What a day yesterday! And boy, did I turn out to be lucky. There is much to report, so let's start with my shopping successes...
Went to Whole Foods for the first time in Memphis. I don't actually remember the last time I was in one. I was truly inspired: there is so much there that reminds me of a market in France. I'm definitely gonna have to make a regular effort to go this year, perhaps once a month on a Saturday or Sunday morning... the best things I came away with: a vanilla bean pod for baking, dried dessert figs from Turkey, whole organic hazelnuts for snacking (because they trick my taste-buds into thinking I am eating Nutella!) and... drumroll please... Lavazza coffee, direct from Italy and often what I am served in French cafes. Had my first cup this morning. I'm sold... no more Starbucks home brews. It just doesn't compare. In the words of my French friends, "Le cafe americain, c'est du jus de chaussettes!" (For those of you who are wondering, they liken the taste of American coffee to "sweaty sock juice." Sadly, this American actually agrees.)
Another hidden jewel in Memphis that was bestowed upon me oh-so-fortuitously: the Williams-Sonoma Outlet Market. Folks, I didn't even know these even existed. The only reason I happened to find it was because my iPhone told me it was there when I typed "Williams-Sonoma" into my hand-held GPS. Boy am I glad I ended up there: EVERYTHING in that store was anywhere from 30-60% off... bakeware, cookware, cooking accessories, spices, kitchen toys and appliances, you name it, they had it, and most of it was half-off. I have included a picture of my spoils in this blog entry... I even managed to score another French cookbook. Now, I have everything I need to make almost any French recipe, and from now on I can actually find something I really want to make (like Boeuf Bourguignon) and say to myself, "I can do that," instead of, "gee, I really wish I had the kitchen furnishings for that... and I am NOT using the crock-pot." Something else I am looking forward to making: an Almond Dacquoise... I have cake icing bags now!
Only disappointment I found (though I wasn't really that surprised): no cannele' molds and no piment d'espelette. I'm going to have to order those online. Will have to do the same for the madeleines. The outlet had molds, but they were of a size far too small for my taste. In any case, I did walk away with about $500-600 of French kitchen-worthy materials for only about $350. Am I a bargain queen, or what!?
The only other thing I have to report here is my most recent French detox recipe find, which I did actually try after my stomach got so upset from eating cookie dough. I was surprised how good it was and how much better I felt after having it. This may even be a sick-day worthy substitute for chicken broth!
Mireille Guiliano's Magical Leek Broth (from the French Women Don't Get Fat Cookbook) - copied and pasted from her website
Water to cover in a large pot
1. Clean leeks and rinse well to get rid of sand and soil. Cut end of green parts leaving all the white parts plus a suggestion of green. (Reserve the extra greens for soup stock.)
2. Put leeks in large pot and cover with water. Bring to boil and simmer with no lid for 20-30 minutes. Pour off the liquid and reserve. Place the leeks in a bowl.
Instructions:
The juice is to be drunk (reheated or room temperature to taste) every 2-3 hours, a cup at a time.
For meals or whenever hungry, have some of the leeks themselves, ½ cup at a time. Drizzle with a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Season sparingly with salt and pepper. Add chopped parsley if you wish.
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