Food Thread: A Parisian Sojourn

What? That's not food! That's The Basilica of Sacré Cœur de Montmartre!

So why is Dildo showing off his photography skills (such as they are) instead of wowing you with his amazing sometimes impressive often edible efforts in his kitchen? Because my current kitchen in the 8th arrondissement has two pans, a couple of knives, a cheese grater, and that's about it! Lots of plates and glasses though! Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit, but it is spartan, has an induction cook top (I am looking forward to playing with that!), an adorable and tiny oven, and a tiny sink that seems designed to splash water everywhere!

I have been here for just a few days, and trying to orient myself with respect to food shopping and cooking gear is a challenge. Mostly fun, but the neighborhood is upscale, so buying a simple roast chicken for €17/Kg ($8.11/lb in a civilized currency and weight) has me highly motivated to cook!

And everything is different. The United States is a wonderful place, and one of the things that makes it so great is American Exceptionalism, which in this case drives us to make the best stuff. Stoves and refrigerators and cook tops and sinks and faucets and showers and washers and dryers and air conditioners and all of the wonderful conveniences that we take for granted. It's just...better in America!

So I will have to find some accommodation with the small cook top and the smaller freezer (No clear ice for me!) and all of the stuff that makes cooking easy.

But... there is an "On the other hand" coming!

Stay tuned for next week!

Longtime commenter and serious amateur bartender "NaturalFake" sent that along. Looks great! I like spicy eggs, and this one can be tuned up very easily. In fact, I'll dig up a recipe for Shakshuka one of these days if I remember!

Pineapple Stuffing

That sounds horrible on so many levels!

What in the World Is a "Mountain Pie"?

They look like fun, although as are many foods that have disappeared from common consumption, there was probably a reason!

Who are those poor deluded souls We know who shake their Manhattans! These are the same people who drink fine bourbon with coke, and probably shake red wine with ice too.

$1,200 for a bottle of bourbon is just stupid, insulting, and a ghastly affront to most people's palates and wallets. I think the sweet spot is $40-$60 for excellent and interesting bottles, and bumping that to $100 gets you an incremental improvement in quality, but nothing mind-blowing. More than that and I think you are paying for hype and rarity, which may look good in your liquor cabinet, but doesn't translate to more quality in the bottle.

The problem...or the solution...is to buy lots of bourbon, take tasting notes, and eventually arrive at your favorites! It should take forty of fifty years, but it is worth it!

posted by CBD at 04:00 PM

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