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.