Spending some time with family a few weeks ago and James shared with them that he thinks I should make a real Thanksgiving meal and try and celebrate here in France. I told him that I wasn’t sure that I could find the ingredients here and that I would have to think about what a traditional Thanksgiving meal is.
There is a store in Paris called “The Thanksgiving Store” and it is a grocery store for Americans. I decided to go on their website to see what supplies they have in store and get an idea of the cost. After about 30 seconds of looking I quickly determined that if we are going to have a Thanksgiving meal here in France and buy supplies here, it is going to cost a fortune!!! To give you an idea of the cost of items at the store, the small container of the pumpkin pie spice cost 9.90 Euros and a box of Lucky Charm cereal is 12 Euro, which is about $15 in American money. So my dear American friends and family next time you pour a bowl of your favorite cereal think of me and the fact that I would need to win the lottery to have that everyday. I also do not see whole turkeys in the store in France. We asked our butcher last week if he would be able to get us a full turkey. He is able to do so, we just need to place the order a week or two in advance.
So my mom has graciously agreed to send me some supplies from the states. I have an idea of what I want to make. I want to keep it simple but also make my fellow Americans proud and represent this beloved holiday well!
So please tell me what you think the perfect, simple Thanksgiving meal would include! I will need to finalize my list of items soon to ensure that I get the supplies in time to create this celebration. Of course I will be working on Thanksgiving AND Black Friday so the plan would be to celebrate on the Saturday following Thanksgiving.
I look forward to your suggestions and ideas!!!
Salted Caramel Cheesecake=AMAZING
Monday, October 22, 2012
Last weekend James was feeling under the weather with a nasty cold and thought that the magic cure would be if I made him a cheesecake. Cheesecake is a bit labor intensive and therefore it is typically reserved for special occasions but seeing as how it could be the next cure for a cold I was willing to give it a try.
If you have followed the blog for any amount of time you know that James LOVES cheesecake and I have had many trials of making cheesecake in France. From the beginning of trying to find real cream cheese, to what to make the crust from as graham crackers are non-existent here, to finding a spring form pan. Well I am proud to say I have come a LONG ways in this department and I truly think this is THE BEST cheesecake I have ever made. I went on the web in search of a new recipe and variety to those I had already made. When I came upon a recipe for Salted Caramel Cheesecake I knew that my search was complete.
The main recipe is from this site, with a few adaptations. I only added salt to the cream cheese filling part and then sprinkled some sea salt on top of the caramel when it was complete (didn’t add any salt when making the caramel). I also didn't find dulce de leche so just used a can of sweetened condensed milk.
In 1 weeks time I have made this twice, once for the cold cure and the other for some dinner guests this weekend. It is just as amazing the second time and I know that this is on the top of the family favorites list.
When you make it, because I know you will, please let me know if it makes it to your favorites list too!
If you have followed the blog for any amount of time you know that James LOVES cheesecake and I have had many trials of making cheesecake in France. From the beginning of trying to find real cream cheese, to what to make the crust from as graham crackers are non-existent here, to finding a spring form pan. Well I am proud to say I have come a LONG ways in this department and I truly think this is THE BEST cheesecake I have ever made. I went on the web in search of a new recipe and variety to those I had already made. When I came upon a recipe for Salted Caramel Cheesecake I knew that my search was complete.
The main recipe is from this site, with a few adaptations. I only added salt to the cream cheese filling part and then sprinkled some sea salt on top of the caramel when it was complete (didn’t add any salt when making the caramel). I also didn't find dulce de leche so just used a can of sweetened condensed milk.
In 1 weeks time I have made this twice, once for the cold cure and the other for some dinner guests this weekend. It is just as amazing the second time and I know that this is on the top of the family favorites list.
When you make it, because I know you will, please let me know if it makes it to your favorites list too!
Dinner for two, the name…
Sunday, October 21, 2012
On many occasions when James and I have been walking around the city he has pointed out a restaurant that he really enjoys. It’s an Indian restaurant, Le Mughal, and it is suppose to have great food. I have only had Indian food a few times in my life and can’t even recall what exactly I have tried.
