Food & Wine French Life Paris: Food & Wine French Life Paris
by maribeth
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Food, Wine and Giving Thanks
We’re all foodies today. No matter how or where or what is served up, Thanksgiving marks the one day out of the year when we Americans collectively reflect on what we are grateful for and then feast on hearty helpings of mashed potatoes, turkey with cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. When I lived in France, I can remember it being said that Thanksgiving was the day when Americans ate the best, even better than the French. Although somewhat off-handed, that was quite the compliment, especially considering the chauvinistic attitude often exhibited in France toward fine cuisine.
Warm Hokkaido Squash and White Bean Salad: Clotilde's Possible Choice for Her Thanksgiving Potluck
Thankfully we have super foodies out there blasting the blogosphere on a regular basis with food and wine information that tantalizes our taste buds year-round. I invited two of them, Clotilde Dusoulier and Ronald Holden, to be guests on Travel Fun this week for a Food and Wine special. Both live with one fork (or should I say, one glass raised?) in France and America, a not-so insignificant fact that in my opinion lends more credo to their gastronomic perspectives.
Paris-based food writer, Clotilde Dusoulier, took center stage first, largely chatting about her blog, ChocolateandZucchini.com, that she founded five years ago. (It started off in English, but after much pressure from her countrymen, she finally began to post a French version a year and a half ago.) “I wanted to create a space where I could document food adventures in general,” she said. A cornucopia of recipes are posted on her site, most of which come with a story. Not surprisingly Clotilde cooks a lot with vegetables and loves to bake (I’m sure with copious amounts of chocolate). Veggies, however, dominated our interview, talk that made me yearn for the glorious produce of France where virtually everything you buy tastes twice as flavorful as in the U.S. “I find myself designing meals around the vegetable part and then adding protein. I get inspired by the season and the offerings at the green market,” Clotilde said. If only I could beam myself into France on occasion to do my marketing!
Clotilde from ChocolateandZucchini.com
Clotilde planned to join some American friends in Paris today for a Thanksgiving potluck. When she told me this I didn’t comment on it, but in the eleven years I lived in France I neither attended nor hosted a potluck—a very American tradition that’s terribly un-French. Perhaps the country is becoming even more Americanized than I realized.
The ever-so entertaining Ronald Holden had me practically clinking glasses with him over the airwaves. Ronald, who created Cornichon.org, is a terrific food and wine enthusiast, however, we focused mainly on wine in our segment. (I was fortunate though to extract from him his special cabbage side dish recipe—a Thanksgiving tradition in his family—which I’ve posted below.)
This being the season of Beaujolais Nouveau, we began our interview chatting about the first release of the new year from Burgundy, a fun French institution of sorts that Ronald recommends you drink with turkey or other fowl. “It’s a wine that ferments very quickly, so everything explodes with flavor. You have to drink it within the first few months,” he said. “It’s a party.”
Ronald Holden
I suppose a lot of wine appreciation is about how you approach the nectar. Ronald feels it’s unfortunate that most Americans are still drinking “Coca Cola flavors” such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. “The more adventuresome might go for Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, Syrah or Sauvignon Blanc,” Ronald said. Instead he advocates selecting more international flavors such as wines from the regions of Emilio Romagna in northern Italy, Provence in southern France and Navarra in Spain. For Provence, Ronald enjoys the various Côtes de Provence that come in a palette of pale pink shades. “They’re wonderfully refreshing,” he said. “They’re a far cry from the more heady rosés that I’d refer to as wines for tanning. People would drink a lot of those wines, fall down in the sand and get sunburned.”
We wrapped up our interview with talk of other more affordable, super tasty wines. “I’d recommend the wines of the southern Rhône and the Languedoc,” Ronald said, forever true to his apparent predilection toward French libations. And what does he buy in his native Seattle? “Right now I have a bottle of Red Beret on the kitchen counter. It cost under $10. and it’s perfectly acceptable. I also recommend Steakhouse Red and Fishhouse White, both from Washington state.”
Ronald is also the Global Gourmet for Examiner.com and the Director of Wine Tours for The International Kitchen.
I wish both Clotilde and Ronald and all you other foodies (as well as everyone else!) a Happy Thanksgiving. May the spirit of the holiday and its sweet and savory flavors remain with you throughout the year.
Ronald’s Cabbage
A side dish, not a salad. Make several days ahead.
Chop 1 medium onion, sauté in olive oil (or, if doing kosher-style, in goose fat). Before the onion browns, add 1 big head red cabbage, chopped & rinsed. Don’t bother draining.
Once cabbage begins to wilt, add 1 cup red wine and 1/2 red wine vinegar, 1 tsp salt, a bay leaf, and, if desired, a ham hock and a peeled & chopped apple or pear. Cover & simmer gently up to 2 hours, allow to cool.
