SUNFLOWER SEED BAGUETTE

Leave a comment July 28, 2021 Lisa LeCoump

We are celebrating the return of the Olympics with sunflowers by using sunflower seeds in our baking. This is the recipe for our sunflower seed baguette. Sunflowers from the Miyagi area of Japan are featured at the Olympics. The organizers said that after the earthquake and tsunami, the parents planted sunflowers on a hillside in Miyagi in memory of their children who died, and every year now the hill becomes covered with sunflowers.

PAIN A L’ANCIENNE FRENCH BREAD

July 2, 2021 Lisa LeCoump

This recipe for Pain a l’Ancienne French bread is our master recipe for French bread, baguettes, ciabatta and pizza. It’s an easy, foolproof recipe that makes a bread that rivals the bread we found in Paris and the pizza in Italy.

STRASBOURG FARMER’S MARKET

June 17, 2021 Lisa LeCoump

We were able to catch a farmer’s market while visiting Strasbourg, France. A farmer’s market is a great place to get a feel for the local town, check out the food and talk to local people.

FRENCH VANILLA ICE CREAM

November 16, 2020 Lisa LeCoump

French vanilla ice cream. Christmas came early and Santa just left me a Whynter ice cream maker. Wow! We made one batch of ice cream in it and I immediately got rid of all the previous ice cream makers we had hanging out in the garage never being used. No messing with ice and rock salt or freezing the inner container. But best of all, it made the most incredible French vanilla ice cream I have ever had. Better than anything we had found in France. I was stunned.

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CASSOULET IN PARIS

Leave a comment September 2, 2020 Lisa LeCoump

The cassoulet at Au Pied de Cochon – the perfect Parisian brasserie – was one of the highlights of visiting Paris. On this particular trip, we were there in the winter, so the restaurant was serving le Cassoulet Toulousain. This means it is in the style of the way it is made in Toulouse, which is a classic. It is made with pork shoulder, duck confit, garlic sausage and topped with bread crumbs. With some research, I was able to recreate the recipe at home.

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Flammekuchen in Strasbourg France

Gallery 3 Comments March 15, 2020 Lisa LeCoump

This recipe for flammekuchen is so easy and foolproof we use it almost weekly. It is the perfect make ahead meal and can be a fun family meal project or a healthy food swap, depending on how you make it.

Laduree in Paris

Image 1 Comment January 5, 2019 Lisa LeCoump

We diligently tried all the best french macarons in Paris, but nothing compared to Laduree! Maybe it was the pastel colors, or the uber cute shop, or the matching ribbons and tissue paper with the Laduree insignia, but nobody does it like Laduree!

(A list of our favorite tips for traveling with a camera is included at the end of this blog)

The evolution of Gingerbread

Image Leave a comment December 12, 2018 Lisa LeCoump

In the United States we know gingerbread at Christmas made into a gingerbread man, a dark cookie sweetened with molasses. But in Europe it takes all kinds of shapes.

(A list of our favorite tips for traveling with a camera is included at the end of this blog)

Love locks in Paris and Amsterdam

Gallery 1 Comment December 10, 2015 Lisa LeCoump

Love locks are appearing on bridges all over the world. We found these in Paris and Amsterdam. What was once a romantic gesture made by couples who want their love to be locked together forever, is now a nuisance that countries are trying to stop.

Paris wedding charivari (Shivaree)

Image Leave a comment December 4, 2015 Lisa LeCoump

In France, the custom of charivari now often includes a drive through the town in a parade of decorated cars with horns blaring. The older custom was to make noise as the couple left the church or at the home of the newlyweds on their wedding night, but customs change over the years. This was the couples car for a wedding in Paris .

Almonds at Weddings

Gallery Leave a comment December 18, 2013 Lisa LeCoump

Candied almonds have historically been given as wedding gifts or served to the guests as wedding favors. In France, Calissons d’Aix en Provence are said to have been served at the wedding of the king in the 1400s. The Italians serve five almonds to signify five wishes for the bride and groom – health, wealth, happiness, children and long life. known by many names – dragee, confetti, Jordan Almonds, mlabas, koufeta – they are popular at many American weddings as well.