One evening James and I were going to have a date night and decided to go to dinner here. To our disappointment it was closed for their summer holidays. Since then, I had told myself that I needed to plan a dinner here for the two of us.
At work one recent Friday I tried to locate the restaurant and wasn’t sure if this was the exact one that we had walked by many times. I texted my brother-in-law to verify what the name of the restaurant was and then proceed to figure out if reservations were needed. With the help of a co-worker we called the restaurant and was told that they had 2 seatings, 7:15pm or 9:15pm. I knew that the first time wasn’t an option and wasn’t sure if it was too late to wait for the second. I thought for a while and then decided that the 2nd seating would be fine as we could go have a drink first somewhere.
Once I made the decision to take a reservation I gathered all my courage to call and attempt to make the reservation (in French). No one was answering the phone in the late afternoon but I was finally able to reach them on my way home from work. The gentleman that answered the phone seemed to quickly understand that my French was limited and attempted to respond to me in English a little too. I made the reservation and told him our name. Trying my best to use the correct pronunciation of the French alphabet I gave him our name. I was certain that he wrote a name down but was more certain that the spelling of our name was going to be WAY off.
That evening James and I shared a drink at a local restaurant and then I proceeded to take him to the restaurant for dinner. I was using my Google gps to try and locate the restaurant without him knowing. While trying to figure out which direction to walk he tried to help with looking at the map. Within a second he was giggling and knew where we were going. I said “you know where we are going by just knowing the name of the street?” He said “yeah, we are going to the Indian restaurant!”
We arrived at the restaurant and James gave them our name, to my surprise it was close enough to whatever they had written down during our phone call and proceeded to seat us at our table. We enjoyed some amazing food! Everything was truly delicious. From my other experiences eating Indian food I remembered having naan, but I don’t think that I had ever seen naan with cheese in it. Maybe that is an added specialty for the French palate.
At one point James asked who I had make the reservation for me. He guessed that I had a friend or co-worker do it or that I completed the reservation online. I told him that I had made the reservation and that I was sure that the restaurant was expecting 2 people for 9:15pm under the name Lazer, so not our last name, really not even close. However it all worked out and I was pretty proud to surprise him for a date night at a place he truly enjoys.
One evening James and I were going to have a date night and decided to go to dinner here. To our disappointment it was closed for their summer holidays. Since then, I had told myself that I needed to plan a dinner here for the two of us.
At work one recent Friday I tried to locate the restaurant and wasn’t sure if this was the exact one that we had walked by many times. I texted my brother-in-law to verify what the name of the restaurant was and then proceed to figure out if reservations were needed. With the help of a co-worker we called the restaurant and was told that they had 2 seatings, 7:15pm or 9:15pm. I knew that the first time wasn’t an option and wasn’t sure if it was too late to wait for the second. I thought for a while and then decided that the 2nd seating would be fine as we could go have a drink first somewhere.
Once I made the decision to take a reservation I gathered all my courage to call and attempt to make the reservation (in French). No one was answering the phone in the late afternoon but I was finally able to reach them on my way home from work. The gentleman that answered the phone seemed to quickly understand that my French was limited and attempted to respond to me in English a little too. I made the reservation and told him our name. Trying my best to use the correct pronunciation of the French alphabet I gave him our name. I was certain that he wrote a name down but was more certain that the spelling of our name was going to be WAY off.
That evening James and I shared a drink at a local restaurant and then I proceeded to take him to the restaurant for dinner. I was using my Google gps to try and locate the restaurant without him knowing. While trying to figure out which direction to walk he tried to help with looking at the map. Within a second he was giggling and knew where we were going. I said “you know where we are going by just knowing the name of the street?” He said “yeah, we are going to the Indian restaurant!”
We arrived at the restaurant and James gave them our name, to my surprise it was close enough to whatever they had written down during our phone call and proceeded to seat us at our table. We enjoyed some amazing food! Everything was truly delicious. From my other experiences eating Indian food I remembered having naan, but I don’t think that I had ever seen naan with cheese in it. Maybe that is an added specialty for the French palate.
