We all need a little break sometimes, right? Well I need a long break. Seriously, a long extended vacation, preferably somewhere without people. Dogs are acceptable. And sheep. Unfortunately I live in the real world (most of the time), so I had to settle for five days at my parents’ lake house in upper Michigan- with my parents! Who, as far as people go, are pretty good company. Continue reading
This year was my first Christmas in my own apartment, and I may have gone a little overboard. What can I say? I’m a sucker for Christmas. You know what I should have asked Santa for? A check to cover the cost of all the freaking decorations.
Ah, Polish food. Starchy, heavy, comforting goodness. I grew up with a strange combination of Polish and German food at home- because years ago my mom’s family were Germans living in Poland. Once in a while when it’s cold out or I’m feeling a bit nostalgic I make a beeline for the sausages and pierogi. Luckily for me there’s a shop right down the street that carries everything my little hungry heart desires. Continue reading
Now that’s my idea of a birthday cake. Thick cut brioche with melted fontina cheese and perfectly poached egg yolks, surrounded by a sprinkle of asparagus. When I saw the people at the next table eating it I asked my server what it was and immediately said, “I want that!” So he brought it to me as a birthday present. Thank you, sir. Thank you.
Aix en Provence is one of the bigger towns in Provence, and a few of us decided to head over that way and explore. It’s about an hour from where we were staying and it was a pretty stark contrast from all the tiny little towns we’d been to so far. Continue reading
These are the figs I bought at the market in Lorgues. Aren’t they gorgeous? I bought five because we had some pears at the house we had to use. So I guess technically this is a Fig-Pear Tart Made in France. When you have exciting plans to make a tart in France you don’t think about details like measuring spoons and things like that. But, y’know, I’m a professional; I made it work.
At the very top of my list of things to do in France was the markets. There are markets going on just about every single day all over France, and this one in Lorgues is one of the biggest and most popular in the area. They sell food, clothes, shoes, tablecloths- really just about anything you can imagine. And while I did buy some clothes, let’s be honest, I went for the food.
Well I’m home from France -again- and I have an absolute food hangover. And plenty of (food!) photos to share. First up is a town called Tourtour. It’s in the Cote d’Azur region of Provence, which is where we stayed. It was our first adventure in France and it’s on the list of the most beautiful villages in the region, which I can only assume is like the most beautiful people list in the US.
You should just know from the start that I cheated. I bought a kit. I’m sorry. Hey, I was on vacation. I really needed that convenience factor in order for this whole thing to happen in the first place. Pretend I took the time to go on the internet and order the rennet tablet and citric acid. Good, now we can continue.
Last week I was here. I miss last week.
On my summer vacation I decided to do a little baking. Because what’s a better project when you’re on vacation from your job as a pastry cook than baking? Eh? Eh? Yeah.
