Many of you know during Aspen’s summer season I’m a volunteer USFS Ranger decked out in the required uniform and official paraphernalia. When on a mountain trail patrol, if I see a tourist who is lost, separated from their hiking group or panicky, I know what to do.
Currently I am an American in Paris, a visitor, a guest. The best word to describe me is “careful.” That’s why when I spotted a little guy, about four-years-old, opening the gate at Square Jean XXIII park near Notre Dame Cathédrale last Sunday, it gave me pause. I looked around, saw no parents but did see a busy crowded boulevard, cars, and the Seine.
SUNDAY MORNING, LOOKING DOWN FROM MY FIRST FLOOR WINDOW
I slowly approached him, remembering the verb for “lost” and asked if he was. He didn’t respond but ‘about to cry’ means, “Yes.” As he wandered around the park, a young woman asked me if he was lost. Realizing he was, she said, “I’ll stay with you until he finds his parents.”
I’M STILL WATCHING. HE’S STILL PLAYING.
We didn’t touch him nor hold his hand nor say a word to him. We just kept him safe until we heard an obviously embarrassed Dad and worried Grandpa waving, hollering and thanking us. The entire incident took only ten to fifteen minutes but in that time the little tyke could have walked out the gate.
ON THAT SAME RAINY AND COLD SUNDAY MORNING, HERE’S A GENTLEMAN ON A PARIS RENTAL BIKE WHO HAD JUST BEEN TO THE OUTDOOR MARKET (SEE THE FLOWERS IN HIS BASKET) AND IS PICKING UP A PAPER FROM THE STREET SIDE VENDOR.
When I leave Paris, will that be the incident I remember most? Not likely. What I will remember is that I am one of at least 23 million tourists who visit a city that 2.2 million Parisians call home. It’s their turf and I’m cautious.
That being said, every day in Paris is like starting over ….. and, that’s a beautiful thing.* Here’s what my second week here looked like.
MACRON, MACARON, MACAROON, MACARONI
Not perfect, of course, but baked by Mary Hirsch!
Oui, it’s confusing! Today we’re only dealing with macarons, that small, round almond cake/cookie with a meringue-like consistency made from almond flour, powdered sugar and egg whites. Two of those little darlings are “glued” together with a delicious, creamy filling. They can be made in a rainbow of colors with plain to exotic fillings.
CHEF SÉGOLÈNE – the Best Macaron Professor Ever
BAKED & COOLING
I signed up for what was a fabulous three-hour macaron class at LaCuisine Paris, a well-regarded cooking school. Under the watchful eye of our talented chef, Ségolène, eight of us learned two different meringue methods, four classic fillings and many macaron baking tips. We made 20 dozen cookies (10 dozen macarons)!
Chef said we needed to see if the egg whites were “whipped and ready” by turning the bowl over on our partner’s head. Maria, my partner and a semi-professional baker, wasn’t too sure about her novice partner.
Whew.
PARIS HAS, COUNT ‘EM, 130 MUSEUMS
SANGLIER ( WILD BOAR ) at the Hunting/Nature Museum.
This week I visited two new-to-me museums, Le Musée de la Chasse de la Nature (The Museum of Hunting and Nature), housed in the grand Hôtel de Guénégaud, circa 1651, and The Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, a Museum of Arts and Civilizations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.
This photo is all over Facebook. I saw an entire film of this eagle attacking the drone and taking it down several times at the Museum of Hunting & Nature. It’s my understanding that the French Army has trained four golden eagles to knock down or put out of commission battery-charged drones that fly into security-sensitive zones. This is one of those eagles. (Photo compliments of Museum of Hunting & Nature and French Government.)
Both museums were quite dazzling, with their own personalities and well worth my time. See their websites listed below.
I chatted with some very tall, new friends at The Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac.
COOKTHEBOOKFRIDAYS – EVERYDAY DORIE, THE WAY I COOK
Our recipe choice this week is Dorie Greenspan’s POTATO TOURTE. Using the same method as pie-baking but by exchanging store-bought puff pastry for pie crust, you’ll understand what this is about. Another French twist are the ingredients, potatoes, onions, garlic, herbs, butter and heavy cream. Those last two are shockers, right?
Using equipment found in my flat and not much counter space , I started building the tourte. Note my rolling pin needed for the puff pastry, an icy cold wine bottle.
