December 2004 Archive

December 31, 2004

Shortcut Orangettes

In addition to the florentins, my little food gift packages for the holidays included orangettes, those little strips of candied orange peel dipped in dark chocolate. I called these shortcut orangettes because I made them with candied orange rind I had bought at Ali Baba's Cave for Bakers. I could have called them Cheater's Orangettes too, but ...

"Shortcut Orangettes" continues »

December 29, 2004

Sablés Vanille Pécan

[Vanilla Pecan Cookies] These are the cookies I made to bring for tea at my parents' last Sunday. Originally, I meant to make cookies using the cookie press that my sister gave me for Christmas last year and which I hadn't yet played with. Did you ever notice how time seems to move at a different pace for kitchen utensils? I buy them or receive ...

"Sablés Vanille Pécan" continues »

December 27, 2004

Florentins

Last year was my first time making food gifts for the holidays. My chocolate truffles and my mendiants were such fun to make and were so well received, that I was determined to repeat the experience this year. For a few weeks before Christmas I toyed with various ideas (all carefully written down for future reference, I hope I have long years of ...

"Florentins" continues »

December 24, 2004

Joyeux Noël!

I am off with my parents and my sister to my aunt's, who is traditionally the fabulous host of our family's Christmas celebrations... Who knows what menu she'll have dreamed up this year? Merry Christmas to you, I hope you'll have a wonderful time, eat luscious food and be showered with gifts!...

"Joyeux Noël!" continues »

December 22, 2004

Food Blog Award Nominations And A Nod From Le Monde

The official nominations for the 2004 Food Blog Awards have been posted, and it is with great joy that I can announce the nomination of Chocolate & Zucchini in four categories: - Best Writing, - Best Site Design, - Best Recipes and - Best Overall Food Blog! Many many thanks to all of you who have kindly expressed your appreciation, the blog and I ...

"Food Blog Award Nominations And A Nod From Le Monde" continues »

December 21, 2004

Petits Fruits en Pâte d'Amande

When I was little and my grandmother was still a young and energetic seventy-something, she came to our house for lunch every Sunday. Now that I am older I'm guessing that this tradition must have been a bit of a strain on the adults from time to time (surely lazing around in your pajamas till noon must have been a tempting occupation too), but t...

"Petits Fruits en Pâte d'Amande" continues »

December 20, 2004

Self-Portrait With Egg Poachers

I finally caved in and bought a pair of stainless steel egg poachers, for 3€ each. When even the best advice and tips don't help and your poached eggs are ugly ducklings everytime, you can either settle for a life without home-poached eggs (too terrible to contemplate), or humbly admit to your own failings, and resort to the tool that some ...

"Self-Portrait With Egg Poachers" continues »

December 18, 2004

Good Pain d'Epice, Bad Choucroute

How do you tell a true friend? She lets you buy her a hunk of pain d'épice in her hour of need and smiles to show it does help, if only a bit. And then when you meet again, she surprises you with a return hunk (in a signed ziplock bag), bought at her favorite market. This in turn allows you to take a little slice with you on that 6:52am train t...

"Good Pain d'Epice, Bad Choucroute" continues »

December 16, 2004

The Jam Smuggler Strikes Again!

I know someone who flies into Paris with her bags full of June Taylor jams. She distributes them to a few lucky friends, fills her bags again with Christine Ferber jams, and flies back stealthily to San Francisco. Those in the know refer to her as The Jam Smuggler. I had my first brush with her activities a couple of months ago, as she oh-so-kin...

"The Jam Smuggler Strikes Again!" continues »

December 15, 2004

Gâteau Surprise Chocolat Pistache

[Chocolate and Pistachio Surprise Cake] Last week was my sister's birthday. I didn't come as much of a surprise, really, because I have quite the analytical mind, and a careful observation has led me to the conclusion that this phenomenon happens every 8th of December, year in, year out. At least it always has. Of course, just because the sun ha...

"Gâteau Surprise Chocolat Pistache" continues »

December 13, 2004

2004 Food Blog Awards

Kate, a.k.a. The Accidental Hedonist, is hosting the world's first Food Blog Awards! There are sixteen different categories in which to nominate your favorite blogs, by leaving a comment in the appropriate post. The nominations will close on December 19, at midnight Pacific time....

"2004 Food Blog Awards" continues »

December 11, 2004

Leek and Apricot Strudel with Pinenuts

Amongst the many riches Chocolate & Zucchini has brought me, I think it is safe to say that new friends are the most precious. In particular, a small group of us here in Paris has started gathering around potluck dinners every month or so. Some of us are bloggers, some of us are readers, all of us are enthusiastic cooks and eaters. The potlucks a...

"Leek and Apricot Strudel with Pinenuts" continues »

December 9, 2004

Gelée de Pomerol

[Pomerol Wine Jelly] I am a religious reader of a handful of carefully selected cooking and women's magazines. Some I subscribe to, some I buy at the marchand de journaux (self-respecting magazines are not sold at the grocery store in France). New issues are welcomed with a tiny whoop of joy, carrying the promise of relaxing entertainment and a ...

"Gelée de Pomerol" continues »

December 7, 2004

Crumble Banane Poire Pécan

[Banana Pear Pecan Crumble] Fruit crumbles are perfect for when you have company: you can prepare the crumble dough well in advance, cut up the fruit when you have time, bake the crumble at your convenience (although same day is best for the crisp factor), and reheat it in the oven just before serving. I usually prepare enough dough for two crum...

"Crumble Banane Poire Pécan" continues »

December 6, 2004

Mijoté d'Agneau aux Kumquats et aux Pignons, Petit Gâteau de Polenta

[Kumquat and Pinenut Lamb Stew, Little Polenta Cake] Last week, I had my parents and my sister over for dinner. It had occurred to me that the four of us met most often at my parents', and that it was high time I return the invitation, lest they start to wonder why they couldn't benefit from at least some of the good manners it had taken them ye...

"Mijoté d'Agneau aux Kumquats et aux Pignons, Petit Gâteau de Polenta" continues »

December 2, 2004

Coquilles St-Jacques, Ouvertes Maison

[Scallops, Home-Opened] Perk-to-being-friends-with-a-chef #326 : he will teach you how to open scallops! This in turn allows you to jump the line at the fish stall, because the people in front of you need to have their scallops opened and cleaned (ha!), but you ask politely if you can just buy yours and go. And you know it's just a figment of ...

"Coquilles St-Jacques, Ouvertes Maison" continues »

December 1, 2004

Nicole's Hat 2001 Riesling and Chenin Blanc from South Africa (WBW4)

Wine Blogging Wednesday, 4th edition. Host : Derrick. Theme : New World Riesling. After one near-miss and two full-fledged misses, I was determined to plan for this one well in advance. Hence, a couple of weeks ago, I stepped inside one of the three wine stores that the rue des Martyrs boasts. This one is called Le Repaire de Bacchus (Bacchus' l...

"Nicole's Hat 2001 Riesling and Chenin Blanc from South Africa (WBW4)" continues »