this weeks inspiration: paris or bust

Here I go again. Mid April and I am itching to take my annual trip to Paris. And although 2013 has already started on the wrong foot or note or page, I am determined to squeeze my trip to Paris, one way or another.

interior design: timeless kitchen decor

Here is the thing about white kitchens, no matter how the space decor and design evolves, this style never dulls.  Of course, the fact, it’s a reminder of French country design is also a plus.

healthy recipe – fig chutney

I have to admit, I love figs, fresh ones or otherwise. When they are in season, I gorge on them until I am sick to my stomach and just when I swear I wouldn’t eat  anymore, I find myself always in the gourmet section of a grocery store searching for anything made with figs.

So, of course, it’s not a surprise that after finishing a jar of fig jam and eating a dozen or so fresh ones out of a basket, like an addict, I began a desperate search for fig chutney to make during the impending holiday season. A good excuse to eat figs again

Although I search the internet extensively for most any recipe to compare the ingredients so that I can create my own version, for the fig chutney, since it’s my first time making it,  I have decided to go with my favorite chef/author/connoisseur/online mentor if you will and follow the recipe he suggests to the exact just to make sure it’s the right balance in flavor.

Fig Chutney
Two jars (2 cups, 500 g)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large red onion, peeled and finely diced
1/2-inch (2cm) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
2/3 cup (120g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (125ml) apple cider vinegar
juice and zest of one lemon
3/4 cup (100g) raisins and diced dried fruits (any mix)
1 1/2 teaspoons mustard seeds
1 small cinnamon stick
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
large pinch red pepper powder
1 pound (450g) fresh figs, stemmed and diced

1. In a wide saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, which will take about ten minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the figs. Let cook at a steady simmer for 20 minutes, then add the figs, cover the pot, and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until the figs are tender and cooked through.

3. Remove the lid and cook 10 to 15 minutes over low heat, stirring, until the mixture thickens and becomes jam-like.

day 13 – travel journal – paris france

There is no way on earth I would pass up Paris, no matter what other destinations I have included in my annual trip to Europe. This year, while the TGV pulled into Gare de Lyon from Cannes at a little after 9p.m. I noticed it had been raining in the city of romance. I didn’t care, the rain is always refreshing in Paris and I have actually been in the city every month out of the year and every single time it had rained. It usually bothered me, but I’ve come to accept it and now even embrace it. Paris isn’t Paris without rain.

We hopped on the RER (urban rail network train) from Gare de Lyon to our Hotel in Charles de Gaulle Etoile (between VIIIe and XVIIe arrondissements) and within a five minute walk, landed in front of our quaint hotel with minimal frills and turned in for the night.

I usually sleep with the windows open, normally for fresh air, but in the case of Paris, just so I could hear the sounds from the boulevard close by.  It’s my lullaby to a good night sleep, while  in my favorite place in the entire world.

The following morning, after eating a quick pastry and drinking an espresso at a cafe, we began our day, by walking from Arc de Triomphe towards Place Saint-Germain Des Pres (6th arrondissement). We didn’t have a plan. This was our usual walk, every year, on day one in Paris.

Along the way we came across: {click on first photo to start the slide show}

Louis Vuitton on Champs Elysees

International Film I cannot wait to write about http://www.b-lot-buzz.blogspot.com

Mid way point from Arc de Triomphe – where we started from

A beautiful shot of Cleopatra’s Needle – Place de la Concorde

A glimpse of the Eiffel Tower – far far away

One of the many fountains in the Jardin des Tuileries

Synchronized swimming performed by a Parisian duck :)

Signs of Fall along the tree lined pathways in Jardin de la Tullierias

A view of Musee Louvre

The famous glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre

Crepe with Nutella and bananas near Saint-Germain des press

Street Jazz musicians

Photo of Rive Guache

The famous Notre Dame

A bag of chocolate covered dried fruits and nuts

boutique hotel pick – le meurice – paris, france

There is a certain charm  to Paris which most  woman understand and appreciate and  although we learn of this at a young age, some take almost a lifetime to figure out.  Those who understand, once Paris is mentioned in conversation,  immediately come alive while exchanging  thoughts of the allure of the city.

For those woman who have not yet had the opportunity to truly understand Paris as it should be, convince your travel partner to stay at Le Meurice hotel, even if for a night and I can guarantee, the ambiance will surely set the stage for an experience you will never forget.