After slicing and dicing, layer everything except the cream into your pie or tart container like a composed salad. Save the butter for the top. Salt, pepper. Bake at 400 degrees and, mid-baking, slowly pour the cream through the X vent of your top crust.
This tourte is as tasty as it is eye-appealing. The genius of Dorie is her skillfulness in walking you through her recipes. For those of you, like me, who aren’t pro’s, she tends to answer a question just as you’re wanting to ask it. This dish works for lunch with a salad, for dinner as a side or as a snack, note the crème fraîche.
As I said, I made today’s recipe in my tiny one-counter kitchen. Although I love, love, love my flat here in Paris, when I return to Aspen and my 940 sq. foot condo, it will seem like a mansion. (More photos of it in next week’s blog.)
Last Friday morning I boarded the Eurostar in London and 2 hours, 15 minutes later, arrived at Gare du Nord in Paris. I will be here five weeks. This is a take 3-deep-breaths birthday year for me (I have until October to adjust.) and I am determined to make each day a doozie.
Early one morning I watched this artist stake out his spot at Église Saint Germain des Prés, one of the oldest Romanesque churches in France
Remembering Édith Piaf, La Vie en Rose
When I was in Paris last winter, I lived in the Marais on the Right Bank. It feels medieval, has more pre-revolutionary buildings and streets intact than anywhere in Paris and is in the heart of the Jewish quarters. This year, instead of returning to what I knew, I chose to live on the Rive Gauche (Left Bank) located south of the Seine in the Saint-Germain des Prés neighborhood.
Freddy’s
Much of this week has been bumbling my way here and there, soliciting tips and pulling up Google Maps. Besides locating Monoprix, Carrefore and la poste, I’ve also nailed Carton ( best local croissants ), Freddy’s (wine bar, small shareable plates) and the famous Poilâne’s on Cherche-Midi (they still bake bread in their basement oven and sell it in their upstairs boulangerie). On Sunday I walked to Marché Raspail, an organic 150-stall open market which is the largest in France and then stopped by Henri Le Roux’s, the renown chocolatier/caramelier whose shop is below my flat.
Wine and Roses at the SALON INTERNATIONAL de l’AGRICULTURE
I visited the remarkable Musée de Cluny, the National Museum of the Middle Ages, on the last day of its Magical Unicorn exhibition. This 15th Century Hôtel de Cluny mansion, is surrounded by a sprawling Roman bathhouse dating from the Gallo-Roman period. Its famous collection includes the “Lady and the Unicorn” tapestries, c.1500, thus the retrospective on the mystical horned-critter. Yesterday I paid respects to Notre Dame but the scaffolding is distractive. Then again, this formidable old lady has stood tall since 1163 when construction began and desperately needs this ongoing restoration work.
SALON INTERNATIONAL de l’AGRICULTURE
For some fifty years this ten-day Salon has been the annual meeting & event site for the key players of the agricultural world. It is my good fortune to be in Paris now and, even better, to attend it with my friends, cookbook author Dorie Greenspan and her husband, Michael, as well as Jane Bertch, who founded La Cuisine Paris, a cooking school/food tour company. I’ve booked her 5-star food tours in the past and will be taking my first LCP cooking class next week (macarons). What better group to tag with than these three foodies.
Jane and Dorie, our Tarte Flambée stop
Michael, sampling cheese
How to explain this gigantic event…put the Iowa State Fair together with the Aspen Food & Wine Festival on steroids and take that times ten. Or, better yet, just have a look at my photos. Please know we started sampling oysters at 11am in the morning and worked our way through cheeses, saucisson (dry sausages), candy, Tarte Flambée, an Alsatian pizza with cheese, bacon, and onions, foie gras sandwiches, Tourteau fromagé (a cheesecake baked at 700 degrees) and a custard flan with French prunes, all washed down with wines and beer. Seriously?
Tome Fraiche de l’Aubrac – this cheese is used to make Aligot, a fondue-like dish made from cheese blended into mashed potatoes that is made in the L’Aubrac region of France.
There were all kinds of farm animals to be judged and on display. This little guy was my favorite.
