Have some...really.
Sep. 27th, 2004 10:26 amI am almost finished taking care of the laundry. I put away everything in my suitcase and I have been up for several hours.
Who says jet-lag isn't fun? I accomplish so much when I sleep funny hours.
I made up a quick list of the restaurants we went to in Paris. I will write about those over the next week. They range in price from dirt-cheap (well as close as you can get in an expensive city) to posh-posh. As I mentioned I even went to a grocery store (to pick up milk and bread on a sunday morning) and I admit the only way I got through that on my own was to wander around the store with a basket and watch what everyone else was doing. I even lurked near the check-out counter a bit to see what the ritual was for that experience. I was so impressed with myself. I found everything I needed. The shop was absolutely tiny compared to most American grocery stores but like Paris everything is very dense but well-organized. I also noticed with certain products there were maybe....five or six choices vs. the American grocery store option of 15 choices for a one product. I suppose that is how they are able to be in such a small space.
I paid for my items and bagged the groceries myself. (I carefully watched for that so I didn't stand there like a twit waiting for someone else to do it)
I think what made me laugh a bit was the choice in cheese and cuts of meat in the store. They had things in there that I am used to seeing at the market where things are more separated like Rue Cler.
I really wanted to see all sorts of aspects of food and the retail end in France. I managed to shop in a French grocery store and at open markets. I cooked in Paris, I ate in all sorts of restaurants (though I didn't eat much in the way of ethnic food there and I think I want to explore that a little more next time) and I even put together a picnic.
Now to go out into the countryside sometime and maybe slaughter an animal and prepare something like blood sausage.
I am continually fascinated by the processes and steps that go into producing food. Especially in other countries. Things that seem unhygienic and scary in one culture is perfectly normal and expected in another.
There is one thing I have noticed in things I have read and food I have eaten. In nearly every single culture there is a variation on dough (usually a sort of bun-like thing) filled with meat or vegetables.
There are variations in preparations and the look of the end product but in the end it is all the same.
The original to-go food.
piroshkis, hombows, and pasties.
Brilliant!
It is the universal need to have something somewhat tidy and can be taken with you as you are working I suppose.
Eating in Paris did give me some fresh inspiration for cooking. Periodically I need that. I fall into slumps or I become dis-satisfied with what I am creating and hate even looking in the direction of the kitchen.
It is fall and time to think about things like squash.
Maybe a pumpkin ravioli.
Who says jet-lag isn't fun? I accomplish so much when I sleep funny hours.
I made up a quick list of the restaurants we went to in Paris. I will write about those over the next week. They range in price from dirt-cheap (well as close as you can get in an expensive city) to posh-posh. As I mentioned I even went to a grocery store (to pick up milk and bread on a sunday morning) and I admit the only way I got through that on my own was to wander around the store with a basket and watch what everyone else was doing. I even lurked near the check-out counter a bit to see what the ritual was for that experience. I was so impressed with myself. I found everything I needed. The shop was absolutely tiny compared to most American grocery stores but like Paris everything is very dense but well-organized. I also noticed with certain products there were maybe....five or six choices vs. the American grocery store option of 15 choices for a one product. I suppose that is how they are able to be in such a small space.
I paid for my items and bagged the groceries myself. (I carefully watched for that so I didn't stand there like a twit waiting for someone else to do it)
I think what made me laugh a bit was the choice in cheese and cuts of meat in the store. They had things in there that I am used to seeing at the market where things are more separated like Rue Cler.
I really wanted to see all sorts of aspects of food and the retail end in France. I managed to shop in a French grocery store and at open markets. I cooked in Paris, I ate in all sorts of restaurants (though I didn't eat much in the way of ethnic food there and I think I want to explore that a little more next time) and I even put together a picnic.
Now to go out into the countryside sometime and maybe slaughter an animal and prepare something like blood sausage.
I am continually fascinated by the processes and steps that go into producing food. Especially in other countries. Things that seem unhygienic and scary in one culture is perfectly normal and expected in another.
There is one thing I have noticed in things I have read and food I have eaten. In nearly every single culture there is a variation on dough (usually a sort of bun-like thing) filled with meat or vegetables.
There are variations in preparations and the look of the end product but in the end it is all the same.
The original to-go food.
piroshkis, hombows, and pasties.
Brilliant!
It is the universal need to have something somewhat tidy and can be taken with you as you are working I suppose.
Eating in Paris did give me some fresh inspiration for cooking. Periodically I need that. I fall into slumps or I become dis-satisfied with what I am creating and hate even looking in the direction of the kitchen.
It is fall and time to think about things like squash.
Maybe a pumpkin ravioli.