I simply sear my scallops to a golden brown (about one minute on each side on medium to high heat) and then dump my persillade on top. I also like to add a bit of lemon juice to give it an extra kick. To die for!! Note that scallops are like calamari: they have to be cooked quickly so they don’t feel like rubber in your mouth. Some people slice them in half before cooking them. I don’t because they end up being thoroughly cooked before they have enough time to brown on the outside.
Tag: french
The simplest and fastest lamb recipe you’ll ever come across
Peter just started working on his very own vintage Bentley. All he has right now is a chassis, 4 wheels and the engine. I will document the whole process and post the photos on my car website. Peter’s shop is filled with Riley’s and Salmsons and Bentleys and all he plays in there is prewar music. Walking in there is like turning back time…
A lovely Summer tradition of the French countryside
On or around the date of the Summer Solstice, every year, in the French countryside, villagers light up a big fire in a field and dance around it until the last flame has gone. We call this « Fête de la Saint Jean » or « Saint John’s Feast” in reference to Saint John the Baptiste.
That is where “Joie De Vivre” starts… I think…
I find that doing things slowly (when I can) is very therapeutic. Especially cooking. It is conducive to staying in the now.
A lot of what we call “Joie de vivre” has to do with living in the present moment.
20 tips to improve your food photography
Shoot hungry. I know it will sound strange, but food photography is like fashion photography. You have to like/want/DESIRE your subject in order to take great sensual shots! They talk about “food porn” don’t they? Shoot at an angle (about 45°). It’s nice to have at least a few tri-dimentional shots in a series Tilt…
Chateau Lynch-Bages: the genuine care, vision and legacy of a very special family
Mr. Cazes joined us for dessert. He is the owner of Lynch Bages and he is Kinou and Marina’s dad. He owns 3 châteaux in Bordeaux (including Ormes de Pez pictured somewhere here as well) and several other properties including one in Provence where he produces his own olive oil.
My Legendary French Onion Soup
My best French onion soup recipe. All from scratch of course
From the ruins come the sweetest berries
So from what looks like a dark and desolate place come, in August, some of my favorite berries: wild blackberries. They have a much stronger and sweeter taste than the American ones (at least than the ones I have tasted). I went home to grab a basket and my camera and came back for a late afternoon harvest.
Of friendship and things that are colorful and bright and free
While Uncle Sam represents the American government, Marianne is the symbol of france as our homeland or mother land. It is the symbol of France itself and its motto since the revolution: Liberté, égalité, fraternité which means Freedom, equality, fraternity. The name Marianne was used for a number of reasons:
Marie and Anne were the two most common names for girls in the French countryside of the 18th century. The common peasants were at the origin of the revolutionary movement and the largest cast in France.
A song was published just days after the Bastille was taken. It was very popular and was called The Healing of Marianne
In the play “l’Avare” written by Molière (the French version of Shakespeare) more than a century before the revolution, one of the main characters was called Marianne. She represented freedom of choice against tradition and oppression
So Marianne became the symbol of freedom and of the new France the people had fought for. Until the Euro became our currency, we used “Francs”. Marianne was on every coin. She still is on very stamp we use. Take that Elizabeth Windsor :0) Just kidding, you know how much I love the queen
Thomas Jefferson’s favorite wine… and mine!
Thomas Jefferson was a big fan of Yquem, and although I can’t afford it, it is my favorite wine too! But if, like me, you love dessert wines in general and Sauternes in particular, I suggest you find some Château Guiraud. The property neighbors Yquem and it is a very special wine indeed. And much much cheaper too ;0)
An absolute favorite of mine from the archives of My French Heaven
Stuffed mushrooms are ideal for an aperitif or as a starter and they look really stunning in a plate… The recipe is quite simple and great for the pocket book (for 8 pieces – 2 to 4 people):
Crème caramel and other old things worth fighting for
You see, I love my old things, and this morning when Charlotte (my thirty year old VW Golf for those of you who are new to the blog) broke down, I had to decide if she was worth the money and effort to fix her. The thing about old objects I have owned for so…
Stephane’s cheap philosophy Wednesday: the little car that could
I’ll try to steer clear of the usual self help clichés: Be positive! Make a difference! Yes we can… Cheap self help “philosophy” makes me gag! It’s just that I saw one of our country’s most iconic cars in the street earlier today and it got me into thinking. About my life, my contribution to society yadi…
Welcome to The Four Seasons… of France
There are Farmers’ markets in every town and every village around here. Not one day of the week without a proper market less than 30 minutes from the house. Some are grand, some are small. Some feel more authentic than others. All are quite special in their own way. Visiting them as often as I do is very inspiring and motivating for a foodie like me!
My Tangy Green Olive Chicken
There is nothing I love more than roasted/baked chicken! Great lobster doesn’t even come close for me. But please note that there is an absolute must for this dish to be as delicious as it should be: the quality of the produce. Your chicken must be free range and corn-fed! An easy way to know…
MY FRENCH HEAVEN 