It’s Paris Fashion Week 2019 and this is the window of Karl Lagerfeld’s flagship brand store on Saint-Germain Boulevard. The windows are covered with black shades with this tribute in appreciation of their boss. RIP KL 1938-2019
Carton, 6 Rue de Buci, 75006 Paris
Poilâne, 8 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006 Paris
Freddy’s, 54 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris
Marché Raspail, Boulevard Raspail, between the streets of Cherche Midi and Rennes, 6th
Maison Le Roux Chocolatier et Caramélier, 1 Rue de Bourbon le Château, 75006
COOKtheBOOKFRIDAYS
Our recipe choice this week, David Lebovitz’s LEEKS with MUSTARD-BACON VINAIGRETTE, is too tasty to miss. Please try it. Since my kitchen here in Paris is adequate, I get to cook every week. Next week is POTATO TOURTE from Dorie Greenspan’s Everyday Dorie: The Way I Cook.
If any of you try David’s recipe, tell me if you liked it, will make it again and send me photos to use in my blog. Any problems? Let me know also.
LEEKS with MUSTARD-BACON VINAIGRETTE by David Lebovitz, My Paris Kitchen
5 large or 10 small leeks, cleaned but not sliced down the middle
2 eggs (hard-boiled) (I only used one.)
DIRECTIONS:
1.Cook the bacon over medium heat in a skillet until nearly crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel to drain. When cool, chop the bacon into pieces about the size of tiny peas.
2. Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, and salt. Whisk in the oils, 1 tablespoon at a time (the sauce may emulsify, which is fine), then stir in 1 tablespoon of the parsley and two-thirds of the bacon. Set aside.
3. To prepare the leeks, fill a large pot fitted with a steamer with a couple of inches of water. Bring it to a boil over high heat and add the leeks. Cook the leeks until tender meaning when you poke them with a sharp paring knife, it should meet no resistance at the root ends. (Smaller leeks will take about 15 minutes, and larger ones will take about 30 minutes.)
4. Remove the leeks and let drain and cool on a plate lined with paper towels. Cut the leeks and half them crosswise and arrange on a serving platter alternating them head to tail.
5. Peel and dice the hard-cooked egg(s) and scatter them over the leeks.
6. Pour the vinaigrette over the leeks/egg(s). Use a fork or move the platter so that the dressing coats the leeks as thoroughly possible. Scatter the remaining bacon pieces and parsley on the top.
7. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
COOKtheBOOKFRIDAYS is an international group of food bloggers cooking it’s way through David Lebovitz’s My Paris Kitchen cookbook (almost completed) and Dorie Greenspan’s Everyday Dorie: The Way I Cook (our journey is just beginning). If you wish to join us every week or occasionally go to https://cookthebookfridays.wordpress.com/ Or, contact me.
This pre-theatre lunch before seeing “Hamilton” was at Aster, an all day brasserie with a modern European menu, on Victoria Street. The best Duck Leg Confit I’ve ever tasted, with potatoes and spinach.
My bags are packed. I’m ready to go. Groucho Marx once claimed he was leaving the city because the weather was too good. “I hate London when it’s not raining.”
My friend, Cathy O’Connell, was in London working with her book publisher. We saw “Hamilton” together at the Victoria Palace Theatre.
Well, Mr. Marx, Mother Nature threw everything at me – wind, rain, cold and, now, sun. This past week 96 camellias popped open on a nearby bush in my front yard. I’m leaving this Chelsea flat rental with my treasure bank stuffed with joyful memories.
When I crossed the Pond before with Michael our focus was on all things Winston and Windsor. Military and monarchy. We dropped too many American dollars at flea markets/antique shops and always left London smiling. This time it was about museums, galleries, theatre and tea time. Although I’m prone to attack each day as if it were my last, I still came up short!
My daughter, Melissa, and my first stop after she arrived was at St. Paul’s Cathedral. Dating from the late 17th century, St. Paul’s was designed by Sir Christopher Wren who is buried there. We climbed up 376 steps to this outside Stone Gallery. It was too wet and windy to get to the top. (Thank God.)
TEA
The 300-year-old lengthy, narrow Twining’s on the Strand has always been in this location. Starting at the threshold and running almost its entire length are dark wooden shelves, stacked high with box after box of tea leaves and bags from all over the world and in all kinds of blends.
Melissa joined me for a week. She wish-listed, I organized and we concocted a killer itinerary. As a tea drinker, she first picked a Masterclass Tea Experience offered by Twining’s. Although I’m an 8-mugs-a-day coffee addict and know nothing about T-E-A, I booked it.