{Recommended classic reads to understanding Paris – click on photo}

how to avoid over exposure from the sun while vacationing in the french riviera

We humans are conditioned to be careful as to how much time we spend in the sun on a daily basis. Now although the sun is good for us, in small doses, it is also damaging in more ways than one.  I happen to worship the sun and while vacationing in the French Riviera,  I must say, I have a difficult time staying indoors.

So to avoid over exposure, while still enjoying the sunshine, I normally spend the middle of the day (when the UV Rays  are the most damaging) walking through the backroads of the towns aligning the coast. Typically the backroads are (mostly) in the shade because of the narrow alleyway-like streets and the closeness of the buildings facing each other on either side of those “street”.

This combination, not only makes for the best hideaway from the sun,  but also gives me a chance to cool down naturally while enjoying the scenery.  Oh silly me.

Here are some of my favorite (touched up) photos of our treks through the backroads of the French Riviera.

Ventimiglia – France-Italy Border

Ventimiglia, Italy-France Border

St. Tropez, French Riviera

Cannes, French Riviera

Monte Carlo, French Riviera

Monaco, French Riviera

Nice, French Riviera

Nice, French Riviera

Nice-Ville, French Riviera

Nice-Ville, French Riviera

Saint Raphael, French Riviera

Nice, French Riviera

dessert fix: strawberries and cream french style

Usually around the beginning of April I get the itch to travel, especially to Paris. So everything I research online is geared towards Paris this and Paris that. What can I say. As a result of my weakness, it’s no wonder I came across this recipe from my favorite chef and author, David Lebovitz:  Enjoy and let me know how it turned out?

Sabayon

Four to six servings
Adapted from Ready for Dessert
Any kind of white wine that you like will work well for sabayon; dry, sweet, or sparkling. I do tend to prefer sweeter dessert wines because their flavor is a little more concentrated. Wines like late-harvest Riesling, Sauternes, Muscat, or a wine that is richly flavored is good. You can use Marsala if you want to make traditional zabaglione. If you’re avoiding alcohol, you can use a non-alcoholic sparkling cider instead, perhaps adding a few drops of lemon juice, to balance any sweetness.

Sabayon is lovely spooned over any kind or mix of juicy berries; toss them in a bit of sugar and let them sit for an hour or so, turning them gently to encourage the juices to really start flowing. Sabayon can also be used in place of whipped cream alongside a wedge of moist Almond Cake or heaped in a bowl, paired with a scoop of ice-cold orange sorbet – the hot/cold contrast is great.
2/3 cup (160 ml) white wine, dry or sweet
1/3 cup (65 g) sugar
6 large egg yolks
1. In a large, heatproof bowl, whisk together the wine and sugar. Then whisk in the egg yolks.

2. Set to bowl over a pan of gently boiling water (the bottom of the bowl shouldn’t touch the water) and whisk vigorously until the mixture becomes frothy and stiff. You can slow down the speed, but if you need to stop whisking it, remove the bowl from the pan for as brief a time as possible.

3. The sabayon is ready when the mixture is thick and holds its shape when you lift the whisk and let some of the mixture drop back into the bowl.

4. Pile the berries and their juices into a glass and top each with warm sabayon. You can sprinkle them with crumbled amaretti cookies, if desired.

a french cake recipe from my childhood

When I was little, our extended family had a visiting day once a month, where everyone got together on a specific date and had coffee and dessert. It was the host/housewife’s turn to show off her baking skills and so, she would make a few desserts over a span of a day or two in preparation for the occasion and serve them  in beautiful dishes from her collection of fine china.

Being a child, I never turned down dessert and actually behaved during the visit, per my mother’s request,  just so I could earn  my fair share of the goodies.  I didn’t know it then, but I totally appreciated cakes with dried fruits and when we moved to the United States, those recipes and the tradition all disappeared.

Fast forward to a hundred years later (being today) I was actually, extremely overjoyed  when I came across here, a recipe similar to or perhaps even the same as the one  my mother and aunts used to follow for the best  dried fruit cake ever.

Apricot, Almond and Lemon Cake
One 9-inch (23cm) loaf pan

You can swap out another nut or dried fruit for the ones recommended. Susan recommends if using apricots, find those that are unsulphured if possible. For those who like things a little spicy, add a dusting of cayenne or red pepper powder (about 1/2 teaspoon) into the batter.

