Recipe: bacon-wrapped prunes – Pruneaux au lard fumé + the French word “serviable” and a lesson worth learning!

  "Smokey's Temptation" La galette des rois was not planned. I'd gone to the supermarché for eggs–to mix in with three overripe bananas (for sweet bread). Only, when I pushed my cart into Carrefour I saw the traditional stuffed cakes. "When is the actual date for eating these?" I asked the pretty check-out lady. "Epiphany," she said. " "When's Epiphany?" I wondered. "Today," she said. "…I … Continue reading Recipe: bacon-wrapped prunes – Pruneaux au lard fumé + the French word “serviable” and a lesson worth learning!

RECIPE: Annie’s Soupe de Poissons

  A fish shop in Brignoles.   la soupe de poissons (sewp-deuh-pwa-sohn)     : fish soup Jean-Marc has been catching lots of little fish these days. Last time it was une rascasse! Apart from being unappetizing to look at, they are too small to eat. "Faites la soupe de poissons!" Make fish soup! our friends tell us. Recipe, in today's story….   A Day in … Continue reading RECIPE: Annie’s Soupe de Poissons

How to say chopped in French? + gift giveaway

Ann Mah is giving away three advance copies of her new book Mastering the Art of French Eating: Lessons in Food and Love from a Year in Paris. Enter to win here. haché (ha-shay)      : minced, ground; chopped un steak haché = hamburger (the French say hamburger when the burger is served on a bun; sans bun and it's called un steak haché) A DAY IN … Continue reading How to say chopped in French? + gift giveaway

Pastèque: Easy Fruit Salad Recipe

Back when things weren't so complicated and you spoke your heart out.   TODAY'S WORD la pastèque (pah-stek) : watermelon A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE      by Kristin Espinasse La Salade d'Amour I was talking to my table-mate to the right when my left ear perked up and my husband's words came as a shock.  I can't believe he just said that! But that was private–just … Continue reading Pastèque: Easy Fruit Salad Recipe

Fudging in French… + dessert recipe

Forward this post to a French friend. Today's edition, on fudge, is a reverse-dictionary entry: instead of translating a French word, we'll begin with English. This is dedicated to all of our French readers–so happy to know you're reading. You keep me on my toes! (photo of a sweets shop taken in Paris) fudge (n) (fuhzh)     : espèce de caramel mou (a kind … Continue reading Fudging in French… + dessert recipe

pate

Green Juice and Tomettes (tomettes, and not tomates!) It's a rainy day in Bandol, a perfect morning for some pancrêpes. Instead, Jean-Marc and I are drinking green juice (this time with fennel–and it's dill-like leaves–bergamot lemon, ginger, pomme, and celery). We'll definitely have pancakes this weekend! Read on… Meantime, put your pancake tips here in the comments and we'll keep them in mind for the next … Continue reading pate

tribute to reader Gus + Bonnes résolutions du Nouvel An

A Francophile might like this book cover, and a foodie or kid-at-heart might enjoy the content. Read the reviews for Fanny at Chez Panisse here. Meantime, learn about another panisse in today's column, a tribute to Gus Elison! Bonnes résolutions du Nouvel An     : new year's resolutions Audio File: our son, Max, just woke up and I talked him into helping me record … Continue reading tribute to reader Gus + Bonnes résolutions du Nouvel An

Yogurt cake recipe

I went through my photos, trying to find a photo of the finished yogurt cake. This one, above, isn't typical–it's a marbled version (add chocolate powder to remaining cake batter after emptying part of it in the pan. Pour over the top and bake). Pictured: a roof tile from our home. You can see the handwriting which records when the tile was made, the 30th. … Continue reading Yogurt cake recipe

How to say “luck” in French + recipe for Lucky New Year Pie with Grand Marnier

Still Life Avant Pie (c) Lynn McBride

Quelle chance! We have a story and a recipe and photos–including the still life, above–for you today by guest blogger Lynn McBride

chance (shons) noun, feminine

    : luck

une chance = a stroke of luck
avoir de la chance = to be lucky
Bonne chance! = Good luck!


French Tartes or Southern Pies?  Oh, the dilemma…


by Lynne McBride

Here’s a favorite quote from Michelle Obama.  When asked what it was like to suddenly live in the White House with an army of staff, she admitted it was great, then said, with wonder:  “If you want pie, there’s pie!”  Hey Michelle, that’s my idea of paradise too.

OK, so what about French pies?  Well, the French  do things a little differently, no surprise there.   Bye-bye American pie.  The difference?  In addition to the sloping shape of the edge of the dish, an American pie is plump and indulgent, and can be piled exuberantly high with whipped cream or meringue, or topped with a decadent crust or crumbs.  Is that American or what?  A French tarte, alternativement, is in a dish that’s shallow with straight, fluted sides.  It’s thin and refined, understated and elegant, most often just a divine crust topped with beautiful fruits.  Oh so French.

French tarts (c) Lynn McBride

Must we choose between the two?  Oh let’s not.  I’m proposing two recipes this week, the best of both worlds.

As you may know…

Continue reading “How to say “luck” in French + recipe for Lucky New Year Pie with Grand Marnier”

affolement & Recipe for Zucchini and Potato Gratin

I heart lonely chairs. More pictures of Nyons in an upcoming Cinéma Vérité. affolement (ah-fol-maohn) noun, masculine : panic, perturbation, unsteadiness verb: affoler: to cause panic and s’affoler: to panic.. Sound file & Example Sentence Download MP3 or Download WAV Pour l'instant, l'heure n'est pas à l'affolement.Now's not the time to worry.     A Day in a French Life… by Kristin Espinasse Affolement, it is … Continue reading affolement & Recipe for Zucchini and Potato Gratin