Where, Oh, Where Has The Pink Slip Gourmet Been?

I wish I could say that I am just so Euro after spending a year in Paris that my blogging absence can be explained by a fabulous "holiday" I’ve been on all summer long without a care in the world. However, that is not exactly the case (unless you call being a slave to nausea a holiday). You see, B and I brought back a little souvenir from our time in Paris, and in January he or she will join the world. Yep - a little French-bred baby is on the way and boy (or girl) did it give its mama some serious trouble all summer long.

You can imagine my despair when merely a week had passed from my return to Dallas from a year of culinary learning/adventures in Paris when I discovered that food was now enemy Numero Un. I wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with food. The thought, smell, sound, and sight of it made me utterly sick. This in turn made me distraught and depressed considering I had just spent a year away from family, friends and the comfort of good Mexican food (not to mention way too many Euros) to make food my new career.

Merde. I mean, it’s pretty rare to find a chef that can’t stomach anything having to do with food. Thus, believe me when I say that the following question consumed me: “What in the world am I going to do?” Well, I learned that there was nothing I actually could do. It was out of my hands this time.  I was simply going to have to wait it out. And wait it out I did for 15 long weeks. As I ate saltine cracker after saltine cracker, I went back and forth between seeing the irony/humor in the situation and thinking I would never again have any interest in what used to be my passion, my calling: good food.

Luckily, after 15 weeks, the old Pink Slip Gourmet returned. I not only had the desire to eat (everything in sight I might add), but I was also ready to conquer the kitchen again. Plans for trying new recipes and mastering the old ones I learned in France were hatched. Blog ideas were floating in my head - just waiting to be posted. I was ready to make my triumphant return to food. That's when I noticed my malnourished husband. Not only had I been the reason we only saw each other sporadically last year, but I was now the reason he hadn't eaten well in over three months. So, I decided to focus on feeding him all the scrumptious breakfasts, lunches, dinners and desserts he so rightly thought he would be receiving upon my return from France but had yet to see.

Now that he's well-fed and back on track, I'm back to bringing you everything food, French, and fun that I possibly can. Check back frequently or subscribe to receive the blog via email in order to keep up with the return of the (pregnant and hungry) Pink Slip Gourmet.

Flowers Galore

I know, I know.  This blog is usually about food, sometimes about exploring Paris/France and rarely about flowers.  However, my last post and this one are both flower-themed.  Why?  Well, because springtime in Paris means beds and beds of beautiful manicured flower gardens.  And I just can't help but take 1,000 photos of them and marvel at their beauty.  Today I want to share a small piece of my Parisian flower safari with you.  If you close your eyes (after looking at the pics, thank you), you can almost smell the fresh flowery scent.

Gardening Oasis in the City

It's easy to get caught up in the historic architecture that lines every street in Paris.  One can easily spend an entire trip staring and marveling at buildings.  If that is your aim while in the City of Light, go for it.  However, if you want a quick oasis filled with flowers and plants without spending time loitering in one of Paris's many parks, you can head to Ile de la Cité (the larger of the two islands in the Seine) for the daily flower market.  Spend your time popping in and out of all the gardening shops that line the small side street to nowhere.  It's fun and definitely a change of pace to stroll through these shops, taking in all the plants, flowers and accessories that are offered.  On Sunday at this location is a bird market, which is admittedly a bit odd and was certainly frightening during the Bird Flu breakout.  However, it is nothing if not a spectacle so you might want to check it out all the same.

Sandwiched between large and imposing buildings lies the marché aux fleurs.

In addition to the plant life, you can also pick up a few souvenirs without having to brave the tacky and often times overwhelming tourist traps throughout Paris.

Make sure to walk on the inner sidewalk where it's almost like walking through an exotic jungle.

The flowers, especially in spring time, are just gorgeous.

And the shops quaint.

You might just find ourself getting lost while exploring the various displays. 

And when you emerge from your flower-induced daze, you will find yourself smack-dab in the middle of the island with plenty more beautiful buildings to behold.

Marché aux Fleurs et Oiseaux

Place Louis Lépine

Ile de la Cité

4th Arrondisement

Paris

Quick Bite

Looking for a quick bite in Paris close to Luxembourg Gardens?  If so, you are in luck.  Read on...

