La Maison des Simples – a Perfect Herb Store
There are things about living in a small French town that I occasionally take for granted. One of these is our town herbalist. I know. It is crazy to take such a treasure for granted, because Julie Raod, our herbalist, and her store, La Maison des Simples, are the beating heart of our region, where […]
Winter and the Living is Easy in Louviers
Everyone complains about winter, particularly this year when leaden skies get lower each day. Rivers are flooding, fields look like swimming pools and soon, I fear, my beloved bike path along the Eure River will be a stream for canoes only. Despite the lack of sunlight, though, this season is wonderful. Why? Because its cozy. […]
In a Restaurant Kitchen
From In a French Kitchen to In a Restaurant Kitchen is not as long a journey as it may seem. Particularly when the restaurant kitchen is one devoted to fresh, seasonal, local, hand-picked, hand chopped, hand-patted, and hand cooked food. I had occasion to spend the day in one of the ten Paul Martin American Grill […]
Braised Asparagus
Asparagus is fleeting, this year more than ever. I’m talking about the Best Asparagus in the Universe, that grown by Baptiste Bourdon a few kilometers from Louviers. Weather has been inclement, with such low temperatures that the asparagus has refused to grow in abundance. That which has pierced the soil and formed beautiful stalks, however, […]
Dicing and Mincing On Rue Tatin
I know, I know, dicing and mincing seem obvious, but they’re not. Once you watch this video, you’ll have a couple of tips up your sleeve, and forever more will be a “master chef”! Enjoy, practice, and find how much more easily you dice and mince.
Writing a Recipe
Writing a recipe is like taking a cook’s hand and leading them, simply and directly, through the construction of a puzzle to an impressive (and delicious) result. It involves clear and simple explanations that create visuals in the minds’ eye; the cook must understand and “feel” the right way to proceed. Here are the basic […]
