November 2005 Archive

November 30, 2005

Noël à Paris: Events

Will you be in New York City, London or Paris this December? If so, Charlie from Manhattan User's Guide, Taryn from Urban Junkies and myself cooked up a three-part series for you, sharing holiday suggestions in our respective cities. Topics covered: events today, food tomorrow, and shopping on Friday! [New York City events] [London events] And ...

"Noël à Paris: Events" continues »

November 25, 2005

Soupe de Céleri et Patates Douces au Gingembre

[Celeriac and Sweet Potato Soup with Ginger] It has been very cold in Paris lately* -- which I guess should be expected in late November but still comes as something of a shock after the lovely été indien we've had -- and naturally my thoughts turn to, I'll let you guess: fondue savoyarde? Well, that's one, but it's not what I meant. Soup, then?...

"Soupe de Céleri et Patates Douces au Gingembre" continues »

November 23, 2005

Madeleines au Miel de Châtaigner des Cévennes

One bite in these unassuming madeleines and the hair in your nape will stand to attention, as you suddenly register the intensity of the chestnut honey aroma, and the smooth, moist, melting texture of the crumb dissolving in your mouth. You will taste it again to make sure it wasn't just a fluke or a tastebud hallucination, and to your amazement ...

"Madeleines au Miel de Châtaigner des Cévennes" continues »

November 21, 2005

Book Update, Part I: The Book Deal

Since I officially announced a few weeks ago that there was a C&Z book in the works, I have received quite a few emails asking me for more details. I would hate to spoil the surprise, but I can share a few facts: it will be a book with stories and recipes, a book that you can cook from but also read, curled up on the couch with a mug of tea (or c...

"Book Update, Part I: The Book Deal" continues »

November 18, 2005

Gâteau au Yaourt à la Myrtille

[Blueberry Yogurt Cake] I seem to have become the official birthday cake baker on the 3rd floor of my apartment building -- should this be added to my résumé you think? -- a mission I am proud and happy to take on. It was recently Peter's birthday -- Peter who's half Italian half Scottish, and who lives with Ligiana, herself from Brazil, in the...

"Gâteau au Yaourt à la Myrtille" continues »

November 16, 2005

Le Guide du Fooding

Image courtesy of Le Fooding and Libération If you are in or around Paris tomorrow, consider buying Libération from your favorite press kiosk. From November 17 to November 21, the daily paper will include the 2006 edition of Le Guide du Fooding. This is a guide to Paris restaurants, to which I contributed this year with reviews of the food scene ...

"Le Guide du Fooding" continues »

November 14, 2005

Jambon de la Vallée des Aldudes

[Ham from Aldudes Valley] In the galaxy of first-class hams, this one most definitely deserves its spot. It is made by 60 producers in the beautiful valley of Les Aldudes in the Pays Basque, from a specific breed of pig called le porc basque. This pig, which sports a pretty pink and black outfit, almost didn't make it through the 20th century: f...

"Jambon de la Vallée des Aldudes" continues »

November 11, 2005

Ossau-Iraty

When I was a wee little girl I was sent to colonies de vacances (the French equivalent of summer camp, except it can be at any season) once or twice a year during school breaks. Both my parents worked and us kids had way more vacations than they did, so partir en colo was a good way for us to breathe fresh air and make new friends instead of stay...

"Ossau-Iraty" continues »

November 9, 2005

Piment d'Espelette

Leaving Bayonne, we drove down the Atlantic coast to see Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz. We stayed in this fair beach city for the night and had a really nice dinner at a modern-Basque restaurant called Olatua -- an excellent cod with txorizo and a mighty fine gâteau basque. In the morning we left and crossed the Spanish border to visit San Seb...

"Piment d'Espelette" continues »

November 7, 2005

Chocolat de Bayonne

It is a little-known fact that Bayonne was the first chocolate-making city in France. In the 17th century, a wave of Jewish immigrants settled there, fleeing the Spanish and Portuguese inquisition and bringing the savoir-faire as a prized possession in their luggage. Local artisans quickly learned how to make the magic happen with those mysteriou...

"Chocolat de Bayonne" continues »

November 4, 2005

South-West Roadtrip

If there's one thing that should be said about the South-West of France, it's that you shouldn't go if you're on a diet. Wonderful specialties and artisanal products abound, begging you to take a bite -- or two or three just to make sure. As we drove and walked around, taking in the spectacular landscapes, enjoying the sunshine and the quiet, the...

"South-West Roadtrip" continues »

November 2, 2005

Pear Pastilla on NPR and a Mention in ELLE

I am just back from my delicious vacation, and while I organize my notes to tell you all about the wonderful food we had in the south-west of France, let me direct you to my newest piece on NPR: crunchy and warm pear tartlets, a fall dessert inspired by the Moroccan pastilla. On another note, C&Z is featured in this week's French edition of ELLE...

"Pear Pastilla on NPR and a Mention in ELLE" continues »