tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3321369176430679972024-02-08T04:24:05.783+01:00A Little Owl in the KitchenOr my night-adventures in baking, cooking and culinary testingMélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-41735476436877928502010-01-10T20:51:00.004+01:002010-01-10T22:26:42.621+01:00For the EpiphanyHappy New Year !!Did you have a nice and well-deserved vacation ? What can I wish for you for the next year? Travels and changes of scenery, a fulfilling job or hobby, of course a lot of learning, sharing fun times with the ones you love? And let’s not forget good food! ;-)Wow. Now that I think about it, that’s exactly how I ended 2009 and started 2010! Traveling to Normandy wasn’t such a long Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-77379294400214832552009-12-14T01:04:00.012+01:002009-12-14T20:26:55.332+01:00Menu for Hope VI : French gourmet delicacies(Pour les non-anglophones, une explication est fournie à la suite de mon message.)Dear Readers,This is a very special occasion for me. I know that I have not been very active on this blog lately (well, ok, 4 months is maybe a little more than “lately”), but you’re always there for the subjects closest to my heart.My last entry was meant to share with you my respect for locally grown, fresh, Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-36459684074025185222009-11-30T22:17:00.002+01:002009-11-30T22:35:30.241+01:00At the market...Hi! First, I'd like to thank you for your messages, showing me that you were waiting for me to post again. But I've got to re-adjust. I think I'm in the right direction. Even though I don't have a recipe, I just wanted to share this with you... Don't you think those vegetables are the most beautiful thing? I don't mind waiting in line for 30 minutes at Joel Thiebault's stand as I'm in Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-90465495692691047262009-08-10T11:59:00.001+02:002009-08-21T20:27:27.850+02:00Summer Fest Part 2 with a clafoutis Today, we are celebrating two events :- I am happy to announce that the "baby sister" of this blog is created! As I told you, this new blog is not at all about culinary experiences. I've often regretted not to know the city I live in better. So I'm going to visit Paris, take pictures, and every day, photo by photo, you'll be able to visit with me. During the week-ends, it will be more relaxing Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-80715576173951478282009-08-04T10:35:00.007+02:002009-08-04T12:10:49.988+02:00Mint & Strawberries in the simplest apparelThis second recipe is a little late for the summer fest week. We're now talking about stone fruits, so I'm off subject here. But maybe you have a prolific mint like me & my mother do. Or maybe you bought a bunch for a recipe and you're left with a handful of leaves, no knowing what to do next. Well, here I am with the solution! Ain't I nice?you'd better say yes, have you seen this rolling pinMélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-43343725133126332702009-08-03T23:15:00.003+02:002009-08-04T09:52:26.413+02:00Last call for summer festYou know this feeling, when you're rushing through the airport, running and hoping you'll get in time before the plane takes off? The adrenaline is pumping, but deep down you know that you can make it, that, no matter how tired you are, it's going to be alright. You won't give up.Well, that exactly how I feel right now. It's 2 a.m. in Paris and I want to post this recipe before the end of the dayMélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-23341389699017453192009-07-25T15:28:00.001+02:002009-07-26T00:59:25.540+02:00One year! and a Raspberry tart to celebrateOne year ago, I started this blog. Like for a baby, this first year was mainly about learning. I needed understand about how to write, about the importance of plating and composing, about CSS (still not great!!), etc...Even though I have still so much room to improve, I feel there has been some progress. I have enrolled in photoshop classes. I've discovered RSS feeds. I now know how to change theMélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-83080254226771228112009-07-19T10:39:00.002+02:002009-07-19T10:49:26.844+02:00Blog Under ConstructionI suddently felt the need for more light and space in my layout, and started to make modifications. Until I'm finished, the blog may look a little weird, sorry.It is going to take some time, because :- I suck at codes,- I'm very obstinate, and I won't give up until I succeed (or spent 10h searching without finding a clue, for a little detail nobody will notice.)So I first have to learn a lot, Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-46656184432958073492009-07-14T14:06:00.003+02:002009-07-25T18:32:27.946+02:00FireworksNo recipe today. Just wanted to share our garden fireworks on "Bastille Day" while waiting for the real one on the Eiffel Tower tonight.Happy 14th of July!Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-43672068136432659962009-07-12T09:49:00.001+02:002009-07-12T09:50:56.076+02:00PicturesThe first pictures from the wedding cake are here, if you want to check it out!Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-66808936957119431322009-07-06T19:00:00.002+02:002009-07-25T18:29:18.333+02:00The lovely Frozen Strawberry PieI know I should be talking about the end of the wedding cake story.But there's something more urgent first. I want to introduce you to this lovely dessert. It would be such a shame to wait there's definitively no more strawberries to share it with you. Because I really want you to try this pie.Who knows, maybe it will become a favorite dish in your home too, one that you prepare for birthdays, Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-79696041043407034332009-07-03T21:55:00.015+02:002009-07-25T18:29:58.086+02:00The first wedding cake : recap, links and advisesA few weeks ago, I teased you about this big project I was working on.I haven’t told you anything yet, because I just don’t know where to start. Do you remember my new year’s wishes? To the one moving in a new place, becoming a parent, or getting married? Well, I had people in mind for each situation, most of them happening in May / June. And because we were having a surprise party for one of theMélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-85287522735268831732009-06-13T22:41:00.011+02:002009-07-25T18:30:13.231+02:00A strawberry watermelon smoothie for a sunday afternoonTomorrow it's gonna be Sunday. It's going to be a sunny and warm day. Imagine yourself enjoying the nice weather outside. Maybe even having a barbecue, gardening, or just relaxing. You know what would make this day even more perfect? The vibrant taste of strawberries, yes. But, most of all, in the form of a cold and refreshing drink!So please, go put one yogurt in the freezer now. That's it. Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-27013550112992354672009-06-03T17:25:00.008+02:002009-07-25T18:30:30.720+02:00Bring summer home with a tomato tartThis was a surprise. Most of the times, I know before starting what's going to be shared with you. The choice is already made, and the experience is very different. I'm thinking of you in the kitchen, and I am paying special attention to the preparation : I take detailed notes and pictures of the different steps, I measure everything, and I try not to be messy. And believe me, clumsy as I am, Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-49249817129632823462009-05-24T13:42:00.009+02:002009-07-25T18:30:48.557+02:00LuckyIt’s funny how I tend to digress. I started to write a post about the freshly harvested green onions I bought at the farmers market last week. From that, I went to the fact that I don’t go enough to the market in Paris. Then to a panegyric of the quiet life in Montmorency, where I spend the week-end. I almost finished with childhood memories of our summers in the garden! So glad I stopped there!Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-41487924937799474992009-05-06T20:16:00.005+02:002009-07-08T12:13:56.823+02:00Unanimity for the carrotThe theme chosen by Zorra for her monthly blog event is dessert buffet. I thought first cupcakes were a good way to participate for the first time... I had some serious doubts before baking these cupcakes. Oh, not about the fact that I would like them. No, I'm not anymore the little girl who inevitably said to her grandmother "Kuchen mit Mohren?? Beurk. I mag doch keine Gemüse." ("A cake with Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-75696802054019916602009-04-30T17:04:00.005+02:002009-07-08T12:17:22.938+02:00Picnic in the train...Revelation : this blog is not only about baking, but also about cooking. If you look at my recipe list, you couldn't guess, right? ;-)Well, here's the thing : I've got this stupid fear of disappointing you with a savoury recipe. I don't do anything very elaborate, so why would you care? And let's be honest : I find it much more difficult to make a salad look appetizing than some, hum, let's say, Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-62247485806384938092009-04-22T17:30:00.003+02:002009-07-10T17:23:41.055+02:00Another spin on rhubarb and strawberriesDo you remember the roasted rhubarb from Monday? All the combinations imaginable with strawberries? Wanna play some more?If the last post didn't convince you, I hope these pictures will have you running to your grocery store!This time, we're making verrines (which is the french for "little glass"). They are veeery creamy. It's like eating a yogurt cloud, minus the acidity. Not the small and pale Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-91158335883818247472009-04-19T22:33:00.012+02:002009-07-10T17:29:51.254+02:00The truth is1- My file "To post" is about to make my computer explode. Et non, I did not forget you. I keep thinking about the blog, taking lots of pictures, plating things that would normally go directly inside a tupperware, buying extra cute dishes for photography...2- Unfortunately, I take time to cook, to take pictures, even to write down the ingredients (big improvement already!!!), but not to write theMélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-30900778512278470992009-02-26T16:20:00.013+01:002009-07-08T12:27:12.755+02:00Little pumpkinsA few weeks ago, I went to Stephane Martin’s restaurant with a friend, and I had the most amazing lava cake ever. As I told you, I’m not a huge fan of chocolate, and I’d rather have a fruit tart than… well, anything. This lava cake was made for me : not a chocolate one, as you would usually see (although they have one in the restaurant too, and they’re even renowned for it), but made with pumpkinMélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-30906677591985062662009-02-16T18:09:00.002+01:002009-07-08T12:30:15.156+02:00Cake or bonbons, yours to chooseLike for a lot of people, February seems to have won over me : after one week of fighting against the headache, I think a virus stoke back yesterday, when I didn't except it. I feel dizzy and my head is so heavy I wonder how it stands up on my neck, so no wonder my time out of the office is spent… in my bed, and not in the kitchen! However, since it’s already been one week, I thought I could makeMélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-46330699192347245142009-02-14T10:11:00.002+01:002009-02-14T10:15:01.506+01:00Valentine's day...Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-3307739287875087622009-02-03T07:57:00.004+01:002009-07-08T12:32:59.859+02:00Quick raspberry trifleBig confession : sometimes, I don't want to hear anything about food. I don't want to spend hours in the kitchen, whisking, mesuring, rolling (ok, that's pretty unusual. In a normal state of mind, this only evocation would look like fun to me!), cleaning the dishes (and that's the constant part...).I was in this lazy mood last time I had friends over for dinner, but I still wanted to serve them Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-40908060804911058892009-01-30T18:36:00.013+01:002009-07-09T17:39:36.408+02:00Hokkaido Squash SoupDo you remember when I told you I was very intrigued obsessed with winter squash? It seems to me it is the quintessential winter comfort food, putting you instantly in the right mood to enjoy the cold crisp air outside (and the warmth of your home). The possibilities are endless (galettes, salads, pies, risottos, etc…), and I’ve got so much to catch up!So, as I attempted to cook for myself de Mélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-332136917643067997.post-64054633131633848002009-01-25T16:27:00.014+01:002009-07-11T15:02:40.497+02:00A sweet new start with tiramisu tartletsWell…. Ahem…[akward moment]… Hi everyone!..?I’m so sorry I was absent for almost 2 months… Explaining my silence and the different phases I went through would be booooring, but let just say it involved many cookies and other sorts of meals, to bake and to eat! So much that I actually thought I’d never want to be in a kitchen again. Yes, that much!I needed to rest (and to lose weight) and believedMélaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10556317143539660344noreply@blogger.com9