Bistro Chic

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Last week, an acquaintance from Italy was visiting my office. I have met Gianni through work functions many times over the course of 9 years. Whenever I see him, he greets me in the same manner – Oh Bella, it’s been too long – he says in his broken English and then proceeds to give me the Italian double kiss or a kiss on both cheeks. I know his intentions are harmless, but no matter how many times this happens, it still catches me by surprise. When I saw Gianni last week, it was actually the first time I had seen him in my office setting, so his actions took me even more by surprise. A man, clearly old enough to be my father, and who I hardly know, sees it as second nature to greet me in such a personal manner – a custom that I am definitely not used to. Oddly enough, when I did a little research, I found that, in Italy, greetings with a kiss are actually reserved for close friends and family. Now I’m even more confused!

Italians are not the only ones who indulge in this more intimate greeting of the double kiss, it’s actually popular all over Europe. Now, I’m not the type to kiss and tell, but in this case, I will make an exception….

European Greetings: Sealed With A Kiss

The Netherlands The Dutch prefer the triple kiss – one that begins and ends on the right cheek. This is such a part of culture that the triple kiss is actually expected. But, lookout – when greeting the elderly or a close family member you are quite likely to get a few more!

Belgium The Belgians have a few rules when it comes to the number of kisses. If a person is the same age as you, one kiss is appropriate. But for someone 10 years older or more, it is a sign of respect to give three kisses, similar to the Dutch. If you’re not sure of someone’s age, I recommended going with one kiss – it’s better to error on the younger side – especially if the person you’re kissing is woman!

Spain, Austria and Scandinavia In all three countries, the two or double kiss rule applies. I saw this quite a bit in Spain, even among men. Also, in Spain, it’s custom to always start with the right cheek. Remember this in order to avoid an embarrassing collision.

Germany Germans tend to kiss only family and very close friends. All business and very little pleasure, handshakes are much more common and are considered the norm.

France The French have the most confusing customs when it comes to kissing because who you kiss and how many times you kiss him/her actually depends on what part of the country you are from. According to The Times, in Paris and central France, most people give two kisses – one on each cheek. But a large portion of northern France, from Normandy to the Belgian border, opt for four. And, in southeastern France, from Marseilles to the Alps, the preference is three. What happens when a Norman greets a Parisian. I’m not quite sure, but I’d love to find out!

If you’re ever unsure of how to greet a new or even old acquaintance while in Europe, watch what the locals do, ie. when in Rome… If all else fails, take your cues from your acquaintance, he/she may automatically lead when it comes to this kissing dance, then feel free to oblige.

Kiss, Kiss, Ciao!

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With my extremely busy schedule, I don’t always find the time to make my lunch for work. And, quite honestly, it’s not always a time issue. In some instances, we don’t have much of a selection for lunch food in the house or I’m tired of eating the same old dishes. At these times, I often think about what a French woman would do. More often than not, a French woman would bring a carefully prepared and delicious lunch to work. But, on days where she’s pressed for time or on special occasions, she will plan to go out for lunch. The key word here is plan – she plans to take her lunch or she plans to go out to eat. In either case, her lunch is well thought out and she looks forward to it all morning long.

What Would Mireille Do?

I came across a recent article by Mireille Guiliano, a French woman and author of French Women Don’t Get Fat, that showed a very simple strategy for taking easy, fresh, and healthy lunches to work. Guiliano’s strategy for making quick and tasty lunches includes adding the “holy trinity” to every lunch – carbohydrates, protein, and fat. She also suggests adding something sweet to finish off the meal, such as chocolate or fruit.

Following this strategy, I find that it’s much easier to mix and match the carbs, protein, and fat than it is to make a full, standard meal lunch, such as a stir-fry or chicken parmesan. And we all know that when a task is easier, you’re more likely to do it. Although Guiliano offers several templates for making lunches in this “mix and match” fashion, here are my top 5 choices – my own creations, all of which include the holy trinity:

Top 5 Bistro Chic Holy Trinity Lunches

1. Tomato and mozzarella salad topped with small chunks of crusty bread and chopped basil, mixed with balsamic vinegar and olive olive oil; a boiled egg with salt and pepper to taste; and pear with a drizzle of honey.
2. Veggie-based soup topped with chopped avocado; 1 slice of thick french bread; a few slices of gouda cheese; 1 peach.
3. Half a sliced turkey sandwich on whole grain with sharp cheddar and sliced apple; small green salad with oil/vineger; 1 small piece of dark chocolate.
4. Potato or rice-based soup with ham; cucumber and tomato salad with feta cheese and vinagrette; and 2 clementines.
5. 1 cup plain, cold pasta mixed with cold grilled veggies, cubed swiss cheese, tossed with red wine vinegar and olive oil; 5 ouces of plain Greek yogurt mixed with walnuts and blueberries.