Next day: stir in 1 cup red currant jelly. Reheat to dissolve the jelly. Taste & adjust seasonings. You’re looking for a sweet-sour flavor.
Allow to cool again. Reheat before serving.
Book Picks
“Chocolate and Zucchini,” by Clotilde Dusoulier
“Clotilde’s Edible Adventures in Paris,” also by Clotilde
Ronald’s Book Picks
“He Said Beer, She Said Wine,” by Sam Calagione and Marnie Old
“Wine Politics,” by Tyler Colman
“I’ll Drink to That: Beaujolais and the French Peasant Who Made It the World’s Most Popular Wine,” by Rudolph Chelminski. This tells the story of Georges Duboeuf, the greatest marketer of French wine.
Beauty Paris: Beauty Paris
by maribeth
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Clarins, Cassandra and Me
My Current Drug of Choice
I think we’ve all been expanding upon certain rituals lately, those little things we do on a regular basis that help us to cope with stress. Some people might be having an extra wine at their local gathering spot, others extend their workouts an additional fifteen minutes and yet others are perhaps seeking solace in food. For me, I’ve become a bit obsessed with aromatherapy. My little apartment seems to be transformed daily into a mini spa in which soothing scents swirl, easing my anxieties—big and small—every hour of the day.
Essential oils, such as lavender and sandalwood, have been my godsend at bedtime for a number of months. But ever since the economy plunged in September, I dove headfirst into a number of potions and lotions that I knew would provide some sort of redolent release. Clarins Huile Tonic, or Body Treatment Firming and Toning Oil, quickly became my favorite and now I pretty much only have to open the bottle and give it a sniff to achieve a greater sense of serenity.
Apparently this highly aromatic oil, composed of geranium, hazelnut, rosemary, sage, peppermint and rosewood extracts, is known to be particularly effective during “that time of the month” when virtually all women feel the need for more slimming and relaxation. It has been nearly sixty days now and I’m still turning to this wondrous tonic on a daily basis. Maybe all this woeful news left me feeling episodically distressed and bloated, but I’ve found my cure in Huile Tonic. (Totally contrary to the instructions, however, I put it on my damp skin as soon as I leave the shower, breathing the aroma-therapeutic qualities of the oil deeply in many times over within the steamy space of my bathroom.)
This daily ritual, of course, prompted me to think more about Clarins, a company I first discovered in Paris in the early eighties. As with most other people—including men and women—it was the fragrance of the products that drew me in. As early as 1954, long before aromatherapy became a buzzword, Jacques Courtin-Clarins was creating skin care products with scents that completely enhanced your whole state of well-being. And as I recently re-discovered, the plants and essential oils that make up these predominantly plant-based products promote external and internal healing in sometimes surprising ways.
La Belle Cassandra in Stella Cadente
I couldn’t think of Clarins without thinking of my friend, Cassandra Moonen, the International Public Relations Manager of this world-renowned big name in beauty. We only met in person a handful of times, but each time I was greatly impressed by her elegance and glow. I think each woman has a collection of females they truly admire and Cassandra figures among those on my short list. She’s actually Dutch-born, but to me, she embodies the total look and feel of this leading French company. She’s also single and as I’ve said to her before, it’s too bad there are so many miles between us because I’m sure we’d enjoy spending lots of time together. All these aromas and musings prompted me to put a few questions to Cassandra in order to feel more connected with her and my beloved Paris.
M.C.: Are you still wearing Stella Cadente, the French label you introduced me to a few years ago?
C.M.: Yes, but not every day. I love wearing this feminine and colorful collection that is not related to fashion trends but corresponds to my personality. I feel really good in the nice fabrics and I always choose a cut that enhances my natural shapes. The truth is that I will always get compliments when I wear a piece of Stella Cadente, even if I mix with other more trendy or classic pieces (of other brands).
M.C.: If so, what’s her fall look?
C.M.: Stella Cadente has her own style that corresponds to the girl inside a woman with a touch of Rock & Glam.
M.C.: Anything new with the fragrance Miss Me, the one Clarins created for Stella Cadente?
C.M.: No further development for this Parisian “niche” brand this year, but you can see the lovely and poetic cosmetic products on her Web site.
A Smoldering Look for this Holiday Season
M.C: What other fashions and/or fashion accessories are big in Paris this fall/winter? What’s the overall look?
C.M.: Leggings are back with nice fluid, feminine tops, short cuts, slim fit jeans and the trendy color of the season is violet. For the winter season it will be Chic and Glam with silver, gold or black accessories! We have a very nice make up bag for the Holiday season at Clarins a must-have for the season to be the IT girl!
