All posts filed under: French Desserts

Food: Dinner Tonight – Chicken In French Wine and Mustard

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Told the hubs I wanted to go to dinner tonight. But what I was meaning to say is that I wanted to indulge in a meal that is different from the normal cooking I do in my household. So while he thinks we are going out, I am going to surprise with this wonderful variation to the otherwise mundane chicken. INGREDIENTS 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc 1/3 cup heavy cream or canned full fat coconut milk 2 tablespoons dijon mustard 2 tablespoons grainy dijon mustard 2 shallots chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated kosher salt and pepper 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, skin on or off 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves 1 tablespoon fresh chopped sage 2 tablespoons salted butter 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 1/2 bunch kale, chopped mashed potatoes or steamed rice, for serving {more} Followed by this Avocado-Chocolate pudding dessert and if avocado isn’t your thing, here’s a list of other healthy dessert options.   

Food: Panna Cotta and a Story

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When I was a child living in the middle east, my cousin, who was much older, 20plus years older, left our homeland to live in Paris so he could be a student of Le Cordon Bleu. Now, just in case you are not familiar with the culinary school, it is one of the best, was the best pack a century ago. I cried the day he left, not sure why, but I was only six and I hated seeing anyone in our extended family leave. Years later, we crossed paths in the states, and he invited our family for dinner. On the menu was  Panna Cotta adorned with fresh cherries he’d soaked in Grand Marnier, or a variation almost Panna Cotta, he’d learned to prepare at the very culinary school. Being a grown up and appreciating much of the finer things in cuisine, I ate one and then asked for a second serving and then stood in the kitchen afterwards discussing the ingredients he used to create the best dessert I have ever had. So …

Travel: Paris in Mind But Not the Usual Places

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When I was ten I learned that my cousin, who was much older than me, had gone to Paris to study at Le Cordon Bleu. I had no idea what that meant, until years later, upon his return, I tasted the fancy meals he prepared for family gatherings and special occasions where he was hired to cater. When he moved to the states in the early 80’s, he opened a restaurant, but unfortunately for him, not at a time when the bay area was accustomed to trying different cuisines – particularly French.  So he was forced to close his restaurant and work as a chef at another, more steak and potatoes place. He died a few years back, after succumbing to cancer, without learning that San Francisco’s French restaurants have become some of the most famous.   I think of him often – about his style of cooking, and his love of French cuisine and every time I am at a French restaurant in San Francisco, I raise a glass of wine to him. I thought …

Food: Chocolate Cake Is In Order Tonight

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On Fridays I work from home, and it almost feels like it is the busiest day of the week, even while the weekend is on everyone’s mind. I realized while clicking away at my keyboard, that I needed a treat of some sort tonight and lucky for me, this tantalizing chocolate cake popped up in the corner of a site I was visiting, attempting to  calm my stress level.  I think what sparked my interest is the word VEGAN in the title – which I find hardly an option when baking any dessert. In my head, dessert needs to be rich in all flavors, and if paired well with an after-dinner drink, champagne in the case of chocolate cake, your mouth will thank you, and your brain will love you. 🙂 So, I’ve ordered a bottle of bubbly to pick up from the ‘grogers’ in a few hours, and as soon as I am done for the day putting out million little fires at work, I will be baking this lovely chocolate cake, with a …

Christmas Morning Breakfast – Cinnamon Swirled Baked French Toast

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Oh the smell of cinnamon on Christmas morning is one I am more than certain everyone around the wold appreciates and since naturally that is the way to go in our household, I plan to make this amazing treat for the family: INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup real maple syrup 1/2 cup brown sugar 6 tablespoons butter, melted 8 large eggs beaten 2 1/2 cups whole milk 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier (orange liqueur) 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 loaf challah bread, sliced into 1/4 inch slices 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1 jar (10 ounces) raspberry preserves {more}

Food: Apple Cider French Crullers

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Yes I am on a French kick today for sure.  This morning I was craving something sweet, and as always the internet knows exactly what I am thinking because there is this recipe I found which will certainly satisfy the sweet cravings: Ingredients 1 cup apple cider 1 stick butter 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 cinnamon stick 1 cup all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 3-4 eggs Chai Glaze 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/4 teaspoon all-spice 1/4 teaspoon cardamom 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves 1 cup powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Interesting Holiday Etiquette and What Not

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Here’s an interesting article of how and what the French do – etiquette wise –   for the holidays season. Decorate Simply Decorate Indoors Only Wrap Up and put away decor Before New Year’s Eve Swap Eggnog for Champagne Indulge in Amuses-Bouche Mix Up Your Main Course Show off your desserts No doggie bag No speech at the table Kiss everyone – no matter who they are

Thanksgiving Part II – Desserts In Gluten-free form

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In keeping up with my gluten-free menu this year, I have made my selection for thanksgiving desserts from here.  And frankly, the choices are a refreshing alternative to the usual pumpkin pie and such that’s been served in our household year in and year out.  Here are my picks for Thanksgiving 2016:

Travel: Bordeaux, France

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I included Bordeaux a few years ago on one of my trips to France. But only because I was travelling by train at the time, and didn’t want to take long-haul train rides from Spain into France. So I used Bordeaux as a hub, spending only a day or two in a small hotel in the outskirts of the city. My loss I gather from this article detailing (just in time mind you because I was considering bypassing France on my next trip to Europe) eight reasons why we need to consider Bordeaux. {photo source}

travel journal: stay tuned

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I am excited as always to have the opportunity to travel. So, I ask that you stay tuned, throughout the next two weeks, as I come to you via blog – detailing my travels, hopefully getting up the nerve to start up the Instagram site, I’ve been dying to and of course wishing I was on a PAN AM flight from eons ago 🙂 {photo credits click here, here and here}