chance, serre ton bonheur et va vers ton risque. A te regarder, ils s'habitueront.</em><br /><br />Les Matinaux (1950)</div><br /><div></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><em>Impose your chance, hold tight to your happiness and go toward your risk. Looking your way, they'll follow.</em> (The translation is mine, and rather liberal...)</span></div><div></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490716917720988786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAxJEy1xXCkbaOQzZdUYM8reMgmIlEbB44b0FAQ5j78bmVnsW808JhNJ197Eh3KPY8amPWiA-iHVq9eIzKbG-nRvvBnCthfY6e1KjVHad2crIh00GfMjx2QpxB2azy-PqnfE7B3vDYDM0L/s320/IMG_0061.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-80502540626726387002010-06-10T14:36:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.048-07:00Tea and Sympathy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvvDJd1yAT4Jag7rFrtd0d01GSN99uXErSy4iEBVbIwtQWMnD-lihAFIauEzaL3Pm04LBin9jUXf7i4ccyk39xR1n0eBFNq963kQeUZgI-zvUy8h61SnyL-pr-DPdTW4it9e6IEPkIr21/s1600/carrot+muffins.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482295243633631426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvvDJd1yAT4Jag7rFrtd0d01GSN99uXErSy4iEBVbIwtQWMnD-lihAFIauEzaL3Pm04LBin9jUXf7i4ccyk39xR1n0eBFNq963kQeUZgI-zvUy8h61SnyL-pr-DPdTW4it9e6IEPkIr21/s320/carrot+muffins.JPG" /></a><br /><div>One my favorite spots for tea in New York was a little palour called <a href="http://www.teaandsympathynewyork.com/home.php">Tea & Sympathy</a>, all doilies and scones. I finally caught up for tea in Paris with Karin, a fellow blogger (<a href="http://analienparisienne.wordpress.com/">an alien Parisienne</a>) and one of the first readers of the Lunch in Paris blog. It was such a treat to transform an online connection into a real life one - a uniquely 21st century encounter. </div><div><br /></div><div>The blog will be a year old next month. After I finished the book - I knew I wanted to continue sharing stories and creating recipes from Paris. But I was very new to the online community - afraid I would be writing into thin air. Instead I've discovered a world full of enthusiastic, like-minded indivduals checking in to say hi, share their tips and Paris longings - and of course, their recipes. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Karin is a big gluten free cook - and she brought over some <a href="http://www.elanaspantry.com/carrot-muffins-with-coconut-flour">lovely carrot muffins made with coconut flour</a> courtesy of almond flour fairy Elena Amsterdam of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.elanaspantry.com/">Elena's Pantry</a>. I'm normally suspicious of gluten free pastries (I'm a texture nut), but these were moist, not overly eggy - and the coconut flour added a tropical ray that was just right with the grated carrots and juicy raisins. Never mind the fact that it was gloomy and chilled in Paris in the middle of June - we had the perfect excuse (and nibbles) to sit and talk the afternoon away.</div><br /><div>PS - Karin changed a few things from the original recipe. She used Agave syrup instead of Yacon, and made 9 regular size muffins (baked for 20 minutes), instead of 32 mini muffins. Enjoy!</div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-81345236770750055512010-06-07T07:55:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.049-07:00If you stand that close to Carrie...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfbZK-RsqdaVFUyWR0t43gDVQXwTtLnior5D9sBIlx987kXkWKdSk5RXFj24KkSWUEYpeYvjnFOXPk2E0QEWLYMQ1q8lGdUWA73TmUhcR9O2fT02U47NtE_6ihDbxpwjbj4dOcaVeUWmU/s1600/me+and+carrie.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480071331964366722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMfbZK-RsqdaVFUyWR0t43gDVQXwTtLnior5D9sBIlx987kXkWKdSk5RXFj24KkSWUEYpeYvjnFOXPk2E0QEWLYMQ1q8lGdUWA73TmUhcR9O2fT02U47NtE_6ihDbxpwjbj4dOcaVeUWmU/s320/me+and+carrie.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">You're</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">bound</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">get</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">picture</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">taken</span>! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Laurel</span> and I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">decided</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">make</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sex</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">City</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">foursome</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> Jamie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Callan</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">author</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/French-Women-Dont-Sleep-Alone/dp/0806530693/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275928629&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">Women</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Don't</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sleep</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Alone</span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thanks</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">all</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">who</span> came <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">grab</span> a cocktail and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">fill</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">up</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">multicutural</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">chatter</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sex</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">City</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cafe</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">Friday</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">There</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">were</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">even</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">ice-cubes</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">Very</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">NYC</span>.<br /></span><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error">up</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error">late</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-error">reading</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error">Laurel's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_53" class="blsp-spelling-error">book</span>, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sorbonne-Confidential-Laurel-Zuckerman/dp/0615252893/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249193296&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_54" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sorbonne</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_55" class="blsp-spelling-error">Confidential</span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_56" class="blsp-spelling-error">alternating</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_57" class="blsp-spelling-error">between</span> fascination and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_58" class="blsp-spelling-error">horror</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_59" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_60" class="blsp-spelling-error">her</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_61" class="blsp-spelling-error">experiences</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_62" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_63" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_64" class="blsp-spelling-error">most</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_65" class="blsp-spelling-error">prestegious</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_66" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_67" class="blsp-spelling-error">teaching</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_68" class="blsp-spelling-error">exam</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_69" class="blsp-spelling-error">which</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_70" class="blsp-spelling-error">has</span> <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_71" class="blsp-spelling-error">nothing</span></em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_72" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_73" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_74" class="blsp-spelling-error">teaching</span> - and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_75" class="blsp-spelling-error"><em>everything</em></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_76" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_77" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_78" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> mental <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_79" class="blsp-spelling-error">formatting</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_80" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_81" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_82" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_83" class="blsp-spelling-error">elite</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_84" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'm</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_85" class="blsp-spelling-error">glad</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_86" class="blsp-spelling-error">Augustin</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_87" class="blsp-spelling-error">will</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_88" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_89" class="blsp-spelling-error">sticking</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_90" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_91" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> building <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_92" class="blsp-spelling-error">blocks</span> for a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_93" class="blsp-spelling-error">while</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_94" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'm</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_95" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span> sure <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_96" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'm</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_97" class="blsp-spelling-error">ready</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_98" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_99" class="blsp-spelling-error">handle</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_100" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> son <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_101" class="blsp-spelling-error">being</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_102" class="blsp-spelling-error">told</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_103" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> Joseph <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_104" class="blsp-spelling-error">Conrad</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_105" class="blsp-spelling-error">who</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_106" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_107" class="blsp-spelling-error">born</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_108" class="blsp-spelling-error">Poland</span>) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_109" class="blsp-spelling-error">could</span> have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_110" class="blsp-spelling-error">been</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_111" class="blsp-spelling-error">great</span> <em><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_112" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span></em> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_113" class="blsp-spelling-error">writer</span>, but for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_114" class="blsp-spelling-error">reasons</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_115" class="blsp-spelling-error">passing</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_116" class="blsp-spelling-error">understanding</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_117" class="blsp-spelling-error">he</span> chose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_118" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_119" class="blsp-spelling-error">write</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_120" class="blsp-spelling-error">English</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_121" class="blsp-spelling-error">instead</span>... </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></div></span><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lunch in Paris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_122" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> part <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_123" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_124" class="blsp-spelling-error">really</span> </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/books/review/Travel-t.html?pagewanted=1"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_125" class="blsp-spelling-error">interesting</span> article on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_126" class="blsp-spelling-error">travel</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_127" class="blsp-spelling-error">memoirs</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_128" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_129" class="blsp-spelling-error">New</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_130" class="blsp-spelling-error">York</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_131" class="blsp-spelling-error">Times</span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_135" class="blsp-spelling-error">new</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_136" class="blsp-spelling-error">breed</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_137" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_138" class="blsp-spelling-error">travel</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_139" class="blsp-spelling-error">writers</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_140" class="blsp-spelling-error">who</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_141" class="blsp-spelling-error">focus</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_142" class="blsp-spelling-error">staying</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_143" class="blsp-spelling-error">rather</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_144" class="blsp-spelling-error">than</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_145" class="blsp-spelling-error">just</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_146" class="blsp-spelling-error">get-up-and-going</span>.</span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480070710366669090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHnXRFPhLOx8wFv6g3e-AKCoRfkaV0faeAqBjTFmFhht0loMohcv8fCwdeaggbo81faV93MtYjPOAFqWlhqwmYeCk06GyJyFbkQEBJiqhWKfdtZLm9P9BotguCr21iKMeRyvXiKaqIW5h/s320/cake.jpg" /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_147" class="blsp-spelling-error">I've</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_148" class="blsp-spelling-error">been</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_149" class="blsp-spelling-error">trying</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_150" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_151" class="blsp-spelling-error">tone</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_152" class="blsp-spelling-error">down</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_153" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_154" class="blsp-spelling-error">sugar</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_155" class="blsp-spelling-error">this</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_156" class="blsp-spelling-error">month</span> - in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_157" class="blsp-spelling-error">preparation</span> for bikini <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_158" class="blsp-spelling-error">season</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_159" class="blsp-spelling-error">So</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_160" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> course, for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_161" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_162" class="blsp-spelling-error">last</span> 24 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_163" class="blsp-spelling-error">hours</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_164" class="blsp-spelling-error">all</span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_165" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_166" class="blsp-spelling-error">think</span> about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_167" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> cake! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_168" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'm</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_169" class="blsp-spelling-error">debating</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_170" class="blsp-spelling-error">between</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_171" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_172" class="blsp-spelling-error">classic</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_173" class="blsp-spelling-error">yogurt</span> cake and an olive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_174" class="blsp-spelling-error">oil</span> cake <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_175" class="blsp-spelling-error">recipe</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_176" class="blsp-spelling-error">given</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_177" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> me <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_178" class="blsp-spelling-error">by</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_179" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_180" class="blsp-spelling-error">friend</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_181" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jen</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_182" class="blsp-spelling-error">That's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_183" class="blsp-spelling-error">her</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_184" class="blsp-spelling-error">homemade</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_185" class="blsp-spelling-error">rhubarb</span> compote as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_186" class="blsp-spelling-error">well</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_187" class="blsp-spelling-error">Maybe</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_188" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'll</span> put olive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_189" class="blsp-spelling-error">oil</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_190" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_191" class="blsp-spelling-error">yogurt</span> cake...</span></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-49082293984405346662010-06-01T09:06:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.052-07:00Best of Both Worlds - A Conversation with author Laurel Zuckerman<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl_7muvF67pz-2niv-VbI3stGp1T8oAwPJK3ieIPrA0QuqcX8fTm5_RxV0n3FP9kbxLQNl4teW_TAU7goM2Ne30bFEzQZT4dFTd2LNzjxpe1ylXt_pAkd0aESUz_9ZFSOEJOFDUbuu4uW8/s1600/sex+in+the+city+drinks.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63Gh35NPrC-OXncd8V8TCs0ZMwSkqKK8Gdz562nS5DASoVFM2WS7Qzuvj01tyMSg8nFvA8jtcw6HI3mCS8EFcLc6EDu4eK14jZhrMkXJ_4OS-cNJd1oDEfFXuv4Sv5qbZVvuy2FjqqJ20/s1600/sex+and+th+city+drinks+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 121px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 98px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477854845796344162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi63Gh35NPrC-OXncd8V8TCs0ZMwSkqKK8Gdz562nS5DASoVFM2WS7Qzuvj01tyMSg8nFvA8jtcw6HI3mCS8EFcLc6EDu4eK14jZhrMkXJ_4OS-cNJd1oDEfFXuv4Sv5qbZVvuy2FjqqJ20/s320/sex+and+th+city+drinks+2.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hi <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Everyone</span></span> – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Laurel</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Zuckerman</span> </span>and I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">will</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <a href="http://www.whsmith.fr/newsletter/SATC2Newsletter.html">Café <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Etienne</span></span> Marcel in Paris on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Friday</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">night</span></span></a> for cocktails and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">conversation</span> about “<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">having</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">all</span></span>” – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">how</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">we</span></span>’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">ve</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">tried</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span></span> combine <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">best</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span></span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">American</span></span> culture in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">our</span></span> lives, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">marriages</span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">experiences</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">parenthood</span></span> – and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> course, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">our</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">dinner</span></span> tables! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">All</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">this</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span></span> part <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.whsmith.fr"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">WHSmith</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">reading</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">series</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">around</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">launch</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sex</span></span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">City</span></span> 2 – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">Manolos</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">optional</span></span>.</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error">so</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-error">pleased</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_53" class="blsp-spelling-error">finally</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_54" class="blsp-spelling-error">meet</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_55" class="blsp-spelling-error">Laurel</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_56" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_57" class="blsp-spelling-error">author</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_58" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sorbonne-Confidential-Laurel-Zuckerman/dp/0615252893/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1249193296&sr=8-1"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_59" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sorbonne</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_60" class="blsp-spelling-error">Confidential</span> </a>and an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_61" class="blsp-spelling-error">very</span> active <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_62" class="blsp-spelling-error">member</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_63" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_64" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> Paris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_65" class="blsp-spelling-error">writers</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_66" class="blsp-spelling-error">community</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_67" class="blsp-spelling-error">We</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_68" class="blsp-spelling-error">decided</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_69" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_70" class="blsp-spelling-error">get the </span></span>conversation <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_72" class="blsp-spelling-error">going</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_53" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_73" class="blsp-spelling-error">early</span></span> a bit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_74" class="blsp-spelling-error">early</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_54" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_75" class="blsp-spelling-error">does</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_55" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_76" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_56" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_77" class="blsp-spelling-error">mean</span></span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_57" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_78" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span></span> have a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_58" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_79" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cosmo</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_59" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_80" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span></span> 8<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_60" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_81" class="blsp-spelling-error">am</span></span>?) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_61" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_82" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span></span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_62" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_83" class="blsp-spelling-error">few</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_63" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_84" class="blsp-spelling-error">thoughts</span></span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_64" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_85" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_65" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_86" class="blsp-spelling-error">best</span></span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_66" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_87" class="blsp-spelling-error">worst</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_67" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_88" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_68" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_89" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span></span> culture. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_69" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_90" class="blsp-spelling-error">Why</span></span> do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_70" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_91" class="blsp-spelling-error">we</span></span> love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_71" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_92" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_72" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_93" class="blsp-spelling-error">here</span></span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_73" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_94" class="blsp-spelling-error">some</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_74" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_95" class="blsp-spelling-error">days</span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_75" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_96" class="blsp-spelling-error">why</span></span> do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_76" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_97" class="blsp-spelling-error">we</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_77" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_98" class="blsp-spelling-error">want</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_78" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_99" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_79" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_100" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_80" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_101" class="blsp-spelling-error">beat</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_81" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_102" class="blsp-spelling-error">someone</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_82" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_103" class="blsp-spelling-error">over</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_83" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_104" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_84" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_105" class="blsp-spelling-error">head</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_85" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_106" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span></span> a baguette? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_86" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_107" class="blsp-spelling-error">Funnily</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_87" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_108" class="blsp-spelling-error">enough,</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_88" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_109" class="blsp-spelling-error">though</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_89" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_110" class="blsp-spelling-error">we</span></span> met <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_90" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_111" class="blsp-spelling-error">only</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_91" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_112" class="blsp-spelling-error">yesterday</span></span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_92" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_113" class="blsp-spelling-error">our</span></span> loves and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_93" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_114" class="blsp-spelling-error">longings</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_94" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_115" class="blsp-spelling-error">seem</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_95" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_116" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_96" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_117" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_97" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_118" class="blsp-spelling-error">remarkably</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_98" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_119" class="blsp-spelling-error">similar</span></span>...<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_99" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_120" class="blsp-spelling-error">EB</span></span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_100" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_121" class="blsp-spelling-error">reasons</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_101" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_122" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span></span> love Paris:<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_102" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_123" class="blsp-spelling-error">Food</span></span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_103" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_124" class="blsp-spelling-error">pleasure</span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_104" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_125" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span></span> fuel: I love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_105" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_126" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_106" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_127" class="blsp-spelling-error">idea</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_107" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_128" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span></span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_108" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_129" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_109" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_130" class="blsp-spelling-error">meal</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_110" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_131" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_111" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_132" class="blsp-spelling-error">something</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_112" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_133" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_113" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_134" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_114" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_135" class="blsp-spelling-error">planned</span></span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_115" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_136" class="blsp-spelling-error">days</span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_116" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_137" class="blsp-spelling-error">lingered</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_117" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_138" class="blsp-spelling-error">over</span></span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_118" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_139" class="blsp-spelling-error">hours</span></span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_119" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_140" class="blsp-spelling-error">talked</span></span> about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_120" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_141" class="blsp-spelling-error">forever</span></span>. I love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_121" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_142" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_122" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_143" class="blsp-spelling-error">fresh</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_123" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_144" class="blsp-spelling-error">ingredients</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_124" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_145" class="blsp-spelling-error">make</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_125" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_146" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span></span> simple <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_126" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_147" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_127" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_148" class="blsp-spelling-error">cook</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_128" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_149" class="blsp-spelling-error">great</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_129" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_150" class="blsp-spelling-error">food</span></span>. I love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_130" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_151" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_131" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_152" class="blsp-spelling-error">people</span></span> don’t <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_132" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_153" class="blsp-spelling-error">eat</span></span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_133" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_154" class="blsp-spelling-error">their</span></span> cars, or on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_134" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_155" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_135" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_156" class="blsp-spelling-error">street</span></span>, or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_136" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_157" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_137" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_158" class="blsp-spelling-error">their</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_138" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_159" class="blsp-spelling-error">desks</span></span>. I love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_139" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_160" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_140" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_161" class="blsp-spelling-error">meals</span></span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_141" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_162" class="blsp-spelling-error">still</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_142" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_163" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> central <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_143" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_164" class="blsp-spelling-error">thread</span></span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_144" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_165" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> social <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_145" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_166" class="blsp-spelling-error">fabric</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_146" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_167" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> France.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_147" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_168" class="blsp-spelling-error">My</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_148" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_169" class="blsp-spelling-error">husband</span></span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_149" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_170" class="blsp-spelling-error">three</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_150" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_171" class="blsp-spelling-error">week</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_151" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_172" class="blsp-spelling-error">paternity</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_152" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_173" class="blsp-spelling-error">leave</span></span>: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_153" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_174" class="blsp-spelling-error">Never</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_154" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_175" class="blsp-spelling-error">mind</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_155" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_176" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span></span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_156" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_177" class="blsp-spelling-error">spent</span></span> six <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_157" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_178" class="blsp-spelling-error">days</span></span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_158" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_179" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_159" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_180" class="blsp-spelling-error">hospital</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_160" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_181" class="blsp-spelling-error">FREE</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_161" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_182" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> charge. I’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_162" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_183" class="blsp-spelling-error">ll</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_163" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_184" class="blsp-spelling-error">say</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_164" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_185" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_165" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_186" class="blsp-spelling-error">again</span></span> – six <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_166" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_187" class="blsp-spelling-error">days</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_167" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_188" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_168" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_189" class="blsp-spelling-error">hospital</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_169" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_190" class="blsp-spelling-error">care</span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_170" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_191" class="blsp-spelling-error">midwifes</span></span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_171" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_192" class="blsp-spelling-error">doctors</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_172" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_193" class="blsp-spelling-error">FREE</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_173" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_194" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> charge. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_174" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_195" class="blsp-spelling-error">Not</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_175" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_196" class="blsp-spelling-error">only</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_176" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_197" class="blsp-spelling-error">were</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_177" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_198" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_178" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_199" class="blsp-spelling-error">bump</span></span> and I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_179" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_200" class="blsp-spelling-error">graciously</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_180" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_201" class="blsp-spelling-error">waived</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_181" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_202" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_182" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_203" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> front <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_183" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_204" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_184" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_205" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_185" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_206" class="blsp-spelling-error">line</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_186" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_207" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_187" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_208" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_188" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_209" class="blsp-spelling-error">supermarket</span></span>, taxi stand, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_189" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_210" class="blsp-spelling-error">airline</span></span> check etc. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_190" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_211" class="blsp-spelling-error">New</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_191" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_212" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_192" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_213" class="blsp-spelling-error">daddy</span></span>’s have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_193" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_214" class="blsp-spelling-error">three</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_194" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_215" class="blsp-spelling-error">weeks</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_195" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_216" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_196" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_217" class="blsp-spelling-error">their</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_197" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_218" class="blsp-spelling-error">partners</span></span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_198" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_219" class="blsp-spelling-error">newborns</span></span>; <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_199" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_220" class="blsp-spelling-error">It</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_200" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_221" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_201" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_222" class="blsp-spelling-error">such</span></span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_202" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_223" class="blsp-spelling-error">special</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_203" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_224" class="blsp-spelling-error">bonding</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_204" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_225" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span></span> for us as a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_205" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_226" class="blsp-spelling-error">new</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_206" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_227" class="blsp-spelling-error">family</span></span> – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_207" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_228" class="blsp-spelling-error">we</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_208" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_229" class="blsp-spelling-error">got</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_209" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_230" class="blsp-spelling-error">our</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_210" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_231" class="blsp-spelling-error">feet</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_211" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_232" class="blsp-spelling-error">wet</span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_212" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_233" class="blsp-spelling-error">could</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_213" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_234" class="blsp-spelling-error">share</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_214" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_235" class="blsp-spelling-error">sleep</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_215" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_236" class="blsp-spelling-error">shifts</span></span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_216" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_237" class="blsp-spelling-error">take</span></span> baby <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_217" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_238" class="blsp-spelling-error">Augustin</span></span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_218" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_239" class="blsp-spelling-error">his</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_219" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_240" class="blsp-spelling-error">first</span></span> café crème.<br /><br />If I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_220" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_241" class="blsp-spelling-error">lived</span></span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_221" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_242" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_222" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_243" class="blsp-spelling-error">States</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_223" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_244" class="blsp-spelling-error">right</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_224" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_245" class="blsp-spelling-error">now</span></span>, I’d <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_225" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_246" class="blsp-spelling-error">turn</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_226" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_247" class="blsp-spelling-error">into</span></span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_227" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_248" class="blsp-spelling-error">cupcake</span></span>: I’m <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_228" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_249" class="blsp-spelling-error">finding</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_229" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_250" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span></span> harder and harder <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_230" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_251" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_231" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_252" class="blsp-spelling-error">make</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_232" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_253" class="blsp-spelling-error">good</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_233" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_254" class="blsp-spelling-error">food</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_234" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_255" class="blsp-spelling-error">choices</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_235" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_256" class="blsp-spelling-error">when</span></span> I’m <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_236" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_257" class="blsp-spelling-error">back</span></span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_237" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_258" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> US <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_238" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_259" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_239" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_260" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_240" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_261" class="blsp-spelling-error">family</span></span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_241" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_262" class="blsp-spelling-error">My</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_242" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_263" class="blsp-spelling-error">mother</span></span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_243" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_264" class="blsp-spelling-error">fridge</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_244" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_265" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_245" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_266" class="blsp-spelling-error">lined</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_246" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_267" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span></span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_247" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_268" class="blsp-spelling-error">wall</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_248" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_269" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> condiments, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_249" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_270" class="blsp-spelling-error">there</span></span>’s a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_250" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_271" class="blsp-spelling-error">cupcake</span></span> (or a muffin, or a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_251" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_272" class="blsp-spelling-error">scone</span></span>) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_252" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_273" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_253" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_274" class="blsp-spelling-error">every</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_254" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_275" class="blsp-spelling-error">turn</span></span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_255" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_276" class="blsp-spelling-error">Why</span></span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_256" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_277" class="blsp-spelling-error">every</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_257" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_278" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span></span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_258" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_279" class="blsp-spelling-error">see</span></span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_259" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_280" class="blsp-spelling-error">newsstand</span></span>, do I crave Dots and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_260" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_281" class="blsp-spelling-error">Twizzlers</span></span>? I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_261" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_282" class="blsp-spelling-error">struggle</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_262" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_283" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_263" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_284" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_264" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_285" class="blsp-spelling-error">enormous</span></span> portions, if <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_265" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_286" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span></span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_266" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_287" class="blsp-spelling-error">there</span></span> – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_267" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_288" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span></span> course <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_268" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_289" class="blsp-spelling-error">we</span></span>’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_269" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_290" class="blsp-spelling-error">ll</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_270" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_291" class="blsp-spelling-error">eat</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_271" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_292" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span></span>…<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_272" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_293" class="blsp-spelling-error">Weekend</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_273" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_294" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_274" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_295" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span></span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_275" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_296" class="blsp-spelling-error">dirty</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_276" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_297" class="blsp-spelling-error">word</span></span>: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_277" class="blsp-spelling-error">It</span>’s no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_278" class="blsp-spelling-error">exaggeration</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_279" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_280" class="blsp-spelling-error">say</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_281" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_282" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_283" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_284" class="blsp-spelling-error">always</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_285" class="blsp-spelling-error">going</span> on, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_286" class="blsp-spelling-error">returning</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_287" class="blsp-spelling-error">from</span>, or planning <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_288" class="blsp-spelling-error">their</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_289" class="blsp-spelling-error">next</span> vacation. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_290" class="blsp-spelling-error">Time</span> off <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_291" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_292" class="blsp-spelling-error">sacred</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_293" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_294" class="blsp-spelling-error">them</span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_295" class="blsp-spelling-error">although</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_296" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_297" class="blsp-spelling-error">husband</span> and I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_298" class="blsp-spelling-error">work</span> a lot, balance <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_299" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_300" class="blsp-spelling-error">essential</span> – in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_301" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_302" class="blsp-spelling-error">end</span>, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_303" class="blsp-spelling-error">think</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_304" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_305" class="blsp-spelling-error">makes</span> us more productive…<br /><br />Don’t <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_306" class="blsp-spelling-error">join</span> a gym, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_307" class="blsp-spelling-error">take</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_308" class="blsp-spelling-error">walk</span>: As a girl <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_309" class="blsp-spelling-error">who</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_310" class="blsp-spelling-error">thinks</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_311" class="blsp-spelling-error">sweating</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_312" class="blsp-spelling-error">should</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_313" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_314" class="blsp-spelling-error">reserved</span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_315" class="blsp-spelling-error">vigorous</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_316" class="blsp-spelling-error">sex</span> – I’m <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_317" class="blsp-spelling-error">totally</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_318" class="blsp-spelling-error">line</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_319" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_320" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_321" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_322" class="blsp-spelling-error">idea</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_323" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_324" class="blsp-spelling-error">exercise</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_325" class="blsp-spelling-error">Take</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_326" class="blsp-spelling-error">walk</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_327" class="blsp-spelling-error">drag</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_328" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_329" class="blsp-spelling-error">groceries</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_330" class="blsp-spelling-error">up</span> six <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_331" class="blsp-spelling-error">flights</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_332" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_333" class="blsp-spelling-error">stairs</span>, don’t <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_334" class="blsp-spelling-error">eat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_335" class="blsp-spelling-error">till</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_336" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_337" class="blsp-spelling-error">pants</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_338" class="blsp-spelling-error">split</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_339" class="blsp-spelling-error">Common</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_340" class="blsp-spelling-error">sense</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_341" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_342" class="blsp-spelling-error">seems</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_343" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_344" class="blsp-spelling-error">keep</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_345" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_346" class="blsp-spelling-error">women</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_347" class="blsp-spelling-error">slim</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_348" class="blsp-spelling-error">without</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_349" class="blsp-spelling-error">stairmaster</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_350" class="blsp-spelling-error">EB</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_351" class="blsp-spelling-error">reasons</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_352" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_353" class="blsp-spelling-error">beat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_354" class="blsp-spelling-error">someone</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_355" class="blsp-spelling-error">over</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_356" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_357" class="blsp-spelling-error">head</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_358" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> a baguette:<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_359" class="blsp-spelling-error">Five</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_360" class="blsp-spelling-error">people</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_361" class="blsp-spelling-error">five</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_362" class="blsp-spelling-error">explanations</span>, no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_363" class="blsp-spelling-error">answer</span>: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_364" class="blsp-spelling-error">This</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_365" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_366" class="blsp-spelling-error">one</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_367" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_368" class="blsp-spelling-error">makes</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_369" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_370" class="blsp-spelling-error">head</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_371" class="blsp-spelling-error">wobble</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_372" class="blsp-spelling-error">It</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_373" class="blsp-spelling-error">very</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_374" class="blsp-spelling-error">hard</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_375" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_376" class="blsp-spelling-error">get</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_377" class="blsp-spelling-error">definitive</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_378" class="blsp-spelling-error">answer</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_379" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_380" class="blsp-spelling-error">anything</span> – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_381" class="blsp-spelling-error">opening</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_382" class="blsp-spelling-error">hours</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_383" class="blsp-spelling-error">tax</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_384" class="blsp-spelling-error">law</span>… round and round <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_385" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> go, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_386" class="blsp-spelling-error">picking</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_387" class="blsp-spelling-error">up</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_388" class="blsp-spelling-error">tidbits</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_389" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> information <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_390" class="blsp-spelling-error">here</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_391" class="blsp-spelling-error">there</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_392" class="blsp-spelling-error">piecing</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_393" class="blsp-spelling-error">together</span> a patchwork <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_394" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_395" class="blsp-spelling-error">knowledge</span>. I’m sure <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_396" class="blsp-spelling-error">there</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_397" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_398" class="blsp-spelling-error">right</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_399" class="blsp-spelling-error">way</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_400" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_401" class="blsp-spelling-error">things</span>, but no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_402" class="blsp-spelling-error">one</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_403" class="blsp-spelling-error">seems</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_404" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_405" class="blsp-spelling-error">know</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_406" class="blsp-spelling-error">what</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_407" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_408" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span>…<br /><br />No <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_409" class="blsp-spelling-error">one</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_410" class="blsp-spelling-error">ever</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_411" class="blsp-spelling-error">asks</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_412" class="blsp-spelling-error">what</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_413" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> do for a living: I’m <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_414" class="blsp-spelling-error">lucky</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_415" class="blsp-spelling-error">enough</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_416" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_417" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_418" class="blsp-spelling-error">work</span> – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_419" class="blsp-spelling-error">so</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_420" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span>’s a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_421" class="blsp-spelling-error">shame</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_422" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_423" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_424" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_425" class="blsp-spelling-error">last</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_426" class="blsp-spelling-error">thing</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_427" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_428" class="blsp-spelling-error">person</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_429" class="blsp-spelling-error">will</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_430" class="blsp-spelling-error">ask</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_431" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> about in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_432" class="blsp-spelling-error">conversation</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_433" class="blsp-spelling-error">The</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_434" class="blsp-spelling-error">old</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_435" class="blsp-spelling-error">American</span> “<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_436" class="blsp-spelling-error">So</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_437" class="blsp-spelling-error">what</span> do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_438" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> do?” <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_439" class="blsp-spelling-error">line</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_440" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_441" class="blsp-spelling-error">non-starter</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_442" class="blsp-spelling-error">here</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_443" class="blsp-spelling-error">Professional</span> lives <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_444" class="blsp-spelling-error">often</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_445" class="blsp-spelling-error">take</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_446" class="blsp-spelling-error">backseat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_447" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_448" class="blsp-spelling-error">other</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_449" class="blsp-spelling-error">things</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_450" class="blsp-spelling-error">The</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_451" class="blsp-spelling-error">first</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_452" class="blsp-spelling-error">answer</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_453" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_454" class="blsp-spelling-error">always</span> “Non”: I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_455" class="blsp-spelling-error">come</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_456" class="blsp-spelling-error">from</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_457" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> land <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_458" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_459" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yes</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_460" class="blsp-spelling-error">so</span> imagine <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_461" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> surprise <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_462" class="blsp-spelling-error">when</span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_463" class="blsp-spelling-error">arrived</span> in France and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_464" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_465" class="blsp-spelling-error">first</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_466" class="blsp-spelling-error">thing</span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_467" class="blsp-spelling-error">heard</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_468" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> “Non, c’est impossible” – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_469" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_470" class="blsp-spelling-error">ABSOLUTELY</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_471" class="blsp-spelling-error">CAN</span>’T <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_472" class="blsp-spelling-error">keep</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_473" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_474" class="blsp-spelling-error">maiden</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_475" class="blsp-spelling-error">name</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_476" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_477" class="blsp-spelling-error">bank</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_478" class="blsp-spelling-error">account</span>, have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_479" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> sweaters <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_480" class="blsp-spelling-error">folded</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_481" class="blsp-spelling-error">rather</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_482" class="blsp-spelling-error">than</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_483" class="blsp-spelling-error">hung</span>, or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_484" class="blsp-spelling-error">get</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_485" class="blsp-spelling-error">last</span> minute train ticket! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_486" class="blsp-spelling-error">After</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_487" class="blsp-spelling-error">almost</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_488" class="blsp-spelling-error">decade</span> in France, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_489" class="blsp-spelling-error">now</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_490" class="blsp-spelling-error">understand</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_491" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> “Non” <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_492" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_493" class="blsp-spelling-error">merely</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_494" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_495" class="blsp-spelling-error">beginning</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_496" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_497" class="blsp-spelling-error">negotiation</span>; once <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_498" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_499" class="blsp-spelling-error">explain</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_500" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_501" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_502" class="blsp-spelling-error">grandmother</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_503" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_504" class="blsp-spelling-error">ill</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_505" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span>’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_506" class="blsp-spelling-error">re</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_507" class="blsp-spelling-error">going</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_508" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_509" class="blsp-spelling-error">burn</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_510" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_511" class="blsp-spelling-error">chocolate</span> cake if <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_512" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> don’t <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_513" class="blsp-spelling-error">get</span> home in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_514" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_515" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_516" class="blsp-spelling-error">take</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_517" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span> out <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_518" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_519" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_520" class="blsp-spelling-error">oven</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_521" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_522" class="blsp-spelling-error">surely</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_523" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_524" class="blsp-spelling-error">woman</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_525" class="blsp-spelling-error">behind</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_526" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_527" class="blsp-spelling-error">counter</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_528" class="blsp-spelling-error">has</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_529" class="blsp-spelling-error">sick</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_530" class="blsp-spelling-error">grandmother</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_531" class="blsp-spelling-error">too</span>, <em>n’est-ce pas?</em>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_532" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span>’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_533" class="blsp-spelling-error">ll</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_534" class="blsp-spelling-error">get</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_535" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> train ticket, and a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_536" class="blsp-spelling-error">smile</span> as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_537" class="blsp-spelling-error">well</span>…<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_538" class="blsp-spelling-error">LZ</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_539" class="blsp-spelling-error">reason</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_540" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> love Paris: (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_541" class="blsp-spelling-error">actually</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_542" class="blsp-spelling-error">little</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_543" class="blsp-spelling-error">town</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_544" class="blsp-spelling-error">just</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_545" class="blsp-spelling-error">outside</span> Paris)<br /><br />I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_546" class="blsp-spelling-error">walk</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_547" class="blsp-spelling-error">everywhere</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_548" class="blsp-spelling-error">My</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_549" class="blsp-spelling-error">children</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_550" class="blsp-spelling-error">walk</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_551" class="blsp-spelling-error">everywhere</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_552" class="blsp-spelling-error">We</span> don’t have a car, don’t <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_553" class="blsp-spelling-error">NEED</span> a car. And <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_554" class="blsp-spelling-error">when</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_555" class="blsp-spelling-error">we</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_556" class="blsp-spelling-error">walk</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_557" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_558" class="blsp-spelling-error">side</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_559" class="blsp-spelling-error">by</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_560" class="blsp-spelling-error">side</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_561" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_562" class="blsp-spelling-error">Mom</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_563" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> Chauffeur in front <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_564" class="blsp-spelling-error">shuttling</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_565" class="blsp-spelling-error">from</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_566" class="blsp-spelling-error">one</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_567" class="blsp-spelling-error">appointment</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_568" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_569" class="blsp-spelling-error">another</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_570" class="blsp-spelling-error">We</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_571" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_572" class="blsp-spelling-error">talk</span>, admire <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_573" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_574" class="blsp-spelling-error">sights</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_575" class="blsp-spelling-error">breathe</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_576" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> air (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_577" class="blsp-spelling-error">ok</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_578" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_579" class="blsp-spelling-error">always</span> a plus). <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_580" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kids</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_581" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_582" class="blsp-spelling-error">run</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_583" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_584" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> store <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_585" class="blsp-spelling-error">by</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_586" class="blsp-spelling-error">themselves</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_587" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_588" class="blsp-spelling-error">pick</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_589" class="blsp-spelling-error">up</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_590" class="blsp-spelling-error">milk</span> or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_591" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggs</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_592" class="blsp-spelling-error">It</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_593" class="blsp-spelling-error">feels</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_594" class="blsp-spelling-error">right</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_595" class="blsp-spelling-error">Having</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_596" class="blsp-spelling-error">babies</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_597" class="blsp-spelling-error">Giving</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_598" class="blsp-spelling-error">birth</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_599" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_600" class="blsp-spelling-error">scary</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_601" class="blsp-spelling-error">enough</span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_602" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span>’s a relief <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_603" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_604" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_605" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_606" class="blsp-spelling-error">worry</span> about <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_607" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_608" class="blsp-spelling-error">cost</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_609" class="blsp-spelling-error">Also</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_610" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> job <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_611" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_612" class="blsp-spelling-error">protected</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_613" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_614" class="blsp-spelling-error">get</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_615" class="blsp-spelling-error">three</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_616" class="blsp-spelling-error">months</span> off, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_617" class="blsp-spelling-error">paid</span>—and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_618" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_619" class="blsp-spelling-error">possibility</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_620" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_621" class="blsp-spelling-error">leave</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_622" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> absence. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_623" class="blsp-spelling-error">There</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_624" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_625" class="blsp-spelling-error">reason</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_626" class="blsp-spelling-error">why</span> France <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_627" class="blsp-spelling-error">has</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_628" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_629" class="blsp-spelling-error">highest</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_630" class="blsp-spelling-error">birthrate</span> in Europe.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_631" class="blsp-spelling-error">Child</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_632" class="blsp-spelling-error">care</span>: <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_633" class="blsp-spelling-error">while</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_634" class="blsp-spelling-error">finding</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_635" class="blsp-spelling-error">nanny</span> or a crèche <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_636" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_637" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_638" class="blsp-spelling-error">difficult</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_639" class="blsp-spelling-error">from</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_640" class="blsp-spelling-error">age</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_641" class="blsp-spelling-error">three</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_642" class="blsp-spelling-error">all</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_643" class="blsp-spelling-error">children</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_644" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span> attend école maternelle, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_645" class="blsp-spelling-error">which</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_646" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_647" class="blsp-spelling-error">free</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_648" class="blsp-spelling-error">well</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_649" class="blsp-spelling-error">organized</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_650" class="blsp-spelling-error">generally</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_651" class="blsp-spelling-error">staffed</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_652" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_653" class="blsp-spelling-error">kind</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_654" class="blsp-spelling-error">well</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_655" class="blsp-spelling-error">trained</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_656" class="blsp-spelling-error">teachers</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_657" class="blsp-spelling-error">It</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_658" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_659" class="blsp-spelling-error">best</span> part <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_660" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_661" class="blsp-spelling-error">Education</span> Nationale.