Let the planning (or eating) begin!

September is still the target for departing for a year in Paris. It's time to figure out those fun things like: Can I access my bank while in Paris without exorbitant fees? What type of Visa do I need? What's a safe, reasonable & charming neighborhood to live in?

Researching is great, but food is better ;) So my future Paris flatmate and I began our evening by familiarizing ourselves with a French dish that altered the lifestyle of Julia Childs. Dinner: Sole Meuniere, roasted potatoes and a simple salad with Parmesan & a vinaigrette (with shallots, yum!). Research never tasted so good! (The Sole Meuniere is a simple, elegant dish that tastes amazing--I highly recommend.)

So many details to figure out, but if French cooking accompanies them then il sera bon.

Mmm.... Food

The last 3-4 weeks I've spent nearly every evening cooking. It's that OCD part of me that just remembered how fun it is to make delicious dishes ;) I'm hooked & I can't stop. Here's a couple dishes I made:


(Left: Ratatouille before cooking, Right: Turmeric Roasted Cauliflower)

I'm working on my French cooking skills, though I haven't pulled our Julia Child's cookbook (yet!). "French Women Don't Get Fat" has fantastic, simple recipes and I also like "The Paris Cookbook" (great Parmesan bread).

Now to focus on learning French!

Dinner makes me happy!

Yummy Santa Fe Chicken Chili!! Thank you Gluten Free Goddess ;)

ps. hate it when I can't flip my iPhone pics in blogger...please tilt your monitor 90 degrees to the left for proper viewing. *grin*

Delicious Sweet Potato Fries!

Have to pass along this simple recipe I've been using to make Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries.  I'm a fan of anything that allows me to cover a cookie sheet in aluminum foil and bake it in the oven :)  Easy clean-up!  If you're a fan of Sweet Potato's or interested in becoming one, this is the recipe for you.  Thanks Sarah!

Shout Out: Specialty's Bakery

A yummy cinnamon roll & two delicious bowls of soup later. Three separate events, three separate days (in case you were wondering).  A few weeks ago, I had a delicious cinnamon roll from Specialty's and decided to see what their lunch menu had to offer.  Homemade soup, made fresh everyday.  I'm hooked!  After their corn chowder and 3-bean salsa soups, I've decided it's worth recommending.  

Get this--you can also sign up for Specialty's CookieAlert(TM) Radar & Email Alerts.  I'm joking, right?  Check this out: http://www.specialtysdirect.com/cookiealert_popup.asp

Guilty Pleasures

I'm not much for reality TV shows. Their brand of competition usually bores me. The "characters" are like actors in a Lifetime made-for-tv movie. *Not exactly my cup o'tea* (Yes, that was a British accent). That said, I'm enjoying my recent discovery--Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares. Each episodes features a restaurant that's in dire straits (financial, managerial, food, etc...). Ramsay comes in as an expert chef and restaurateur to "whip them into shape". Quite amusing.