Tarte Tatin
Every time I make Tarte Tatin I think about my time as an apprentice in the kitchens at La Varenne. There, Chef Albert Jorant taught us pastry. I worked with Chef Jorant on a book, too, putting my hands in the photographs of his pastries. It was here that I learned the fine points of […]
Amuse-Bouches, the Art Of The French Welcome
Amuses in the kitchen The amuse-bouche is the French answer to an appetizer. It can also be called “mise-en-bouche,” or literally “put it in the mouth,” and when I was growing up we called little pre-meal delicacies “hors d’oeuvres.” This latter term seems to have disappeared from the culinary lexicon which is a shame, since […]
Apple Honey Tart
I live in Normandy, land of apples and pears, and everything made with them – from Tarte Tatin to Rosemary Apple Tart, to Apple Charlotte, to apples as vegetable, appetizer, seasoning. I’m an expert with apples, and everything I make with them is a point of pride for me. But never have I had such […]
Summer Tomato Tart
What is the difference between a tourte, a torte and a tart? When it comes to summer tomatoes, there is a difference. A Tourte is usually double crusted, quite high and savory. Here in Normandy we are luxuriating in the hottest summer since 1940. For us, this means that summer produce like eggplant and zucchini, […]
Tuerie
There is something so very special about being an expatriate even though, occasionally, I long for the familiarity of the country where I was born. But just think: here, I am and always will be “the American.” Which gives me the advantage of the renegade. This creates advantages, one of which is that I can […]
Come Cook in France 2017
April 5-8, 2017 – Focus: Wine Pairings April 12-15, 2017- Focus: French Appetizers May 3-6, 2017 – Focus: Pastry May 17-20, 2017 June 4-9, 2017 – Focus: Regional French June 11-16, 2017 Can you hear the sizzle? It’s onions turning golden in goose fat, where they’ll stay until they’re crisp. Then, we’ll fold them […]
The Simple Apple Tart
As the simple black dress is my go-to evening attire, this simple apple tart is my go-to dessert. It is so easy. I make my own pastry but if you don’t want to do that, get the best quality pastry you can find. Preheat the oven to 425F (220 C) Roll out the pastry, and […]
Tomatoes and Apples
I love shoulder seasons like this moment of autumn. Tomatoes are still hanging on the vine and full of sweet flavor; apples are literally dropping from the tree, and pears are ripe, aromatic, lush. We’ve got new autumn turnips, their skin so fine it almost peels off, and potimarron (kuri squash), those harbingers of short […]
Prague and Prevarication
As an independently employed person, constant work is my blessing and my curse. It’s a blessing because I get paid to do what I adore and am passionate about. It is a curse because I always have homework. When I was invited to Prague recently, I probably should have said no because I have a […]
