Cooking Part 2 and 3

Part 2: V4B

On Wednesday at the Farmer's Market I smothered our bananas in my backpack on our walk home. So the following morning, feeling adventurous, I shopped for baking soda and vanilla extract. It only took two stores stops (Carefour/Franprix are never stocked...you can't count on one store for anything! Patience when shopping is a virtue and necessity because if you are really shopping for a specific item, you should expect at least 8 store stops. Thus, I consider my two stops a success!) to gather our goods and we were on our way to V4B. V4B? Ah yes, Very Blackened Bottom Banana Bread!

I followed the recipe carefully, something I haven't been doing. Usually I follow a recipe as a suggestion for ingredients and improvise with amounts/additions. For this Banana Bread, I gathered all the ingredients and in my large mixing bowl, aka Pressure Cooker, mixed each item at the appropriate time. I went off recipe just once and added the leftover plain yogurt to the mix. The ladies each took a turn with the mixing spoon and soon we were ready to pour it all into our baking pan and bake. I set the timer, the temperature, and placed the bread in the oven.

At the 25 minute mark, Elise and I checked on the V4B, although technically at 25 minutes it was, let's say, R in M, Raw in Middle. I decided to give it another 5 to 7 minutes to finish and then we'd be on our way to enjoying delicious 2B. However, about four minutes later the bread was done: perfectly done on the top/middle and VERY done on the bottom and sides. It happened so fast! The toaster oven went to town on my 2B in that four minute time period and I lost it to V4B. However, Elise and I didn't mind. As Celia napped and Brian was at work, the two of us thoroughly enjoyed the middle of that Banana Bread. I must say, the yogurt was a nice touch for the parts that were not over-cooked were fabulous! ;)

Part 3: Scallops!

On Friday, our good friends The Daniels shared with us two big bags of delicious scallops: fresh North Carolina farmed scallops and a bag of breaded popcorn scallops. While the ladies devoured the breaded scallops, (I should add they were fried in a layer of boiling butter in the frying pan. Who wouldn't love that?), I found a fabulous recipe for a creamy wine sauce and gave it a go for dinner that night. Unlike the V4B, the scallop pasta turned out deliciously. A combination of shallots, garlic, wine, and cream created a fabulous sauce for our pasta. And I cooked the scallops for just enough time; something I was a bit nervous about. You go too long on those guys and you could end up with a chewy dinner!

I learned this week that while my cooking skills are flourishing in Paris, my baking skills are depleting. But I'm not complaining, who needs to bake when you can stop by any Boulangerie and pick up a delicious treat any time. I think it's safer to my waistline that my baking is taking a holiday while my cooking improves! (Yeah right...who am I kidding? I'm cooking with butter and cream!)

Cooking

One of my goals when moving to Paris was to expand my cooking creations, dictionary and experiment as much as possible! In other words, I wanted to experience my own Julie and Julia. And why not, living in one of the finest gastronomical cities of the world, this is my chance! Although my progress has been slowed and/or complicated by our "furnished" apartment's equipment, (or lack there of) I have had a lot of fun this week trying out new recipes for Chicken Eggplant and Salmon Pesto. I was also able to recreate the fabulously wonderful tartiflette! Pictured below, please pay special attention to the two mounds o' cheese that top this delicious concoction!

1:47

I finished the 18th Annual Paris Semi-Marathon in a personal best 1 hour and 47 minutes yesterday. And what a great day for a race: the sun was shinning and it was a great temperature! It was an amazing experience to run with a different culture. There was chanting in French and bantering between runners. I loved being a part of it and especially loved seeing parts of Paris that I have not explored. Plus, there were a lot of supporters lining the streets: family members, bands, and men and women dressed in funny outfits singing songs of encouragement. It was fantastic!

Thanks to all who sent well wishes and support!

Brugge

Tuesday we returned from a fabulous Holiday in Brugge! We survived the train delays and made it out of Paris on a stormy and windy Sunday and got to spend two nights at the wonderful Hamilton House.

After settling in on Sunday, we out for a fantastic dinner of Flemish Stew and of course, French Fries! (The Flemish claim to have invented the French Fries and they are served with every meal! It is the ONLY side dish!) And we ate ice cream for dessert!

We returned to the house and caught the Gold Medal Hockey Game between Canada and the US! I know it sounds silly to spend vacation time watching TV (K and M!), but it was so much fun to have a TV and watch such an exciting game!

Monday was a fabulous day on the town. We ate waffles for breakfast and then caught a canal ride. Afterwards we wandered through the streets of Brugge. We stopped in The Church of our Lady and saw Michelangleo's Madonna and Child.

Lunch that afternoon was Mussels and of course, Fries! We each ate a bucket of mussels and munched on delicious fries! It was a fabulous lunch.

That afternoon we returned to the House, went for a quick bike ride, watched In Bruges, and napped! :)

We finished up Monday with dinner in the town square. Tuesday was a fun, lazy day of walking the streets of Brugge again before our train left! It's a great little town, beautiful architecture, and great food! I highly recommend a visit!