Fish Pie recipe + your imagination = good food

Sometimes it's easy to imagine - there are monsters in the dark, everyone is looking at me when I walk into a room (for the wrong reasons), 

And sometimes it's hard to imagine; that I'll ever get a promotion, that my hair will ever grow back fast enough, that fluro is back in fashion, and how these next two dishes taste so good without a photo to show me.

But have a little faith. 

Lemon Broccoli Soup

Here is the second recipe to inspire your weekly meals. It's delicious. Trust me. The fish pie turned out ok didn't it?
And without any further ado (drum roll please) here is your ticket to broccoli heaven (and because Lydia asked for it!)

A perfect union - Pumpkin and Bacon Pie

At this time of year the markets in Paris are full of pumpkins, pears and apples. I love how this city follows the seasons. It adds a certain rhythm to life that you can depend on. The appearance of pears signals cold weather, and what better way to announce summer than the arrival of cherries and strawberries. Having lived nearly 5 years in the U.K. I found that English supermarkets have lost some sense of this and you can buy fruit and vegetable out of season, all year round.

If you want to keep in touch with the seasons this month this is a perfect marriage of vegetables, flavours and seasons. Pumpkin, bacon and a touch of nutmeg always compliment each other and the simple fact that it is a pie makes any cold day instantly warmer and comforting.

A trip to L.A.

We were lucky enough to spend 5 days in Los Angeles just before Christmas. We found it a spacious city, at least compared to Paris. It seems that nobody walks, rather they drive. Hence the roads are mildy busy (if you discount the freeways. We happened to get stuck in 2 hours of freeway jam) and the lovely wide pavements are void of people. Starbucks is EVERYWHERE, as are neon signs and advertising.

Merci

Merci Adeline!

xox

As I was saying...

As I was saying on Friday I was at home baking up a storm for the three parties on Saturday. I shared with you the truffles that I was making and I just couldn't not share with you the cupcake recipe.  Everyone, well everyone that I watched, who ate them murmured with delight and if it wasn't the middle of the silly season of overeating I'm sure everyone wouldv'e taken a second and/or a third one. But we were at a Hen's party which included: a bride to be, several witnesses (French equivalents of bridesmaids), and French girls who seem to have already learnt self-control and healthy eating habits. 

A Train Strike and Truffles

There is another strike on the trains! Hardly surprising during the months of November and December in France. The schools, the post office, the train drivers and even the Police have striked this year. It's the RER A again today, since yesterday, and it's all over a 4% pay rise (among other things).  I couldn't get to work this afternoon because every single train was cancelled. Sorry kids - no English History this afternoon.  


So while the Christmas music played I donned on my apron and set to work in the kitchen. I have three parties tomorrow. I know it's always busy close to Christmas but none of these parties are even remotely related to Christmas. A birthday party, a hen's party and an engagement party.  Lucky me!  While baby Jesus was being born in a manger and the angles were harking on the stereo I was baking Christmas flavoured cupcakes for my gorgeous friend about to get married and truffles to celebrate the engagement of other dear friends. The apartment smells so delicious I'd like to throw the windows open and share it with my neighbours.  It's a bit cold for that though!


Here are the truffles for you to share at your Christmas table this year.