November 28, 2008
[Edible Idiom] Ne pas savoir si c'est du lard ou du cochon
This is part of a series on French idiomatic expressions that relate to food. Read the introductory Edible Idiom post, and browse the list of French idioms featured so far.
This week's idiom is, "Ne pas savoir si c'est du lard ou du cochon" (or: "Se demander si c'est du lard ou du cochon").
Literally translated as, "not knowing whether it's lard* or pork**" (or: wondering whether it's lard or pork), it means not knowing what to think/believe....
"[Edible Idiom] Ne pas savoir si c'est du lard ou du cochon" continues »
November 25, 2008
Cashew Cheese
Although I am as omnivorous as they come, I have a vivid interest in the diet of those who decide to -- or must -- walk an alternate path, be it vegetarian, vegan, raw, or allergen-free.
The reason why I'm so interested is that cooking and eating under constraints such as these encourages those who do to think out of the box, seek out new ingredients or look at old ones in a different light, and invent techniques, recipes, and dishes that come...
November 21, 2008
[Edible Idiom] Avoir du pain sur la planche
This is part of a series on French idiomatic expressions that relate to food. Read the introductory Edible Idiom post, and browse the list of French idioms featured so far.
This week's expression is, "Avoir du pain sur la planche."
Literally translated as, "having bread on the board," it means having a lot of work to do, or having a lot on one's plate*, with the added notion that the tasks in question are somewhat tedious.
Example: "J'ai acc...
"[Edible Idiom] Avoir du pain sur la planche" continues »
November 18, 2008
Wholesome Banana Chocolate Breakfast Bars
When Heidi posted about her friend Nikki's healthful cookies a couple of months ago, my curiosity was piqued, and the recipe firmly affixed to my mind's corkboard*.
And as soon as I had a few browning bananas on hand -- some might accuse me of letting them overripen on purpose, but that's just libel and they'll be hearing from my attorney -- I knew just how to put them to use.
I made a few modifications to the original recipe: 1- I used almon...
"Wholesome Banana Chocolate Breakfast Bars" continues »
November 13, 2008
[Edible Idiom] Tomber comme un cheveu sur la soupe
This is part of a series on French idiomatic expressions that relate to food. Read the introductory Edible Idiom post, and browse the list of French idioms featured so far.
This week's expression is, "Tomber comme un cheveu sur la soupe."
The literal translation is, "falling like a hair* on soup," and it means that something or someone appears at an inappropriate or incongruous moment, and is thus completely out of place. (The idiom can also ...
"[Edible Idiom] Tomber comme un cheveu sur la soupe" continues »
November 10, 2008
Zoe's Lasagna (Sort Of)
A few weeks ago, I received an email from a reader named Pamela, who said she was working her way through the C&Z archives -- I am so heartened when people do that -- and had noticed, in this older-than-salt post, a reference to the lasagna our friend Zoe made for us when we visited her in London. Did I ever end up sharing that recipe? Pamela asked.
The short answer is: no. The long answer is: I've thought about Zoe's lasagna on a regular basi...
"Zoe's Lasagna (Sort Of)" continues »
November 7, 2008
[Edible Idiom] Rouler quelqu'un dans la farine
This is part of a series on French idiomatic expressions that relate to food. Read the introductory Edible Idiom post, and browse the list of French idioms featured so far.
This week's expression is, "Rouler quelqu'un dans la farine."
Literally translated as, "rolling someone in flour," it means duping someone, playing a trick on him, or using one's wits and lies to take advantage of someone who's a little naive, or not quite as smart as one is...
"[Edible Idiom] Rouler quelqu'un dans la farine" continues »
November 4, 2008
Vanilla Poached Quince
Where is the online scratch 'n sniff when you need it?
Since such technology is not yet available to us (sheesh!), we'll just have to rely on our imagination and invoke, in our mind's nose, the irresistibly sweet, floral, candy-like scent that quince, the most gnarled and unprepossessing subject of the fruit kingdom, emits.
In fact, if you were to cook quinces right away upon purchasing them, I would call you crazy: what you should do instea...
"Vanilla Poached Quince" continues »