Monique Y. Wells Presenting
Our New Josephine Baker Walk
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
We’re super excited about the CNN article that came out yesterday about African Americans in Paris. Entrée to Black Paris is featured in the third—and longest—section! In the article, you’ll find links to Southern Passion Lounge in Paris, Black Paris Profiles, and our newest Josephine Baker walk. Click on the embedded link above to “read all about it!”
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Paris Cookbook Fair
Today was the final day of the Paris Cookbook Fair, and I was determined not to miss the last day of this special event.
Guillaume Le Roux and Olivia Snaije
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
I got there early to attend a conference on ethnic cuisine in Paris, held by Olivia Snaije, co-author of The Ethnic Paris Cookbook, and Guillaume Le Roux, who writes a food blog called 716. Both are passionate about ethnic cooking.
Samantha Lunam at the Gula Magazine Stand
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
I sampled Mexican wine at the Gula Magazine stand, which was ably represented by Samantha Lunam. The magazine has recently published a guide to Mexican wines, which was featured at the stand.
Two Women Performing at the Astrel Book Stand
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Passing by the Astral stand, a Russian publishing company, I heard two young women playing what was for me some very exotic music!
Pascal Aussignac Cooking Foie Gras
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
I watched award-winning Chef Pascal Aussignac cook up a batch of foie gras.
Elin Agorelius at the Husmansbord Stand
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
I sampled some delicious cheese, meats, and fruit juices at the Husmansbord stand, where I met Elin Agorelius. I raved about their Swedish fare last year!
I’ll be talking more about the cookbook fair in the days to come!
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Fleur d’Huile by
Chantal de Lander-Gaubens
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Last June I blogged about the olive oil produced by Chantal de Lander-Gaubens, whom I met at the Boutique Ephémère located in the 15th arrondissement of Paris.
There is no need to repeat the information that I gave in the blog of June 13, 2012 about how her oil is produced, but I do want to talk about a product of hers that I didn’t get a chance to taste at that time. It is called fleur d’huile and is one of the most sublime olive oils that I have ever tasted. I was fortunate to learn that she was returning to the Boutique Ephémère from her olive orchard in southern France during the first weekend of February, so I contacted her to order a bottle.
Madame de Lander-Gaubens explained to me that the oil comes from olives that have not yet been pressed. They have gone through the grinding process, but as the olive paste is placed in the scourtins (fiber mats) and mounted in the hydraulic press, oil drips out before the pressing begins. This oil—fleur d’huile—is captured and bottled separately from the oil that is squeezed from the paste by the action of the press.
Back at the kitchen table Monique and I tasted the oil, first by pouring it directly into small spoons, and later by dripping it on slices of fresh baguette. It has a brilliant, clear olive-green color and its aroma is slightly sweet. It tastes fruity—with a flavor similar to Juicy Fruit gum—and it has a peppery aftertaste. A discovery for us, this fleur d’huile is ambrosial!
Chantal and Olivier de Lander-Gaubens
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Madame de Lander-Gaubens’ husband Olivier was with her on that day and I took a picture of them together. It was a pleasure to meet them both!
Domaine de Vautubière
13111 Coudoux
France
Tel.: 04.42.52.12.23
Web site: www.huiledecoudoux.com
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It’s not too late to give your sweetheart a valentine to Paris. The Kindle edition of Paris Insights – An Anthology is available for download immediately!
Travel writer Jim Calio has called our book “a wonderful valentine to Paris, unlike anything you’re likely to find in a standard guidebook.” Better than a box of chocolates, it is a gift that offers an insider’s view of the things to love about Paris.
Paris Insights – An Anthology was created with the Francophile reader in mind. Written in a lively, personal style that is both revealing and inspiring, this collection of informative newsletters explores various aspects of history, culture, and contemporary life in the City of Light. Published by Discover Paris!, it contains 33 articles that are grouped into chapters by theme: La Vie Parisienne (Life in Paris), Americans in Paris, Churches and Cathedrals, Tasty Treats, and Paris, Past and Present.
The Kindle edition of Paris Insights – An Anthology is now available to give as a gift with free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet. And better yet, a Kindle device is not required to enjoy Paris Insights – An Anthology. Amazon.com provides free Kindle reader apps that allow anyone to read Kindle books on any major computer, smartphone, or tablet. At $9.95, the Kindle edition is a fraction of the cost of our Premium edition, and your sweetheart can receive it instantly thanks to Amazon’s Whispernet technology.
To purchase, click on image below.
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When we stepped into the Ladurée shop at the Carrousel du Louvre recently, we couldn’t resist buying a couple of their confections—they looked so appetizing! We took home a Corolle Feuilletée Caramel and a Tarte Citron.
Corolle Feuilletée Caramel
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
The Corolle Feuilletée Caramel consists of sticky-sweet caramel in a buttery pâte feuilleté (flaky pastry) shell covered with a caramel-flavored, whipped-egg-white confection. This is a treat for confirmed caramel fans only…as we are!
Tarte Citron
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
The Tarte Citron is a smooth, lemon-pie filling in a crunchy pâte sablé (shortbread) crust. We both found that the filling lacked the zing that we hope for when we bite into in a lemon tart. Lemon tarts shouldn’t have mild flavor—they should have the pucker power of lemon zest!
In spite of the disappointment, we were pleased to learn that a Ladurée pastry shop is located so conveniently to the Louvre.
We participate in Wanderfood Wednesdays. Head over there to explore food from around the world!