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_662" class="blsp-spelling-error">Food</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_663" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> course <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_664" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_665" class="blsp-spelling-error">food</span>! I love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_666" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_667" class="blsp-spelling-error">ritual</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_668" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_669" class="blsp-spelling-error">preparation</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_670" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_671" class="blsp-spelling-error">anticipation</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_672" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_673" class="blsp-spelling-error">effortless</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_674" class="blsp-spelling-error">culinary</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_675" class="blsp-spelling-error">skill</span> off <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_676" class="blsp-spelling-error">friends</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_677" class="blsp-spelling-error">neighbors</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_678" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_679" class="blsp-spelling-error">civilized</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_680" class="blsp-spelling-error">pleasure</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_681" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_682" class="blsp-spelling-error">eating</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_683" class="blsp-spelling-error">drinking</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_684" class="blsp-spelling-error">talking</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_685" class="blsp-spelling-error">together</span>—<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_686" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_687" class="blsp-spelling-error">banishment</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_688" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_689" class="blsp-spelling-error">vulgar</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_690" class="blsp-spelling-error">talk</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_691" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_692" class="blsp-spelling-error">carbs</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_693" class="blsp-spelling-error">proteins</span>. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_694" class="blsp-spelling-error">am</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_695" class="blsp-spelling-error">eternally</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_696" class="blsp-spelling-error">grateful</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_697" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> France <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_698" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_699" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_700" class="blsp-spelling-error">daughter</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_701" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span> 12 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_702" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_703" class="blsp-spelling-error">prepare</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_704" class="blsp-spelling-error">beautiful</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_705" class="blsp-spelling-error">three</span> course <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_706" class="blsp-spelling-error">meal</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_707" class="blsp-spelling-error">LZ</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_708" class="blsp-spelling-error">reasons</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_709" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_710" class="blsp-spelling-error">dream</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_711" class="blsp-spelling-error">sometimes</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_712" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_713" class="blsp-spelling-error">elsewhere</span><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_714" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_715" class="blsp-spelling-error">negativity</span>. More <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_716" class="blsp-spelling-error">energy</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_717" class="blsp-spelling-error">gets</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_718" class="blsp-spelling-error">swallowed</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_719" class="blsp-spelling-error">up</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_720" class="blsp-spelling-error">constructing</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_721" class="blsp-spelling-error">explanations</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_722" class="blsp-spelling-error">why</span> change <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_723" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> impossible <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_724" class="blsp-spelling-error">than</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_725" class="blsp-spelling-error">simply</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_726" class="blsp-spelling-error">analyzing</span> and fixing a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_727" class="blsp-spelling-error">problem</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_728" class="blsp-spelling-error">This</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_729" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_730" class="blsp-spelling-error">most</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_731" class="blsp-spelling-error">true</span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_732" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_733" class="blsp-spelling-error">education</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_734" class="blsp-spelling-error">system</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_735" class="blsp-spelling-error">which</span> cries out for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_736" class="blsp-spelling-error">reform</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_737" class="blsp-spelling-error">which</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_738" class="blsp-spelling-error">cannot</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_739" class="blsp-spelling-error">happen</span>, no <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_740" class="blsp-spelling-error">matter</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_741" class="blsp-spelling-error">how</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_742" class="blsp-spelling-error">obvious</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_743" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_744" class="blsp-spelling-error">need</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_745" class="blsp-spelling-error">The</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_746" class="blsp-spelling-error">fact</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_747" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_748" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_749" class="blsp-spelling-error">terrific</span> fruits and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_750" class="blsp-spelling-error">vegetables</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_751" class="blsp-spelling-error">we</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_752" class="blsp-spelling-error">relish</span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_753" class="blsp-spelling-error">poisoned</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_754" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> pesticides. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_755" class="blsp-spelling-error">While</span> France <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_756" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_757" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_758" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_759" class="blsp-spelling-error">only</span> country <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_760" class="blsp-spelling-error">where</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_761" class="blsp-spelling-error">industrial</span> lobbies <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_762" class="blsp-spelling-error">control</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_763" class="blsp-spelling-error">regulatory</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_764" class="blsp-spelling-error">agencies</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_765" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_766" class="blsp-spelling-error">food</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_767" class="blsp-spelling-error">water</span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_768" class="blsp-spelling-error">allowed</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_769" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_770" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_771" class="blsp-spelling-error">contaminated</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_772" class="blsp-spelling-error">year</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_773" class="blsp-spelling-error">after</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_774" class="blsp-spelling-error">year</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_775" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_776" class="blsp-spelling-error">scandal</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_777" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_778" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_779" class="blsp-spelling-error">highest</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_780" class="blsp-spelling-error">order</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_781" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sometimes</span>, I must admit, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_782" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_783" class="blsp-spelling-error">way</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_784" class="blsp-spelling-error">history</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_785" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_786" class="blsp-spelling-error">taught</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_787" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_788" class="blsp-spelling-error">children</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_789" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_790" class="blsp-spelling-error">too</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_791" class="blsp-spelling-error">much</span> for me. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_792" class="blsp-spelling-error">Slavery</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_793" class="blsp-spelling-error">colonialism</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_794" class="blsp-spelling-error">racism</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_795" class="blsp-spelling-error">imperialism</span>, and ghettos tend <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_796" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_797" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_798" class="blsp-spelling-error">presented</span> as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_799" class="blsp-spelling-error">strictly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_800" class="blsp-spelling-error">American</span> inventions <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_801" class="blsp-spelling-error">which</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_802" class="blsp-spelling-error">miraculously</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_803" class="blsp-spelling-error">spared</span> France. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_804" class="blsp-spelling-error">World</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_805" class="blsp-spelling-error">War</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_806" class="blsp-spelling-error">II</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_807" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> a profit <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_808" class="blsp-spelling-error">making</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_809" class="blsp-spelling-error">venture</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_810" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vietnam</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_811" class="blsp-spelling-error">was</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_812" class="blsp-spelling-error">never</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_813" class="blsp-spelling-error">Indochina</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_814" class="blsp-spelling-error">My</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_815" class="blsp-spelling-error">children</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_816" class="blsp-spelling-error">caught</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_817" class="blsp-spelling-error">between</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_818" class="blsp-spelling-error">competing</span> versions <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_819" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_820" class="blsp-spelling-error">history</span>—<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_821" class="blsp-spelling-error">French</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_822" class="blsp-spelling-error">American</span> and (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_823" class="blsp-spelling-error">thanks</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_824" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_825" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_826" class="blsp-spelling-error">husband</span>) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_827" class="blsp-spelling-error">Russian</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_828" class="blsp-spelling-error">learned</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_829" class="blsp-spelling-error">early</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_830" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_831" class="blsp-spelling-error">distrust</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_832" class="blsp-spelling-error">schoolbooks</span> and check <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_833" class="blsp-spelling-error">facts</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_834" class="blsp-spelling-error">Though</span> I suppose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_835" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_836" class="blsp-spelling-error">good</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_837" class="blsp-spelling-error">really</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_838" class="blsp-spelling-error">There</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_839" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_840" class="blsp-spelling-error">charming</span> expression <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_841" class="blsp-spelling-error">which</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_842" class="blsp-spelling-error">sums</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_843" class="blsp-spelling-error">up</span> a certain attitude <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_844" class="blsp-spelling-error">which</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_845" class="blsp-spelling-error">has</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_846" class="blsp-spelling-error">caused</span> me grief: “A promise <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_847" class="blsp-spelling-error">only</span> engages <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_848" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_849" class="blsp-spelling-error">person</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_850" class="blsp-spelling-error">who</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_851" class="blsp-spelling-error">believes</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_852" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span>.” <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_853" class="blsp-spelling-error">It</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_854" class="blsp-spelling-error">like</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_855" class="blsp-spelling-error">weird</span> national <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_856" class="blsp-spelling-error">anthem</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_857" class="blsp-spelling-error">Especially</span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_858" class="blsp-spelling-error">builders</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_859" class="blsp-spelling-error">tradesmen</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_860" class="blsp-spelling-error">repairmen</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_861" class="blsp-spelling-error">installers</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_862" class="blsp-spelling-error">How</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_863" class="blsp-spelling-error">many</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_864" class="blsp-spelling-error">expat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_865" class="blsp-spelling-error">books</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_866" class="blsp-spelling-error">owe</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_867" class="blsp-spelling-error">their</span> existence <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_868" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_869" class="blsp-spelling-error">this</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_870" class="blsp-spelling-error">distain</span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_871" class="blsp-spelling-error">contracts</span>? <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_872" class="blsp-spelling-error">There</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_873" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_874" class="blsp-spelling-error">scene</span> I love in “<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_875" class="blsp-spelling-error">Asterix</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_876" class="blsp-spelling-error">Obelix</span>: Mission <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_877" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cleopatre</span>”. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_878" class="blsp-spelling-error">Monica</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_879" class="blsp-spelling-error">Belluci</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_880" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cleopatra</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_881" class="blsp-spelling-error">orders</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_882" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_883" class="blsp-spelling-error">her</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_884" class="blsp-spelling-error">new</span> palace <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_885" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_886" class="blsp-spelling-error">built</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_887" class="blsp-spelling-error">swiftly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_888" class="blsp-spelling-error">because</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_889" class="blsp-spelling-error">she</span>’s <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_890" class="blsp-spelling-error">made</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_891" class="blsp-spelling-error">bet</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_892" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_893" class="blsp-spelling-error">Caesar</span>. “<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_894" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>,” <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_895" class="blsp-spelling-error">answers</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_896" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_897" class="blsp-spelling-error">sweet</span> but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_898" class="blsp-spelling-error">incompetent</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_899" class="blsp-spelling-error">little</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_900" class="blsp-spelling-error">architect</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_901" class="blsp-spelling-error">Jamel</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_902" class="blsp-spelling-error">Debbouse</span>), “but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_903" class="blsp-spelling-error">how</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_904" class="blsp-spelling-error">many</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_905" class="blsp-spelling-error">months</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_906" class="blsp-spelling-error">late</span>?”<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_907" class="blsp-spelling-error">Please</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_908" class="blsp-spelling-error">join</span> us for a drink on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_909" class="blsp-spelling-error">Friday</span> - and check out <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.laurelzuckerman.com"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_910" class="blsp-spelling-error">Laurel's</span> blog</a> - and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_911" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> course, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_912" class="blsp-spelling-error">her</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_913" class="blsp-spelling-error">books</span>! </span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">PS - This one makes me want to beat someone over the head with the Eiffel Tower - I just found out that I paid taxes on 125% of my revenues last year...This is not a joke. I paid taxes on money I didn't earn. "Travailleur Independent/Profession Liberale" BEWARE - since the law changed in 2006, if you are an independent worker and not yet a member of an <a href="http://www.association-de-gestion-agree.net/">"Association de Gestion Agreee" </a>for your profession - you are being <strong>automatically </strong>taxed on the basis of 125% of your earnings. Vive la France. The fiscal advantages are explained very clearly <a href="http://www.cgapicpus.com/toutpublic/Avantages_Fiscaux.html">here</a>. Unfortunately, it is too late to join for 2010, the deadline was May 31st - but don't forget to do it for 2011!</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-68320312574689380552010-05-20T04:25:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.064-07:00The King of Costco<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y8O8Yf_rZkSsKUOtBuWCHi7JNnf3Wsqba3Gy8J3jbN_U4cDPXtp_sZrfjM3icC8XYOjuNmJDllDVg1Lq4_dKbsgvZbZ-RdNoaKiO4BLy4oPMt-CQt0J0idjeOQs1bxz5yEcW7LY6l2HY/s1600/puffs+2.JPG"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473317347006057570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Y8O8Yf_rZkSsKUOtBuWCHi7JNnf3Wsqba3Gy8J3jbN_U4cDPXtp_sZrfjM3icC8XYOjuNmJDllDVg1Lq4_dKbsgvZbZ-RdNoaKiO4BLy4oPMt-CQt0J0idjeOQs1bxz5yEcW7LY6l2HY/s320/puffs+2.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Why do I disappear whenever I get back to the US? I guess because I'm trying to do a year's worth of work in 2 weeks - meetings stacked up one on top of the other like poker chips. Normally, I hate being away from my own kitchen, but I've been a guest in some truly lovely cooking spaces these past 10 days: molten chocolate cakes for 35 at the Alliance <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Francaise</span> in Boston (dig their hulking cast iron stove and glass front cabinets) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473316840368787106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwSn55sY1CMFKKaDPByTln8y8LZ524CbNoUHu4_F7ZYqauqch68d6VJzzKDWTtFDqG75U2flH7BTBFtZEAlaIcj_Kmfg9yGgxUQR95v9aXu-_bbzvOZhI72zyU4W1QgSiyJ0ujQ5kJuU6/s320/liz+puffs.JPG" />and last night I made gougeres (cheese puffs) for 50 at Grange NYC, in their sleek enameled <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Aga</span> - a bit rock n roll at the beginning (that top hotplate is HOT) but I got the hang of it in the end. Thanks to Carol <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gillott</span> of </span><a href="http://parisbreakfasts.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Paris Breakfasts</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> for her photos. I wish I was going to be in London in June for her exhibition at the Chelsea Arts Club.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473316153783852866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OuRLYxyK2PyWO35nddEBopsEnAY2wqX4MT8hCBxXWcLxuE3Z0mE-EYu6pvtbe4Mpka2wSW23wVsy2Mtd8FsU4J1fdBRkZ7a_FJqaKAt1gFOIyj-CZobnOkg1WxXp6b274-3f_m4hEKEq/s320/the+king+of+costco.jpg" />Augustin seems to be enjoying his NY sojourn. He got his first pair of snazzy sneakers and - a milestone - took his first trip to Costco. When he is a French teenager, wearing a long scarf and smoking <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gauloise</span> (I hope not!) I think I'll pull this one out of the album to show his first girlfriend!<br /></span><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473323126578381794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJvcjk2nYWYPUTTpg5IJSB_IDD7hIl_x7DXQzpzzruS9uXMGB9m6Oyqrgb9MmX1ldIyFXKM0K_9P5sHcA5jFg5lC9bYcxhM-DSvXLPv5hNy2dapHpl9WJr-qeUOGxNASyRyBBJcztVti7/s320/roses+provence.jpg" />It's my birthday today. G. sent me roses, or rather a photo of the roses in our new garden in Provence. Our garden. Hint, hint - huge news ahead.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Gougeres - Cheese Puffs</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">The perfect partner for a wine tasting. Add whatever flavors you like. Don't be afraid of recipes that puff, the trick is a hot pan and a quick hand.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 cup water</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 stick (8 tbsp) unsalted butter</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 teaspoon table salt</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 cup flour</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">4 large large eggs</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 cup grated cheese (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">chedder</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">swiss</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">comte</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">asagio</span>, etc)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">3/4 cup chopped <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">parma</span> ham, diced</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">small handful of chives, chopped</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">In a heavy bottomed saucepan, combine water, butter and salt. Bring to boil (it is important that the mix boil - if it doesn't, your batter won't take). Turn off the heat and working quickly, stir in the flour all at once. Immediately add two eggs and stir to combine. Immediately add the remaining 2 eggs and stir - the batter should look like a lump of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">marzipan</span>. Add your cheese, ham, and herbs - or any combo of the above.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Using a tablespoon, place dollops of batter on cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Leave enough room in between for some puffing in the oven.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Cook at 425F for 15 minutes. Lower the oven to 400F</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> and cook with the oven slightly ajar, 12-15 minutes, until golden and puffed. That said, I've worked with ovens where you don't open the door or lower the temp at all...see what works best for you.</span></div><div></div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Makes 20-24 puffs</span></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-75303942688766455742010-05-04T01:12:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.067-07:00Sauce Minute<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfIYaC1spNFffCCeN62rH-hNrCDe4__GrsX6kZXfq_nT7azPSL-0BqH-0R1TDj-PE6NVAskiLeP8XJfOZ6V3A14hNPBfbEDHvPtA8xIYmhhemC2WpU7dlkw7fYD5yipoZrsMqMMcrAmkW/s1600/peas.