By Paris breakfastssssssssssssss

UGUST 10, 2012

What I Ate In France

You won't be needing lunch today. Just enhale the aromas and forget the calories.

I seem to lean towards round foods with red accents like this yuzu tarte from patisserie Arnaud Larher. miam miam

Round again but savory - a salmon quiche from Cupcakes Berko plus two little, mini cupcakes - very miam miam

I grated the fromage in these beauties at La Cuisine Paris testing recipes class.

At the chateau, Sebastien's sister Amelie demonstrated how to make a Kouign Aman.

Beurre plus sucre plus farine = carmelized heaven.

Next on the menu I made Shirazi Salade (just cucumbers, tomatos, sweet onion all chopped + lime juice and dried mint) at Tout Sweet/Karen Wheeler's, owner of the darling Biff. For all Biff-lovers, there's more Biff on Karen's blog.

Amelie told me where I could taste real Persian shirazi salad in Paris at restaurant Cheminee. 

I always like to stop in at the canteen at Merci 111 bd de Beaumarchais for a healthy salad.

I returned for a second helping with Jennyphoria to talk about French visas and other expat chatter. I could eat here everyday I think.

Daisy de la Plume of THATLou took me to Italian Ante Prima for a buffet of all veg dishes.

Australian expat, Rachel Bajada of French for Foodies had a 7-course dinner. I only made it to the 3rd course before the zzzzzs hit me. The last course was at 3 AM, ahem.This is ravioli of beets with fromage frais et cajou.

I can always depend on Louise/Raids-Patisserie for some sweetness - a flight of 5 ice creams from Pascale le Glacier to taste. Life is tough...

These sweets are from Les Paris Gourmands on 15, rue des Archives 75004 Do not bite into these. Just wear them.

Not to be forgotten - my victorious tea at La Galerie des Gobelins.

And of course an Ispahan - Pierre Herme waiting to be painted...

What did Bear eat? Those artisanal potato chips you were all curious about - very YUM

Yesterday I was reading Lindsey's Lost in Cheeseland on the choice of becoming a French national or figuring out who she is after living in France 3 years.  I picked up again Sarah Turnbull's Almost Frenchyesterday and she grapples with the same questions of identity. It must be every expat's dilemma. But after looking through what I ate during 3 weeks in France I don't think I'd have a problem deciding.

Remember these dragee from Le Bonbon au Palais? 
In the book you step into Sarah's shoes and live her life with a French boyfriend in Paris. A vibrant, young Australian journalist, Turnbull makes all the faux pas of any foreigner adjusting to France. On one occasion her Frenchman sends her out to get dragée for a celebration. She brings home the wrong color and a huge fuss is made. 
White dragee for weddings
pink for a newborn girl
blue for a boy etc. 
I just popped a dragee in my mouth from Le Bonbon au Palais to celebrate what I ate in France.  
Bon Week-end!