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Travel writer Jim Calio has called our book Paris Insights – An Anthology “a wonderful valentine to Paris, unlike anything you’re likely to find in a standard guidebook.” Better than a box of chocolates, it is a gift that offers an insider’s view of the things to love about Paris.
Paris Insights – An Anthology was created with the Francophile reader in mind. Written in a lively, personal style that is both revealing and inspiring, this collection of informative newsletters explores various aspects of history, culture, and contemporary life in the City of Light. Published by Discover Paris!, it contains 33 articles that are grouped into chapters by theme: La Vie Parisienne (Life in Paris), Americans in Paris, Churches and Cathedrals, Tasty Treats, and Paris, Past and Present.
Our book is available in three editions: Premium (full color), Travelers’ (black and white), and Kindle (electronic). Click here to learn more or to purchase now!
The Kindle edition of Paris Insights – An Anthology is now available to give as a gift with free wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet! At $9.95, this version of the book is a fraction of the cost of our Premium edition, and your sweetheart can receive it instantly thanks to Amazon’s Whispernet technology.
When you give your love the Kindle edition, be sure to tell him or her that a Kindle device is not required to enjoy Paris Insights – An Anthology. Amazon.com provides free Kindle reader apps that allow anyone to read Paris Insights – An Anthology and other Kindle books on any major computer, smartphone, or tablet.
To purchase, click on image below.
Discover the beauty and passion of the world’s most romantic city in Paris Insights – An Anthology.
When your beloved whispers “Take me away,” do you dream of Paris?
Travel writer Jim Calio has called our book Paris Insights – An Anthology “a wonderful valentine to Paris, unlike anything you’re likely to find in a standard guidebook.”
Better than a box of chocolates, it is a gift that offers an insider’s view of the things to love about the City of Light.
Our book is available in three editions: Premium (full color), Travelers’ (black and white), and Kindle (electronic). Click here to learn more or to purchase now!
The Kindle edition of Paris Insights – An Anthology can be purchased and downloaded immediately. At $9.95, this version of the book is a fraction of the cost of our Premium edition, and you can receive it instantly thanks to Amazon’s Whispernet technology.
When you give your love the Kindle edition, be sure to tell him or her that a Kindle device is not required to enjoy Paris Insights – An Anthology. Amazon.com provides free Kindle reader apps that allow anyone to read Paris Insights – An Anthology and other Kindle books on any major computer, smartphone, or tablet.
To purchase, click on image below.
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Cyril Laï, Chef, and Pascal Potin, Owner
Le Bistrot du Temple
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Following a delicious dinner at the recently-opened Le Bistrot du Temple, we returned to meet the owner, Pascal Potin and the chef, Cyril Laï. Learn why we rave about this restaurant in this month’s Paris Insights.
Paris Insights newsletter is published monthly as a downloadable PDF file. It is available only to paid subscribers for an annual subscription fee of $30.
If you are not a paid subscriber and would like to download the newsletter, please click here. Enter promotional code 11473309154 to receive a $5 discount off the price of an annual subscription.
Bonne Lecture…et Bon Appétit!
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Five Malagasy Chocolates
For our annual chocolate tasting, we assembled four tasters—three of whom are professionals in cooking or in chocolate—to taste and rate Malagasy chocolate made by five different French chocolate makers. Read our report to find out which of the five chocolates the panel preferred!
To view a preview of our newsletter, click here.
Paris Insights is published monthly as a downloadable PDF file. It is available only to paid subscribers for an annual subscription fee of $30.
If you are not a paid subscriber and would like to download the newsletter, please click here. Enter promotional code 11473309154 to receive a $5 discount off the price of an annual subscription.
Bonne lecture!
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We passed by the Hugo & Victor boutique recently looking for Madagascar chocolate for our annual chocolate tasting. Spotting a display of Carnet de 6 Chocolats, I purchased one to take home to try. (I also purchased a bar of Madagascar chocolate…more about that later.)
Out of the Bag
www.DiscoverParis.net
Carnet means book in French, and this little book containing six different chocolates would provide a good sampling of the type of chocolates that this company produces.
Carnet
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Opening up the book, I saw six ganaches. A brochure listed their names: Voie lactée, Montezuma, Praliné Feuilletine, Poivre de Tasmanie, Palet or, and Framboise. If this were truly a book, it would make nice reading!
Carnet de 6 Chocolats
Photograph by www.DiscoverParis.net
Our tasting notes:
Voie lactée: Tender bite, sweet milk chocolate, unctuous, light caramel taste.
Montezuma: Sweet, cloying. Mango and spice flavors that overpower the chocolate.
Praliné Feuilletine: Ground hazelnut and dark chocolate. Grainy texture, like fine sand.
Poivre de Tasmanie: Spicy, peppery. Tastes like Juicy Fruit gum.
Palet or: Pure chocolate from a combination of the best cocoa beans. Melts rapidly in mouth.
Framboise: Has a nice odor of raspberry and dark chocolate. Strong raspberry flavor. Slightly grainy with raspberry seeds.
We enjoyed these chocolates from Hugo & Victor. As for the bar of Madagascar chocolate, read how that fared in our annual chocolate tasting in the February issue of our Paris Insights newsletter.
Hugo & Victor
40, boulevard Raspail
75007 Paris
Telephone: 01.44.39.97.73
Open from Mon to Wed from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Thurs to Sat from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sun from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
We participate in Wanderfood Wednesdays. Head over there to explore food from around the world!
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 | Tom Reeves - author of Paris Insights - An Anthology and Dining Out in Paris - What You Need to Know before You Get to the City of Light. |