The other nifty thing that arrived on my fun mail day was a review copy of this cookbook from Chronicle Books,
The Little Paris Kitchen by Rachel Khoo. The timing was perfect. That very day Alex asked me how I would like to celebrate when I turn 40. It's years away, but I already know. I would like to go to Paris. And then this cookbook arrived in the mail and solidified my plan.
I'm not a big cook, especially in the last year or so since I've sort of lost interest. And this isn't a food blog, but for some reason I'm captivated by this cookbook so I have to show you.
The dishes include my very favorite foods: Bread. Cream. Butter. Eggs. The recipes look pretty simple, with often relatively few ingredients. I had no idea you could slice potatoes, put small cubes of pear on top, crumble on some blue cheese, bake it in the oven, and it's suddenly "Galette aux pommes de terre et poires avec Roquefort." I can't possibly pronounce it, but I want to eat it for lunch. Some other yummy-looking things...
Cheese, ham and egg on toast in a muffin pan (croque madame muffins).
Spicy meatballs.
And don't get me started on this picture of a chocolate thing.
The book is peppered with romantic, atmospheric photos like this that make me want to hop on a plane immediately. Instead, I will try to cook some of these things. Wish me luck.
I'm 24 and I also thought about this 'big birthday' thing. God, it's not evitable:))
ReplyDeleteI wish you could visit Paris, and Milan and Istanbul!
Gee, I learned some things about you today!
ReplyDeleteThose simple recipes look yummy, too. Well, except for the blue cheese. ;)
Mum
Hmmm... this loss of interest in cooking seems to strangely coincide with your decision to cook more healthy food! Uh huh!
ReplyDeleteMum
I would KILL for that chocolate thing.
ReplyDeleteit looks like a beautiful cookbook! thanks for sharing the pages and yes, you should definitely enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteMum, that is an astute observation. :) Cooking healthy stuff is not fun.
ReplyDeleteStacySix. You are my kind of person.
ReplyDeleteHer TV series is just stunning. Have you seen how big the kitchen is?! It's the same size as her arm span. That's crazy!
ReplyDeleteI thought about getting her book but I know I'll never use any of the recipes so I just watch re-runs of her show lol.
Enjoy the inspiration!
Samantha x
Oh I love Rachel Khoo! Her programme about her kitchen was just amazing, pretty inspiring too as she made all of these things in a kitchen the size of mine! Good luck, I hope it gets your creative cooking streak going again :)
ReplyDeleteOh it looks amazing, especially the chocolate pud!
ReplyDeleteWelcome in Paris! I would like to read more of those so-called Parisian recepies I never heard about...
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I love food photography and this looks like a book filled with beautiful food photographs!
ReplyDeleteWhen I grow up, I want to be French. That looks like an amazing cookbook! Cheers - CT
ReplyDeleteI had high expectations when I went to Paris and they were all exceeded because everything was more romantic than any photo I'd seen. Plus there are crepe stands all over the place so you are never far away from Nutella. A sandwich of baguette, ham and butter will transcend you.
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly the kind of thing I'm hoping for!
ReplyDeleteher programme was brilliant and made you feel able to cook what she was cooking - regular kitchen,pans,utenils etc. Oh and she is so cute. Great book,programme & food
ReplyDeleteLove love love Rachel Khoo!! Her show and apartment and food are all delicious and delectable. I've had her book in my Amazon cart for months, just waiting to buy it.
ReplyDeleteThis book surely looks good! I love French cuisine and Paris is a jewel. Everybody should love Paris.
ReplyDeleteI have the book and it is one of the best I have ever bought! I already made the croque madame muffins, the citrus cake and the chicken in wine sauce... Delicious!... Have you seen the show? It is soooo lovely: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hun_yj5u4S0
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the book!!!
I know there's a show but haven't seen it yet. Thanks for the link!
ReplyDeleteooooo, the "chocolate thing" looks to die for!!!
