The world of Julia Child - My Life in France

I must admit I never understood the rave about Julia Child. I even only heard about her when I first saw the movie "Julie & Julia" starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams. However, I recently read "My Life in France" by Julia Child with Alex Prud' homme. I love the book and must say I have now respect and admiration for Mrs. Child. Having grown up in Paris, France, I really enjoyed her narration of her time in Paris and Marseille. This book illustrates clearly in my opinion how many of us first discover the magic of the kitchen.

I highly recommend this read to anyone in love of the French Cuisine as I believe it truly gives a glimpse into its culture. Enjoy!

How much I love my dogs

You see I was recently in the beginning of summer diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Others around me suspected I had it. In retrospect, I was told in past by a therapist as well and about 8-9 years ago, as I read "Look me in the eyes" and discussed it with a friend, I felt I recognized myself or certainly had many similarities with the author, growing up and as an adult. Anyhow, I must say, it was not easy to accept it. My dogs though are a big reason I feel okay. They never judged me, they seem to reciprocate this "unconditional" love we feel for each other, them and I. As I am writing this, both are right next to me on the bed. I comprehend that having Asperger's explains how much I care about animals though I wish to clarify that I comprehend others too love their dogs or pets as much as I do and don't necessarily have Asperger's. I even found out that my favorite actress, Audrey Hepburn had 3 jack russell terriers. In my opinion, anyone that has a pet and shares this "beautiful" relationship with them, can relate. After all, "dog is man's best friend" says it all.

Love for my dogs

I took my dogs out for a walk yesterday as weather permitted it. We had snow the night before and today it rained most of the day. As I watched them run about, Rowdy hunting for rodents, Curley proudly displaying a stick about 3 times his size, I thought to myself: I am so blessed to have these dogs. I felt so much love toward them. As I am writing this, both my dogs are lounging on my bed. I can't really describe what I feel for both except unconditional love. I comprehend some people get it and others don't. Well, to be fair, I think part of why I feel that way for them is that I grew up without feeling loved by or feeling part of my family. As a result, when Curley came into my life, he made me feel so much, I felt feelings toward him like I had never experienced. I felt highly concerned for his well being, while he made me feel that he greatly cared about me. To this day, I still remember the day, he put his head on my leg as I was crying on the floor (feeling unloved) and realizing at that moment, I was no longer alone: he was family, we were family together. Then came Rowdy who chose me and Curley. Rowdy may act like he doesn't care as much as his brother (not much separation anxiety, Curley follows me everywhere, even resting on my bathroom mat as I shower) though each night, he likes to sleep by mom. I love them both so much: unconditional love.

This past year, this love was tested over and over. I was asked to choose between them and the guy I fell for. Well, my answer was them. They are my family and I will never turn my back on them. Even if I was to live in my car if I could not find a place that allowed me to have 2 dogs. They truly are the loves of my life. I hope of course that others will come into my life or our lives: a spouse and maybe kids or even more dogs (even cats).

Do I spoil them? I don't think so. I tend to buy them toys and feed them good food (Acana, Orijen and Fromm), though it is my way of demonstrating how much I care for them.

In the end, they both taught me so much, especially what is unconditional love and what family means. They are my family and I feel lucky to feel part of this family.

Corned Beef - St. Paddy

Yesterday, I saw for my first time the famous Chicago Green River. While it wasn't yet St. Patrick's day as not yet March 17th, it inspired me to cook. Really it gave me an excuse to cook using my Le Creuset iron cast pot.
I personally enjoy garlic (I am French), so I always start flavoring my pot with some olive oil and fresh minced garlic. Then I add my Corned Beef already seasoned including my personal favorite: coriander seeds... I add some fresh pepper and salt then add some water as to prevent my garlic from burning. While my meat is absorbing the garlic flavor, I cut my cabbage, potatoes and carrots.

I add water as to submerge my meat and veggies then add mushrooms (once again I am French).

And Voilà, I only have to let it cook on medium heat for a few hours as it gets tender...

I suppose this is my French twist to my St. Paddy's corned beef.

Best finds

When it comes to getting the right tools to cook or bake, many of us know what we want. I tend to buy "made in France". My paternal grandmother, who is an excellent cook (is from Périgord) uses her Le Creuset dutch oven for many of my favorite childhood meals. As a result, when seeking a good cast iron, I compared Staub and Le Creuset. Anyhow, the cost of each was beyond my budget. In hope to save myself some $$, I scavenge local thrift stores. Well, it paid off. I found a set of 3 Blue Le Creuset cast iron pots for a fraction of the cost. I used some baking soda to clean the inside thoroughly. Today, I get to cook many of my own meals in them. I still search for more pieces to add to my growing collection.