Julia and Melissa with the six categories of tea.
Julia, our instructor, shared tea’s historical story, followed by a tasting session. Melissa and Julia bonded over, well, everything. I found its history fascinating. Here’s the short form: 1) Discovered in China in 2737 BC; 2) Introduced to England by their Portuguese Queen and wife of Charles II in the 1660s; 3) Tea quickly became the national beverage; 4) Today Brits drink 165 million cups of tea a day (60.2 billion annually) as opposed to 7 million cups of coffee.
We also had brunch at the magnificently-decorated French Tea Emporium Mariage Frères, which just opened in Covent Gardens. Our waiter and Melissa are tea talking while I’m narrowing down my pastry choices.
During WW I, tea was scarce, a morale catastrophe for the English. With WW II approaching and lesson learned, Churchill stockpiled tea. By 1942 the British government had purchased the world’s entire supply of black tea. During the war, Julia told us, there was always enough tea for the soldiers, hospitals and Red Cross workers, a definite morale booster.
This was my brunch choice: an omelette with smoked salmon and marinated vegetables. My pastry of choice was a tea-infused canele.
“There were three things during the War we evacuated to the countryside for safe keeping,” Julia said. “First, the tea. Secondly, our priceless museum objects. And, third, the children. In that order.”
We joined the Year of the Pig New Years celebration in Chinatown. While we were having Dim Sum, this fanciful creature appeared and preformed at our restaurant’s door. Scary, huh?
THEATRE
Few cities can rival London productions and the venues where they’re produced. I saw five. Our bookends were The Mousetrap, the classic Agatha Christie mystery that’s run continuously in London’s West End since 1952. Totally English crowd. Doesn’t get better than that!
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie This award-winning musical was inspired by the 2011 BBC documentary, “Jamie: Drag Queen at 16, ” about a Sheffield boy who was non-binary. We all recognize being ostracized and bullied. This play was a magical lesson in acceptance. The audience, primarily English, was filled with teenagers and lots of families. Loved this experience.
We had lunch at Harrod’s Tea Room where I ordered Shepherd’s pie with seasonal greens and lamb gravy. Delicious.
Also, Hamilton. Hooray to the Brits for laughing and clapping at the portrayal of George III, the play’s royal funnyman. In addition, The Book of Mormon and Tina, the Tina Turner Musical, coming to Broadway next fall.
At Harrod’s Melissa ordered Spiced roast cauliflower salad with baby spinach and pickled shallots.
MUSEUMS and GALLERIES
A Sunday at the National Gallery. Children and their parents were everywhere playing a bingo game with paintings or listening to story hour. Busy and happy.
Why not bring your dolls and stuffed animals to the National Gallery?
I visited parts of 6 museums: the two Tates, Britain and Modern; the National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery, Victoria & Albert and Sir John Sloane’s. The historic house, museum and library of Sloane, a renown 19th-century classical architect, is filled with his exceptional collection of art, sculptures, furniture and artifacts.
This is the Dior-designed navy dress with lace trim that Princess Diana wore to the annual Met Gala in New York in 1996. It is now considered a key piece of fashion history. (The exhibition’s ballroom was dark.)
Since these museums are overwhelming, some thoughts, especially if you are alone: 1) Take advantage of the docent talks/tours offered. I joined many but a V&A architectural tour was especially fantastic. Prince Albert reigns! 2) Does the museum have a special restaurant? Make it your lunch stop. Surprisingly fun. 3) If there’s a highlighted exhibition, see it. At the V&A we saw the Christian Dior retrospective, the biggest Dior show ever staged in the UK and one of a string of exhibitions around the world that reveal Dior’s extraordinary popularity.
Dior’s “New Look” from the 1940s and 1950s.
“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustav Flaubert
Off the beaten path in London, a reminder of home.
Last week, just as the Polar Vortex had powered up to “don’t even think of flying into Chicago’s O’Hare Airport,” I was scheduled to fly to London. In an attempt to assure I would fly the friendly skies, United Airlines had changed my Aspen-Chicago departure flight time twice. While it may have seemed wacky to arrive at Aspen’s airport at 8am for my now 1pm flight, that’s what I did.