M.C: What are your favorite Clarins products of the moment and why?
C.M: My favorite Clarins product for my face at the moment is Total Double Serum, the most complete Cosmetic product to fight against aging, ideal when the season changes to offer my skin all it needs. It’s like a multivitamin for my skin to stay healthy and young. For my body, I recommend Clarins Aromatic Relaxing Body Polisher, to exfoliate my skin very gently offering aromatic and well being benefits immediate to my skin (once a week) and the second product is the Toning Body Treatment Oil, a hundred-percent natural cosmetic product to firm and tone my body from head to toe every morning after my shower; it just needs to be rinsed off with cold to warm water. No need to apply other products after and you’ll find immediate results. It’s quick and easy and I love it. I can add, of course, many other products according to the area I would like to improve (the bust, my legs and hips..).
M.C.: What Clarins products are favorites among American women?
C.M.: Our anti-aging products (Extra-Firming and Super Restorative lines), our sun care products, our self tanning range, Instant Beauty Flash Balm, and in Make Up, our big hit is Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch.
M.C.: What Clarins products are favorites among French women?
C.M.: Our anti-aging products (Extra-Firming and Super Restorative lines), our sun care products, Eau Dynamisante, Tonic Oil, Total Body Lift and all our body products, Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch and our foundations.
Miraculous Make Up
More of My Favorite Clarins Products
Cassandra mentioned the Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch above, a product I discovered a number of years ago and was completely amazed by how beautifully it evens out your skin with a pink-y glow. Clarins recently came out with the Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch foundation (that she also cited above) and it is truly magical. I’m not a fan of foundation, but applying this base to your skin is like smoothing your face with a creamy satin mousse. Truly a must! I’m also in love with Paramour, a rather heady fragrance, perfect for amorous winter evenings wrapped in velvet and cashmere. Unfortunately I’m out of that now, but its scent still lingers in my mind. My current fragrance is Chanel’s Chance (also means luck in French) which is perhaps more suited for these times. And I suppose I can always dabble a little Huile Tonic behind my ears.
Be sure to check out www.clarins.com; their Beauty Advice in particular is worth the visit.
Art & Culture Paris: Art & Culture Paris
by maribeth
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Portraits from Paris
Ingrid
You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you.
—Frederick Buechner
The above words describe exactly how I feel about Paris, the rest of France, French life and my many friends and contacts overseas that I first came to know quite some time ago. Those words also refer to my sentiments toward my ex-husband, Stéphane. I feel very blessed that we’ve been able to hold each other so dear even though it has now been many years that we’ve been apart. We were in touch last week by e-mail and I learned that he just launched his new Web site. He’s a photographer in Paris and I invite you to take a look at some stunning shots of movers and shakers and just ordinary folks in France and beyond that he has captured in portraiture. (I was even thrilled to see that he included some images from a shoot he did at Clemente Latham, my father’s former company, many years ago.) If you possess an elevated sense of aesthetics, you must take a peek. Lovers of Avedon, Snowdon and Leibovitz will not be disappointed.
Stéphane de Bourgies, www.bourgies.com
Jean-Pierre Pont, Journalist
Oh, and since Steph has always been well informed about the world of French music (he has photographed many French singers over the years), I asked him who is currently hot in France right now. He provided me with the names and links of three young French singers that are just smokin’! Click on the below to take a listen. And don’t be surprised if you hear a little English. C’est normal.
Christophe Maé, www.christophe-mae.com
Christophe Willem, www.christophe-willem.com
Mika, www.mika.fr
Deezer, www.deezer.com; this might be the best site to go to to listen to free music from all over the world. Check out Christophe Willem’s song Double Jeu (version remix) to hear one of France’s current hits.
Colorado Paris Pot Pourri Shopping Telluride: Colorado Paris Shopping Telluride
by maribeth
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Bienvenue! Welcome!
A More Frenchie Me on the Main Street of Telluride
Well, I’ve done it. Or at least it’s the beginning. A totally non-tech savvy person such as myself managed to get a blog up and running. I’ve been hungry to share with you the many discoveries I make throughout my travels and at home here in Telluride, Colorado. I’m constantly finding a shop, hotel, restaurant, spa, product or other attraction (including people!) that I want to report on.
I also wanted to be able to reveal to you a little bit more of moi since so many people seem to be curious about how I came to live in Paris, France for over a decade, then traded it out for a totally different lifestyle in the Rocky Mountains. Actually there are many similarities between Paris and Telluride: both are amazingly beautiful, culturally rich, sophisticated places. Most of the people you find living in Paris and Telluride tend to be open-minded and rather nonconformist. And visitors to these world-renowned destinations often stand awestruck by the beauty and grandeur of these locales, whether it be manmade or natural.
