Now this will probably be a very boring post for most as it is literally going to be me just showing off.
The only thing better than Christmas morning for me is the afternoon my parents return from a French mini break. They always leave with a shopping list from me longer than my arm and return bearing gifts which excite me more than you can imagine, especially on a day when I am off sick from work and feeling a tad under the weather.
Put me in a French supermarket and I am like a panda in a bamboo grove - Gosh I am so easily pleased sometimes.
I wont blabber on too much but there a couple of items I must mention because they are simply heavenly if you can get your hands on them.
Both of the below tubs are different types of Rillette. The blue tub is duck (my fave) and the red is pork. Rillette is basically a type of pate however is a lot more gooey and luxurious. It is made by slowly cooking the meat in fat and then shredding it.
It so so yummy slathered onto fresh baguette, topped off with a cornichon or two. Give it a go - you will never look back............
Now this is actually a restaurant I visited back in the Winter which I was taken to as a lovely Birthday surprise but I came across the photos and had to have a belated rave about it because it is well worth a visit.
Bob Bob Ricard is a luxury British and Russian diner in the middle of Soho, famous for its 'Press for Champagne' buttons on every table. The interior is unique yet classic and frankly very beautiful. Everything from the service to the food to the toilets was absolutely perfect. 10/10. Despite a Russian/British style I really felt like I had been transported to a chic backstreet in Paris in the 1950s.
I will let the photos do the talking but if you are planning on a visit then make sure you try one of the starters (I had the Russian salad topped with truffles) that comes with -18c ice cold shot of Russian vodka, the perfect way to start a meal! Then finish with the salted caramel ice cream which was to die for. Oh and don't forget to PRESS FOR CHAMPAGNE (or espresso martinis like us! hehe)
Now, anyone who knows me well knows I am an avid cheese lover, the stinkier and gooier the better. In fact even once I find a perfectly gooey cheese, I just love to take it to the extreme. Which is why a baked Camembert really is my idea of heaven! Honestly if I was on death row this would be my last request. So you can imagine my delight when my lovely (also French cheese addicted) parents treated me to a Parisienne Camembert baking dish, complete with recipe book.
Now in the past I have simply used the box the Camembert comes in to cook it , but this little beauty really does make it a lot easier and a lot prettier. The recipe book that comes with it is full of quirky little experiments to try such as adding cherries, mango chutney or pinenuts, however I am yet to try these as I am too in love with my classic thyme and garlic version.
Please give this a go - if you are without a lovely dish like mine then simply keep the cheese inside its cardboard/wickerlike box but remove the plastic, stab all over the top of the rind with a knife and then drizzle with olive oil, sliced garlic, and fresh thyme. Whack this in the oven for about 20 mins at gas mark 6, then dive in with warm crusty baguette and some Italian breadsticks (or celery and carrot sticks if you're into that) and then wait for heaven to begin!!
