I'm not a big traveler... but I guess I can't really say that anymore, now that I'm halfway across the globe from where I started! I planned a repeat weekend in Paris only because Mark was supposed to be in Houston for the week. He got very ill and wasn't able to take his flight, but agreed he wasn't sick enough for me to skip the cooking class I'd signed up for - THANKS Mark! It's safe to say 16 hours on a train in one week was plenty for me and I'll be content here for a while.
We were told to meet our chef at a specific metro stop, by the newspaper stand. She'd be rolling a green grocery bag (this is normal here - I think it's because everyone walks to get groceries and they are heavy) and do NOT be late!
Chef Constance took us to the...
fromagerie (cheese shop)
she taught us the history of all cheeses and gave some suggestions on what to buy
that big block - BUTTER! she told us it would change our life, and it did!
the secret is it's made with raw milk - delicious!
boucherie (butcher)
the hanging rings are chorizo - also delicious!
I spared you photos of the meat - they leave the heads, feet, eyes, EVERYTHING on so it's a bit frightening the first time you see it! I have yet to visit the butcher here - it's so intimidating.
poissonerie (fish market) - She told us it's a good idea to form a relationship with the market people so they give you the freshest things. She asked the man at the poissonerie to go to the back to get fresher salmon!
boulangerie (bakery)
fruit et legume (market for fruits and vegetables)
After we got all the goods, we headed to the kitchen to start cook'n with class!
My friend Amy and I sat closest to the oven/stove and chef (teacher's pets) so we got to be involved in a lot! It was a very hands on class with 6 students total.
On the menu:
entree (starter): salmon graviax
plat (American entree): chicken basquaise served on roasted peppers and chorizo with sauce
fromage (cheese) with bread
dessert: chocolate ganache tart
...and of course wine!
A few final product photos...
my entree - we all prepared our own
we had to bone some of the chicken - it's surprising no one lost a finger!
With very full stomachs, we decided to walk to Sacre Coeur because we were in the area. The map showed a lot of grey colored roads and we figured out this is what that meant...
so many stairs! so many!
it looks like that guy wants to find an elevator
But as always, it was worth the trip up...
It was such a clear day - we really wanted to go to the top of the tower for the 360 views of the city, but the tower was CLOSED. I'll have to go back again sometime.
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