After passing by this shop day in and day out on my way to and from Ferrandi, I finally popped in to taste what I had been smelling every day for over five months. The intoxicating lure of a simple, homemade quiche is not something I can usually withstand for almost half a year. So, why did it take me so long to try such a seemingly delicious and might I add convenient place? Well, I simply didn't realize they had second floor (or first floor for the Frenchies) seating. I thought it was just a place to pick up food and go. Considering the thing my landlord called a kitchen wasn't exactly equipped to properly reheat a quiche, I had spent months reluctantly passing by this place. When I was finally finished with school and my stage (insert huge sigh of relief), I actually started paying more attention to things instead of just trying to get from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible or without the Parisians noticing I reeked of fish and garlic. That is when I noticed a little sign that said, "salle à l'étage" or dining room upstairs.

The dining room is tiny, but serves it purpose.  The staff is friendly and talented - since they have to cart every table's order up a flight of rickety stairs.

This is not a pretentious place as you can see.  The food is solid, comforting, and service is quick.  Order a quiche and a salad and you won't get any fancy-pants plating - just good food.

You might also get a heineken served in a wine glass, but hey can you really complain?

The chocolate cake was simple, but delicious and quite a large serving.  So, you might want to share with a friend.  Or who cares?  Just eat it all yourself and then take a guilt-free stroll through the park nearby.  Life's too short to not enjoy good food in Paris.

Les Saveurs de Pierre Emile

62, rue de Vaugirard

6th Arrondisement

Paris

Blasphemy

If you have been to Paris, you have probably heard about or read about the iconic ice cream shop Berthillon.  Maybe you have even visited it already.  Even if you haven't been to Paris you might have heard about it - it's just that well known.

Due to that fact, I hate to do what I'm about to do. Parisians will naturally accuse me of blasphemy, but I could not care less.  I call it like I see it and that's how it is.  In this case, I just do not think the ice cream at Berthillon merits the "highfalutin" status given to it. To me, there is much better ice cream in Paris and in the world at large (especially if you include gelato). Sorry Paris, but at least to me, it's true. Note: I'm no fool. Don't think it is an accident that I am stating this while not physically in Paris. :)

However, on the subject of Berthillon, I will say this: the sorbet there is worthy of all the prestige bestowed upon the shop. I have simply never tasted sorbet more flavorful or satisfying than that found at Berthillon. So, if you have been dying to check out this Parisian institution, never fear. Simply order the sorbet and you will not be disappointed.

The fancy shop on Ile St. Louis (the smaller island in the Seine) is typically teeming with people, so be prepared to stand in line.

There is also a salon attached to the shop where you can sit and enjoy your afternoon sugarfest.

You can even order gorgeous looking desserts like this.

Or you can take your deliciousness to the streets of Paris like I did.  Since I couldn't decide what sorbet flavors to get that day, I decided to fat-out and get four different kinds: peach, mango, wild strawberry (which has little bits of fraises des bois in it!) and black currant.  Next time, I will go nuclear and just get the black currant (cassis) and maybe the wild strawberry (fraises des bois) because they are out of this world.

Berthillon

www.berthillon.fr

31 Rue Saint-Louis en l'Ile

4th Arrondisement

Paris

One last thing: there are several cafes, brasseries, and restaurants that serve Berthillon ice creams and sorbets.  However, I think it is best to go straight to the source.  Of course, if you happen to be in Paris during the months of July and August, you are out of luck.  It might seem totally counter-intuitive (remember, though, that this is France we are talking about), but the Berthillon shop is typically CLOSED during the hottest months of the year.  Yep, an ice cream shop closed in the summer.  As my grandmother always said, "Beats all I've ever seen!" 

When you think about it, though, can you blame them?  It's obvious that they make enough money the rest of the year to not even bat an eye at closing during what other ice cream shops consider the "money" months.  Props to them for that.

A Weekend in Alsace

Before leaving France, I had the wonderful opportunity of spending a long weekend in Ottrott, a small village in the Alsace region.  If you haven't been to Alsace or it is not on your list of places you want to go, reconsider it as a destination.  In December, you might remember Brad and I visiting Strasbourg.  I fell in love with the area then and my recent trip to the countryside only made my love grow stronger.  It's just so unique with all the German influence.  Plus, the food is to die for, and the people are friendly.  Doesn't get much better than that!  Here is a quick look at my time in and around the small Alsatian town.

