French
Come Party With Me: Bastille Day Lunch — Dessert
When one thinks of a French dessert many things come to mind: creme brulee, chocolate eclairs, profiteroles with chocolate sauce, or apple tart tatin. While these are delicious options, for my Bastille Day lunch, I want to serve a light, summery, fruit-based treat like a clafouti. Traditionally clafouti — a custard-like French baked dessert — features ripe cherries, but I plan on giving this peach-raspberry variation a try.
Five Minutes of Effort Yields a Rustic Tomato & Bread Gratin
At his seminar in Aspen, French cooking authority Jacques Pépin had a lot to say about boiling the world's most perfect eggs. While doing so, he also managed to make six stunning tomato dishes, using a number of in-season varieties, including a stacked Greek tomato salad, tomato-laced spaghetti with anchovies, and a tomato-bread gratin.
I just so happened to return from the neighborhood farmers market bearing a loaf of fresh-baked bread and vine-ripened cherry tomatoes, so I combined those with Parmesan to make Jacques's gratin.
Come Party With Me: Bastille Day Lunch — Menu
Last week I was all about America's Independence Day, and this week I'm celebrating France's freedom. Bastille Day is July 14 and to commemorate the occasion, why not host an intimate weekend lunch? Like a chic Parisian, select a menu that's stylish yet casual, and wonderfully delicious.
Happy Hour: 2004 Château Clarke Listrac-Médoc
Although one normally thinks of pairing a burger or hot dog with an ice cold beer, when grilling other meats, like tri tip, chicken, or pork, don't be afraid to pour wine. When selecting a wine, take into consideration the meat's type of sauce (is it spicy, sweet, herby, etc.?) or seasoning.
I recently enjoyed this 2004 red Bordeaux ($27), by Château Clarke, with grilled boneless pork ribs.
Yummy Links: From Roast Chicken Lunches to Cinnamon Rolls
- Make five well-balanced bag lunches out of one roasted chicken. — Chow
- Watch Stephan Colbert eat New York City's most expensive dishes. — Eat Me Daily
- Should adult diners be allowed to wear bibs?
Go French With Savory Crepe Ratatouille
After making a scrumptious ratatouille sandwich, I couldn't get the tasty French dish out of my mind. This time, I opted to serve the cooked vegetables in a more traditional way: in a classic French crepe. Considering the prep work, ratatouille is a time-consuming dish, but once the veggies are cooking it's pretty fast and effortless.
Fab Read: Entre Nous, A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl
OK, I think I have finally found the book of my dreams: Entre Nouse: A Woman's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl ($12) by Debra Ollivier. It's a must-have for any non-French woman (present) who seeks that je ne sais quois that French women possess (present). The author herself is American but is married to a Frenchman, and insists that you too can attain the glamor and mysteriousness of the French with the help of her insider tips and must-dos.
Definition: Ganache
Ganache
A chocolate sauce made from a mixture of chocolate and cream, ganache may be used to fill a pastry, add a glossy glaze to a cake, or form the center of a traditional chocolate truffle. Ganache is typically created by pouring heated cream over chopped dark chocolate, then blending until smooth, although it may also be enhanced with liqueurs or extracts. Cream-to-chocolate ratios vary depending on the application; less cream results in a firmer ganache.
Home Away From Home: le 33
Whenever I feel overwhelmed by my urban life, I like to daydream about living in a country village — perhaps in France. Well, I may not be able to live that dream full-time, but thanks to the beautiful bed and breakfast le 33, located in the tiny village of south Picardie, I may be able to visit it sometime.
Operated by Florence Michon, le 33 provides elegant lodging for visitors to the region.
Must-Read: The Balthazar Cookbook
Even for those of us who don't live in New York, it's hard to ignore the accolades of Balthazar, Keith McNally's world-famous SoHo brasserie that's been perennially packed since it opened over a decade ago.
New Yorkers may think it's still hard to book a rez, but those of us on the West Coast really can't snag a seat for brunch. That's why I was psyched to get my hands on a copy of The Balthazar Cookbook ($24.75).
People
Instyle
Jul 09 2009
Heidi Klum
WHAT SHE WORE
Klum added a peek-a-boo top to a stretchy miniskirt and accessorized with platform pumps
WHERE
The Times Square unveiling of the new Project Runway billboard
WHY WE LOVE IT
The expectant star effortlessly pulled off a mix of patterns by wearing a jacquard polka-dot shirt with a black and white striped mini. Follow Klum's lead and add a tone-on-tone top to a print skirt.
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