1 1/2 cups (200g) flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 rounded teaspoon sea salt
1 rounded teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6 large eggs, at room temperature
8 tablespoons (110g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
7 ounces (210g) dried apricots, coarsely chopped
6 ounces (180g) Gruyère, Comté, or Emmental cheese, finely grated (2 cups)
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds, crushed
grated zest of one lemon
1/3 cup (60g) almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped

1. Preheat the oven to 425ºF (220ºC). Butter a loaf pan, line it with parchment paper, then butter the parchment paper.

2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt into a small bowl. Stir in the black pepper. (If you’re adding chile powder, add that here as well.)

3. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or by hand, whisk the eggs until frothy (about a minute) then stir in the dry ingredients. Mix in the melted butter until thoroughly blended, then fold in the apricots, cheese, fennel seeds, lemon zest, and almonds.

4. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.

5. Remove the cake from the oven and let it sit for about five minutes, then tip it out onto a cooling rack. Wait a few more minutes, then remove the parchment paper and let cool completely before serving.

Serving: To serve, cut the bread into slices with a sharp serrated bread knife, then cut the bread diagonally into triangles. Serve with cocktails or wines for an apéritif.

Storage: The cake will keep well-wrapped for up to three days at room temperature. Do not refrigerate the cake or it will get dry. The cake can be frozen for at least one month.

miette – a san francisco treat

It is becoming almost impossible to stay cheery and upbeat with the weather we are having in San Francisco (as usual) this Summer. Getting bundled up is really not my favorite part of our Summers here and because of it I am always looking for ways to escape the gray and the cold.

Miette came to mind on friday as a pick me up, when I stepped out to lunch from my job. So  I walked over to the Ferry Building at the Market Street and treated myself to my favorite chocolate wafers (pictured above) with a cup of hot coco. Yes, hot coco in the middle of Summer. I must say, even if it was only for thirty minutes in the middle of the day, I felt really warm and fuzzy inside.

What I love is the fact I discovered they actually have a recipe book here and guess what, I am now a proud owner of a copy from Barnes and Nobles.

So, while you are visiting our wonderful city by the bay, step into the Ferry Building and look for this wonderful gem of a place and by all means do indulge.

 

midnight in paris – thank you woody allen

Couple of nights ago, I finally got a chance to see the film, Midnight in Paris. I don’t know what took me so long, but no excuse is a good enough excuse in my opinion.

I have this amazing love, love relationship with Paris and if the name is referenced in any title, such as movies, books, travel articles, museum special events, musicals or concerts or blogs, I will make every effort to see what it is all about.

To see a film by Woody Allen, I think it is very important to be a fan. If not, the message and film contents may not go very well for the newbees. To see a film made by Woody Allen about Paris, you must have a certain understanding of the city of lights to completely appreciate the film for what it’s worth.

I took a friend, who  has a youthful appreciation for Paris, to see her reaction.  The funny thing is that,  after 30 minutes into the film she turned to me and said, “what am I doing here?” as she listened to the laughter coming from every one in the audience at various intervals throughout the film. She just didn’t understand Allen’s work or the film.

The film is, as usual about people, not so complex, who move about society questioning various aspects of their life or relationship. In this case,  the story revolved around a young engaged couple, named Inez and Gil  from Los Angeles, who took a trip to Paris with her parents. While Inez (Rachel McAdams)  shopped for antiques with her mother, her fiance, Gil (played by Owen Wilson) contemplated writing a book and possibly moving to Paris.

As the story took it’s course, the young couple began to realize  their views on life were worlds apart and basically they had nothing in common to sustain  a lasting relationship.

What was  most fascinating however, is the way Woody Allen decided to tell the story. Through, either his imagination or Gil’s, he transponded Gil into the early 1920s to seek advise and opinion from the likes of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald,  Gertrude Stein, Matisse, Monet, Salvatore Dali and numerous  other artists who frequented the various cafes throughout Paris.

While visiting with the artists at the stroke of midnight, he met and fell in love with a woman named Adriana (played by Marion Cotillard), who was also interested in escaping her present life. Together, they made interesting discoveries about themselves, each other and the choice they have opted on thus far in their lives and the rest, I will keep to myself.

Here is the best part:  If you happen to be someone who has never been to Paris, nor understand the magic of the city of light, please consider seeing Midnight in Paris, because although the story is a typical one (about relationships) and easy to relate to, Woody Allen did an amazing job  depicting a nostalgic take on the typical and the usual. I highly recommend the film.