Do you have a secret for making quick and delicious lunches for work? Let’s hear it!

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Italy is known for many things – the wine, the history, and home to the Vatican. But what Italy really wants to be known for is the food – specifically, the Mediterranean Diet.

According to recent reports, Italy has aggressively been pushing for the Mediterranean Diet to be officially recognized by Unesco, the UN’s culture and education agency, claiming that the diet reduces the risk of illnesses, including heart disease and cancer, and boosts life expectancy.

Unesco has recognized historical monuments and natural features, ie Stonehenge and the Great Barrier Reef, by giving them World Heritage status. However, just two years ago, the agency introduced the intangible heritage list, a status that has been granted to nearly 180 cultural treasures, including folk songs, endangered languages, religious rituals and traditional crafts.

The traditional Mediterranean Diet, which is supported by Italy, Greece, Spain, and Morocco, revolves around fresh fruit and vegetables, unrefined cereals, unsaturated fats like olive oil, and limited quantities of meat, dairy, and sugar. If the four countries are successful, they will be required to actively promote and protect traditional cooking methods and ingredients specific to the diet. Some say this status and subsequent promotion may be just the thing Italy and the other Mediterranean countries need to combat a growing obesity problem caused by people moving away from traditional diets and leading more sedentary lives and eating more prepackaged food.

Although Unesco has made no decision on the status of the Mediterranean Diet, Italian officials are fairly confident the diet will become part of the distinguished list.

“For Unesco this, along with the traditional knowledge passed down from generation to generation, is something unique in the world and worth safeguarding,” said Giancarlo Galan, Italy’s agricultural minister.

Unesco is scheduled to rule on the issue in November, but will have 58 total applicants to review for the intangible heritage list. And Italy is not the only country lobbying for its food to receive unique status. The French also have been lobbying hard to be recognized by Unesco, claiming their cuisine is the best gastronomy in the world.

It was the time of kings and queens, knights and naives, and Robin Hood and his merry men. I’m not exactly speaking about Medieval England or the Elizabethan era, but rather the Renaissance Faire.

Although Ren Faires can be a bit kitschy and downright strange (ie. grown men walking around in tights for fun), they can offer a taste of merry old England on an otherwise dull Sunday afternoon.

What I like about Ren Faires is that the majority of people who “work” there and even those who attend are in character. Everywhere you look, you’ll find actors and nonactors dressed in Medieval garb and carrying themselves as if they actually were in 15th or 16th century England. Very Harry Potter-esque.

Just yesterday, when Scott and I took the kids to the Bristol Renaissance Faire, we spotted Robin Hood and Little John battling for the hand of Maid Marian. I believe his exact words to me were, “Madame, please step back for a dual is afoot.” You don’t have to tell me twice.

And what’s more – they actually talk the part, which makes the experience even more enjoyable. You’ll hear everything from traditional London accents to Cockney to Scottish and Irish. Throw in a few vikings relaxing in the shade and I think you’ve got everyone from the Middle Ages covered…

The rides and entertainment are also quite peculiar. They have live jousting, dualing, and street fighting as well as period instruments that strolling minstrels actually know how to play. And of course – the rides! But, unlike Disney, these rides are all manpowered…

Yesterday, we had exceptional fortune – we were graced by the presence of the Queen herself, and Merlin, aka Gandalf the Grey who I couldn’t resist taking a picture of seeing as how much I love the Lord of the Rings Trilogy…

Is it secret? Is it safe?

And last but not least, the most exciting appearance of the day was Miss M pretending to be – not Cinderella, not the Little Mermaid – but rather Maid Marion.

If you’ve never been to a Renaissance Faire I recommend going at least once in your adult life, if not for the experience of merry old England than at least for the comical scenes and lively characters. And now my friends, I bid you farewell…

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Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel was born on this day in 1883 in Samur, France. Many people know Coco for her timeless perfume – Chanel No. 5, but did you also know that:

• She was raised by nuns who taught her to sew.
• She was given the name “Coco” while working as a singer. The name is a shortened version of “cocotte”, the French word for ‘kept woman’.
• She started out selling hats.
• She had a relationship with a German military officer during the German occupation of France during WWII.
• She popularized wearing multiple strands of pearls, tailored suit jackets, and the little back dress – all of which are still popular today.

Can’t afford a Chanel suit jacket or expensive eau de toilette? Opt for a less expensive Chanel staple – the Rouge Allure lipstick!

Happy Birthday and Joyeux Anniversaire Coco Chanel!

French markets have been a regular feature of small and large cities all across Europe. And, with the help of French market planners Bensidoun, French markets are now becoming more popular in North America. This weekend, I was fortunate enough to attend one of these North American French Markets at Cantigny in Wheaton, IL.

