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Marché aux puces

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

As a child, I remember spending hours and hours waiting while my parents shopped for antique furniture. They used to bribe me with Famous Five novels, but those books had no chance of lasting long enough for my speedy eyes and their lengthy negotiations. As I sat in dark corners illicitly popping bubble wrap, I [...]

You’ll take Manhattan

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

We bought a bottle of Canadian rye whisky a few months ago, a tall handsome flask. But my husband (hereafter referred to as Barkeep) was only drinking it small nips when he felt very cold, and I don’t like whisky, so when we had some friends over for dinner — cocktail-enthusiast friends — I proposed [...]

Carnet de cuisine

Friday, January 13th, 2012

A few months ago I had dinner with a French friend and he showed me something really cool — his mother’s dinner party notebooks. For years — decades, even — ever since she was a young bride, his maman has kept a record of every dinner party she’s ever thrown: guest list, menu, recipes. As [...]

Galettes and other greetings

Friday, January 6th, 2012

I can’t believe I almost forgot to post today about one of my favorite pâtisseries: la galette des rois! Today is Kings’ Day, which means aspiring royals all over France will be tucking into frangipane-filled puff pastry, hoping to find the fève in their slice. The lucky recipient is crowned king or queen for the day. [...]

On beans and the new year

Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012

I’ve been writing and receiving cartes de voeux over the past few weeks — I send New Year’s cards because I’m ecumenical like that — and one of the things I’ve noticed is the difference between French and American messages. My American friends and I tend to offer best wishes for good health, happiness, perhaps even prosperity. [...]

Joyeuses Fêtes!

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Chers amis, happy holidays! And greetings from Southern California where I’ve hopped to spend a white (if by white, you mean the color of my skin) Christmas with my family. May 2012 bring you much happiness, good health, absorbing books and delicious meals shared with all the people you love. And, as always, thank you [...]

New newsletter (and giveaway)!

Thursday, December 1st, 2011

Bonjour, mes amis! I’m starting a new project that I’d love to share with you: My new newsletter! I’m preparing my first edition now, which I plan to send next month (and every quarter (or so) thereafter). It’ll feature more food porn photos, special recipes, stories from my travels, and news about my books, articles [...]

Joyeux Thanksgiving!

Thursday, November 24th, 2011

Whether you’re pilgrim or Indian, pumpkin pie or pecan, dark meat or white, football fan or kitchen junkie, marshmallow sweet potatoes or plain, happy Thanksgiving! I’m off to Aveyron for a bit of book research but I’ll be back next week with tales of amazing, elastic aligot. In the meantime, as you begin to prepare [...]

Household gods in Pompéi

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Wandering through a new exhibit on Pompeii at the Musée Maillol a few weeks ago, I couldn’t help but imagine life as an ancient Roman housewife. Hundreds of objects from everyday life are on display, from perfume bottles and heavy-linked woven gold necklaces, to heart-shaped cake tins and terracotta vessels used to store garum, a [...]

Strudel show

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

When I went to Vienna last November, I loved eating apple strudel at the old-fashioned tearoom, Demel. At the time, I had no idea of the skill and labor involved in creating the sweet pastry. The word strudel, which means “whirlpool” or “eddy” in German, refers to the swirl of thin dough wrapped around a [...]

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