Trois par semaine.

Okay, final post I swear.

France has the best dairy products? Why? I don't know.
Perhaps they have happier cows. Perhaps their dairy industry is still
run by women who look like the women on this yogurt packaging who lovingly package
your yogurt as well. Whatever it is, it's good. There is no place for the lactose intolerant in France.
NO PLACE. No happy place, at least.

These are the delicious peanut chip things that I told you about.
I bought some more yesterday when I was going to meet George and STARVING.
I am going to miss these.

Only in France would they have economy-sized madeleines in the regular grocery store for one Euro.
Only in France.

Comfort Food & Comfort Friends

The lowdown on finals week at UCLA:
Candles, snacks, & baked goods at the Ophir apartment.
Delirium.
Finals cake at the Kelton apartment.
Staying up, coffee, staying up some more.
Countless hours spent wasted on gchat.
Laughing, Screaming, Praying, Closer.
Finals week is a love-hate relationship.
Everyone is struggling with the same problem, and there's a sort of comradeship that comes with it. I like it.
I don't like finals consisting of 9 essays and impossible material though.
But that's just extraneous.

3 am stretch break.

This quarter's finals cake.
Base: Pillsbury Funfetti cake mix
Frosting: Buttercream with 3 week old Extreme Moose tracks ice cream and peanut butter
Texture: Veggie Pretz
haha ew.


Morning Prayer & Breakfast @ Ophir!

Look at the chef hard at work :)

Action shot!

Homemade rosemary roasted potatoes with scrambled eggs

The company :)

Fresh baked blueberry streusel muffins & chocolate dipped fruit!

Friday night dinner

Poor lil' Christine was coughing up a storm, so Mike & I decided to run to Whole Foods (just like top chefs ;)) and make some wholesome chicken noodle soup (stock & all!) with toasted French bread and roasted vegetables (drool). Don't be fooled by the girly hands above. They're not mine.

But look, there's me. Making mama's ginger tea.

Roasted "study" of vegetables: white pearl onions, baby carrots, sliced eggplant, red and yellow bell pepper, and white mushrooms.

SO GOOD.





Speaking of friends, I miss my megan.

We have such lovely conversations
5:24 AM

megan: we're only twentywe can't do anything too permanentme: wellI'm twenty-onegoing on twenty-twomegan: same thingme: going on old grandma who's going to die alone.megan: (:i'll die with you nena5:23 AM me: God damn it, we'll just listen to Train together.megan: and make younger guys feel uncomfortableme: hahahahahathanks bubbie.you're such a comfortespecially at 5:30 am sometimes I forget you're in Spain...where everything's better.megan: (:well5:26 AM my front door is always open, and my maj adores you...if you get sick of the quietpop overyou won't but you could if you wanted tome: I know I could.. haha :)but you're a good substitute.for now.BAH come home5:27 AM just for a weekend.I'll romance youmegan: BAH come backme: buy you flowersserenade youplay with your hairmegan: that i wouldn't mindme: I'llwatch good movies with youwe'll maybe slip in the makings of a home pornocome on, it'll be funmegan: and that's how megan and tiffany became lesbos.me: hahahahah5:28 AM we all foresaw itI've seen your boobs.megan: and i yoursin barcelonaon a beachwe're weird.me: yeah.work on your paper.I'm updating my blog. because I'm a loser.megan: (:nope

Miss her.

Haute Cuisine Part Deux

My friend Heather & I were ecstatic to have discovered upon first meeting that we had the same insatiable appetite for good food & good wine. Elated to have a foodie companion in the city of haute cuisine and the dichotomous food obsessed stick-thin citadines, I quickly decided it was only logical to have Sunday night dinners together, and she, of course, obliged. Our routine has been this: Wake up at the buttcrack of dawn, visit a marché en plein air, purchase cheap, fresh, & seasonable produce/seafood/dairy, and cook the night away.

This week, we decided to make. . .

Homemade Gnocchi with Marinara sauce
& Endive Salad with Bleu cheese, Tomatoes, & Balsamic Vinaigrette

(Paired with a red Bordeaux)

I'm pretty proud of our accomplishment, because it had been a first attempt for me, but I'm glad I tried it, because it was delicious & so very easy! Of all the random goods that this apartment came furnished with, one of them happened to be a potato ricer. What are the odds? After a long night previous (ha. don't ask.), we met up at the Marché d'Aligré where the street was crowded, the vendors were beckoning, and the ingredients looked delicious. I came home having only spent about 10 euro on all kinds of goodies that will last me for 2 weeks, more or less. I of course, could not pass a tartlette aux fraises from the local pâtisserie as well ;)

Scoping the realm of recipes available on google, I came across this awesome recipe. What I like about it is that you can use gold potatoes (I liked this because I still had potatoes from before), and there are only 2 ingredients.

For those of you who pronounce gnocchi (guh-nochy), I give you a swift internet slap on the head. For those of you who honestly just don't know what it is, it's a bite-sized Italian potato pasta that you must try!

