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Paris
Croquettes
Reliving our trip to France, I had thought of making open-faced grilled cheeses or croquettes without ham a few times, and finally got around to it. I chose a good time because we had some fabulous fresh veggies to make a good salad take center stage with the sandwiches on the side. Honestly, because I used Paul's favorite Cabot Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, the sandwiches weren't tops in my book. I just can't learn to love a really sharp cheese. But Paul enjoyed it. I think the recipe was right on, I just need to find a cheese that I adore.
Recipe for Croquettes
- Four slices whole wheat bread
- 2 pads butter (half for each slice, more if preferred)
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1/2 cup sliced cheese (more or less to taste
- 1 Tablespoon dried parsley, crushed
Spread half of each pad of butter over bread. (Some people say to toast the bread first. I didn't think it necessary, but it is certainly an option for really crunchy toast.) Lay slices of cheese over bread. spinkle paprika over cheese. Sprinkle parsley on top. Cook on top rack of oven with broiler set on 500 degrees for just a couple minutes until c cheese is melted and edges are toasty. It isn't necessary to preheat the oven in this case. Also, especially if you've never used a broiler before, don't allow yourself to be destracted by the rest of the meal. Do it ahead--even the salad part. Because the bread will toast quickly, and I have blackened toast just by turning my back around.
Weekly Menu-April 26, 2009
I have a list of items I need to use up before we leave for Washington. We have a week visiting friends and shopping. Paul has a convention in Seattle, and we'll be participating in the Bloomsday Race in Spokane.
So, here's what I have and need to use. Whatever doesn't get for dinner becomes lunches for the week. Paul gets to eat out at the great new vegetarian cafeteria attached to Florida Hospital a couple times a week, but not this time!
FRANCE-Dinner in Roissy
Roissy is basically where Charles de Gaulle Airport is in Paris, France. We got done saying good-bye to the group late and there were only three restaurants open in the city (not including the hotel dining rooms.) The only option was an Asian restaurant; so, we walked into the largest restaurant we had seen during our trip around Paris and northern France. But, even by the time we left there were only four tables filled.
FRANCE-L'Atelier du Chocolat
Outside of Paris, our daily activities aren't as exciting as Paris was. They were special, but obviously not as well-known and not always high-tourist areas. Much of the rest of the France stories will be focused more on food. Paul will be happier about this as he thinks the day-by-day stories about Paris were not so Eat Like a Rabbit related.
PARIS-Grom vs. Amorino
Amorino is a chain pastry shop with coffee and gelato that has many locations in Paris. A number of individuals in our group loved it and visited it regularly. We didn't like the looks of the gelato nor the selection and went back to Grom for our last night in Paris. To research Amorino for yourself, visit www.Amorino.com, but the website is in French.
PARIS-Last Day
This just might have been my favorite day in Paris. Much of the delight came from spending the day with Brina. But I have been dreaming about writing the reviews for Angelina's and La Potager since the second I stepped into the restaurants. Perhaps that comes with knowing I had to write, but also, it was the most enjoyable of food experiences in the city. No other dining experiences of the trip quite matched these two. . .although some came close.
Pan-Crisped Eggs-Cost to Make
I made this meal pretty soon after returning from Paris with our French dijon mustard by Maille. The recipe comes from The Splendid Table's How to Eat Supper, and I must say that it wasn't disappointing. None of the previous recipes from this cookbook have been disappointing. I really, really enjoyed this light salad with high protein. I suppose I have to add high cholesterol, too, due to the whole egg, but only about half of the yolk survives as the rest of the of the room is taken up by onion and garlic and seasoning.
PARIS-Paul Bakery
We already knew Paul bakery existed and was good because we had seen one two years ago in Charles de Gaulle airport during a layover. Being peak lunch time, Paul was doing a great business. In an effort to be speedy as we knew there was more on our to-do list, we ordered three pre-made waffles that were put into a warmer at 250 degrees Celsius. Then we could request chocolate syrup or powdered sugar as a topping.
PARIS-Breakfast at La Tour Notre Dame
Down in the basement of the La Tour Notre Dame Best Western was a small room with brick walls and archways and nice tables with chairs crammed up against the wall to provide enough seating. Many Europeans don't do breakfast. At most, it's a hot drink and roll. Occasionally, juice accompanies the meal. I learned pineapple juice is quite popular in France.
PARIS-Day One
Gigi and Larry met us after breakfast in time to take the metro to be at the Eiffel Tower when it opened. However, nature must not have gotten the message we were coming because the Eiffel was mostly covered in clouds for the day. We agreed to climb the tower anyway and to get a look at the city from the second floor.
PARIS-Grom Gelato
I learned about Grom during my pre-Paris meal researching online from David Lebovitz, a popular reviewer of Paris dining. True to recommendations and reviews, Grom was beyond fantastic.
PARIS-L'As du Falafel
At the corner of Rue Vieille du Temple and Rue des Rosiers is a restaurant with attached street stand painted in red that boasts "Best Falafel in the World." A block down the road at 34, Rue Rosiers, 75004 Paris, is another restaurant with a street stand painted in green and another message saying "Best Falafel in the World." Read a few reviews in English and in French for each restaurant and you'll see.
PARIS-Traveling To
Paul and I worked Wednesday morning, and we got home and met my folks in time to drive to the airport and leave the car at "The Parking Spot" where Paul gets a Florida Hospital discount. Mom, Dad, and I had been sick over the weekend, which slowed us down. We had to pass through the "medications" security scanner because of our collection of cough medicines, nasal sprays, etc. Fortunately, there was little delay. We easily flew the Orlando to Atlanta run with only complaints about unbalanced ear pressure and the great discomfort it caused.