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467358186838246994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfIYaC1spNFffCCeN62rH-hNrCDe4__GrsX6kZXfq_nT7azPSL-0BqH-0R1TDj-PE6NVAskiLeP8XJfOZ6V3A14hNPBfbEDHvPtA8xIYmhhemC2WpU7dlkw7fYD5yipoZrsMqMMcrAmkW/s320/peas.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Back to those peas...I love them for many reasons, but mostly because they inspire quick cooking, or dishes that require no cooking at all. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467358011543440706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI7Kef6oKNn6tEbVouJgYeCfsV8gMaS_WWalqEP9sviCht1hMtL6Ult1bkBjrj5WDOTgNyZUK20qjpm5rN4EP9V0almVV62qcuH3SBTIqV-Pb6MsU-DqpCfr4Y1DJdsRNW3apO94nnREYL/s320/octopus+salad+with+peas.jpg" />On Sunday I made an octopus salad for lunch. (If octopus is not your cup of tea, I'm sure it would work beautifully with cooked shrimp as well.) Just a mince of shallot, a dice of red pepper, a handful of chevril, and a cup full of the raw peas for color and crunch. A drizzle of olive oil and a splash of sherry vinegar on top. The sliced avocado was the perfect compliment, creamy and rich. </span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467357592556333762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6teXJGtrhX-Q4ETnARgrNHtkwy3auoQnsR2Bjh7urghxG2qX9PLko632mNlgAKxnqqty6NQxW78UsZw8_LeT7BIwMW2v2VI2snKhoI0uE6VvhZNiYIw1qQoB6BmoSNrP3s5h9LxzVwWH/s320/fish+1.jpg" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My dorade dinner was a flash in the pan. I know whole fish seems so complicated and luxurious, but it really is one of my ten minute meals. Ok, 12 minutes. The fish needs 6 minutes on each side under the broiler, and the <em>sauce minute </em>(that's French for instant sauce) of shallot, lardons (bacon), cherry tomatoes and white wine, takes 7 minutes. Add the peas at the very end, just to heat through. Et voila!</span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467357076620211218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlzzZ56sBQnZIXxV1n7osEF32_xRoD1wo7CT_VeUSti0a2p_R3fjJjTxfpsnbewhMd0TeVCpYNOgYjOn5duMdTCi2eO-N1LyrDG0WiwN9TNWILMmQ9hDseYyq4SFRS2OXsWu9EwGcVe8Vx/s320/fish+2.jpg" /> <div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong></strong></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Octopus Salad with Fresh Peas</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">8 oz. octopus, cut into bite-sized pieces (I buy my octopus cooked, packed in oil, from a Greek store) - cooked shrimp would also work nicely, I think.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 medium shallot, minced</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1/2 red pepper, diced</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 small handful of chevril, chopped</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 cup fresh peas</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sea salt, black pepper - to taste</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Olive oil</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Sherry vinegar (red wine vinegar in a pinch)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">1 small avocado, halved and sliced</span><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Combine all the ingredients except the avocado in a large salad bowl. Add salt, pepper, oil and vinegar to taste. Top with the sliced avocado.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Serves 2</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>Dorade with <em>Sauce Minute</em> of Lardon, Tomatos and Peas</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">2 whole Dorade, 12 oz each, gutted</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Olive oil</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Sea Salt</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">4 oz. lardons (slab bacon, chopped)</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 medium shallot minced</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 pound of cherry tomatoes, halved</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1/3 cup of white wine</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 cup fresh peas</span></div><div> </div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Preheat the oven to broil. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil. Rinse the fish and lay them out with a drizzle of olive oil and some salt. Cook the fish for 6 minutes, flip to the other side, and cook for an additional 6 minutes. Fish is done when the flesh is opaque down to the bone. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Meanwhile, in a medium frying pan, heat lardons (chopped bacon), for a minute until it renders a bit of fat. Add the minced shallot and saute for 2-3 minutes until bacon is beginning to brown and shallot is translucent. Add the tomatoes, cook for a minute, then add the white wine. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until the tomatos give a bit of juice but still hold their shape. Turn off the heat. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">After you have taken the fish out of the oven, add the fresh peas to the sauce and heat through. Serve immediately with lemon and wild rice or quinoa.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Serves 2</span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467356581583038482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRid59AZZITBHrlQtbiGlc9XaCitJchtKlsRAq0z2HOp3fqAAfQ4UZgb68e0E6WUTlHa5RJTjXLKb4mXo0Far04z0rt7G1Hx9WJtbWDbdQXD7AqLjSWdL7Z7ONXFdcdvK873Ax_zjcA9v/s320/fish+3.jpg" /> </div></div></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-55295797366686161602010-05-01T03:37:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.069-07:00Labor Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__LdFqImUC4s8N1Rc9vAwCVXl2rSB13mBgGgJd5nI4Us2Qm6snB_FW_hv8AUDg3LHYGDO40WJ_kAcsw9Hu3MSu8ujBiydDhcEOlNOc8DmSv31O5w5tCs02KS9ZF3-h2xgmW7HV3NMfIGq/s1600/cafe+creme.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466254294116633746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__LdFqImUC4s8N1Rc9vAwCVXl2rSB13mBgGgJd5nI4Us2Qm6snB_FW_hv8AUDg3LHYGDO40WJ_kAcsw9Hu3MSu8ujBiydDhcEOlNOc8DmSv31O5w5tCs02KS9ZF3-h2xgmW7HV3NMfIGq/s320/cafe+creme.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Home sweet home. The first of May is Labor Day in France, but somehow, my first Saturday morning back in Paris is feeling minimally laborious. Coffee in the sun, then to the market to buy Augustin his first <em>muget</em> - the lily of the valley that the French give for good luck. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466253925439155394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHK6c5WHfrLOEPjuNgQVIvivt6RqkBsBKz1VTn4obIbkEqO9sTV_ZRxqbCiOb5rvJ-5gnoM92t60NUomakYBDMqXdqz-trzGszsrcjFe0OMdkL9O18FNuJb5zUH8p2i3NqpM7nctcR-ZDf/s320/muget+2010.jpg" />Spring has officially sprung. You'll excuse me, I must go shell some peas...I bought dorade for dinner - I'm thinking a <em>sauce minute</em> of cherry tomatoes, lardons, fresh peas and coriander...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466253013580975394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghtu1sLhQWpWiBLJcbmAStJfbSfpE_nAcj5APubU_cCwt7qp6OvyJM-6CdETI_C0UlFlAGA-oN-4sAtN28BZ2x0TAFU25qnTVFU1lPn0WlbG1VvBibj_Ekrb7v62ti8cLkuVoSKv00OJz7/s320/peas.jpg" /></span>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-32841783747327296342010-04-19T10:14:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.071-07:00Oysters and Devil Dogs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGGyKsQHu7tQCusNJLGBsCDFYgVHd9Tyx61ERggZVjEGihxLbe5sMDgeI_T8-aL5RTnoPXzALzrEiCp_RZA1mn23JSPev_HqzhzZmHgB1sQCAK_wWjbG3h1sWX_JOkzAvvcVDpnYtNA1N/s1600/devil+dog.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462224247772440306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGGyKsQHu7tQCusNJLGBsCDFYgVHd9Tyx61ERggZVjEGihxLbe5sMDgeI_T8-aL5RTnoPXzALzrEiCp_RZA1mn23JSPev_HqzhzZmHgB1sQCAK_wWjbG3h1sWX_JOkzAvvcVDpnYtNA1N/s320/devil+dog.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I do enjoy torturing my husband. On our way up to Boston for a friend's wedding this weekend, I tried to get him to eat a Devil Dog. I do this occasionally - try feeding him Twinkies or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Twizzlers</span> or orange mac and cheese out of the box, just to give him a glimpse of my all American childhood. After all, shared cultural references are important in a marriage. So when we stopped for a bottle of water, I thought I'd try my luck with Hostess cakes. Getting a Frenchman to eat anything from a US highway rest stop is a bit of a stretch, but when you put it under plastic, and let him see the expiration date in 2038, failure is almost <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">guaranteed</span>. I love him anyway. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462224011154372162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfhjmw8IVaQ7K69PcceiJ1-AvSoDPsAj1YbsoPq24IsZSfq8lkh8oCZ7DFF78HC4Eb9IorBPaeJBwhZGMrdfkRy5mJpRlYB5IiAFsf484BeXBH-h90ThpC3MfxCr3KGYvL69q7n0TLDuu/s320/marinating.jpg" /></span> <div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Lunch in Paris is the April book of the month on </span><a href="http://www.commitmentnow.com/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">CommitmentNow</span>.com</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> - and after a weekend alone in a hotel with my husband (hurrah!), I am feeling very committed indeed. The hotel had an aquatic theme - so along with the sailboat carpet and coral sculptures, the "Do Not Disturb" sign said "I'm marinating", which made me feel like a hanger steak. That said, 8 months into parenthood, a girl can't get picky about her "Do Not Disturb" signs. </span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462223513866653794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOZZ_dazJ1T7z-I5sPLBSKZVsmg_5HsKRnCdRAqz3tsDsTB3xygClofFjVWPWgj56UMh3AtJfxcEKrxY5y5GAQ5eQvT4kYR2NnGroYp-b-t8dC5Iehi9gVtZy30-g9EIff1qJW-TqreeD/s320/neptune-oyster+-+bar+lizzie.jpg" />Thank you to friends and fans for Boston restaurant recommendations. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Neptune</span> Oyster Bar was at the intersection of several lists. Your oyster picks go clockwise from the lemon. (I do like a restaurant with a well oiled system in place.) Our clams with garlic and white wine were simple, plump and briny. The baby octopus with I<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">sraeli</span> couscous was a treat - it's a texture I adore - totally unavailable in France. The highlight of the evening was "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Neptunes</span> on Piggyback" - toasts of duck <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">confit</span> and spicy mayo topped with a juicy fried oyster, served with on a bed of marinated raisins and topped with a tangle of delicate greens.<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I'm off to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">NMH</span>, my old high school, today. I'm having lunch with my former theatre director - slightly odd to think that the last time he saw me I was wearing a corset (and had a 24 inch waist)...</span></div></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-79690195675246189202010-04-12T06:48:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.074-07:00Picnic Chic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB6e5a0Bb4AN3fN_CzwWNu1sudg0pN5bia8u3HWV4ch3qEU7jtXQh2pVp9g1l7TAVcs-i1OxDAufuX2QKpoLs4dw8OxRG3OZA3aOcYkko7eg5SVIQLFtSfr8w9G-tiur0seFpB-OhYfL-/s1600/25605_390541593200_669763200_3833929_1192241_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459248386973006226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB6e5a0Bb4AN3fN_CzwWNu1sudg0pN5bia8u3HWV4ch3qEU7jtXQh2pVp9g1l7TAVcs-i1OxDAufuX2QKpoLs4dw8OxRG3OZA3aOcYkko7eg5SVIQLFtSfr8w9G-tiur0seFpB-OhYfL-/s320/25605_390541593200_669763200_3833929_1192241_n.jpg" /></a>I've been musing about summer picnics for an article I'm writing for Marie Claire magazine. My friend Kit in Paris sent these picnic inspired handbags along to get the creative juices flowing! I know I stole a boxy straw bag from my grandmother a few years back. Where is it hiding...Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-58678460742268949922010-04-10T16:49:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.075-07:00Pros and Cons<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCAakdbtmQBaCTJdRKmLiQHZQzifesCJAblU1fNgqYya6R7Sd_hK4mGqru4dX0Rn5SrSohH2uZr6c2v7kUSxM8OUZ86mOOaxfJED2eQO4mvYsg9lfiQQt-ARm8ok2Xde_wxTd1T6L_4H3/s1600/first+chocolate+donut.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458666018719341858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCAakdbtmQBaCTJdRKmLiQHZQzifesCJAblU1fNgqYya6R7Sd_hK4mGqru4dX0Rn5SrSohH2uZr6c2v7kUSxM8OUZ86mOOaxfJED2eQO4mvYsg9lfiQQt-ARm8ok2Xde_wxTd1T6L_4H3/s320/first+chocolate+donut.jpg" /></a>Things I love about the United States: Fried chicken. The paths of Central Park. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Entenmanns</span> chocolate donuts (There's Augustin with his first one!). <div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458665714433797570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxP0L_oHdyYxTSGR0MH6Yyy4v2eFOE60nVtUHGd6cB58yxu2bqUNNGBcvn4CkLNziCCoy4yTBbFMk6TT1hU89RN_4sYgPmuP95HHo_6iN_WyN5xNdYciJWojzlv4mbThCnHkU9qV-0Mm-l/s320/the-tudors-season-4-2.jpg" />Things I hate: Secondary passport control. Being talked down to: two days ago I saw an ad for the TV show "The Tudors" with the tag line "Jonathan Rhys Meyers is King Henry 8". Pardon my French, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">WTF</span>!! Do they think Americans are so stupid that we can't read roman numerals?! It makes the protestant reformation sound like the sequel to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 3. This is the worse kind of cultural stereotype - and a self-fulfilling prophecy as well. One more generation raised with this and "VIII" will be an emoticon.</div><div><br><div></div><div></div><div>The reading at Barnes & Noble was like old home week. Wonderful to see old friends - and a chance to chat with readers over almond cakes and coconut macaroons. I'm definitely baking for my future events - it gives me a good excuse to meet everyone.</div><div></div><div><br></div><div>Next event is a short reading as part of Rachel Kramer Bussel's <a href="http://www.inthefleshreadingseries.com/">Nerd Sex Night</a> at 8pm on April 15<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>. What to wear...</div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-85392537667345231832010-04-02T06:03:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.077-07:00Simple Gifts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucnDqwlGuAl-loXxPLd5CdsXJbm4wE9Vxmd-lJmFjJ_j5twuqVceHm9uWiK-ZMjNoOSeB-sqZ64HnfgD3z3cPLolMbKl7F0WIVKAK2jZ1Obl3w4h714q4zlAjSfsppCPkCqE6ENQIZXzJ/s1600/museum-asparagus-thongs.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455604381572602322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucnDqwlGuAl-loXxPLd5CdsXJbm4wE9Vxmd-lJmFjJ_j5twuqVceHm9uWiK-ZMjNoOSeB-sqZ64HnfgD3z3cPLolMbKl7F0WIVKAK2jZ1Obl3w4h714q4zlAjSfsppCPkCqE6ENQIZXzJ/s320/museum-asparagus-thongs.jpg" /></a> If <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">celebrating</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Passover</span> and/or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Easter</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">many</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">will</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">wake</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span>, or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">just</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">embarking</span> on - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">big</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">family</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">meals</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Normally</span>, I love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">this</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">year</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">My</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">first</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Passover</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Seder</span> in Paris, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">made</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">sit-down</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">dinner</span> for 18. I adore <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">getting</span> out <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_31" class="blsp-spelling-error">silver</span> asparagus <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_32" class="blsp-spelling-error">picker-uppers</span> (a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_33" class="blsp-spelling-error">family</span> favorite) and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_34" class="blsp-spelling-error">Auntie</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_35" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lynn's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_36" class="blsp-spelling-error">grandfather's</span> sterling <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_37" class="blsp-spelling-error">sliver</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_38" class="blsp-spelling-error">bottle</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_39" class="blsp-spelling-error">opener</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_40" class="blsp-spelling-error">who</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_41" class="blsp-spelling-error">knew</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_42" class="blsp-spelling-error">such</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_43" class="blsp-spelling-error">thing</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_44" class="blsp-spelling-error">even</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_45" class="blsp-spelling-error">existed</span>). I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_46" class="blsp-spelling-error">like</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_47" class="blsp-spelling-error">answering</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_48" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_49" class="blsp-spelling-error">door</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_50" class="blsp-spelling-error">kissing</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_51" class="blsp-spelling-error">people</span> hello and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_52" class="blsp-spelling-error">stirring</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_53" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> pots <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_54" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_55" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_56" class="blsp-spelling-error">same</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_57" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_58" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_59" class="blsp-spelling-error">kitchen</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_60" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_61" class="blsp-spelling-error">our</span> Paris <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_62" class="blsp-spelling-error">apartment</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_63" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_64" class="blsp-spelling-error">actually</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_65" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> foyer - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_66" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_67" class="blsp-spelling-error">sounds</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_68" class="blsp-spelling-error">awful</span>, but <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_69" class="blsp-spelling-error">it's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_70" class="blsp-spelling-error">really</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_71" class="blsp-spelling-error">very</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_72" class="blsp-spelling-error">welcoming</span>). I love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_73" class="blsp-spelling-error">watching</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_74" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> table in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_75" class="blsp-spelling-error">animated</span> conversation (I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_76" class="blsp-spelling-error">always</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_77" class="blsp-spelling-error">mix</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_78" class="blsp-spelling-error">up</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_79" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_80" class="blsp-spelling-error">seating</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_81" class="blsp-spelling-error">chart</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_82" class="blsp-spelling-error">so</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_83" class="blsp-spelling-error">everyone</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_84" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_85" class="blsp-spelling-error">sitting</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_86" class="blsp-spelling-error">next</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_87" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_88" class="blsp-spelling-error">someone</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_89" class="blsp-spelling-error">they</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_90" class="blsp-spelling-error">don't</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_91" class="blsp-spelling-error">know</span>). And I love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_92" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_93" class="blsp-spelling-error">hush</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_94" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_95" class="blsp-spelling-error">falls</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_96" class="blsp-spelling-error">when</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_97" class="blsp-spelling-error">everyone</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_98" class="blsp-spelling-error">digs</span> in and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_99" class="blsp-spelling-error">starts</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_100" class="blsp-spelling-error">seriously</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_101" class="blsp-spelling-error">eating</span>. But <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_102" class="blsp-spelling-error">this</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_103" class="blsp-spelling-error">year</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_104" class="blsp-spelling-error">even</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_105" class="blsp-spelling-error">though</span> I have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_106" class="blsp-spelling-error">much</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_107" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_108" class="blsp-spelling-error">celebrate</span>, as a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_109" class="blsp-spelling-error">new</span> parent and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_110" class="blsp-spelling-error">new</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_111" class="blsp-spelling-error">author</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_112" class="blsp-spelling-error">dinner</span> for 18 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_113" class="blsp-spelling-error">felt</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_114" class="blsp-spelling-error">utterly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_115" class="blsp-spelling-error">overwhelming</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_116" class="blsp-spelling-error">just</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_117" class="blsp-spelling-error">totally</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_118" class="blsp-spelling-error">beyond</span> me.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_119" class="blsp-spelling-error">The</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_120" class="blsp-spelling-error">sun</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_121" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_122" class="blsp-spelling-error">coming</span> out, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_123" class="blsp-spelling-error">instead</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_124" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_125" class="blsp-spelling-error">finding</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_126" class="blsp-spelling-error">myself</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_127" class="blsp-spelling-error">refreshed</span>, I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_128" class="blsp-spelling-error">find</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_129" class="blsp-spelling-error">myself</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_130" class="blsp-spelling-error">depleted</span>. G and I are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_131" class="blsp-spelling-error">both</span> traveling <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_132" class="blsp-spelling-error">too</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_133" class="blsp-spelling-error">much</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_134" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'm</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_135" class="blsp-spelling-error">literally</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_136" class="blsp-spelling-error">packing</span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_137" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_138" class="blsp-spelling-error">next</span> trip out <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_139" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_140" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_141" class="blsp-spelling-error">suitcases</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_142" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_143" class="blsp-spelling-error">yet</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_144" class="blsp-spelling-error">undone</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_145" class="blsp-spelling-error">from</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_146" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_147" class="blsp-spelling-error">last</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_148" class="blsp-spelling-error">one</span>...</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455598777519644514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxLnAdkKd8EwR_qn8ccSLd60yXoY7OtBvEMSBmOb6vh-YKiAz4Qwp71fbcVrHR5ySimaWz2Z9kfWHmMcU1rrwKFkEeHrf6wkxs-oWmishUEFeZbEEQN6xayTmWKl8ud30T-xIUiphX76E/s320/CIMG0851.JPG" /> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_149" class="blsp-spelling-error">When I</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_150" class="blsp-spelling-error">feel</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_151" class="blsp-spelling-error">this</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_152" class="blsp-spelling-error">way</span>, I tend <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_153" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_154" class="blsp-spelling-error">keep</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_155" class="blsp-spelling-error">things</span> simple in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_156" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_157" class="blsp-spelling-error">kitchen</span>, I put <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_158" class="blsp-spelling-error">aside</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_159" class="blsp-spelling-error">my</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_160" class="blsp-spelling-error">zest</span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_161" class="blsp-spelling-error">experimentation</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_162" class="blsp-spelling-error">gravitate</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_163" class="blsp-spelling-error">toward</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_164" class="blsp-spelling-error">ingredients</span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_165" class="blsp-spelling-error">know</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_166" class="blsp-spelling-error">recipes</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_167" class="blsp-spelling-error">I've</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_168" class="blsp-spelling-error">memorized</span>. I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_169" class="blsp-spelling-error">make</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_170" class="blsp-spelling-error">big</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_171" class="blsp-spelling-error">batches</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_172" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> jumbo <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_173" class="blsp-spelling-error">meatballs</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_174" class="blsp-spelling-error">laced</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_175" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_176" class="blsp-spelling-error">cinammon</span> and cumin, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_177" class="blsp-spelling-error">lightened</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_178" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_179" class="blsp-spelling-error">ground</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_180" class="blsp-spelling-error">almonds</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_181" class="blsp-spelling-error">instead</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_182" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_183" class="blsp-spelling-error">breadcrumbs</span>. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455598261574369330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KQ7L5QzAyucKN8QmffnsEvhjhA3QTEG_DZ3y5Xqsw2vBgrINk9yTH-qycX881fKzcyiS9t5Xd_mYhXWMbEBfqyoEz-VjNezNZfaQsaMSYEkuHLXdaG7bA37JdDJt4L9dSO10kQeYVYHf/s320/CIMG0859.JPG" />In <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_184" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_185" class="blsp-spelling-error">summer</span> I use <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_186" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_187" class="blsp-spelling-error">meat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_188" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_189" class="blsp-spelling-error">stuff</span> beefsteak <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_190" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomatoes</span>. But <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_191" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_192" class="blsp-spelling-error">meatballs</span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_193" class="blsp-spelling-error">wonderful</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_194" class="blsp-spelling-error">served</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_195" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> cous cous and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_196" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomato</span> sauce as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_197" class="blsp-spelling-error">well</span>. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455597821957056002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHqTO5EcDASpXSI8GC3E8N2v08yRqy-YUEFaSb18QtEfGofXsvTdHrv1fjN9Q8xz2vxTzKrNc3A-rqXTccUcfu9JKv6eQl0anD4F84W2mshDTZyyv1Ua7Wq8XOxfBBkUBRCfXI02PRUrR/s320/CIMG0864.JPG" />I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_198" class="blsp-spelling-error">made</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_199" class="blsp-spelling-error">batch</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_200" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_201" class="blsp-spelling-error">night</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_202" class="blsp-spelling-error">before</span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_203" class="blsp-spelling-error">went</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_204" class="blsp-spelling-error">into</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_205" class="blsp-spelling-error">labor</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_206" class="blsp-spelling-error">last</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_207" class="blsp-spelling-error">August</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_208" class="blsp-spelling-error">so</span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_209" class="blsp-spelling-error">think</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_210" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_211" class="blsp-spelling-error">them</span> as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_212" class="blsp-spelling-error">good</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_213" class="blsp-spelling-error">luck</span>. (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_214" class="blsp-spelling-error">That's</span> me and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_215" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_216" class="blsp-spelling-error">soon-to-be-born</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_217" class="blsp-spelling-error">Augustin</span>!)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 211px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455595768689658226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvLNG4HV1HT_tvkVay7qR6Vl-8fcADipGSheZIcKONyQ_eOzbungVa8_RJMjSUhNh1p53pNb_0Izn6nBnaB8Y1vBVtUrEMSAeOgOxXrV8RylKEr4DRakoEyIQ8VVWJ7EXR7rV0SA8vD8p/s320/stuffed+eggplant+2.jpg" /> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_218" class="blsp-spelling-error">make</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_219" class="blsp-spelling-error">roasted</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_220" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplants -</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_221" class="blsp-spelling-error">stuffed</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_222" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> quinoa, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_223" class="blsp-spelling-error">topped</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_224" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_225" class="blsp-spelling-error">grilled</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_226" class="blsp-spelling-error">goat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_227" class="blsp-spelling-error">cheese</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_228" class="blsp-spelling-error">fresh</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_229" class="blsp-spelling-error">coriander</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_230" class="blsp-spelling-error">healthy</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_231" class="blsp-spelling-error">incredibly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_232" class="blsp-spelling-error">satisfying</span>.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455582077076721634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY10apnKOJGTvlv1i2wGSkfQZMuWwUM781DUw2p3UI3fEy8manXC74jY4RkJt6Yg83FIfhQV90wEhEKkIr7X8dNFFbr8eu5i35RmMfjeurZdU-H55Yq0s6FrjjN-o8WdMvuBu3xzs2Op0m/s320/CIMG1141.JPG" /> And <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_233" class="blsp-spelling-error">then</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_234" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> course, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_235" class="blsp-spelling-error">there's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_236" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> bacon. Lardons (cubes <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_237" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_238" class="blsp-spelling-error">chopped</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_239" class="blsp-spelling-error">smoked</span> bacon) are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_240" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_241" class="blsp-spelling-error">very</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_242" class="blsp-spelling-error">definition</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_243" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_244" class="blsp-spelling-error">comfort</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_245" class="blsp-spelling-error">food</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_246" class="blsp-spelling-error">our</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_247" class="blsp-spelling-error">house</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_248" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_249" class="blsp-spelling-error">little</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_250" class="blsp-spelling-error">something</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_251" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_252" class="blsp-spelling-error">makes</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_253" class="blsp-spelling-error">everything</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_254" class="blsp-spelling-error">taste</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_255" class="blsp-spelling-error">better</span>. <em>Haricots verts aux lardons</em>, green <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_256" class="blsp-spelling-error">beans</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_257" class="blsp-spelling-error">sauteed</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_258" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> bacon (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_259" class="blsp-spelling-error">topped</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_260" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> lots <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_261" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> black <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_262" class="blsp-spelling-error">pepper</span>) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_263" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> a standard <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_264" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_265" class="blsp-spelling-error">G's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_266" class="blsp-spelling-error">repetoire</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_267" class="blsp-spelling-error">so</span> I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_268" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_269" class="blsp-spelling-error">soak</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_270" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_271" class="blsp-spelling-error">bathtub</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_272" class="blsp-spelling-error">while</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_273" class="blsp-spelling-error">he</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_274" class="blsp-spelling-error">makes</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_275" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_276" class="blsp-spelling-error">which</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_277" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_278" class="blsp-spelling-error">considerable</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_279" class="blsp-spelling-error">advantage</span>. Pair <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_280" class="blsp-spelling-error">it</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_281" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_282" class="blsp-spelling-error">oven</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_283" class="blsp-spelling-error">roasted</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_284" class="blsp-spelling-error">sweet</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_285" class="blsp-spelling-error">potato</span> and a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_286" class="blsp-spelling-error">dollop</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_287" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_288" class="blsp-spelling-error">plain</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_289" class="blsp-spelling-error">yogurt</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_290" class="blsp-spelling-error">there's</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_291" class="blsp-spelling-error">almost</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_292" class="blsp-spelling-error">nothing</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_293" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'd</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_294" class="blsp-spelling-error">rather</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_295" class="blsp-spelling-error">eat</span>.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455581355002779058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP2mqHONP86Dtme14BwS4Bf0Q7OfLFDUUR64Waf3d8Ey33CsPm21_w5e9GMxRx0bLOn57eKtbtX1aP1FeIJtGkeQRHs_vr5gSW2PlF99jbt4BfrS2CZj-wT8AF59mjLQW7foCg43GZ3sK/s320/CIMG1724.JPG" /> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_296" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'm</span> off <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_297" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_298" class="blsp-spelling-error">NY</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_299" class="blsp-spelling-error">Monday</span> - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_300" class="blsp-spelling-error">which</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_301" class="blsp-spelling-error">always</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_302" class="blsp-spelling-error">gives</span> me a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_303" class="blsp-spelling-error">jolt</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_304" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_305" class="blsp-spelling-error">energy</span>. If <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_306" class="blsp-spelling-error">you're</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_307" class="blsp-spelling-error">New</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_308" class="blsp-spelling-error">York</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_309" class="blsp-spelling-error">City</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_310" class="blsp-spelling-error">I'd</span> love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_311" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_312" class="blsp-spelling-error">see</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_313" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_314" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_315" class="blsp-spelling-error">Barnes</span> and Noble <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_316" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tribeca</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_317" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wednesday</span>, April 7<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_318" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>, 7<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_319" class="blsp-spelling-error">pm</span> - for a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_320" class="blsp-spelling-error">reading</span> (and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_321" class="blsp-spelling-error">some</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_322" class="blsp-spelling-error">homemade</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_323" class="blsp-spelling-error">baked</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_324" class="blsp-spelling-error">goods</span>)!<br /></div><div>Have a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_325" class="blsp-spelling-error">wonderful</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_326" class="blsp-spelling-error">holiday</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_327" class="blsp-spelling-error">weekend</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_328" class="blsp-spelling-error">everyone</span>!</div></div><div></div><div><div><br /><strong>Jumbo <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_329" class="blsp-spelling-error">Meatballs</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_330" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_331" class="blsp-spelling-error">touch</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_332" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_333" class="blsp-spelling-error">North</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_334" class="blsp-spelling-error">African</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_335" class="blsp-spelling-error">Spice</span></strong><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_336" class="blsp-spelling-error">Meatballs</span> have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_337" class="blsp-spelling-error">never</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_338" class="blsp-spelling-error">been</span> an exact science for me. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_339" class="blsp-spelling-error">The</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_340" class="blsp-spelling-error">key</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_341" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_342" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_343" class="blsp-spelling-error">handle</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_344" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_345" class="blsp-spelling-error">meat</span> as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_346" class="blsp-spelling-error">little</span> as possible. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_347" class="blsp-spelling-error">The</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_348" class="blsp-spelling-error">ice</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_349" class="blsp-spelling-error">water</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_350" class="blsp-spelling-error">always</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_351" class="blsp-spelling-error">helps</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_352" class="blsp-spelling-error">keep</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_353" class="blsp-spelling-error">them</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_354" class="blsp-spelling-error">light</span> as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_355" class="blsp-spelling-error">well</span> as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_356" class="blsp-spelling-error">moist</span>– <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_357" class="blsp-spelling-error">perhaps</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_358" class="blsp-spelling-error">there</span>’s a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_359" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chemistry</span> major <span style="color:#ffff00;">who</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_361" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span> tell me <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_362" class="blsp-spelling-error">why</span>…<br /><br />500 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_363" class="blsp-spelling-error">grams</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_364" class="blsp-spelling-error">ground</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_365" class="blsp-spelling-error">beef</span><br />500 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_366" class="blsp-spelling-error">grams</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_367" class="blsp-spelling-error">pork</span><br />½ <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_368" class="blsp-spelling-error">cup</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_369" class="blsp-spelling-error">breadcrumbs</span> or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_370" class="blsp-spelling-error">ground</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_371" class="blsp-spelling-error">almonds</span><br />1 large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_372" class="blsp-spelling-error">onion</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_373" class="blsp-spelling-error">red</span> or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_374" class="blsp-spelling-error">white</span>) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_375" class="blsp-spelling-error">grated</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_376" class="blsp-spelling-error">Handful</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_377" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_378" class="blsp-spelling-error">fresh</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_379" class="blsp-spelling-error">coriander</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_380" class="blsp-spelling-error">chopped</span><br />A <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_381" class="blsp-spelling-error">few</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_382" class="blsp-spelling-error">good</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_383" class="blsp-spelling-error">pinches</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_384" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_385" class="blsp-spelling-error">cinnamon</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_386" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sprinkle</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_387" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> cumin<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_388" class="blsp-spelling-error">Handful</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_389" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> golden raisins<br />½ <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_390" class="blsp-spelling-error">teaspoon</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_391" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_392" class="blsp-spelling-error">coarse</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_393" class="blsp-spelling-error">sea</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_394" class="blsp-spelling-error">salt</span>, or more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_395" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_396" class="blsp-spelling-error">taste</span><br />Black <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_397" class="blsp-spelling-error">pepper</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_398" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_399" class="blsp-spelling-error">taste</span><br />2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_400" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggs</span><br />1/3 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_401" class="blsp-spelling-error">cup</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_402" class="blsp-spelling-error">ice</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_403" class="blsp-spelling-error">water</span><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_404" class="blsp-spelling-error">Preheat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_405" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_406" class="blsp-spelling-error">oven</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_407" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> 400F.<br /><br />In a large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_408" class="blsp-spelling-error">shallow</span> casserole <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_409" class="blsp-spelling-error">dish</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_410" class="blsp-spelling-error">crumble</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_411" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_412" class="blsp-spelling-error">meat</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_413" class="blsp-spelling-error">then</span> LAYER <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_414" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_415" class="blsp-spelling-error">onion</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_416" class="blsp-spelling-error">herbs</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_417" class="blsp-spelling-error">spices</span>, raisins, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_418" class="blsp-spelling-error">salt</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_419" class="blsp-spelling-error">pepper</span> on top. Do <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_420" class="blsp-spelling-error">not</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_421" class="blsp-spelling-error">mix</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_422" class="blsp-spelling-error">after</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_423" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> addition <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_424" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_425" class="blsp-spelling-error">each</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_426" class="blsp-spelling-error">ingredient<span style="color:#ffffff;">.</span></span><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_437" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lightly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_438" class="blsp-spelling-error">beat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_439" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_440" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggs</span>, pour <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_441" class="blsp-spelling-error">over</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_442" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_443" class="blsp-spelling-error">meat</span> mixture and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_444" class="blsp-spelling-error">mix</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_445" class="blsp-spelling-error">lightly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_446" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_447" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_448" class="blsp-spelling-error">hands</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_449" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sprinkle</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_450" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_451" class="blsp-spelling-error">ice</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_452" class="blsp-spelling-error">water</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_453" class="blsp-spelling-error">mix</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_454" class="blsp-spelling-error">lightly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_455" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> combine.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_456" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gently</span> pat <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_457" class="blsp-spelling-error">into</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_458" class="blsp-spelling-error">very</span> large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_459" class="blsp-spelling-error">meatballs</span> (I serve three <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_460" class="blsp-spelling-error">per</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_461" class="blsp-spelling-error">person</span>)<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_465" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bake</span> on a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_466" class="blsp-spelling-error">cookie</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_467" class="blsp-spelling-error">sheet</span> in a 400F <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_468" class="blsp-spelling-error">oven</span> for 30-40 minutes. </div><div></div><div>If <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_471" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_472" class="blsp-spelling-error">stuffing</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_473" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomatoes</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_474" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span>’<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_475" class="blsp-spelling-error">ll</span> use more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_476" class="blsp-spelling-error">meat</span> for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_477" class="blsp-spelling-error">each</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_478" class="blsp-spelling-error">one</span> – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_479" class="blsp-spelling-error">extend</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_480" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_481" class="blsp-spelling-error">cooking</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_482" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_483" class="blsp-spelling-error">accordingly</span>…<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_484" class="blsp-spelling-error">this</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_485" class="blsp-spelling-error">has</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_486" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_487" class="blsp-spelling-error">advantage</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_488" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_489" class="blsp-spelling-error">giving</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_490" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_491" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomatoes</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_492" class="blsp-spelling-error">time</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_493" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_494" class="blsp-spelling-error">roast</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_495" class="blsp-spelling-error">collapse</span> a bit.