What are your best finds?

French macarons

As any parisian, I have my favorite sweets. Beside croissants, pain au chocolat, Paris Brest among others, one of my absolute favorites is Macaron. Of all the flavors out there, I particularly love macarons à la rose.

For the macaron's shell:

3/4 cup almond meal (almond flour)
1 cup confectioner sugar
2 egg whites
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Optional: rose extract and red or pink gel paste food coloring

Mix together the almond meal with the confectioner sugar. I sometime blend them using my grinder/food processor though you can also whisk them together in a bowl. Then sift mix as to avoid small clump from the almond meal. The sifting process can take a bit of time but well worth it as you'll have smooth shells.
In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until frothy then add the sugar. Beat until you reach a meringue like consistency. When you get soft peaks, add some food coloring, note that color tends to fade down when baking. Then beat again until you get stiff peaks.

Add to your meringue about half of your dry mixture (almond meal and confectioner sugar), fold it carefully until fully blended then add the rest and fold again. (if you made chocolate mousse, the folding process is the same).















Then transfer your batter into a piping bag with a round tip. I personally use a ziploc bac and I cut a corner off. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, pipe carefully small round circles. You decide what size you want, though keep them apart from each other about an inch.
Once you are done with piping them. Tap your sheet 2-3 times as to get air out (so no bubbles) then let sit 15-30 min to dry.

Once they are dry, place them in the middle rack of your oven at 300 degree Fahrenheit and bake them for 12-15 min. Don't forget to turn your baking sheet mid process. I tend to turn mines at 5-6 min. They should rise and form feet.

Let them cool off completely before filling them. They are very fragile while warm.

For the filling:

1/2 stick of butter softened (unsalted)
1 cup of powdered/confectioner sugar
1-3 Tbsp of heavy cream
rose extract to your taste

Optional: food coloring

In a bowl, beat your butter until soft and creamy. Add gradually your sugar and mix until all blended. Add your rose extract (I like a strong floral flavor so I add quite a bit). Add the heavy cream, it will make the consistency of your buttercream much smoother and spreadable. Add some food coloring if you wish. (I add 1 drop to get a very pale pink to contrast with my darker pink shells). Transfer to a piping bag and fill your macarons.

I strongly suggest storing your macarons in your fridge until serving. I try to let them sit for a day as to get the flavor to really sit.

Another favorite flavor of mine is rose-raspberry.
I use the same shells, though I add a bit of rose extract in my shell batter. I use Bonne Maman raspberry jam as my filling. Voilà Rose-raspberry macarons.

Note: the rose buttercream above tends to be too sugary to my taste though all my friends like it as is. I personally cut back a bit. Hence, some people use 1 1/4 cup confectioner sugar, I tend to cut it to 3/4 cup for 1 cup of almond meal. Though it is entirely up to you.

My first week following my new resolutions

Well, I am happy to report I did follow with some success my new resolutions. I have been drawing, playing words with friends and going to bed earlier. I also chose to tackle tasks I didn't want to undertake: clean my oven, clean my closet (not quite done yet though should be by tomorrow), and stay on top of cluster.

Trying to stay on top of cluster, I thought I would share some of my tips and deco/organization solutions.

1) I make a point to leave the kitchen as I entered it: clean after I cook or bake.
2) If run the dishwasher: I empty it whether same day or if run late at night, first thing in morning.
3) Before I go to bed, I try to do 15 min of simple cleaning: whether wiping my bathroom counters, doing dust in one room, or picking up my pups toys.

Regarding toys, my dogs don't pick up after themselves, however, I found a way to display their toys in a fun way. I use a rolling cart (part of an activity table from Pottery Barn kids), which I fill with their toys.

4) As I reorganize my closet, I acquire four under-bed baskets from Pottery Barn, to store and sort through my clothes that I don't hang.

So far so good.

Successful day (took advantage of Sunday)

Yesterday, I followed through with my commitment to clean and organize. I tackled a few tasks I dreaded. I cleaned my oven with baking soda and white vinegar, this also included me cleaning the racks in my bathtub in warm water with dish detergent. All I will say is "it worked"- I have silver colored racks instead of black. Beside this, I also reclaimed my cast iron le creuset pot which I scored during a thrift store visit. The inside was black (previous meals burnt), I poured some cola soda and let it sit overnight. Acid in soda ate most of it, saving my elbow grease (which I used for my oven). Then I used some baking soda and white vinegar, forming a paste and scrub away with a sponge (rough side). My pot was white (cream colored): success!!! 

