So We are Moving to Paris: Nothing speaks to the culture more than food

Last weekend was another food-centric weekend. Thomas and I decided that we should take a cooking class to learn about french cuisine. I found a self taught cook who gave classes out of his home in Versailles. His apartment looked out onto the King's kitchen garden situated next to the majestic Chateau of Versailles. I thought the location to be fitting for a french cooking class.

We weren't looking for a class on technique, but information and insight about the French and their food. The meal itself was OK, but the experience well worth the price. We used this opportunity to hear from the French about what they thought were typical dishes and ask questions about some of the products we've come across (fromage blanc for one). At times, I wanted paper and pencil to take notes throughout the dinner. We learned that they have three types of cream here in France - crème fraiche épaisse (we used in the gratin), crème fraiche liquide, and crème fleurette (we used in the crème brulée). We also learned that crème brulée is not just a dessert evident in the crème brulée appetizer that had muenster cheese in the cream mixture and topped with grated Parmesan that we had as an appetizer. We were informed that there is a small winery in Montemarte (Paris) that produces bad but expensive wine. We were also schooled on the difference between Provençal (anything related to the Provence region) and provincial (in the words of the French "anything out side of Paris").

We asked our dinner companions their choice of dishes that we should know how to make before leaving France. Their list included beef bourguinon (check), crèpes (check), quiche (check), and coq au vin (check). It looks like Thomas and I have been over achievers on the French cooking. Three of the four listed we made even before moving to France.

Sunday afternoon, our neighbors introduced us to the Indian quarter of Paris. It is located just south of Gare de Nord in the 10th arrondissment. Our neighbors took us to two shops. The only one whose name I can remember was VS CO Cash and Carry. These shops were replete with familiar (and wallet friendly) vegetables, ten varieties of rice, and an entire wall of spices. Thomas and I didn't really need anything, but that did not stop us from buying three different types of nuts, fennel, herbs of provence, haloumi cheese, and pita. After shopping we ate at Restaurant Dishny on the corner of Rue Cail and Rue Faubourg Saint-Denis. The simple decor of the restaurant does not reflect the complexity of spices in its dishes. It is hard to find dishes spiced authentically in a country where it's residents favor a subdued taste, so this restaurant was a welcome changed. I ordered the shrimp biryani (rice dish). The mound of saffron colored shrimp and rice was speckled with fresh mint, cardamon seeds, and green chilies. This did not come out of a box. Delicious! Needless to say, the Indian quarter is quite authentic. There was narry a European in sight - you know this ethnic scene was legit.

Next month, the Asian quarter!