<br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Aubergines Farcies au Quinoa – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_496" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eggplant</span> S<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_497" class="blsp-spelling-error">tuffed</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_498" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> Quinoa</strong><br /><br />4 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_499" class="blsp-spelling-error">medium</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_500" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplants</span>, 10 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_501" class="blsp-spelling-error">oz</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_502" class="blsp-spelling-error">each</span><br />1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_503" class="blsp-spelling-error">tablespoon</span> olive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_504" class="blsp-spelling-error">oil</span> + 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_505" class="blsp-spelling-error">tablespoons</span> olive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_506" class="blsp-spelling-error">oil</span><br />1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_507" class="blsp-spelling-error">small</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_508" class="blsp-spelling-error">red</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_509" class="blsp-spelling-error">onion</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_510" class="blsp-spelling-error">diced</span><br />3 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_511" class="blsp-spelling-error">cloves</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_512" class="blsp-spelling-error">garlic</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_513" class="blsp-spelling-error">thinly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_514" class="blsp-spelling-error">sliced</span><br />5 ripe <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_515" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomatoes</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_516" class="blsp-spelling-error">coarsely</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_517" class="blsp-spelling-error">chopped</span><br />½ <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_518" class="blsp-spelling-error">teaspoon</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_519" class="blsp-spelling-error">sugar</span><br />1/3 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_520" class="blsp-spelling-error">cup</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_521" class="blsp-spelling-error">white</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_522" class="blsp-spelling-error">wine</span><br />1 1/3 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_523" class="blsp-spelling-error">cups</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_524" class="blsp-spelling-error">chicken</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_525" class="blsp-spelling-error">broth</span><br />1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_526" class="blsp-spelling-error">cup</span> quinoa (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_527" class="blsp-spelling-error">available</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_528" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_529" class="blsp-spelling-error">health</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_530" class="blsp-spelling-error">food</span> stores and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_531" class="blsp-spelling-error">many</span> large <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_532" class="blsp-spelling-error">supermarkets</span>)<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_533" class="blsp-spelling-error">Coarse</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_534" class="blsp-spelling-error">sea</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_535" class="blsp-spelling-error">salt</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_536" class="blsp-spelling-error">Freshly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_537" class="blsp-spelling-error">ground</span> black <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_538" class="blsp-spelling-error">pepper</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_539" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pinch</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_540" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_541" class="blsp-spelling-error">cinnamon</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_542" class="blsp-spelling-error">Small</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_543" class="blsp-spelling-error">handful</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_544" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_545" class="blsp-spelling-error">cilantro</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_546" class="blsp-spelling-error">coarsely</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_547" class="blsp-spelling-error">chopped</span><br />8 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_548" class="blsp-spelling-error">oz</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_549" class="blsp-spelling-error">soft</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_550" class="blsp-spelling-error">goat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_551" class="blsp-spelling-error">cheese</span><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_552" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fresh</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_553" class="blsp-spelling-error">cilantro</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_554" class="blsp-spelling-error">ripped</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_555" class="blsp-spelling-error">by</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_556" class="blsp-spelling-error">hand</span><br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_557" class="blsp-spelling-error">Choose</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_558" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplants</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_559" class="blsp-spelling-error">that</span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_560" class="blsp-spelling-error">firm</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_561" class="blsp-spelling-error">shiny</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_562" class="blsp-spelling-error">without</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_563" class="blsp-spelling-error">blemishes</span> – <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_564" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_565" class="blsp-spelling-error">smaller</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_566" class="blsp-spelling-error">heavier</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_567" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_568" class="blsp-spelling-error">better</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_569" class="blsp-spelling-error">Preheat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_570" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_571" class="blsp-spelling-error">oven</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_572" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> 350°F.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_573" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rinse</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_574" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_575" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplants</span> and pat dry. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_576" class="blsp-spelling-error">Line</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_577" class="blsp-spelling-error">baking</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_578" class="blsp-spelling-error">sheet</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_579" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_580" class="blsp-spelling-error">aluminum</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_581" class="blsp-spelling-error">foil</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_582" class="blsp-spelling-error">Prick</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_583" class="blsp-spelling-error">five</span> or six <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_584" class="blsp-spelling-error">holes</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_585" class="blsp-spelling-error">each</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_586" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplant</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_587" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_588" class="blsp-spelling-error">fork</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_589" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_590" class="blsp-spelling-error">allow</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_591" class="blsp-spelling-error">steam</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_592" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> escape. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_593" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rub</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_594" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> surface <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_595" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_596" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_597" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplants</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_598" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> 1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_599" class="blsp-spelling-error">tablespoon</span> olive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_600" class="blsp-spelling-error">oil</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_601" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bake</span> for 1 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_602" class="blsp-spelling-error">hour</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_603" class="blsp-spelling-error">until</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_604" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_605" class="blsp-spelling-error">flesh</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_606" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> tender.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_607" class="blsp-spelling-error">Meanwhile</span>, in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_608" class="blsp-spelling-error">medium</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_609" class="blsp-spelling-error">frying</span> pan, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_610" class="blsp-spelling-error">heat</span> 2 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_611" class="blsp-spelling-error">tablespoons</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_612" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> olive <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_613" class="blsp-spelling-error">oil</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_614" class="blsp-spelling-error">Add</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_615" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_616" class="blsp-spelling-error">onions</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_617" class="blsp-spelling-error">garlic</span> and sauté <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_618" class="blsp-spelling-error">over</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_619" class="blsp-spelling-error">medium</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_620" class="blsp-spelling-error">heat</span> for 3-4 minutes. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_621" class="blsp-spelling-error">Add</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_622" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomatoes</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_623" class="blsp-spelling-error">sugar</span>, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_624" class="blsp-spelling-error">cook</span> for 10 minutes. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_625" class="blsp-spelling-error">Add</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_626" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_627" class="blsp-spelling-error">white</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_628" class="blsp-spelling-error">wine</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_629" class="blsp-spelling-error">lower</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_630" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_631" class="blsp-spelling-error">heat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_632" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_633" class="blsp-spelling-error">medium</span>/<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_634" class="blsp-spelling-error">low</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_635" class="blsp-spelling-error">cook</span> for a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_636" class="blsp-spelling-error">further</span> 10 minutes. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_637" class="blsp-spelling-error">Remove</span> ¾ <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_638" class="blsp-spelling-error">cup</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_639" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_640" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomato</span> sauce <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_641" class="blsp-spelling-error">from</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_642" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> pan and set <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_643" class="blsp-spelling-error">aside</span>.<br /><br />In a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_644" class="blsp-spelling-error">small</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_645" class="blsp-spelling-error">saucepan</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_646" class="blsp-spelling-error">bring</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_647" class="blsp-spelling-error">chicken</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_648" class="blsp-spelling-error">broth</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_649" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_650" class="blsp-spelling-error">boil</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_651" class="blsp-spelling-error">Add</span> quinoa, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_652" class="blsp-spelling-error">bring</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_653" class="blsp-spelling-error">back</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_654" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_655" class="blsp-spelling-error">boil</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_656" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cover</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_657" class="blsp-spelling-error">tightly</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_658" class="blsp-spelling-error">lower</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_659" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_660" class="blsp-spelling-error">heat</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_661" class="blsp-spelling-error">simmer</span> for 15 minutes, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_662" class="blsp-spelling-error">until</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_663" class="blsp-spelling-error">water</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_664" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_665" class="blsp-spelling-error">absorbed</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_666" class="blsp-spelling-error">The</span> quinoa <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_667" class="blsp-spelling-error">should</span> have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_668" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_669" class="blsp-spelling-error">consistency</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_670" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> couscous. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_671" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fluff</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_672" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_673" class="blsp-spelling-error">fork</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_674" class="blsp-spelling-error">leave</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_675" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> cool.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_676" class="blsp-spelling-error">When</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_677" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_678" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplants</span> are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_679" class="blsp-spelling-error">done</span>, drain <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_680" class="blsp-spelling-error">any</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_681" class="blsp-spelling-error">liquid</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_682" class="blsp-spelling-error">from</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_683" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_684" class="blsp-spelling-error">baking</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_685" class="blsp-spelling-error">sheet</span> and let <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_686" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_687" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplants</span> cool <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_688" class="blsp-spelling-error">slightly</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_689" class="blsp-spelling-error">Make</span> a 4 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_690" class="blsp-spelling-error">inch</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_691" class="blsp-spelling-error">cut</span> in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_692" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> top <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_693" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_694" class="blsp-spelling-error">each</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_695" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplant</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_696" class="blsp-spelling-error">carefully</span> scoop out <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_697" class="blsp-spelling-error">most</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_698" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_699" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_700" class="blsp-spelling-error">flesh</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_701" class="blsp-spelling-error">without</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_702" class="blsp-spelling-error">piercing</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_703" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_704" class="blsp-spelling-error">skin</span>. Put <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_705" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_706" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplants</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_707" class="blsp-spelling-error">shells</span> in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_708" class="blsp-spelling-error">shallow</span> casserole <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_709" class="blsp-spelling-error">dish</span> (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_710" class="blsp-spelling-error">you</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_711" class="blsp-spelling-error">will</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_712" class="blsp-spelling-error">stuff</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_713" class="blsp-spelling-error">these</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_714" class="blsp-spelling-error">later</span>). Put <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_715" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_716" class="blsp-spelling-error">flesh</span> in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_717" class="blsp-spelling-error">colander</span>, pressing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_718" class="blsp-spelling-error">firmly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_719" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_720" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_721" class="blsp-spelling-error">back</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_722" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_723" class="blsp-spelling-error">fork</span> (or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_724" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_725" class="blsp-spelling-error">hand</span>) <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_726" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> drain <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_727" class="blsp-spelling-error">any</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_728" class="blsp-spelling-error">excess</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_729" class="blsp-spelling-error">liquid</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_730" class="blsp-spelling-error">Season</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_731" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_732" class="blsp-spelling-error">flesh</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_733" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_734" class="blsp-spelling-error">salt</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_735" class="blsp-spelling-error">pepper</span> and a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_736" class="blsp-spelling-error">pinch</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_737" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_738" class="blsp-spelling-error">cinnamon</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_739" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chop</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_740" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_741" class="blsp-spelling-error">seasoned</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_742" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplant</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_743" class="blsp-spelling-error">flesh</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_744" class="blsp-spelling-error">into</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_745" class="blsp-spelling-error">small</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_746" class="blsp-spelling-error">chunks</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_747" class="blsp-spelling-error">add</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_748" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_749" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_750" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomato</span> sauce <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_751" class="blsp-spelling-error">along</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_752" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_753" class="blsp-spelling-error">small</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_754" class="blsp-spelling-error">handful</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_755" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_756" class="blsp-spelling-error">cilantro</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_757" class="blsp-spelling-error">Heat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_758" class="blsp-spelling-error">through</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_759" class="blsp-spelling-error">Add</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_760" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> quinoa, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_761" class="blsp-spelling-error">stir</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_762" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> combine.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_763" class="blsp-spelling-error">Stuff</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_764" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_765" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplant</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_766" class="blsp-spelling-error">shells</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_767" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_768" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> quinoa mixture, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_769" class="blsp-spelling-error">they</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_770" class="blsp-spelling-error">should</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_771" class="blsp-spelling-error">be</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_772" class="blsp-spelling-error">heaping</span>. Top <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_773" class="blsp-spelling-error">each</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_774" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplant</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_775" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_776" class="blsp-spelling-error">spoonful</span> or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_777" class="blsp-spelling-error">two</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_778" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_779" class="blsp-spelling-error">your</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_780" class="blsp-spelling-error">reserved</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_781" class="blsp-spelling-error">tomato</span> sauce. (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_782" class="blsp-spelling-error">You</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_783" class="blsp-spelling-error">can</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_784" class="blsp-spelling-error">refrigerate</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_785" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_786" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplants</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_787" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_788" class="blsp-spelling-error">this</span> point. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_789" class="blsp-spelling-error">Reheat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_790" class="blsp-spelling-error">at</span> 350°F, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_791" class="blsp-spelling-error">tightly</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_792" class="blsp-spelling-error">covered</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_793" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_794" class="blsp-spelling-error">foil</span>, for 30 minutes. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_795" class="blsp-spelling-error">Proceed</span> as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_796" class="blsp-spelling-error">below</span>.)<br /><br />Set <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_797" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_798" class="blsp-spelling-error">oven</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_799" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_800" class="blsp-spelling-error">broil</span>.<br /><br />Top <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_801" class="blsp-spelling-error">each</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_802" class="blsp-spelling-error">eggplant</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_803" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_804" class="blsp-spelling-error">two</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_805" class="blsp-spelling-error">slices</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_806" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_807" class="blsp-spelling-error">goat</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_808" class="blsp-spelling-error">cheese</span>. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_809" class="blsp-spelling-error">Cook</span> on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_810" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_811" class="blsp-spelling-error">middle</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_812" class="blsp-spelling-error">rack</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_813" class="blsp-spelling-error">of</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_814" class="blsp-spelling-error">the</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_815" class="blsp-spelling-error">oven</span> for 3-4 minutes <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_816" class="blsp-spelling-error">until</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_817" class="blsp-spelling-error">cheese</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_818" class="blsp-spelling-error">is</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_819" class="blsp-spelling-error">softened</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_820" class="blsp-spelling-error">beginning</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_821" class="blsp-spelling-error">to</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_822" class="blsp-spelling-error">color</span>.<br /><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_823" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sprinkle</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_824" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_825" class="blsp-spelling-error">fresh</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_826" class="blsp-spelling-error">cilantro</span>. Serve <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_827" class="blsp-spelling-error">with</span> a large green <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_828" class="blsp-spelling-error">salad</span>.<br /><br />Serves 4</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-13158883407585846132010-03-27T10:32:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.084-07:00Passover Macaroons: A Coconut Tip<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CJmT2gjhRYgb-2oCeC9CBc6B2wh1L1ZGFH1eBlJ2SkIzxlCL-eRFzt3IWxEqnOJhbjC0bs1fR_y-siE4Q02ICXI3FNZyLynKfxmA79jGZl-JMLV9bHTptIsEw5vVzx7JpWvn4DrGHz1g/s1600/Bakers+coconut.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453371329336999218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CJmT2gjhRYgb-2oCeC9CBc6B2wh1L1ZGFH1eBlJ2SkIzxlCL-eRFzt3IWxEqnOJhbjC0bs1fR_y-siE4Q02ICXI3FNZyLynKfxmA79jGZl-JMLV9bHTptIsEw5vVzx7JpWvn4DrGHz1g/s320/Bakers+coconut.jpg" /></a>I know some of you will be preparing for Passover this weekend – if you are making the coconut macaroons from the last chapter of Lunch in Paris, here’s a tip from my Aunt Joyce. The recipe in the book uses very dry grated coconut (that’s what was available in France), which is very different from the already hydrated, pre-sweetened coconut you buy in the baking aisle in the US. Therefore, my Aunt Joyce uses MUCH less condensed milk in her recipe to hold the mix together.<br /><br />If you are using very dry coconut: use 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk <div><div><br /><div>If you are using something like Baker's flaked sweetened coconut, which is already hydrated: reduce the sweetened condensed milk to 2/3 cup</div><br /><div>My favorite part of Passover in Teaneck was checking for the first crocuses on the lawn. That, and eating the crispy matzoh stuffing right out of the bird. Enjoy!