Cantigny French markets may look like any other open-air markets in the US, but they actually include much more than a typical weekend or Sunday morning farmer’s market. Cantigy’s French Market included most features of a classic French Market including…

Rows of vendors…

A marionette show…

Entertainment in the form of live music, a juggler, and a mime…

Delicious French pastries…

Flower displays…

French pink lemonade…

And, of course, what French market would be complete without a 24-foot Eiffel Tower?

Experiencing all that the French market had to offer made me long for France even more. Sadly, this is as close I will be to any Eiffel Tower for quite some time. Ahh, to be in France, le sigh….

If you follow my other blog Running With Cake, you know how much I love Greek yogurt. Aside from the awesome health benefits of Greek yogurt, there’s just something about the rich flavor and the thick, smooth, and creamy texture that make me think I’m eating a dessert rather than yogurt for breakfast!

If you’ve ever purchased Greek yogurt or even checked out prices at the store, you know that Greek yogurt is about 3x that of regular yogurt. I assume this price difference is because anything “Greek” seems more exotic and, therefore, people will pay more for it. Or, it could be that it takes a little longer to make than standard yogurt.

Imagine my excitement when I came across an article in the latest Cooking Light magazine about how to make your own Greek yogurt using regular yogurt! I, being the frugal gourmet that I am, had to try this recipe at least once. Let’s see how my experience went…

Step 1: Line a small mesh strainer (such as for sifting powdered sugar) with a paper towel or coffee filter.

Step 2: Spoon in any brand of regular plain yogurt (low-fat, non-fat, or even full-fat) and set the strainer onto a bowl to allow for draining.

Step 3: Cover the strainer/bowl combination with plastic wrap and set in the fridge over night, or for 7-9 hours.

Step 4: Remove your the newly thickened yogurt from the paper towel/filter and put into a bowl.

Step 5: Enjoy!

So how did it taste! In one word – fantastic! I was a little skeptical that Greek yogurt could be sooo easy to make, but it was! Granted, the kind you buy from the store is a tad thicker, but I am willing to forgo a little thickness for spending considerably less money.

By the way, when you layer the homemade Greek yogurt with berries and walnuts and serve it in a martini glass, as I did in the photo above, it looks and tastes just as exotic as the kind you buy from the store.

Ciao!

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When it comes to food, are you the type to jump on a new fad right away while you’re friends wait for your review? Or, do you sit back and wait for others to recommend a new product before you take your first bite?

According to a recent report by The Oxford Research Agency, people who test new food and drink products can be divided into three categories based on how quickly they are to try and adopt the new products.

The “Question of Taste” report was based on interviews with 1,534 people from across the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, Brazil and China. Surprisingly, France, a country full of gourmet food, was in the top three of having the least amount of taste setters.  However, China and Brazil, where the Internet grapevine can determine the success or failure of a product and where certain brands are less well established, had the highest number of taste setters compared with the other countries.

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A few years ago when Scott and I were traveling around Europe, we had the extreme delight of spending a week in and around Barcelona, an area known as Catalunya. On our last evening in the city, just before dusk, Scott and I were wandering the streets. We were taking in the last few sites and just savoring every last moment of the city (similar to what we did in London). As what frequently happens in a foreign city, my instincts – and nose – led me right to a patisserie, which just happened to be right in the middle of a church square. Apparently, church-goers love their pastries because patisseries can often be found near churches, similar to pubs in Ireland.

I stopped in the shop to sample a few treats, with Scott perched outside waiting for his surprise and, all the while, taking pictures of my pastry-excursion. A few minutes later, we saw a band beginning to set up in the middle of the square. Oooh, live entertainment! We stood anxiously waiting for the music to begin while eating our new Spanish sweets. The music filled the medium-size square like a breeze on a cool summer night, immediately grabbing the attention of the 100 or so people milling about nearby.

We stood, captivated by the music, and seemed content to stay there all night, listening into the wee hours. But to our surprise, the entertainment had just begun. Right before our very eyes, groups of people gathered and started to form circles in the square. Some circles were small, while others were large. Some of the people seemed to know each other while others were meeting for the first time. As the tempo of the music began the change, the people in the circles threw their belongings in the middle of the circle and clasped hands. Then, the circles began to dance! Each circle of newfound friends danced in a similar fashion, kicking their feet and lifting their arms in a choreographed routine. For more than 20 minutes, the music kept playing and the people continued to dance.

As I watched the many groups dancing, I felt like an outsider looking in. I wanted so much to be a part of a circle, to be a part of a culture with so much history and one with so little inhibition that it can just spontaneously dance in a town square. But something told me it wasn’t right to intrude; it wasn’t right to assume I would be welcomed into their circle. Although Barcelena could easily feel like home to me, it wasn’t my home, it wasn’t my culture. It was their culture and I needed to respect their traditions. I realize now, that was the wise thing to do.

