Lamb Parmentier

This recipe makes enough for 8 rounds. You will have leftover mashed potatoes, most likely; don’t worry, they keep and reheat perfectly. Equipment: six to eight 3-1/2cm (9-inches) metal rounds, for presentation; parchment paper; baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Or, if you prefer, a medium-sized baking dish.

Lamb with Mashed Potatoes, and the Best of 2018

lamb and mashed potatoes

I flew over mid-December to teach a couple of classes in Portland, which exhibited huge support (Merci, Portland) for the fine points of French cooking.  Fiona flew in from her home in Utrecht, Holland, and Joe followed on her heels from Annapolis, Maryland. Yes, we are spread all over the map, so occasions to be […]

Grilling Their Way Through FRENCH GRILL

The other day I received an email from Betsy Regnell, whom I met when she and her friend Eileen Doherty came to a class at On Rue Tatin, some many years ago.  Here is what it said: “Susan,  Eileen and I are working through FRENCH GRILL. We did the grilled bread with smashed tomatoes, the […]

Stuffed Potatoes on the Grill

Stuffed potatoes.  Is there anything more glorious sounding. START WITH THE RIGHT POTATO The potatoes here are a sweet, tender baking potato called Ramos, which is similar to a Yukon Gold. We get them year round.  Now, of course, along with the last of the 2016 harvest, which is still firm and delicious, we’re getting […]

Optimism and Lemon Meringue Pie

Since the election I’ve been searching for optimism.  I’ve found some. There is optimism in people gathering  round.  At the market yesterday, it was a flurry of friendship as people came to me to ask questions, express their feelings and opinions. There is optimism in a woman standing for president, and knowing more people voted […]

Terroir

I taught a class yesterday to a group of American university juniors that included a discussion of terroir, that term everyone uses and, I am beginning to suspect, few understand. What makes me say this? The total blankness on the face of my smart students as I dove into the subject. Eventually one spoke up. […]

Two Tacoma Hot Spots

I  was just in Tacoma, Washington, the forgotten city south of Seattle, for a quick trip.  As I meandered through the lovely old neighborhoods, I asked myself  why everyone isn’t clamoring to live in this jewel of a city.  The views of Commencement Bay and Mount Rainier are incredible, the neighborhoods and downtown vintagely beautiful, […]

Simple Spring Dish

Rain pounds down outside; flowers and herbs are growing, but haltingly;  it’s the most tumultuous May I can remember in all my time in France.  Farmer’s tear out their hair at the cold night temperatures which stunt growth, yet they’re thankful for the rain after near-drought in early spring. So what about the produce? Well, […]

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