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Catching Up with French Fridays with Dorie

March 23, 2014 by Renee

I’ve cooked along with French Fridays with Dorie each week, but am finally getting around to posting the past two week’s creations- Sausage-Stuffed Cornish Hens and Two Tartines from la Croix Rouge. Of the two, the tartines were my favorite.

The two tartines are essentially non- recipes- my favorite kind of recipes- easy, simple and delightfully delicious! The recipe was inspired by the creations from La Croix Rouge, a bistro in the 6th arrondissement of Paris known for their Tartines de pain de Poilâne, open faced sandwiches made on a slice of miche (bread) from the famous bakery, Poilâne.  There are a few locations, but I always visit the bakery at 8 rue du Cherche-Midi, also in the 6th ème,  not just for bread, but for their buttery, delicate apple tartlets found by the counter- heaven! You can also find pain de Poilâne in several of the local supermarkets around Paris- but every trip to Paris should include a visit to this beautiful storefront.

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At La Croix Rouge, a slice of toasted Poilane bread is spread with a little bit of butter and then topped with very thin slices of rare-roasted beef. Topped with cornichons and other garnishes- a slice of tomato or greens, there is also mustard or vinaigrette that can be added if desired. It’s a perfect lunch and a place to gain a bit of sustenance before commencing shopping at some local favorites- Sonia Rykiel, Paule Ka and other fabulous designers. Just remember to bring a large bank account.

I’ve never had their smoked salmon, but it is quite popular and here, this rendition was very good, but everyone preferred the roast beef tartine. I can see it making a comeback again soon.

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The Sausage Stuffed Cornish Hens just had me giggling the entire time. I have never seen the point to cornish hens. I kept thinking of tiny chickens fit for an American Girl doll dinner. I wanted to set a tiny table, with tiny silverware and tiny plates. I kept thinking I should roast them in the Easy Bake oven with miniature slices of vegetables. What a fun photo that would have been!

Seriously though, the Cornish hens were fine. They were nothing too special.  Everyone had their own and there was no fighting for the legs. The sausage stuffing, merely a taste of stuffing, was sadly not very good. Not because of the recipe, but rather the sausage I bought seemed to be more fatty than meaty and yielded a rubbery texture that was incredibly disappointing. I think I would have preferred a stuffed, Frenched chicken breast. Next time! Served with asparagus and roasted potatoes, it made a good dinner but easily forgettable.

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On the other hand though, the Boeuf a la Ficelle (Beef on a String) made another appearance this week and again it disappeared quickly. It’s a favorite and I can see it being requested often. The kids are being spoiled with filet but I am happy to be refining their palates.

While I cannot share these recipes, you can (and should!) buy the book and cook along with us. It’s great fun! Every Friday we make a new recipe. Looking forward to next weeks! For details and to see how others are recreating the dishes from this awesome book, check out the FFWD site.

Buy the book:

greenspan

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Filed Under: Eat, Kitchen Sink, France, French Fridays with Dorie, Poultry Tagged With: FFWD, French Fridays with Dorie, La Croix Rouge, Paris, Poilane

Kitchen on the Road- Afternoon in Paris and Leaving England

September 25, 2013 by Renee

After we had savored the last of our drinks at Le Mary Celeste and lingered as long as we could, we finally left and took the metro up to Sacre Couer, climbing the three maybe 12 flights of stairs to the top of Montmartre. It was a very warm, sunny day and we enjoyed just sitting on the steps at the top, people watching and being entertained by the street performers- one who was quite agile with a “football” (soccer ball) while balancing precariously on a lamppost. It’s certainly one of the very best vantage points in all of Paris and a great place to just and relax for an afternoon. It’s especially lovely to see the sun setting from here. Some of my best photos of the Eiffel Tower came from this spot a couple of years ago.

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While the neighborhood at the bottom of the Montmartre is very touristy (Pigalle and Moulin Rouge) and should be avoided, the neighborhood behind Sacre Couer is lovely, quiet and has some terrific cafes and parks. It is definitely worth a stroll around here where you can see and feel a real Parisian neighborhood. Wander over to rue Caulaincourt and hop the metro at Lamarck — Caulaincourt (of Amelie fame) back to the central Paris, but stop into Chez Ginette on the corner above the metro station for some super hamburgers if you are feeling peckish.

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After a good rest back at the flat we went in search of dinner.  As it was our last night in Paris, we wanted to finally be near the Eiffel Tower and have it within view to see it sparkle as it marked the evening’s hours.  We took a taxi but the restaurant we wanted to visit turned out to be closed for vacation when we arrived, so the driver took us to one that he recommended- an Irish pub. Oh no! We didn’t want to offend him, so we hopped out but once he pulled away from the curb, we knew this was not where we wanted to dine (and certainly not since there was a game on!). We decided to walk a bit down the block and ended up at a nearly empty neighborhood bistro. There was just one family there when we arrived and soon we had the entire place to ourselves. It was great! Completely unexpected.  Especially since the menu came in a tourist version!  The manager was quite fun to speak to and he saw me admiring the Audrey Hepburn advertisement on the wall and he brought it down for me to snap a photo of. While this was not the best meal I have had, it was not the worst and it was fun evening regardless.Paris -0189

My friend tried the escargot encased in a puff pastry for their appetizer and no matter how good or earthy he said they tasted, to me, they are still bugs. I just could not get past that thought to even try the sauce. It was his first time having them and he rather enjoyed them. Bravo for them trying something new. I just was not going to have any part of it!