We later learned that the community dance we witnessed is the Sardana, a traditional and very patriotic dance among the Spanish Catalan culture. Years ago, when Franco was dictator of Spain, he saw the Catalans as a threat. He imposed many laws that stifled the language, traditions, and cultural practices of the Catalan people. After his reign, the Sardana began to symbolize pride and unity among the Catalan people and a break from Fraco’s rule.

I remember and love so many things about Barcelona – the architecture, tapas restaurants, and the famous Las Ramblas. But one thing I will never forget is the dancing!

Contrary to popular belief, a French girl can not live on croissants, red wine, and chocolates alone, although that would be loads of fun to try! In reality, a French girl will typically keep a kitchen full of French standards for weekly meals and for those “just in case” times when friends drop by unexpectedly. After all, eating at home with friends and family is much preferred over a restaurant meal, even for a single French girl!

So, what exactly is in a French girl’s kitchen? Unlike many Americans, you will not find frozen dinners, chips/pretzels, or even multiple bags of candy and sweets. She has more refined tastes than that. If I were a French girl, here’s what you may find me stocking my pantry with throughout the year….

Stocking the French Pantry

Daily: To guarantee freshness, a French girl will purchase these items on the day of the meal.

• Fresh bread – A French girl knows that bread is best when it’s hot and fresh, and, preferably crusty!
• Pastries - Although she does not overindulge in this area, a French girl will buy her pastries and other prepared desserts from her favorite local patisserie, the morning or afternoon of her special event – but just enough for her guests!
• Fish

Weekly: A French girl will purchase most of these items on a weekly basis, depending on her storage space how much she entertains.

• Milk
• Fresh cut meat, poultry, sausage – She will often befriend the butcher in order to secure the best cuts of meat!
• Cheese – Gruyere, brie, chevre, parmesan, just to name a few
• Vegetables: Carrots, celery, potatoes, artichokes, leeks, mushrooms, spinach, beets, asparagus…the list goes on and on!
• Wine – She will use this for cooking and drinking, but just a glass or two!
• Fruit – Melons, berries, peaches, plums, apples, pears, grapes, and lemons for desserts, sauces, and her frothy citron presse! As always, she will buy her fruit based on the seasons, as is the custom in France.
• Yogurt – Although French girls would prefer to make her own, it’s not uncommon for them to buy a few cartons of natural, plain yogurt per week for cooking and for breakfast.
• Eggs
• Fresh herbs
• Olives and other relishes

Monthly: A French girl will buy these staples once a month or as needed during the month.

• Cream – She can use this to whip together a last-minute sauce for crepes or even a dessert topping. Cream lasts a little longer than milk in the fridge, but it may not get to through whole month before spoiling. But then again, it may not last a week before she uses it all!
• Butter – Even French girls don’t shy away from butter. They are notorious for using butter, and lots of it, in their dishes.
• Onions, shallots, garlic – Like herbs, they provide much of the quintessential taste of French food, without the added salt.
• Chicken stock – She will use this as a base for most stews, soups, and sauces. I’m sure most French girls can make their own chicken stock, but my gosh – the time! There are very good options for chicken and vegetable stock (organic and non) at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and other specialty markets.
• Dijon mustard – A French girl will often mustard to vinegar/oil dressings for binding and to add tons of flavor. Even if you don’t like mustard, try it with vinegar/oil and you may surprise yourself!
• Canned items – Although a French girl prefers to buy things fresh whenever possible, canned items, such as tomatoes and beans, are often the go-to staples in a French pantry during the winter months. They are great for sauces and for thickening stews and soups.
• Dried Items – Rice, beans/lentils, pasta, mushrooms, oats/grains
• Nuts – Walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, etc.
• Unsalted butter – Overly salted food is a no-no for a French girl. She’s sticks with unsalted butter to control the salt in her food. Be warned, unsalted butter spoils faster than salted butter!

Annually: A French girl will buy the best quality of these items – but only a few times a year!

• Olive oil – She uses it for cooking, vinaigrettes, or just for dipping!
• Dried herbs – Flat-leaf parsley, rosemary, basil, etc.
• Sea salt
• Vinegar – White wine, champagne, red wine, and balsamic are some of her favorites!
• Sugar, flour, brown sugar – for all her baking needs of course!
• Ground chocolate and/or baking chocolate

As you can see, what’s great about French cuisine is that many of the ingredients that are typically used in French dishes are simple, easy to find at your local market, and can be stored in the pantry or the fridge for more than just a few days. Now, the real question is – How French is Your Pantry?

Ciao!