This week’s recipe choice from the “Everyday Dorie” cookbook.
EVELIA PUPO CASTILLO
If the early bird catches the worm, I wanted to be that birdie. Although no one was checking in for flights yet, Agent Evelia Castillo was on duty. I approached the desk and asked if I had a shot at getting out today. She looked at my ticket and grimaced.
Without a word Agent Castillo began doing that computer clicking-and-clacking that airline agents do, before saying, “Let’s see if we can do better.”
In less than 45 minutes she had me on Aspen-Houston – London (direct) flights. I arrived in London ten hours earlier than originally scheduled. What Evelia doesn’t know is that having been in a plane crash involving snow, I don’t fly easily on sunny days. In bad weather, fearfully anxious, I drink. (Gracias, Ms. Evelia.)
Faded and worn: Welcome to London
SAFELY ACROSS the POND
My first week here, as the Brits say, has been “brilliant.”
Most international flights converge on Heathrow around 6-7am. Who planned that? The customs queue, an hour long, was diverse, orderly and subdued. (“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”) Not noisy America, for sure.
For me, this city means theatre. Only in London could I see Tina, the Tina Turner musical which premiered here in March 2018 at the Aldwych Theatre. Built in 1907 in the Edwardian Baroque-style, the Aldwych is three-tiered and holds 1,200 people. Sold out, always. “Tina” arrives in New York in Fall, 2019.
Because I’ve never seen 9-Tony awards-winning The Book of Mormon, today, I did. Playing in the Prince of Wales Theatre, seating 1,100 people, it was unexpectedly outrageous and hilarious. This theatre’s claim to fame is its ample supply of women’s bathrooms. No waiting in line, Ladies. Boom!
British painter Rex Whistler’s mural, “The Expedition In Pursuit of Rare Meats,” which surrounds the Tate Britain restaurant.
Tate Britain, often overshadowed by Tate Modern, is amazing. On Monday I re-visited my old English friends, landscape painter J.M.W. Turner and sculptor Henry Moore. According to my guide, Peter Scott, there are 37,000 Turner items entrusted to Tate Britain’s care. Since I’d never eaten in its famous Rex Whistler Restaurant, I righted that wrong. Monserrat, the manager and my waitress, treated me to the ultimate Whistler (that British Whistler without the Mother) experience.
Mock Turtle Soup, brown meat broth, beef and ham raviolini, root vegetables and mushrooms.
In searching for the quintessential English pub, I settled on The Salisbury, named after Queen Victoria’s favorite prime minister. With its original cut glass and hand-carved mahogany splendor, it’s a fine example of a late-Victorian pub.
Fish ‘n Chips at The Salisbury
What is a more iconic English scene than that of my pub mates at The Salisbury.
So happy that I had time to make Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs, this week’s CooktheBookFridays recipe choice before leaving Aspen. Dorie explains this recipe as ‘ a simple sauté-then-braise affair emboldened by a chili/soy mixture.’ The combination of Thai sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard and Sriracha kick plain Jane chicken thighs up a few notches.
FRENCH FRIDAYS, EVERYDAY DORIE
It’s easy to make these sweet chili chicken thighs. Briefly, soften the finely chopped whole onion, ginger and garlic cloves in oil before adding white wine, allowing it to evaporate. Mix in the sauce ingredients, blend, cook and set aside. In another pan, brown the chicken thighs. After browning, add the thighs to the blended sauce, cover with lid and cook at low heat for 30 minutes before serving. (I served with rice.)
If you’re inspired, I’ll be happy to send the recipe. What I like best about Dorie’s newest cookbook is her introduction of intriguing ingredients/combinations that she’s picked up from her recent travels and food experiences. She’s almost a “new” Dorie but in the finest sense. And, Readers, no one writes a clearer recipe or explains the process better than Dorie. She’s a Pro.
Everyday I see a crew somewhere in the Underground scrubbing graffiti off the walls and floors.
Early Thursday morning, when every sane human in Anthem Country Club’s gated community was sleeping, I started my trip back to Aspen. I shared a farewell with this majestic Great Blue Heron , a year-round resident who always enjoys the dawn peace, solitude and fountain mist.
Someone with more insight than I insists the best tools for getting to Happy are 1) Sunlight; 2) Rest; 3) Exercise; 4) Diet; 5) Self-Confidence; and 6) Healthy Relationships.