I had a filet with green beans wrapped in bacon and really liked how the smoky meat flavored the crisp beans. We tried the flank steak, simply done with a spiced rice and finished with crème  brulee.

Le Seven

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The real delight of the evening came when we walked all the way to the park under the Eiffel Tower. We literally sat right at the base and when, on the hour, it lit to sparkle it was truly magical.  It sounds hokey and cliché, but it sort of sums up Paris. Absolutely Spectacular!

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I was sad to leave. It’s always hard. But I know I will be back soon.

The next morning, we sped back to London on the Eurostar.Paris -0281

We arrived  just in time to have a traditional Sunday Dinner at Punch & Judy, a pub in Covent Garden before taking the train back to Ely.  The Yorkshire pudding and roasted beef with two kinds of potatoes all swimming in a sea of gravy was incredible! The ultimate in comfort food! Even the traditional fish and chips looked great here. We washed it all down with a pint of Thwaites from Blackburn, Lancashire. Something about pub food just calls out for a pint or two.

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My last meal in England was at one of my favorite places, GBK in Cambridge. It’s just a chain of burger joints that features creative flavor combinations. But it’s really good!  I love trying a new one each time I go- not to mention their onion rings and fries are fabulous! This time it was the Persian Lamb burger with minted feta, harissa mayo and pickled onions, rocket, tomatoes and relish and the Camemburger- a beef burger on a brioche bun with Camembert cheese, truffle mayo, a hash brown, onion jam and relish. Both were huge, overstuffed and just messy good eating.

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Overall, I had an amazing summer. Full of traveling, fun, lots of food, yummy drinks, music, great friends and love.

I hope yours was just as fulfilling!

Filed Under: Travel, England, France Tagged With: Cambridge, England, Paris, Travel, UK

Kitchen on the Road- Le Mary Celeste, Paris (Part Trois)

September 25, 2013 by Renee

Our last full day in Paris started off with Brunch at Le Mary Celeste. David told me all about this place that is renown for their scrumptious cocktails, spicy kimchi , slow-grilled beef jerky and 1 euro oyster bar at happy hour.  They also happen to serve brunch on weekends. Perfect!

Le Mary Celeste gets its name from an American-British merchant ship that was found completely abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean in 1872. The boat had been at sea for only a month when her crew of seven went missing leaving their valuables and the ship’s cargo untouched.  It remains one of the greatest maritime mysteries of all time.

Even in the heart of Paris, Le Mary Celeste transports you seaside with its rope wrapped columns and white washed bricks. The interior is light and bright with large open windows and stained glassed transoms but also boasts some quirky touches- like the chain saw behind the bar and a large mural of a toucan on the restroom door.

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In addition to their innovative cocktail menu, they also offer a selection of Brooklyn Brewery beers on tap and an impressive list of wines.

Our meal began with cocktails. It’s no wonder they are lauded as much as they are.  I had the Beverly Hills Brunch, a concoction with Nardini Bitters, a brilliant orange flavored and scarlet colored bitter, pamplemousse (grapefruit), agave, romarin (rosemary) and champagne. Slightly sweet, but tangy with a mildly earthy, savory flavor. Just WOW! And such a gorgeous color!

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The Garden Fizz featured Aalborg aquavit, sirop de cumbawa maison, a house made syrup prepared from a type of Asian lemon, citron vert (lime), blanc d’oeuf (egg whites) and topped with ginger beer. This was a seriously sassy beverage! It was spicy, full of citrus and exceptionally creamy.  Simply delicious!

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Watching the bartender create this beautiful blend, the Snowden, a mixture of Laphroaig Single Malt whiskey, pureed peaches, lime and mint with a bit of fizz, was like watching an artist create a masterpiece. Such intensity and care!  It tasted even better than it looked.

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Our food was just as creative and bold. Each dish was so bright, colorful and utterly impressive. They had contrasting textures and flavors. Unlikely partners on the plate that actually worked in harmony with one another.

I had the arepa (galettes de mais), haricuts au four, pickles de jalapenos, oeuf au plat (corn cakes with baked beans and pickled jalapenos topped with a fried egg). This was so good and I am still trying to recreate this at home because I am craving it still! I love how the sweet, tomato sauced beans were given a lively kick from the jalapenos. The crunchy peppers complimented the crispy arepa, whose center was soft and creamy and the egg was perfectly sunny side up. Such a fresh, flavorful dish.

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Who would ever think to pair French toast with mushrooms and fresh tomatoes? Well, this dish was just that-pain perdu de brioche maison, ragout de champignons, gremolata (french brioche toast with sautéed mushrooms and tomatoes with lemon zest, garlic, and parsley). Taking a traditionally sweet breakfast and turning it savory instead. Delightful!

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For dessert (Dessert after breakfast/brunch? Why, YES!) we all shared a creamy panna cotta a la vanille, casseilles confits, chocolat blanc caramelise (vanilla infused panna cotta with caramelized, candied white chocolate and a gooseberry blackcurrant hybrid called casseilles) served in a funky chipped enamel bowl.

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I loved everything about this place and it’s on my list of “must return to’s” for the next time I am in Paris. I can’t wait to try their other creations- bold and beautiful cocktails and fresh innovative dishes.

Reservations can be made for weekday dining but for the weekend brunch you can just show up.

 

 
 
Le Mary Celeste
1 rue Commines
75003 Paris
 
for reservations email:
reservations@lemaryceleste.com

 

Filed Under: Drink, Travel, Cocktails, France Tagged With: Cocktails, Le Mary Celeste, Paris, Travel

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