Allez-y!

Ingredients
Gnocchi
2 parts potato to 1 part flour
Tip: I just did 1 kg to potatoes & .5 kg flour...which is still a lot for 2.
You can also freeze leftovers & save them for later!

Sauce
3 tomatoes
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
3 tbs. chopped basil leaves

Tip: Add or subtract ingredients as you please!

Directions

Gnocchi:

1. Peel potato skins, place in boiled water for 10 - 15 minutes, or until soft. If you want to quicken the process, you can also cut the potatoes into halves.
2. Drain potatoes & twist in potato ricer (or shredder).
   
3. Add flour to potatoes gradually & knead until doughlike consistency develops.
4. Separate dough into quarter parts, or more, if needed & roll into "snakes"
5. Cut "snakes" diagonally & indent with tines of a fork.
6. Place in pot of boiling water (salted).
7. Gnocchi is done once risen to the surface!
8. Sauce & enjoy.

For the sauce:

1. Wash & dice tomatoes, garlic, & basil.
   
2. Pour olive oil & garlic into saucepan. Stir on medium heat for 3-5 minutes.
   
3. Add tomatoes & switch to low heat. Stir occasionally. "Sweat" mixture for about 3o minutes until tomatoes soften.
   
4. Add basil

I really do apologize for the poor quality of these photographs. Yucky yellow lighting.

Really looks like rice!

So cute.

Endive salad. Cheese was GOOD.

MMMmmmm..

Another Ladurée confection. I am determined to try every one.

Let me describe this for you: Frosted cream puffs nestled on a puff pastry & enveloped in rose essence, confite, and rose whipped cream. Topped with raspberries & a rose petal.

La Nourriture, Edition 1

Paris is more than just a city of lights, glamour, passion, and love. . .it's all about the FOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!! As I was consolidating the 100 + photographs I have taken throughout the past 2 days of constant stop & go, I found that inevitably my eyes paused to feast on what my stomach had beforehand. Granted, the fine cuisine served costs a pretty penny, I assure you that it is entirely worth it. I am grieved beyond belief that my roommate detests seafood, tomatoes, cheese, potatoes, pistachios, babies, life, and basically anything that is good in this world. I've no one to share my utter euphoria with when I happen upon a dish that provokes speechlessness. Chicken and grilled cheese loving Caitlin just stares and scowls. Sigh.

Does this photograph need any more words?
Pistachio macaron & ganache with fresh strawberries and rasperries, from Ladurée.
I can't even... I -- sdfjsdjfJPJDJFSKJFLKSJDKJK!!!!

Millefeuille de chèvre au basilic et salade verte, Café de Vrai Paris (Montmartre)

We paused at a little café near metro stop Abbesses after our walk around Montmartre. It was nice, with a dark atmosphere on the inside, and outside on the terrace we sat under heated lamps and ducked the cold and cloudy weather. The service was exceptional for Parisian standards and the food was delicious. For a group of friends, this café is perfect.

The best part about this dish was the composite of basil and chèvre, but on top of that -- the sauce. I don't know what that sauce was, but it was sweet and smooth, and complemented the cheese perfectly. And to think, this was only an entrée!! (appetizer, in French)

Crême brulée trois fois (chocolat, pistache, et crème)

For dessert, the 7 of us decided upon a trio of crême brulée. The waiter was aghast that we all wanted to share. "Non, pas possible! Pour deux personnes peut-être, mais pas pour tout le monde." We politely refused to order anything else, and he shrugged in a okay-whatever-you-say-because-you're-paying-but-you're-making-the-wrong-decision type of way. It was a funny moment. The original creme flavored was my favorite. Followed by the pistachio. The chocolate was too rich for me, but the sauce drizzled underneath was certainly entirely necessary, if not just for presentation :)

Crous restaurante universitaire
Paella et tarte rouge

On Wednesday, after our placement exam, we were taken to the "dorm dining hall," and it was 2.90 euro for a meal. Unlike American students who are accustomed to gorging themselves on an endless buffet of overcooked beef platters, this dining hall allowed ONE principle plate, ONE dessert, ONE drink, and ONE side dish. And we wonder why obesity is prevalent throughout the country? Haha. The paella was okay at best. The rice was dried out, albeit well seasoned. The tarte rouge though, I finished immediately. I'm a tart girl. ;) Caitlin, of course, detested everything and stuck to a bowl of plums.

Leek & Cheddar gratin with basil, tomato, münster salad (Chez Tiffany!)

I got to meet Megan Hanson in Paris on Tuesday, which was so nice, and I wish that I had a picture of the amazing falafel that we had. It was at "L'as du Falafel" 34 Rue des Rosiers, metro stop St. Paul in the Marais. We had the falafel originale, and it was a lightly toasted pita filled with falafel, eggplant, red cabbage, cucumbers, and yogurt sauce. We sat, ate, talked, and time literally paused, it was that good.