On a side note: I took my pups to the vet for their annual routine. Both were so well behaved, as usual my vet commented they eat better than him. I feed them Acana and Orijen food, while I also once in a while feed them Fromm (mixed in). As vet commented it shows, both Curley and Rowdy are in great shape. I am certain though that our almost daily 3 miles walk in the woods helps. Despite the low temperature and the snow out, we went out yesterday morning for a 3 miles hike. I will comment that I was glad for my fleece lined long john under my jeans. Pups wore their sherpa lined coats. Rowdy managed to kill a mole even with ground covered with a few inches of snow. He is definitely my hunter. Curley as usual found himself a long "log" not a branch to carry proudly. 

Overall, it was a successful day: I accomplished a lot. By time it was evening and I finished making  my bed with clean sheets, pups were happy to pass out on it. 

My own Happiness Project inspired by Gretchen Rubin

About maybe two years ago, I was given The Happiness Project book by Gretchen Rubin, I devoured it though it has been a while since I followed some of the useful tips in it. As I was thinking of resolutions I could undertake to better myself, I thought I would perhaps revisit this book and its concept. After all, I am in search of my own happiness.

So following her concept, below are my own January's Resolution: Less chaos

1. A better sleeping routine

2. Exercise and eat better

3. Stay on top of cluster

4. Toss and organize

5. Tackle a nagging task

6. Discover meditation

1. If I was to be honest, I truly enjoy reading as I go to sleep. I also like to draw as a mean to unwind after a long day. I know from past experiences that I also like doing sudoku, ken ken or play words with friends as I drift to sleep. Can I incorporate these into my daily routine when it comes to my bedtime routine? I believe so. 

First, in order for I to get 8 hrs of sleep, I must commit to set time to which I must turn off my light. Perhaps, during the week, I must turn it off by 11pm (if not 10:30). Also, nights I wish to read, how long do I accord myself? up to one hour (I tend to stay up late to finish books - can't do this anymore). 

If I wish to do sudoku or ken ken or words with friends, I must only do so at most for 30 min. Same with drawing. I believe sticking to a set time is not punishment but rather a way for me to learn to stick to things. I tend to disregard things and especially disregard time. I often run late, a habit I am not too proud of. Perhaps, holding myself accountable for a set time will benefit me in that regard. 

2. I used to enjoy yoga and pilates as well as running. I commit myself to find a way to incorporate these activities back into my life, starting this month. In regard to my diet, I eat pretty healthy though I do have a heavy sweet tooth. I crave sugar. While I did cease adding sugar to my tea and coffee a few years back, I would like to restrict myself to having sweets only on special occasions or in moderation. For instance, I enjoy caramel macchiato with extra caramel or hot chocolate with extra whipped cream or a cup of coffee with literally half of it filled with half and half. Perhaps, I can commit myself to enjoy one cup of caramel macchiato only once in a while.  I had my first cup this morning, justified it by telling myself it was the first day of the year. So no more for the remaining of the weak. In regard to coffee, I will attempt to cut back on my half and half consumption. Hot chocolate need to be a treat just as caramel macchiato. Realistically, I should be able to cut back my consumption, and only accord myself one of such treats, once a week as a very special treat. I would like to try to only have one once every two weeks to one a month. I really don't need all that extra sugar. 

3. I very much enjoy the ten minutes before bedtime cleaning up routine suggested by Mrs. Rubin. I have implemented it and really find it beneficial. Tonight for instance, I will clean up my bathroom (bleach it). I also make my bed every morning. In regard to a more substantial quest, I would like to keep my dogs' beds clean a bit more. I just bought them new ones two days ago, perhaps I could avoid giving them treats on them as to avoid getting crumbs or grease (depending on the treats). I also could spend 10 minutes once a week to vacuum their beds instead of once so often. 

4. I really need to stay on top of my mail. I will commit to spending 5-10 min each evening to go through my daily mail. And I must not wait the last possible minute to take my trash out. 

5. I will make a point to overcome my fear and avoidance of nagging tacks starting this month. 

6. I would like to consecrate 10 min a day to meditation using the app "Headspace"