Blog Posts for Jennifer McLagan

Paris à l'italienne Part 2

Jennifer McLagan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:51:30 -0800

Our discovery of this second Italian store was a lucky accident. We were walking back home and literally stumbled across it. It was the small chalkboard outside declaring that they had white truffles for sale that attracted my attention. Ever since a trip to Alba we have had a passion for very fresh white truffles. To read more .......

Toussaint and a visit to the cemetry

Jennifer McLagan — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:18:45 -0800

Toussaint, All Saints Day falls on November 1 the day after Halloween, I'm surprised the French don't have a cake or pastry for Toussaint, as they do for many other saints' days, the Mexicans make pastries and skulls out of sugar. The next day, November 2, is known as day of the dead, a time to remember those no longer with us. I think it is a wonderful idea to have a special day for the ...

Paris à l'italienne

Jennifer McLagan — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 06:38:58 -0700

It al began with a quest for grappa. Why my husband couldn't have just bought a good marc? But no he wanted Italian grappa. His search not only turned up good grappa at our first stop, but also an Aladdin's cave of Italian products at our second stop, the Au Village Italien. There was everything you could want, hams, prosciuttos, salamis, oils, wines, dried and fresh homemade ...

Back in Paris

Jennifer McLagan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:43:44 -0700

After 4 days away, 2 of them taken up with planes and airports, I was very glad to return to Paris. Edmonton had a certain charm but given a choice between the two cities I know which one I'd pick. Plus Paris has the advantage of better weather. Right on time for the holidays of Toussaint, the weather here has warmed up. Today it was 18C, with an amazing brilliant clear blue sky. Just look at ...

Quince

Jennifer McLagan — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:58:21 -0700

My friends Franck and Lise came for dinner last week - I've either been cooking dinner or eating out every night so I've had no time to blog - with this bag full of goodies from their garden in Champagne. There were fresh walnuts and, individually wrapped in newspaper, my favourite - quinces. They were beautiful, leaves still attached and now the whole apartment is filled with ...

Saucisse or Saucisson - it is still a sausage

Jennifer McLagan — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 09:23:00 -0700

I've never been clear as to the difference between a saucisse and a saucisson. I do know that I love to munch on slices of dried cured sausages with a drink, yes more kir, before dinner. There is a vast choice in Paris, butchers, charcutiers and even supermarkets sell them . The first weekends in October are a great time to find regional specialities in Paris, as there are many fairs promoting ...

Croissants

Jennifer McLagan — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 06:23:27 -0700

Perhaps you thought I didn't get my croissant? Well I did have to wait until Saturday morning but it was worth it. Crisp, flaky and made with enough butter to stain the bag and make my fingers greasy, it was delicious and the perfect start to the day. Best of all the bakery is a mere five minute walk away, dangerous.For some reason the croissants are always better on the weekends. I'm not ...

Dans les pas d' Amélie

Jennifer McLagan — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:59:59 -0700

We don't often go to Montmartre, it is on the opposite side of Paris from our apartment and full of tourists and steps. As the name indicates mont = hill, there are some very steep streets many of which end in stairs. We were meeting friends for dinner so we went early to look around. I thought I was being clever by taking the bus all the way to the city hall behind Sacré Coeur, then we ...

Bien Arrivée

Jennifer McLagan — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:27:40 -0700

Our flight was delayed 1 hour, which meant that we didn't land at Roissy until 11am. By the time we picked up our bags, why is mine always the last off the plane? and made it into Paris, it was time for lunch. We drove straight to our friends apartment and were soon on their terrace with a kir, white wine and cassis, in hand. Perfect.Our lunch continued the Burgundian theme with sautéed snails ...

Bientôt Paris

Jennifer McLagan — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:01:34 -0700

Tomorrow I'll be sipping a cafe au lait and munching on a delicious croissant from the Le Moulin Vert Boulangerie, just up the street from our apartment. And, as you can guess, I can hardly wait.This week has been a mess of loose ends to tidy up and now just hours before the flight I think I'm finished. Still no reappearance of the dreaded squirrel, perhaps he's waiting until I leave town? Only 3 ...