Sunday, May 08, 2016

Back to my own kitchen

After a long day of travel by taxi and by plane, I'm back in my own house. Our suitcases are empty, though all is not quite organized. I didn't bring home very many souvenirs -- but a few of them are in my kitchen.

Magnets from the Cluny Museum, the Orsay Museum,
and the area around Arles are on my refrigerator.
... I'm glad to see my kitchen!
On my counter, a bag of sea salt mixed with herbes de provence...
... I bought this salt at the market in Arles a week ago.
Though glad to be back, being in my own kitchen with American ingredients does make me think of all the French food I saw or tasted.

Update May 11: We've used the herb-salt on three dishes: inside a roast chicken with a cut up lemon; sprinkled on vegetables before roasting; and as a garnish on an omelet. Very satisfactory!

Here are a few more photos:
Cheese at the market near our Paris hotel yesterday.
Really, there's no cheese here that has the savory complexity of French cheese.
By the time it arrives here, it's just been kept too cold for too long, I suspect.
A baker at the market.
Our breakfast near the market.
And one more pastry shop window -- too bad we didn't try these,
though we did have some pastry later in the day...
... from this patisserie case we selected two delicious pastries.

Well, it's good to be home, but I wish we had some markets, pastry shops, restaurants, and cafes like those in Paris.

9 comments:

SeattleDee said...

Croissant AND a baguette for breakfast - how perfect. The temptations must have been a challenge to your willpower. Your posts from France have been a delight to read; thanks so much for sharing the highlights.

Lisa said...

Oh those cheese and pastries! I've never been to France but your pictures make me want to go immediately :) I like the look of that salt and herb mix too... what are you thinking of making with it?

Mae Travels said...

@SeattleDee: Temptations, indeed! A croissant and a "tartine" (that is, buttered baguette) is standard at a lot of cafes where we ate breakfast! And at one it includes the tartine and 3 small "Vienoisserie" (that is, flaky dough in the form of a croissant, wrapped around a piece of chocolate, and filled with raisins). Indulgent!

@Lisa: I actually don't know yet what I'm going to make with the salt mixture. In fact, I think you are supposed to put it on the table and sprinkle it on your food. I'll post whatever I figure out.

Linda said...

I agree, nothing beats French cheese.

Debra Eliotseats said...

I collect magnets too. What great food and drink and scenery, Mae.

Jacqui Brown said...

Such tasty pics. Makes me realise I live in a beautiful place where food is treated with the seriousness and passion it deserves. Looks like you had a lovely time.

~~louise~~ said...

Welcome home Mae!!!

There really is no place like home is there:) Looks like you've brought home some wonderful momentos and memories.

Do I detect a bit of French for Cookbook Wednesday this week, lol...

Thanks so much for sharing, Mae, welcome back...

Jeanie said...

My Cluny key ring resembles your magnets! Love your kitchen but like you, I long for the markets. Oh, and that photo with the bread and croissants -- Mae, you're makin' me crazy!

sherry from sherrys pickings said...

oh yum those pastries look so good. nothing better than a french pastry.