None are budget-busters. The first is free. The rest we can control and manage ourselves. The effort we commit to each is by choice.
Midway through my trip to Aspen I stopped for the night. The next morning I wandered into the motel’s breakfast room and encountered this memory bonanza of doughnuts. After opting for a healthier breakfast of yogurt and banana, I just had to grab 2 mini-powdered morsels. Got the sugar all over my black sweater. The full-on experience.
Last week I drove to Aspen after spending the best 2-month holiday season ever with my Bishop family and friends in Henderson/Las Vegas where Michael and I last lived. This was a quiet time when I could re-evaluate the Life I lead. Realizing there are no more 10 or 5-years plans in my future, I’m pretty ruthless about my year-to-year scorecard.
Home again in Colorado. Brush Creek, Snowmass Country Club, Snowmass. Colorado.
Which brings me to #6 in the tool chest above, Fostering HealthyRelationships. By necessity as a Caregiver needing to stay healthy, I already had nailed #1-4. Number 5 is still sometimes wobbly. But I believe #6, is the best pathway to Happy.
No powdered sugar donuts to be found in Aspen, Colorado.
Relationships and friendships come in all sizes. Each needs nourishment. Of course, being all about Lists, I have one to share with you. Here’s hoping you’re okay with that. My work in progress….
FAMILY: When returning to Aspen in 2013 my only hesitancy was being 850 miles from my granddaughters. I wailed at the thought. Melissa’s family was the reason we moved to Las Vegas. We saw each other often. Missy kept saying, “We’ll figure it out, Mom. We will.” And, as always, she did. For the past four years Clara and Emma have each written me weekly e-mails. Mom’s rules were “3 paragraphs, 3 different subjects.” At first there were nudges, bribes and ‘not until you e-mail Grandma’ threats. No more. Besides long and lengthy e-mails, they also text, call and send videos. In turn, I write weekly e-mails to each girl. While I only see them 2 or 3 times each year, I am in the middle of their lives.
The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art displayed two Yayoi Kusama installations: Infinity Mirrored Room and Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity and Narcissus.
PERSONAL FRIENDS: Old or new, near or far, I value my friends. I’m too busy to be a constant buddy but I work hard to nurture friendships. If you’re my friend, you know it. What I’ve become less tolerable about in friends are complainers, whiners and victims. Life isn’t always fair but I know I am very fortunate. My personal social landscape beginning with loyal grade school besties up to recently-made friends tend to also be people who realize and are grateful for the good lives we’re privileged to lead.
My friend Ardyth Sohn invited me to The Literary Society’s monthly luncheon and meeting to hear Lisa Ko discuss her award-winning debut novel, “The Leavers.” She writes beautifully and is quite impressive.
The meeting was at the Four Season’s Hotel located in Mandalay Bay. For lunch we enjoyed Tuna Nicoise with Kalamata Olives, Fingerling Potatoes and Haricot Vert covered with a Mediterranean Vinaigrette.
Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse Dome with Raspberry Coulis
CONSEQUENTIAL STRANGERS are those countless everyday people who touch our lives often and influence us personally. Where would my life be without my Gant family enabling me to “live the dream” as Wesy, our Concierge often says. “Mrs. Hirsch, you are living the dream.” And while I am so fond of that crew, respect and admire them, I recognize there is a Homeowner/ Employee relationship we must observe. Sometimes I forget.
Prepare to be impressed. Do you know anyone but Mary Hirsch who has earned a certificate for a Master Dumpling Class? I’m betting, No. The Wynn offers a variety of Master cooking classes taught by Chefs from its various upscale restaurants.
WEAK TIES are acquaintances or not, who can be surprisingly powerful in influencing us. All the food bloggers I’ve followed the past 8 years are Weak Ties. However, the French Fridays with Dorie group (Dorista’s) grew into personal friends through meet-ups, visits and weekly blog posts.
The revolving door of impressive speakers/programs at the Aspen Institute, Music Festival and the like are Weak Ties who profoundly influence me on a daily basis. During the late Eighties while attending a small seminar I listened as Justice Harry Blackmun explained how Roe v. Wade happened. Since that initial magic moment I’ve experienced fleeting but impressionable encounters with the famous and accomplished like YoYo Ma, Renee Fleming, RBG, Congressman John Lewis, former SOS Madeline Albright and the Unknown, like those 300 Opportunity Youth Forum leaders who gathered at the Institute last fall.