ReplyDeleteHi! I'm french, I was born and I live in Paris and I can tell you that you will have to search a lot to find a galette de pomme de terre au roquefort for lunch! You will probably have to cook this one yourself :) But for sure it's a french association in cooking even if I've never try that..now I know I should :))
ReplyDeleteI just saw this TV show for the first time today. She made a WONDERFUL looking potato/cheese/bacon/caramelized onion 'thing' baked in a muffin tin. I could almost taste it. Have fun experimenting!
ReplyDeleteRachel Khoo is English which is probably why your French commentators have not heard of her food! It was a fun programme though.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Carrie Brown of Marmalade & Mileposts... she develops great recipes that sync with the "Smarter Science of Slim" way of healthy eating... It might make the process more interesting for you!
ReplyDeleteYes, you MUST go to Paris for your birthday. We did just that in December, but it was quite cold, so hopefully your birthday falls in a warmer month??
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Rachel Khoo. Her TV series was totally inspiring---such a tiny kitchen and the most basic equipment, proving that you don't need fancy gadgets, professional ovens, or vast expanses of counter to turn out delicious meals.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01dy4st
http://www.rachelkhoo.com/
I would love to go to ireland on mine! I still have family there!
ReplyDeleteSarah=)
www.etsy.com/shop/owleyevintage
foux du fafa! it makes me want to wear a dress and bicycle with a baguette and flowers sticking out of my basket.
ReplyDeleteI spent my 40th in Paris and it made for what could have been the worst day into one of the best days of my life. Highly recommend it!
ReplyDeleteI lived in France for a year and the last few weeks, it's calling to me something fierce.
ReplyDeleteBest friend while I lived in France stopped by on her way to Texas (She's American).
I wrote a mini-guide to France for Yes and Yes (it posts in April so check back!).
Memories have started flooding back and I want to return, if even just for a few weeks. *sigh*
I'm in love with Rachel Khoo and her TV show. And I can't wait for this book to come out. She has the life I've often dreamt about.
ReplyDeleteDO NOT wait until you're 40 to go to Paris. Start saving now and go in 12-18 months :-) Paris cannot wait!
ReplyDeleteWell alright then! Thanks for the advice, Emily!
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for Rachel's book in Bangkok but, so far, no success. Finally had to order it. Can't wait till it arrives :)
ReplyDeleteBTW, you can see some of her videos on Youtube thru BBCFood's channel. They're only 5 minutes long but sooooo helpful. Check them out.
My housemate has this and had cooked for us from it a few times. She made the fishy dumpling things in tomato/creme friache sauce recently (sorry, can't remember the real name!) and they were really tasty. One warning - she also made the frangipane type recipe (I think it was plum or raspberry) and despite cooking it for 50% longer that stated it still hadn't set - either the stated cooking time is way too low, or liquid a bit high in the recipe.
ReplyDeleteI made the croque madame muffins on Sunday. They were tasty, though I somehow expected the bread cup to be crispy instead of soggy. Makes sense that it was spongy, though, since most of the bread is baking next to raw egg, which is wet.
ReplyDeleteThe nutmeg in the sauce was interesting. Would I make them again... not sure. But it was fun to try!
Hi, thanks for sharing and make me want to check out this book. I know Paris pretty well and I hope you get to go there! Good quality food is everywhere and so accessible, let me know if you'd like some addresses...
ReplyDeleteI too was born and lived in Paris, but I've heard of Rachel Khoo because I've lived in London for many years. Every American believes he/she has a special affinity with Paris and wants to be Ernest Hemingway or Gertrude Stein. It is indeed a beautiful city but also a very tough one, not really 'a moveable feast'. Tourists usually have a great time there, of course.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely try the potatoes,pears and blue cheese recipe - its wonderful. I've tried lots of the recipes from the book and they're generally lovely. The meatballs are great! Go to Paris soon. We're lucky to be so close in England but you should go as soon as you can! Its amazing! Love your blog! Suzanne
ReplyDeleteI tried the potatoes and pears last weekend, and we loved it!
ReplyDeleteYummy!
ReplyDelete