The following day, after a visit to the Eiffel Tower and resting on a blanket on the Champ de Mars, we decided to grocery shop and cook dinner. It was a mild success because we had gotten back too late, and had dinner around 10:30 at night. Haha. But it was good company, good food, and good wine.

Don't be surprised if I'm 500 pounds when I return. Do not be surprised at all. :)

The Inner Fat Girl

Everybody hides within themselves an inner fat girl/boy. Throughout one's lifetime, every once in a while, this fatty becomes transparent. Late night binges, reaching for the last of whatever's on the communal plate, devouring ice cream from the tub, you get my point. Recently, my inner fat girl has been insatiable. On our impulsive rendezvous to Las Vegas, Courtney Kim singlehandedly unleashed my long suppressed fat girl soul and restaurants across the globe have not been safe ever since. I have ravenously eaten my way through 3 award winning restaurants within 2 weeks. Thanks, Top Chef. Although my wallet cries out of abuse, my fat girl rejoices with promises to catch up with me when I'm thirty. Allow me to elucidate.

Voilà, the three culprits.

Jar, Beverly Hills
Suzanne Tracht

Providence, West Hollywood
Michael Cimarusti

CraftSteak, Las Vegas (MGM)
Tom Colicchio

No doubt these restaurants which boast "casual" fine dining have had their business boosted significantly by the Bravo series, which is, admittedly, the only reason that I was so enthused to offer my own patronage. But my God, they deserve it. You've really never lived until you've tasted good food. I regret to say that I have barely any good photos of the actual food, because the lighting in these places are terrible for picture-taking, but amazing for your appetite, apparently.

Craftsteak offered a menu of "American" cusine, whatever that means. It's during these times that I regret my dietary restrictions (however self-imposed that they are). We started with a mozzarella salad which was so simple, but mind-blowing. Slices of mozzarella with hazelnut, olive oil, heirloom tomatoes, and fennel. Courtney ordered a kobe beef entrée which she couldn't finish for the life of her and eventually spoiled because we didn't have ice in the ice box (ha). But I ordered a King Salmon with braised artichoke. The ingredient that actually tied it all together was the salted poached tomato. Who would have thought? The sides were equally noteworthy: sautéed spinach and a garlic & leek gratin. The latter dish was sweet and milky. Perfect!

Providence was amazing for more than just the obvious. The service was amazing! I've never experienced so much ass-kissing in my entire life. Given the prices on the menu it's almost understandable, but I was grinning from ear to ear. We ordered oysters for starters, had a delightful little platter of amuse bouche compliments of the chef, and finally for the entrées a maine lobster risotto for myself, and a striped sea bass for Courtney. And, wow. If I ever return, I'd order what she did because I wanted to switch when she wasn't looking.

Maine Lobster Risotto

Striped Sea Bass

Finally I will end my food gushing with Jar. This was only just yesterday, but I went with Mike (a fellow foodie) and, of course, it was good times all around. We were a bit overdressed, I think, because the man next to us was wearing a godawful Hawaiian shirt and the lady across from him who I can only assume to be his younger, more attractive wife, was wearing a simple daydress. Mike was dressed to the nines with a skinny tie, dress shirt, slacks, and a coat. Adorably European. Me? I was in a more casual cocktail dress, but, what am I saying? On to the food. A monster of a lamb shank with carmelized onions for him, and for me, softshell crabs with an apple curry sauce. Mashed potatoes, french fries, and Japanese purple yams with crème fraîche and chives for our sides. THE JAPANESE PURPLE YAMS were perfection. Probably my favorite out of the entire meal. I gave in and tried a sliver of Mike's lamb, but only because he looked like he was going to die of happiness, and I'm a sucker for happiness. So. Good. However, I regret to say that the dessert was "eh."

Of course every delicious meal is paired with a fun digestive event to follow. In Vegas we had the privilege of seeing "LOVE" by Cirque du Soleil. We had amazzzzzzinnng seats and my Beatles-lovin'-artist side cried tears of happiness from when she sat down to when the show ended with "All You Need is Love." Standing ovation! Providence was followed by the musical stylings of Iceland born Emiliana Torrini and Anya Marini. Both lovely & refreshing. Emiliana actually sang "Gollum's Song" in one of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Funny. Finally last night we watched Inglorious Basterds, which, I hate to say, because normally I'm so feminine & delicate (HA), but I loved. But enough with descriptions, how about some photos?

Emiliana. She's so cute!

Courtney & I at Third Street, before rushing to Providence.

At the Venetian!

Palazzo.

Probably the yummiest gateau chocolat (within the US) I've ever tasted.

Funny thing about Vegas. You can find little beautiful scenes like this, nestled within montages of plastic breasts and sex.

After dinner, @ the Bellagio gardens

Lounging in our room, before heading to the Spa.

MGM Check-in! A first for the both of us. -squee-

Hehe.

Thanks for tuning in! Remember to listen to that inner fatty of yours.