There were 17 students in the class with four chefs and four helpers to assist us in making Dim Sum dishes for lunch. Working in the Wing Lei kitchen, we accomplished the task and had fun doing it. Chef Sandy Shi, above, is the Master Dim Sum Chef, and manages her own kitchen and staff. She turns out 30,000 to 50,000 dumplings per month.
Serious business. We are attempting to make Shumai, a type of traditional Chinese dumpling. While I will never make another dumpling, I had a great time in the class.
FACELESS WONDERS are thousands of taken-for-granted people we don’t even know who make our daily lives tick-tock and function. Think 800,000 federal workers victimized by the recent Shutdown. Or, for me personally, a 30-second encounter with 300 firefighters while handing off dinner to them at the Salvation Army Food Truck in El Jebel last summer.
Chef Wei Chan
The upshot? This is the first time I’ve categorized my friendships. I’m realizing, like it or not, we’re plugged into something larger than our own tiny worlds and that’s a good thing.
EVERYDAY DORIE, The Way I Cook, by Dorie Greenspan
Potato Chowder Lots of Ways
With apologies to Dorie Greenspan, I re-titled this week’s CooktheBookFridays recipe choice. It’s called Potato Chowder Lots of Ways. I’ve chosen to re-name it A Chowder for All Seasons. This soup is worthy of the name.
Here’s Why? A chowder is a rich, chunky soup traditionally made with onions, potatoes, and cream. We’re probably most familiar with seafood, corn or clam chowder. Although there are countless variations, tomato-based Manhattan Clam Chowder, color red, is the odd guy. In this recipe, Dorie takes basic potato chowder and shows us how to make imaginative changes to compliment each season. One recipe. Four versions.
Stuff on Brioche – a classy use of leftovers from Dorie Greenspan’s Potato Chowder.
Palate pleasing comfort food. It’s simply put together with chicken or vegetable broth, leeks, onion, shallots, garlic and yellow potatoes. Frozen peas were a tasty add-on and added color. Perfect for cold temps at this time of year. We are not able to share this chowder recipe. If you do want to make it, contact me and I’ll gladly share the recipe.
EATALYLASVEGAS PICTURE BOOK
Ciao Las Vegas
There are 37Eatalysscattered throughout the world. Las Vegas just became numero sei in the United States. The newly-opened EatalyLasVegasclaims to be the largest ‘Italian marketplace with restaurants in the world.’ It’s 40,000 square feet footprint just opened in the Strips’ newest shiny object, Park MGM mega-resort hotel and casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
Dolce & Gabbana Designer Juicer
This week I visitedEataly with friends Ardyth and Harold Sohn. I’ve got pictures.
OUR FIRST ENCOUNTER: We walked into Eataly and spotted the popular dancing mosaic bull copied from the Turin coat of arms. The original mosaic is located in the famed Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. The oldest shopping mall in the world, it was constructed when America was fighting its Civil War. It’s believed that “Lucky Bull” brings you good fortune by standing on it and circling three times. Deciding to ‘Swing Big or Go Home,’ I powered up and swung strong.
IT’S ABOUT THE FOOD: We sprinted through our initial walking tour overview because who doesn’t become ravenously hungry by 11:30am? We divided to conquer and later found a table for our chosen meals. Ardyth chose a cold pizza served on ciabatta bread from La Pizza & La Pasta. Street Food appealed to me, arancini and fritto misto de pesche. Harold chose to stop at La Pescheria and hand-picked his Branzino, a European Bass, to be grilled. All quite delicious.
BEFORE – Branzino
AFTER – Branzino
Happy with her choice…
Street Food
FOOD, PART II: After lunch the Sohn’s shopped while I continued to explore the eating opportunities. I stopped by IlGelato (aka the Nutella Bar) for a don’t-miss-it pistachio cannoli. This popular bar offers crepes, cookies and croissants, some smothered with the hazelnut-chocolate spread. (Do you realize you can now buy a whopping seven-pound bucket of Nutella at Costco for about $22.) I finished up my all-things-Italian spree at CaffeLavazza with Bicerin, a specialty coffee drink from Turin of liquid chocolate, espresso and whipped cream.
