Bush, Crepes, Oysters and the 9th

We started in Chicago, traveled to Washington Dulles, changed planes and flew to Brussels, and then when we thought we couldn't log another mile, we caught a train to Gare de Nord in Paris. I booked the Parisian Hotel in the 9th.

A cute but edgy neighbornood. Chelsea in the 70's. Lots of beautiful architectural highlights.
Starving we sat in the Cerperie next door and ordered a Champignons et Fromage Crepe and of course for me, Nutella and Banana.
Jean did not mind the photos. I snapped away.
He talked a blue streak, explaining his technique. He lovingly browned the crepe filled it with sauteed mushroom, gruyere cheese and sel et poivre. Carefully he folded the crepe and served it hot, steamy and full of melted cheese!Absolute heaven!

With the same care he prepared the Nutella crepe. He then congratulated us on having George Bush as a former President! He carried on for a full ten minutes. So astounded we never said a word. As it turned out, he was from Iraq and was grateful the US had bombed the daylights out of it. Across the street we found a very small restaurant. They only served Normandy Oysters and Muscadet wine. It was a perfect dinner.
With just a squeeze of lemon, they tasted of the sea, The wine was perfect with the salty taste. We were grateful no one mentioned politics.
We then hopped the Metro for a trip to La Tour Eiffel, with a stop at the Arc de Triomphe
Not having a tripod with me, I couldn't do it justice.
However, my daylight photography still has it going on!


All text and photographs are property of The Gypsy Chef

Off to France on a Cooking Adventure

It seems like every day I am counting my blessings. I honestly think I am one of the luckiest people on this planet. This week I am off to France to teach a cooking class at one of my favorite places, aux Jardins des Thevenets. I love France, French Food, French Wine, the French Language and of course the French People.
What did Meryl Streep say in the recent film, Julie & Julia? Oh yes, "They eat French Food everyday here!" Me too!

I thought I would post the menu we will be preparing so you can all salivate.

The Gypsy Chef

Monday Lunch

Baby Spinach, Radish and Mint salad
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Roasted Fish in Parchment with Lemon and Herbs
Herb Buerre Blanc
Boiled fingerling Potatoes with Parsley and Butter
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Rustic Apple Tart

Tuesday Dinner

Golden Beet Tartar on Belgian Endive
Petits Choux au Fromage
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Quick Confit of Duck with Damson and Juniper Relish
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Clafouti aux Poires
Whipped Cream


Wednesday Lunch

Mushroom Soup with Gremalata
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Chicken Fricassee with Figs and Port
Roasted Balsamic Sweet Potatoes

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Chocolate Pots de Creme with Pepper


Thursday Dinner

Roasted Mushroom Bruschetta with Pecan Oil
Crudites with White Bean Dip
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Ossobucco
Parmesan Risotto
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Autumn Salad
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Cheese
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Lynn’s Chocolate Chestnut Mini Cakes
with Chestnut Yogurt Cream

I thought I would blog everyday and tell you about all the excursions,

and every meal.
It will be like having a window on the Holiday.
So check in this week and see what we are up too.

Meanwhile, I'll be chatting about Paris!
All text and pictures are sole property of The Gypsy Chef

Feuillete au Saumon

Last weekend I had a wonderful time at my friend's Uju and Pascal Home in Princeton. While our sons enjoyed themselves just hanging around as teen's tend to do. Uju and I cooked and cooked some more. Pascal ate whatever we put in front of him and declared it delicious.
One of the things we put together was a vol au cont with a creamy crab filling. yummy but not perfect, so I'm not putting that recipe up yet.
But the real star was Feuillete au Saumon or Salmon in Puff Pastry. It was simple but delicious.
All I did was roll out the pastry, spread some cream cheese, sprinkle with freshly grated lemon zest, then I layered smoked salmon on top. I cut slits into the top piece of pastry. Placed it over the salmon and sealed it. Brushed it with egg yolk and popped it in the oven until golden brown. It was delicious. However, next time I will use goat cheese, put the salmon on the bottom and the goat cheese over the salmon. Then some snipped chives and lemon zest. Top and bake as usual. I liked it so much, I think I will put it on the menu for my class is France!


All text and pictures are property of The Gypsy Chef

Jersey Macaroons

It all began in Paris, as most worth while things do. Last March, while strolling along the Champs Elysees, My daughter, Katy and I happened by Laduree.
Not knowing about macroons, Katy ordered a Le Saint Honore Rose-Framboise. She ate it in the Jardin des Tuileries .
Then in June I was visiting Lynn and Olivier at Aux Jardins des Thevenets. Lynn took me to her favorite Patissier in Espinasse Vozelle.
We bought the most tasty and beautiful macroons. It was there at Jardins des Thevenets, while lunching in garden that I fell in love with macroons. Sweet, crispy and chewy, they were heavenly.
In August, when I arrived in London, Fran, Laura,
Katy and I
decided to lunch at Laduree in Harrods.
The interior of Laduree London wasn't as beautiful as the one on the Champs Elysees. But it was nice and the rose milkshakes were superb.
Katy of course enjoyed another Le Saint Honore Rose-Framboise.
Could we leave without macroons? Not on your life! We bought a box for our hosts and a box for ourselves.
They were opened after dinner and devoured by four adults, two teenage girls and two-seven year old boys. The girls described them as "Bliss in a box".In September on a layover in San Francisco, I googled macrons and found La Boulange Patissier. We set off on a new macroon adventure.
La Boulange is a charming bakery with a very french flavor. Flower boxes graced the front.
A sweet boy placard with the daily specials greeted us as we approached the store.The selection was mind boggling. We chose one of each flavor and two cups of coffee.
We couldn't wait to try them, so we sat out front and ate every one!
They were wonderful. Every bite was perfect, crispy and chewy. Unfortunately, they never made it home to Katy!
This weekend, while visiting my friends Uju and Pascal in New Jersey, I decided to make my own. As you can see they were not perfect.
But Pascal declared them delicious! Although the macroons weren't perfect, the weekend was, and really that's what it's all about. Cooking, eating and enjoying life with your friends and family.
Like the box says, "Have Fun!"

All texts and pictures are sole property of The Gypsy Chef.

Late Summer Tomato Salad

Nothing excites me like fresh tomatoes ripened on the vine. The flavor will knock your socks off.
This year we planted some heirlooms varieties we had tried last year. We had saved the seeds from our favorites by washing them and laying them out to dry. We then stored them in the refrigerator in a paper envelope. Much to our surprise they sprouted and grew to be juicy and flavorful tomatoes.
We also have yellow cherries which have a rich smoky flavor, perfect for roasting with garlic. And a few grape tomatoes that seeded themselves from last years crop.
And of course I can't forget the San Marzano and Polish Linguisa Tomatoes. We were told they were the best for sauce. I'll let you know.
The colors and shapes are beautiful. A treat for the eyes as well as the palate. As I pick the tomatoes I brush against the leaves and they give off a rich pungent scent.
If they've fallen off the vine too soon, I lay them on the patio table to ripen fully.
Picked and sliced immediately off the vine they are warm from the sun and their flavor is at it's peak. With a sprinkling of salt they are heaven on a plate.
After slicing, I add a few leaves of basil, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, some fresh mozzarella cheese and a dash of sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Served with a crusty Italian bread you have the perfect first course for a summer evening.

All text and pictures are property of The Gypsy Chef.