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Les burgers du Camion qui fume
I am happy to announce the launch of my very first book as a food stylist. Or pardon my French, styliste culinaire. Les burgers du Camion qui fume by Kristin Frederick (Tana Editions), revealing the secrets of Paris’ wildly popular burger truck. I can personally attest that all of its 30 burger recipes are delicious, hot or cold. Although I have not craved a burger since we shot the photos early this summer, thumbing through the book has reignited my passion for one of my favorite Yankee doodle pastimes. With beautiful photos and reportage by my friend David Bonnier, it will certainly take the American street food trend into the French home.
Sorry friends, this one is in French. But luckily food porn needs no translation.
Pre-order here.
Need a burger fix? Catch Le Camion Qui Fume here.
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What Me Hungry?
I’m still in the French Alps. Remember I mentioned eating 5-course meals gracefully? Well, I thought raclette, being a single-course and all, would be a good breather. Mind you, it was my first time. But alas, at the end of the day, it’s just a glob of melted cheese. Poured on top of potatoes, accompanied with charcuterie, it is hearty, mountain food at its best. But I feel like I really should have skied or chopped wood beforehand to truly enjoy it. It’s a good thing we did not order a cheese fondue for the first course. After 4 days of eating 3 courses (onion tarte, boeuf bourguignon, caramel tarte) at lunch and 5 courses at dinner (veloute de cepes, escargot, filet de lotte, fromage, royal chocolat) my moderation is finally sinking in. Does this mean I’m becoming more French?
Anyway, I love a multi-course meal. It’s always been treat since I first discovered the soup, salad, entree, jello/rice pudding option at the local Chicago Greek diners of my youth. However, after 5-courses, I am usually on the brink of explosion. And what’s a proud member of the clean-plate/waste-not club to do? But here is what I have learned from experience. Although everybody loves a generous plateau of Alpine cheeses to choose from, choose either cheese or dessert. Or eat a small portion of each. Incorporate vegetables when possible, if given a choice. Stay hydrated during the day. And move around as much as possible. I’m starting to feel a bit of empathy for food critics…
Les Vacances.
The first weeks of March, all the French people I know flock to the French Alps for the obligatory February ski trip. Luckily, I am a part of the majority this week; it’s a family tradition of my new in-laws. Bonjour, French Alps! Bonjour, Mother-in-Law! We are in Meribel, a favorite ski station of Bridget Bardot. Unfortunately, I do not ski or snowboard. And I have not found a good snow sport compatible with my two left feet. Any recommendations? In the meantime, I’m trying out the snow bunny look and learning to eat 5-course meals gracefully. More on that soon…
P.S. Sorry I forgot my camera! I will let Bardot do the talking.
Souvenir de Paris
As much as I am continually charmed by the life in France, some things lag behind. For example, to complete most bureaucratic tasks (banking, visas, health insurance), a secretary hands me a blank piece of paper to put my request in writing. Most secretaries have a desk piled-high with said requests. Hmm.
Peeling paint and spiderwebs are often a part of the decor.
Our old washing machine has been bust for months now. I’ve been begging my husband to ditch it. However, there is only one issue; it is also our only counter space. How I long for one of those stainless steel and granite American-style kitchens with a French-doored refrigerator and a freezer larger than a shoebox!
Finally, the other night I was brushing my teeth on my way to bed. Not only to find a worm on the bathroom floor. Of all the things that could come off the street and into our humble bathroom, a measly little worm is the least of our troubles. But it doesn’t mean I want to have my bare feet in the proximity of an unannounced worm.
Old world charm, first world woes.