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| Our appetizers |
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| My dinner, butter chicken |
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| James dinner, lamb |
At one point James asked who I had make the reservation for me. He guessed that I had a friend or co-worker do it or that I completed the reservation online. I told him that I had made the reservation and that I was sure that the restaurant was expecting 2 people for 9:15pm under the name Lazer, so not our last name, really not even close. However it all worked out and I was pretty proud to surprise him for a date night at a place he truly enjoys.
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| A million dollar smile! I am one lucky wife! |
Inquiring minds want to know
Monday, October 1, 2012
Here are the LONG overdue responses to the questions asked by those of you who participated in my Thank You giveaway. I really enjoyed all of the questions and hope to do this again in the future!!! I am sure you will all sleep much better this evening after finally having my responses :)
What has been an unexpected blessing related to life in France?
This is a tough question to answer but I think that one of the biggest blessings has been learning to believe in myself more. At times this experience has been scary, frustrating, and discouraging but looking back on this last year I am able to see how much I have accomplished and the fears I have overcome. I was just talking to James this week and reflecting back to a year ago. At that time I went on my first interview here in France. I cried at the train station because I was worried that I would get lost, my brother-in-law met me on the other end and escorted me to my interview to ensure I would find it. Today I am navigating the city well, have been on many more interviews and really overcome the fear that I wasn’t able to do all of this on my own and here I am doing it and pretty well on most days.
What has taken the most getting used to?
Besides the language I would say that the other thing that took some adjusting was using the mass transit system. I was so used to jumping in my car at whatever time I wanted/needed to leave. Now I am operating on train schedules and they are not going to wait if I decide to change my outfit or pack a quick lunch.
What would you have be the same in France as in the US if possible? And excluding friends, family, and a dryer!
While France is considered the fashion capital of the world, I would really love a few of my favorite American stores. Isn’t life just better with a Target, TJMaxx and Old Navy within a 15 minute drive?!
Being the crafty-pinterest-loving gal that you are, what have you found t satisfy that part of your life?
I have REALLY missed this part of my life! It is a goal to try and find ways to incorporate more of that here. Cooking has been the one thing I have really been able to get more into. The crafty and creative side of me has been a bit neglected. I tried to get my “fix” while I was back in the states and did a few sewing projects and brought a few supplies back too.
If you had to pick one day that was the most memorable since you first arrived in France, what was it? What did you do? (keep it PG, lol)
This is a tough one as there have been many memorable moments but I think the first day we got to stay in our new apartment is at the top of the list. It was like reaching a destination that I had been traveling to for SOOOO long. To final be in our own home together and no longer in a state of constant transition was truly an amazing feeling. I think the first night we grabbed sandwiches from Subway and just sat and looked at each other in amazement that we were finally at this point.
Has your choice in wine changed?
Prior to coming to France I don’t know that I really had a strong preference. I drank what others suggested and sometimes grabbed a bottle of wine based on how cute the label was. I am pretty sure this would give most French a heart attack! Since being in France I am always excited to try new wines but with the decision left to me I choose a Coteaux de Lyon or Monbazillac (white wine).
What meal do you miss the most from the states?
Thanksgiving dinner! I am going to attempt to make a Thanksgiving meal this year if I can get all of the needed ingredients.
What’s been your most embarrassing moment so far in France, haha?
Do I dare say that I don’t think I have a real embarrassing moment?! The closet thing is probably when my brother-in-law snapped a really great picture of me sleeping on the train with my mouth open like I was in a deep sleep. It was one of my finer moments!
What is the biggest difference in our culture compared to the French?
In my opinion the biggest difference is food. The French LOVE food and take great pride in it. However they seem to naturally eat more whole foods as there is just so much less processed food available here. They have 3 solid meals a day and usually don’t snack (with the exception of “gouter” which is a snack around 4-5pm and usually only the children eat). Their meals seem less rushed as almost everyone takes a real lunch break of a minimum of an hour. Having dinner with family or friends is almost always an entire evening event and seems to be savored more. Don’t be mistaken, they know how to indulge in fine cheese, wine, and desserts just like we imagine them doing but they are so much better at doing it in moderation.
How are you staying so cute and thin with alllll them bakery’s around?!
It’s true, the bakeries are EVERYWHERE! I really try to limit my visits to them but if I do go it usually requires walking there so I think I burn at least 1 bite of whatever I am eating by all the walking.
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