Here’s some pictures from my time at The Awaiting Table Cooking School last year. I loved every minute I was in Italy. Not only was the food beautiful, the people and the architecture was just breathtaking.
You can learn more about the Awaiting Table Cookery School at their site.
After returning home from Paris, I was thrilled to have a package waiting for me from Maille. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I love Maille mustards and it was great to add some more jars to add to my stockpile. The package contained a jar of each of the Dijon Originale, Rich Country Dijon, Cornichons and a jar of Horseradish. It was as if I had a little extension to my vacation!
If you have not been to the Maille flagship store in Paris, it is well worth a trip. Located in the Place de la Madeleine, the boutique carries an incredible variety of mustard and blends. They even have mustards on tap! You can have Grain mustard in old Chardonnay, Fine mustard in Chablis or Fine mustard in White Wine pumped right into a lovely ceramic crock. In addition to mustards, the store carries an array of oils, vinegars, dressings and plenty of gift assortments to bring home. You can spend quite a while just browsing all the different flavors that are available.
I always like to purchase at least one or two jars of their Originale that comes in a decorative glass. We love to use them for juice and cocktails when they are empty and they are fun to collect. Some of my other favorites include the Fines Herbs and the Ancienne, an old style, whole grain mustard that’s perfect on a roast beef sandwich.
Even though Maille is actually the number one brand of imported mustard in the United States, and not just imported in my suitcase, though it seems that way whenever I travel home from Paris, there are some flavors that you just can not get in the U.S.-like Celeri rave et brisures de Truffes (celeriac and truffles) and Moutarde à l’Abricot sec et Curry (apricot curry). But you can purchase many types here in the U.S. and online.
Their production process is also quite fascinating. The mustards are made by cutting the black and brown mustard grains. They are not crushed. This is done to preserve the natural antioxidant properties, then they are mixed with a blend of vinegars and white wines to create their rich flavors. If they are blended with herbs or other aromatics, they do so using only the freshest ingredients and purees.
Recently, beating out more than 300 mustards, Maille Dijon Originale won the Grand Champion Prize and Maille Honey Dijon earned the Silver Medal at the 19th Annual Worldwide Mustard Competition.
The Dijon Originale, is a multi- purpose condiment. It goes with nearly everything! It adds a smooth, mild spice to meats, fishes, sauces and vegetables. Whisked into vinaigrette or added to mac and cheese, it’s a true kitchen staple.
A secret ingredient in some apple pies, the Rich Country Dijon is made with white wine, cinnamon and ginger. It’s delicious when just brushed lightly on the crust of quiches and savory tarts before they are filled. It’s also amazing on potatoes and used as a marinade with chicken or pork. There are so many uses!
Maille Horseradish actually won a Bronze Medal at the 2012 World Wide Competition for mustards in the category that is usually dominated by U.S. producers. It’s ideal on sausages, roast beef, sandwiches and vegetables- wherever you’d want a sharp intense flavor.
The last time I bought a jar of cornichons, I actually didn’t even get to eat one! The kids ate them all before I even noticed they were gone! I had to buy them a generic brand so they could have those while I savored another jar of Maille Cornichons! No charcuterie plate is complete without them.
This is how I love to have dinner several times a month… a simple plate of cheese and cured meats, mustards, olives and cornichons with a baguette and a bottle of wine to share. It’s simple and satisfying.
If you are in NY this weekend, be sure to see the Maille booth at The Taste of France Show that will be held in Bryant Park. There will be vendors representing the many aspects of French life: Lifestyle, Technology, Beauty, Cuisine, Wine and Spirits, Tourism, Culture, Children and of course, Fun!
There will also be many events over the two days so be sure to check it out! I am looking forward to attending and while I won’t be in Paris, it will feel like it!
The show is free and open to the public. For more information, see the website at The Taste of France Show.
Event Hours:
SATURDAY – September 28, 2013
11:00am-11:00pm
SUNDAY – September 29, 2013
11:00am-7:00pm
A bientot!
Disclosure: I received the four jarsmentioned from Maille to try. The opinions are my own, and we all know how much I love Paris and Maille.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