The weather was a bit dreary, but that was not unique to Alsace.  For some reason May in France this year was cold and rainy.  The beautiful landscape in and around Ottrot more than made up for that, though.

I have to give a big shout out to my hosts, Liliana and Janne.  Thank you so much for the invitation and all the hospitality you showed me.  

For example, when I arrived dog tired, cold, sick (and thus in desperate need of a nap) this is what was waiting for me in my room.  I mean, really?  Honestly, I could have stayed in there all day - roaring fireplace, cozy bed, good book.  It was perfect.

Alas, hunger got the best of me and so I was delighted when we headed into town to get some veritable flammekueche/tarte flambée. Believe me, it went fast! 

Next came a river fish that is frequently used in France called Sandre.  Fresh veggies with a cream and pesto sauce made it quite delicious.

Dessert seemed to take forever to get to the table.  When it arrived, I certainly knew why.  This was not your average creme brulée!  It was accompanied by all kinds of fruits and sorbets on a beautifully constructed plate.  Well done!

The next day, we headed to a local castle, Haut-Koenigsbourg.

Which had amazing views, even when it was overcast.

To rid ourselves of the chill we took on while walking through a centuries old castle in the cold, we headed to a little restaurant and tasted local delicacies, including snails.

As well as this potato, bacon and cheese dish.

Hupsa Pfannala was a quaint place with good food and good service.  If you are in the neighborhood, check it out.

Then we headed into "the big town," Obernai, which of course had traditional Alsatian architecture.

We even saw a stork's nest high on top of a chimney.  The area's mascot is a stork so I was excited to finally see proof that they really existed around there.  I was starting to think it was just a gimmick, but nature proved me wrong.

Speaking of nature, the next morning we woke up as early as our wine-induced sleep would allow and hiked a mountain.

Yes, you read that right.  We hiked up and down Mount Odile and while it was a tough start, the fresh air actually did us all some good. :)

At the top of the mountain lies a monastery (as well as breathtaking views).

There is also a natural spring with holy water that you can use to hydrate yourself on the long walk home.

It was such a long walk home that we were actually worried we had hiked down into Germany by accident.  It's an easy mistake to make, but luckily we ended up right where we started - in charming Ottrott, France.

Hupsa Pfannala

www.hupsapfannala.com

59 Route du Vin

Saint-Hippolyte

France

Below is a restaurant and wine shop that is not mentioned above, but is highly recommended:

L'Ami Fritz

www.amifritz.com

8, rue des Chateaux

Ottrot-le-Haut

France

Gordes

From Roussillon, I headed west towards Gordes.  Luckily, the only mountain I had to climb in my toy car to get there was at the very end.  In fact, it was the hilltop on which Gordes sits, looking liking a majestic medieval town stuck in time.

Not only is the view of Gordes itself beautiful, but also the views from Gordes are breathtaking.  Be prepared to take a camera and to shoot lots of photos.  The culinary scene in Gordes is pretty good too.  So, take your appetite as well.

View of Gordes when driving into the town.

View walking into the town from the parking area just outside town.  I suggest parking here because it's just easier.  There are some places in town, but save yourself the time and frustration of driving into this tiny hamlet and instead park right outside.  Plus, it gives you a good opportunity to take in more of the views since you won't be focused on the road (or the crazy French driver flying at you head-on).

The town center is open and surrounded by old stone buildings.

And lots of shops.

It's quiet and peaceful here.

And there are plenty of places to pop into when the rain starts coming down like this.

As my rain shelter, I personally chose a modern looking restaurant which served new twists on old French favorites.  This was their version of a goat cheese salad.  The goat cheese was wrapped in a phyllo dough and crisped in the oven, then drizzeled with a balsamic reduction.  Well done.

The scallop and shrimp gnocchi did not disappoint either.

But the best part of Gordes was without a doubt the landscape surrounding it.

Not to mention all the little stone walkways that lead you to the magnificent views.

Pretty cool.  I would definitely stop here again for lunch and to soak up the countryside.

On my way back to Aix, I stopped at this monastery.  It was the only thing in the entire valley and of course has been there for hundreds of years.  If you have time to swing by L'Abbaye de Senanque, I suggest it.