</div></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-9571984931838681572010-03-26T02:42:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.087-07:00Lord of Burger<span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtLKfFW10kxO2Kme3UNN1G20Sr1TDbBjA1UxnXfX2W-JnoeoDw6Ln7P_iIhkNPgvfA3u9eYJF2ILadRDtjbwbYigS-vzVq7oi-pfgn32UyLNyjzBrGd2259WBTFcImh9aEcMEafGGr8v0/s1600/Lord+of+Burger+cover.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453002625988340658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtLKfFW10kxO2Kme3UNN1G20Sr1TDbBjA1UxnXfX2W-JnoeoDw6Ln7P_iIhkNPgvfA3u9eYJF2ILadRDtjbwbYigS-vzVq7oi-pfgn32UyLNyjzBrGd2259WBTFcImh9aEcMEafGGr8v0/s320/Lord+of+Burger+cover.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">What’s a girl to do – if her father, a tyrannical 3 star chef, is suddenly assassinated, leaving millions in debt. Take over the restaurant, of course. Such is the premise of <a href="http://www.amazon.fr/Lord-Burger-1-clos-%C3%A9pices/dp/272347366X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1269625835&sr=8-1">Lord of Burger</a> – a new French comic book series. The art - and the slicing and dicing - owe a lot to Japanese Manga. I’m not much for superheros, but if she can make a chocolate soufflé rise to unnatural heights and skewer an uppity sommelier all in the same breath, that’s a whole different kettle of <em>poisson</em>. </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 204px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452903754068319618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7TL6XbyWbkz7kTwlxNkaykuCHgMANcBos9uG-BppvlGMklg9JdLXns5q7Mnbdx8srnbwtsbqNULV0uWS1jJXWZrffKSwcPDisDcXrm70R9VxWDhQDTMarRO6NKxIQgtmmeUAh6a8SGBv/s320/smooth-criminal-michael-jackson320091219131813.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452903468806151794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpXRVXVsaAu1_E1pb71IonbDHjbx9zGR3cy9-1ETGPUG9Uk6_2lqJFe0Bwgi-KbxngwtDtv_WmZEPgcTrzwZwgI95T-cJSHMm1TRJZ7LwOSyXshJ_K1xs8RFuNwIU0OHrGST8dGbnXLBEv/s320/bandwagon1.jpg" />Some news from home:</span> <div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Instead of doing our budget last night, G. and I spent the evening comparing Michael Jackson’s <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usiJkilZNp8">Smooth Criminal</a> to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuJxYmJlEHY">“The Bandwagon”</a> with Fred Astaire, the 1950s musical comedy that inspired MJ's choreography. Leave it to my French, tap dancing, cinema buff of a husband to know such a thing. This afternoon, G. found a version on Daily Motion (a sort of French Youtube), that puts the two together. <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x76s9h_fred-astaire-smooth-criminal_music">Fred Astaire dancing to Michael Jackson</a> – it works, I swear! The scene with Cyd Charisse in the night club (legs up to her eyebrows), is perfection. You can skip the first 3 minutes if you’re pressed for time. How’s that for some old fashioned pre-tax procrastination!</span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0fbBrtGaFXzqmS01nFpz6w96H9HNGHQheARMvqzXUTVaW0SGygP8YM3cxHimUFcRjQuSnOK7WIx-9y4bwjCmWL1QOQ0T7DHZCM9w7vimtk0PvrOKDZqdWeI9fP3iDOxaNPT8NW4yZPpe/s1600/Augustin+baby+push+ups.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453008030735608706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO0fbBrtGaFXzqmS01nFpz6w96H9HNGHQheARMvqzXUTVaW0SGygP8YM3cxHimUFcRjQuSnOK7WIx-9y4bwjCmWL1QOQ0T7DHZCM9w7vimtk0PvrOKDZqdWeI9fP3iDOxaNPT8NW4yZPpe/s320/Augustin+baby+push+ups.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Augustin is trying desperately to crawl. He hasn’t yet figured out that the ass wiggle and the arm thing go together, so he does a lot of baby push-ups, then rolls over on the bear that plays a painfully slow version of “That’s Entertainment” (from one of G.'s tap class friends). He mews in frustration from time to time, and then puts his head down on the turquoise waves of his play mat. If he hasn’t got it by the time I go back to New York in early April, my mother will teach him - on all fours, if necessary. I can hear her now: “Come on, baby boy, you can do it. Get that <em><a href="http://www.sbjf.org/sbjco/schmaltz/yiddish_phrases.htm">tuches</a></em> in the air!”<br /><br />I’m really excited to be back in NY for a few weeks this spring! I’ve got a reading at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LunchinParis?v=app_2344061033#!/event.php?eid=364357778616&index=1">Barnes & Noble Tribeca</a> on April 7th, and will be joining <a href="http://www.inthefleshreadingseries.com/">Rachel Kramer Bussel</a> for <a href="http://www.inthefleshreadingseries.com/">Nerd Sex Night</a> (how cool is that – I’ve waited my whole life to put those two words together!) on April 15th. For those a bit outside the city, I’m doing a reading with Elm Street Books at the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LunchinParis?v=app_2344061033#!">New Canaan Library</a> in Connectinut on Monday, April 26th. In between, I’m heading up to NMH, my old high school in Western Mass to talk to some writing classes. I know the students will be my harshest critics yet! <div><div><div><div><br /><div>Daylight savings time finally comes to Paris this weekend! Has spring sprung where you are?</span></div></div></div></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-91607141174837619322010-03-18T12:58:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.090-07:00Orange is the New Black...<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU-7odcvANhgqWhpVIPkoWl-FpT5HS83S325cZngo1i3tE0PMU_JOnckUjfoDtYZntuetuQDqqOawT23HSOPJ6KnBvby0r5-TEx7iJ2si7AUx_4OAvwBwaruz4BnVe_u7pGOexBfimSY5/s1600-h/pumpkin+for+augustin.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451117623682366482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwU-7odcvANhgqWhpVIPkoWl-FpT5HS83S325cZngo1i3tE0PMU_JOnckUjfoDtYZntuetuQDqqOawT23HSOPJ6KnBvby0r5-TEx7iJ2si7AUx_4OAvwBwaruz4BnVe_u7pGOexBfimSY5/s320/pumpkin+for+augustin.jpg" /></a>A f<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ew years ago someone mentioned (<a href="http://udeshi.co.uk/eng/oscar_udeshi.htm">Mr. Udeshi</a>, it had to be you) that orange was the new black...<br /><br />I don't wear orange, but I do cook orange. I love sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and of course, carrot cake (for me, a food group unto itself). This week, I was on an orange kick. I wanted to make pumpkin scones, an idea I've been mildly obsessed with since I got back from Australia, where they are a well known speciality. My Australian editor (who rocks, by the way) sent me a recipe - but my attempt was bland and flat, not nearly enough butter cut into the flour. So, after seeing some truly terrifying photos of myself from the reading at WHSmith (which also rocked, by the way, thanks to the 50 lovely Parisians who turned up with smiles and wonderful questions!)</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> I decided I probably shouldn't be eating scones at the moment anyway, and moved on to more protein-based fare. At least Augustin got to taste some fresh pumpkin.</span> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451117093415176562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg465aGA3Sg4zIp-IJuQCoSo0ycVIHOegCj24uet7i1MRtwmkMd95IIIbgUSvIzDcP4cEF9AguqZHkkErOPJZ1Oo_6nJNqAEVSbevnsHSv44iAaBeIZ2jlMdz2DcZBWVqv4DhnjOVfvdx7-/s320/book+picture.jpg" /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My mother-in-law gave me a cookbook for Christmas, <em><a href="http://www.amazon.fr/gp/product/2355040923/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_i1?pf_rd_m=A1X6FK5RDHNB96&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=089MV3JDG0CWGYVQM6GS&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463375533&pf_rd_i=405320">La Fabuleuse Cuisine de la Route des Epices</a></em> (Fabulous Cuisine from the Spice Road). It has beautiful illustrations - and I've been looking for an excuse to cook from it (Note to self: have a dinner party with grapefruit safran creme brulee!). As G. is in Las Vegas on business (revisit his trauma <a href="http://elizabethbard.blogspot.com/2010/03/good-girls-go-to-heaven-bad-girls-go-to.html">here</a>), I was looking to make a big pot of lentils that I could chip away at all week. I had some coral (read: orange) lentils in the house. And found this recipe - which calls for curcuma (also orange), which, like ginger, can be sweet or savory, depending on your mood.</span></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451115429005188642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7xB4d3htcQTqR8DhKWxgyXKJvUxGdMGf6zQEYXfuZjGvWPM8jqGxCbCGLcRARIhUE36y5MxFRGet0FqtFf1nho0hLhHqj2ErS7CA8K2_IHQFwO9n3jmLe63tghN_8UxZ_FH1V3GuxSx_/s320/spiice+cabinet+2.jpg" /> I knew I had some laying around - another gift from my mother-in-law, but locating it in the deepest darkest depths of my spice cabinet took some doing.</span><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 274px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451114936193348098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX681SSL48uU9e3OFUXmUiK_hhHKTUtIU8itw9HEgt09d4_2GOodpfxAxthAiPqhSbW162_9w-VERngccQMlMa9J0E5YOV46XZdheXV4WgnD5MInDx7VYSQqI7rABglIxxTXvr_DhkEzqe/s320/lentil+soup.jpg" />The color here was a vast improvement over traditional lentil soup. I love <a href="http://elizabethbard.blogspot.com/2009/12/presentable-lentils.html">puy lentil stew</a> - purpley nibs, flecked with parsley and tomato, but once you puree it, the dark, almost blackish color starts to look like toxic sludge - run off from some nuclear power station off the Jersey Turnpike. The curcuma was sublte, woken up by a big squeeze of lemon and a dollop of plain yogurt - and some fresh coriander for color.</span></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451114504631410530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKm4VigMBa0cfLhwQcTUWGaslIyZA9dl5Ih-laxF8pZZ1TUQxsqYbYdnoeByd3p9PBJjoIRncWjTMoGaQPGunwbnJes3uQG7yCuibtp1GQ9W9OZXSBc6-HCXXVTsPcQSFTIGyMpz9XlE-/s320/raw+chickens.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451114355280047650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI0mb3AAN54wWVkdhiwvsbZerC61njLdQyJhG9SbSqsudY_dBb-zyBBifIc2MklvSSezBCSY3gM5X5-4t8sQWduAIphr1Kd3Pt-CKevXCXt3Yrkj2T0mDFgzm2yjKHYSH2BHrHcL86_ZTZ/s320/raw+chicken+at+home.jpg" /> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">The next evening I had a chicken to roast, so I continued with the orange theme, inspired by another recipe from the same cookbook. I rubbed some olive oil on the skin - then sprinkled with sea salt and a good dose of curcuma. The recipe suggested turnips tossed with vanilla and powdered sugar. This is why I read cookbooks in bed: I would never have come up with that thought on my own - but a marvelous idea none the less. Halfway through roasting, I sqeeuzed on some fresh orange juice to keep everything sizzling.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451113965915830978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyrxrPJKwUzkhE4xHV_tjaaxAUF4h6KZh5zCOnX6eU2oT9RA56n50My-RAJUiNP3KBFQOtZ1BTFFCEOXbnMXHc9yn8akkAS1xxuKfVHarQhjXHQjdSdVW1frsyAvbQ9BydokxVs-29S7nd/s320/curcuma+chicken+cooked.jpg" /></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Normally, I'm not one to wax poetic about the comforts of a home-roasted chicken (I ususally buy mine from the Saturday market chicken man, fresh from the spit), but this particular combination was a <em>chef d'ouvre</em>: the meat was moist, with a crispy skin infused with curcuma - a charred, woody smell, like carving your intials into the bark of a tree.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451113633709548402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyIFjoaEdwFIT-riRwOIORhpD5rO1Z0XAshBKGbwGmcTbNI9Vbv2kINba1zDOGMpPnJAt1dOO3io1GYk39LEHNKRbSLrkD7eQv-QW275KWDzMjSyds9jhz_rOo3VwyS6IE7wzCS5rlZKs/s320/pan+juices.jpg" />But it was the pan juices that were truly worthwhile, the sauce sticky with orange and just a chirp of vanilla from the turnips. Next time, I'm going to use the warm sauce - mixed with a bit of sherry vinegar - to dress a green salad.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451113348537717650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK-WRG492rwI8WAuv82O1yFoPsJH3Ad2e5fJjZSq2ens4EcWDvYGdWj0-KqsKvX7iDyxa5W2xxlDAfsF-O46i4jPpR9A88eqZApMrg6Kesi2r09jhCVWIhurrRumZcN3j6dxAnIwDD6Yl0/s320/chicken+salad+making+of.jpg" /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Paris has cured me of my taste for leftovers - but roast chicken is an exception. I pulled the remaining meat off the bone that very evening, and for lunch the next day, I improvised a Coronation Chicken. I have some jarring memories of this from dodgy English sandwich shops (there's always a skin on top when it sits out too long, ugh), but the principal is sound. I avoid chicken salad with mayo - just a personal peeve, but with plain yogurt instead of Helman's, the sweetness of golden raisins, the crunch of walnuts, and the zing of fresh coriander - this was chicken salad fit for a queen. Ta.</span> <div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451118824080504402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNRkKE6TMWMKWh7tm2OmtidJP6ruCMk7QOUe5GNqbjXxmQSIHLbytRlhI6xvxB0AhRXqSwmpuVSMOy8rIzD_YTSuQuoT_XNVypWktO3bnVQpT9GwbfDnUw_Ht0LKjhe6c-x_oGCo6-8xKv/s320/chicken+salad+coranation+chicken.jpg" /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Coral Lentil Soup with Curcuma</strong><br /><br />1 large clove garlic, minced<br />2 shallots, minced<br />olive oil<br />1 large ripe tomato, chopped (or 3/4 of a can of crushed tomatos, with juice)<br />1 generous tablespoon curcuma<br />2 cups coral lentils<br />6 1/2 cups water<br />2 chicken or vegatable bullion cubes<br />1 cup plain yogurt<br />1 large lemon<br />Fresh coriander, to garnish<br /><br />In a medium saucepan, add a glug of olive oil. Saute the garlic and shallots until transparent. Add tomato, simmer for 3 minutes. Add curcuma, stir. Add lentils, stir.<br /><br />Add water, and bullion cubes (which you've dissolved in a bit of boiling water). Cook until lentils are tender (10-20 minutes). Using a hand blender, blend until smooth. Stir in the yogurt until throughly blended and creamy. Squeeze in juice of the whole lemon (the acid makes a real difference - keep squeezing!). Add a pinch or two of curcuma to finish.<br /><br />Serve piping hot with a dollop of plain yogurt and chopped fresh corianger.<br /><br />Serves 6</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Roast Chicken with Curcuma and Vanilla Turnips</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 small chicken, preferably organic</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Olive oil</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Coarse sea salt</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Curcuma</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">6 medium turnips (golden, if you can find them), cut into bite size pieces</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">1 teaspoon vanilla</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">A dash of powdered sugar</span><br /><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">2 oranges (preferably the variety you would use for juicing)</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Heat the oven to 450 degrees Farenheit.</span><br /><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Rub your chicken all over with olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and a generous dusting of curcuma. Place in a medium roasting pan.</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Toss the turnips with the vanilla and sugar, add to the bottom of the pan.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Roast for 20 minutes, then squeeze on the juice of the two oranges, stuffing one of the squeezed out orange halves inside the bird. Shake the pan to toss the turnips a b</span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Bake for 25 minutes more or until chicken is done. </span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Serve with pan juices.</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Serves 2-3 (I like small chickens)</span></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"><strong>Madras Chicken Salad, Fit for a Queen</strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Leftover roast chicken, chopped</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Plain yogurt</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Sea salt</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Madras curry powder</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Walnuts, crushed in your hand</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Golden raisins</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Fresh coriander</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">In a medium bowl, place plain yogurt, curry powder and a good pinch of salt. Stir to combine - add as much or as little curry as you like, depending on your taste.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">Add roasted chicken, stir to combine. Top with walnuts, raisins and coriander, stir lightly to combine. Serve with a green salad. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-1818215188601056312010-03-15T09:35:00.000-07:002010-11-05T10:47:08.094-07:00Good Girls Go to Heaven, Bad Girls Go to Paris<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8ReoAxCd2-6LHZEcDvBtQ68GD2eJ_hmZV3ba0zwlS4zp_36792-0YUoY3usHqYmCzxz5Tl0Y8EEG6cLBr6p7eo9CseVDu0XlJXaBCyNHPxNqqgTvgfwuvZDBxlRWNTYVksQK2NWi2i4-/s1600-h/Paris+las+vegas.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448902689455307938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8ReoAxCd2-6LHZEcDvBtQ68GD2eJ_hmZV3ba0zwlS4zp_36792-0YUoY3usHqYmCzxz5Tl0Y8EEG6cLBr6p7eo9CseVDu0XlJXaBCyNHPxNqqgTvgfwuvZDBxlRWNTYVksQK2NWi2i4-/s320/Paris+las+vegas.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My French husband is at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas this week for a trade show. Which means he had the surreal experience of flying 13 hours and getting stuck in secondary passport control only to arrive in a hotel room with a view of the (fake) Eiffel Tower and a bellboy that said "Bone-joor", with a heavy Tennessee accent.</span><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Curiouser and curiouser was his trip to the men's room for a shoeshine. He called me in a panic (sometimes America freaks him out). Something about the soundtrack playing in the mens' bathroom. Then he sent me the following email:</span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><blockquote><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">He</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">ard in Paris Las Vegas men’s bathroom while getting a shoeshine:<br /><br />Paris Las Vegas’s Unit 17 advanced French lessons<br /><br />- Eng: Good Girls go to heaven, bad girls go to Paris<br />- Fr: Les filles bien vont au Paradis, les autres vont à Paris<br /><br />- Eng : Your mother must have been a baker because you have a nice pair of brioches.<br />- Fr : Votre mère a due être boulangère parce que vous avez une belle paire de brioches.<br /><br />- Eng: Apart from being sexy, what else do you do for a living?<br />- Fr: A part être sexy, vous faîtes quoi dans la vie ?<br /><br />- Eng : Oh la la, are these real ?<br />- Fr : Oh là là, est-ce qu’ils sont vrai ?<br /><br />- Eng : Do you want me to buy you a drink or do you just want the money of the drink?<br />- Fr : Est-ce que vous voulez que je vous offre un verre ou bien est-ce que vous voulez juste l’argent ?<br /><br />- Eng : If my husband calls, I am not here. If the pool boy calls, I am here<br />- Fr : Si mon mari appelle, je ne suis pas là. Si le maître nageur appelle, je suis là.<br /><br />- Eng : If I told you you had a great body, would you hold it against me?<br />- Fr : Si je vous dis que vous avez un joli corps, est-ce que vous le serriez contre moi?</span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><br /></span></blockquote></span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Please note that in French, this last one is NOT a pun. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Apparently, this useful info is playing on a continous loop. My poor husband. Eng: Gotta love Vegas. Fr: Vive Las Vegas!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;">PS - yesterday's pumpkin scones were a complete disaster, more successful was the orange lentil soup with curcuma, to be posted momentarily...</span></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-75627985879991287642010-03-11T01:14:00.000-08:002010-11-05T10:47:08.096-07:00A Walk in the Manure<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cyST7sBwlzX_hTs325Q2yFnZ305yCBYTxVwHTNwoJHxjT0QEJdIoR8wU4WNFPnvkrapc9rbykXNdNHrMf9vXw-gXH1KwGDY9nfslGFKlADWlrdJuvvaNb66HrYppRfR_h_RpSGM9w8Uc/s1600-h/cow+butts.jpg"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447327918408032530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cyST7sBwlzX_hTs325Q2yFnZ305yCBYTxVwHTNwoJHxjT0QEJdIoR8wU4WNFPnvkrapc9rbykXNdNHrMf9vXw-gXH1KwGDY9nfslGFKlADWlrdJuvvaNb66HrYppRfR_h_RpSGM9w8Uc/s320/cow+butts.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Question: Where can you find a herd of Salers cows, face cream made from donkey's milk and an exquisite bottle of 1989 Armagnac.<br /></span><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Answer: The annual Paris </span><a href="http://www.salon-agriculture.com/ExposiumCms/do/admin/visu?reqCode=accueil"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Salon d'Agriculture</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447327720596339666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDTHlcMD0A1TUCLkN7M00ta-_tZpa3ERMCS0ruSSefq8ZA36GEanSUtlHQMezBvTk_Un7Q0udHV0kY3xc1UknCMKzg9XUxbAU9yfI61NfLdQcOjKdh0H5xLy42knNZGEzpPRPHqGRBv5Z/s320/transhumence.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">After six weeks in the States and Australia, I was more than ready to take my yearly leap into <em>la France profonde</em>. G. came home from work early to babysit, so I could sneak out for a few hours to pet the cows and replenish the pantry. I always make this outing with my friend A., who has a special relationship with the cows - she went to the annual <em>Festival de Transhumance</em> last year in deepest darkest Aubrac, which had her birthing cows and participating in beribboned cow parades. If you'd like to go this May, details above. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447327450842308114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZUxDsCJvoRyb1NaCjyafVgN-BHHZmnjjsc6TbZ4ImoagT91_zjV9RwXS3qi8vfSWFprgrrsAlNcyppy6pDCvxRYdnKUGUXoPfluIIcfee_CifOqlZIUuWEOy8ASPWOug6XdJifSQMen9J/s320/honey+man.jpg" /></span></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Walking around with A, I get the feeling that all of France is a village. We stopped at a honey stand, and found that the man had his hives right next to her cows in Aubrac - practicualy down to the very field. We've made friends year to year. I arrived too late to chat with the ancient sausage man with a dirty mind and decaying teeth. Last year, he swore he was retiring, but no - there he was, ready to sell A. her smoked <em>jésu de Morteau</em> (yes, the Jesus of pork products) and invite her out back (once again), to see his "Roman sausage". <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447326816821043234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHIYKjO3OHdPy8ERm4o-E5mQzoqFFICs2-sRmAQfqv9qjPiZYKW_ojBCI1QnXmN36oCuvL2eaNs8fUYFJ_kfSxGg63ve5mwSAdwYRBGCmQIIipskLH6Zc2YcVqK3VlEZzDagFpeuvzBXK/s320/1989+armagnac.jpg" /> My only truly urgent errand was a bottle of 1989 Armagnac from </span><a href="http://www.domainedepujo.fr/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Daniel Dubos</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">. (I even cheated a bit last year and tasted a sip with Augustin in my stomach. Why shouldn't he get started on the good stuff?). That and some donkey cream. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447326458392495778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIUMJY1UetJensU-WsI1M1aK37eUQQwX9kf4jP-W2EY1XtjpS-Bs2VY1Df72sLpUC3Zpx2rpOZPun4kwC7nefbD_xiU29q0z7AohBfvwPVDX2ZGM2qhLU3AEcoYkCUPuSLps4cWYQ5sWR/s320/donkey.jpg" />Allow me to explain: </span><a href="http://www.asinus.fr/"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Asinus</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> is a company that makes cosmetics based on "lait d'anesse", which I must admit, has a nicer ring to it than "donkey milk". <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447325485335516930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTLSsoqY1whZsyfilP6NsjER7FXSkNH56zyi4D9N0_BkQr5vIICiF76sPOUH4qPYvawdag9PnNXPjbxu2qfE1DpOi-FEfnTY6zV8pdkioYT0Kq-WZmvn_jijG8MbW3O3jvT-FPUxbZq1v/s320/asinus.jpg" />Their principal marketing tool is Cleopatra - apparently, the famous beauty bathed in it every day. Their body cream is fantastic, and you'll be happy to know that it smells like candied orange peel and not like, well...donkey.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447325158551071586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiUFfZaDGb1aRd4hKYSN4GSh2pRDsEeYYXvAvCIVvmvpGPmapt6GIWkOvYyFczmZ8MwwxUXuerazy3IexMV_Ge0f5GH1ELMHmLxoiWFdh4Nrt7zvYveciTb5aXJgM3pDwFmJVIwmiuHYZb/s320/coconut+sorbet.jpg" />On the way to the animal pavillon, we passed through the "Outre Mer" section, where products come in from all the French Islands. We stopped for coconut sorbet, mixed by hand, and a caught up on some gossip.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447324817729625730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0sZ0PAMauF5XYTJwYXJdhxbTZHkPcbOC00DhXysnmwRJN6wFMkBc8QYhIdiO76iZdF6Kqt_Gmmz2xEI251beoDIob4gR6TQsqnESX6uhLbxWnWKWmSrveUOhXrhAsHXqPh2HEtE94GoF/s320/manure.jpg" /><br /></span><div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447324525607043026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJJdNelJawu7gEXIsI7RI1_wS9Y2Je3oAkoOZKnNBzuzhDOS5EsT2cxRHeeeJZX65T-Lb3BdE9b3lf-MBLqx0MSHeQvOj6XggXlLul0POFO9nqtEA-tt5Zl_XAeH_L3GNgZazrQVYmFubm/s320/cow+walking.jpg" /> People and cows (and a great deal of manure) share the aisles. There is often a traffic jam in front of the milking stations. Although the milking is done on the premises, tighter and tighter regulations means they are no longer allowed to sell the raw milk from the Salon cows. (when I went for the first time, 3 years ago, it was still available).<br /><br /></span><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">They kicked us out at 7pm - but we got the feeling the party was just getting started. The owners sleep in the halls with the animals, and as we walked out the door, bottles for an <em>aperitif</em> were appearing from under tables and bales of hay.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447324220698864706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDOtcriCeC46boANXedeZwj5luTnSfFElAXGKpc3z1IQZOE-hTmug-MKMPVqSNVW8-e4JYoG07_6UI2FazraETv0nOk-MUjeyai3Xsix67YSMhPGr8ckJOxkrLZXsTqsqaG06iH2Tm2wi/s320/cow+head+aubrac.jpg" /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"></span></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Back to the kitchen next week. G. is going away on business (which means it's time to fill the freezer) and my Australian editor just sent me a recipe for pumpkin scones (having a bit of a time locating the pumkin puree).</span>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-20694279713413519392010-03-04T13:44:00.000-08:002010-11-05T10:47:08.099-07:00Quick Reminder! Reading at WHSmith in Paris - 1 week from today!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42MqteeaAxu_GVZ1JoQy67ykm2z_HAOghnd69VBpD228TsLiPj8bQEJQjwHTHvqBmxPp1z3QWSGTXweNr6YgWq67hAL4ps-MTFRsG4Amw3tbX6Cia9XpOSGkHwm-RQbFaTStp2awTVklk/s1600-h/WHSmith.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444900157741072418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi42MqteeaAxu_GVZ1JoQy67ykm2z_HAOghnd69VBpD228TsLiPj8bQEJQjwHTHvqBmxPp1z3QWSGTXweNr6YgWq67hAL4ps-MTFRsG4Amw3tbX6Cia9XpOSGkHwm-RQbFaTStp2awTVklk/s320/WHSmith.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> </span><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Calling all Parisians! I'm doing a reading/signing at </span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.whsmith.fr"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">WHSmith</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> in Paris - one week from today! Please join us: Thursday, March 11th, 7pm. RSVP to </span><a href="mailto:books@whsmith.fr"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">books@whsmith.fr</span></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"> with "Elizabeth Bard Event RSVP" as the subject. See you there! E x</span>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5818644088167896656.post-27960167782557318212010-03-03T10:03:00.000-08:002010-11-05T10:47:20.087-07:00A Comparative Visual<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig9twcqSzMg6ttyI69sm6qzpy8CQaQOX1XcghvIj6N92WV0O_9ktNGc3opFqXmgRW0mbnjQtY0I1MnTdWY2BV3rzPfg0m-Y_7CxjGWkNi2qhqE2S5W-WRxDuSw3B6XyB-djJSe5ToRbLx/s1600-h/US+fridge.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444476771783906738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhig9twcqSzMg6ttyI69sm6qzpy8CQaQOX1XcghvIj6N92WV0O_9ktNGc3opFqXmgRW0mbnjQtY0I1MnTdWY2BV3rzPfg0m-Y_7CxjGWkNi2qhqE2S5W-WRxDuSw3B6XyB-djJSe5ToRbLx/s320/US+fridge.jpg" /></a> Back in Paris after a month in the US. My brain, and my stomach - are completely jetlagged. I thought I'd give you the comparative visual. <div><br /><div>Exhibit A. My parent's fridge in the US - stocked to brusting with every salad dressing known to man, three containers of cream cheese, but little actual food. (If there was one aisle that I could banish from the supermarket forever - it would be the salad dressing. <em>Out, out, damn</em> Fat Free Blue Cheese. Ranch, <em>be gone</em>!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444476479108070146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY8YH0iZ-5LC-ZZ7wtMJ-lRDt-djQdiVMHxRwnLrPZco3oo3WVgTbh6OEXkOhqf357LNj8QOzY9RUDHVOwPA9MiVDC9YA9DK55wa1eX9b6XLLohTopKkjzp5ugQXvXM0NRomF6_0XlclwQ/s320/French+fridge.jpg" />Exhibit B. My fridge in France - cleaned by G. and awaiting my arrival and a trip to the Saturday market. G basically lives off pasta, onion and lardons (slab bacon) when I'm not around. One red bell pepper and two carrots could last him three weeks. I'm dreaming the bouquet of fresh herbs (flat leaf parsley, dill, mint and coriander) that usually lives in a mug of water on the door...</div><br /><div>I'm doing a reading at WHSmith in Paris next Thursday, March 11th at 7pm. My desk is a catastrophe. I know there's a game plan under here somewhere, darned if I can locate it just at the moment...</div></div>Elizabeth Bardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00430232487626650928noreply@blogger.com9