My monthly in my kitchen post this month comes to you from Paris, where I have been visiting my aunt and uncle for the last week, as part of a fabulous holiday.
One of my favourite features of the in my kitchen posts is that they are written by bloggers around the world – I’m always intrigued to see what kitchens outside Australia have in them, and I’m often in awe of the goodies I see. Over this past week in Paris it has truly been wonderful to explore all the little boulangerie, boucherie, fromagerie, épicerie and other specialty food shops around this glorious city.
Please read others’ kitchen adventures too – all curated by the fabulous Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial.
In my kitchen…
… are these beautiful wooden utensils from E. Dehillerin, possibly the most famous kitchen shop in Paris. I desperately wanted to buy one of the copper pots they are famous for, however with the smallest weighing what felt like over a kilo (and I wanted one that was decidedly larger than small!), I decided against it. I really didn’t want to pay postage on top of the very hefty price, and I REALLY don’t want to carry it for the next five weeks of my trip! And, let’s face it, I can use my lack-of-purchase as an excellent reason to return to Paris again.
I did purchase a few wooden items – salad servers and a slotted wooden spoon. I have one of these spoons at home (without the E. Dehillerin stamp) and it’s my favourite. Perfect for soups, stews, casseroles, as well as scrambled egg and bacon. A fitting souvenir from a wonderful week.
In my kitchen…
… it isn’t a visit to Paris without shopping at the local markets. Much of our haul from Friday is currently filling the apartment with gorgeous smells as the pork is roasting for an Easter feast. My aunt has never had roast fennel (!!) so we are having the pork with that, roast potatoes, asparagus and carrot. I particularly love how the pork was sold to us wrapped in a waxed paper – something that would be very unlikely in Australia.
In my kitchen…
… and of course it isn’t a visit to Paris without eating half your body weight in cheese, pate and baguette. And having red wine with every meal. Or champagne. Which I have done. However I have also walked an average of about 15,000 steps a day since I’ve been away, so I figure I can eat all the cheese I like. At least this week.
In my kitchen…
… is a new cookbook. I think I have mentioned before that one of the souvenirs I buy myself when I am on holidays is a cookbook that represents the food of the region. I thought that a cookbook of French sauces was appropriate. Yes, it’s all in French, but I know enough to translate the ingredients and method for most of these recipes. I’m looking forward to making a few of these meals when I get home.
Next month I will still be on holiday, so stay tuned to see what’s in my kitchen and where I will be!
Do you buy yourself foodie souvenirs when you travel? And what are they?
You are despicable?? A second on the lips = a lifetime on the hips
there is always one *sigh*… Missing you madly sugarplum xx
I thought that you could not afford the whole spoon, so got the cheaper one with holes in it??
I envy you braving the interior of E. Dehillerin – hope AQIS let the wooden spoons in when you come home.
can’t see there would be a problem Amanda, I have brought much dodgier wooden items into Australia with customs approval in the past.
I would love to visit Paris and experience the whole thing, one of my dreams!
I bought my first foodie souvenir last trip…a Polish cookbook. All in Polish which, theoretically, will force me to learn the language. Such amazing food. You’ve inspired me to dig it out and make something. 🙂
Go Vick!! you can cook for me when we next catch up 🙂
Sounds like a plan….but I’m not nearly as good a cook as you. (Oh the pressure!!!)
Wonderful! Love Paris. Also worth looking at the food halls at Le Bon Marche and Lafayette.
I did and was very tempted there too!!
Totally jealous of your foodie adventures in Paris, and can’t wait to read more! Yes, I always buy foodie items as trip mementos, a cookbook or two to start and then unusual condiments or implements. I’ve run out of bookshelf space but hate to part with any of my treasures.
yes, I have also run out of bookshelf space, but I’m not letting that stop me! I’m in Istanbul now – stay tuned 🙂
Aahh, Paris, I just love it, the best people watching in the world. My IMK post is also about travel souveniers…
What a great foodie adventure in Paris and life to me is simply too short to worry about not enjoying food and wine!
Look forward to hearing all about it as loved my many experiences there!
Thank you for this month’s IMK view too!
yes, I agree Joanne!!
Oh it sounds so French! Exactly what I would imagine it to be and imagine is about all I’ll achieve I think so I’m savouring your words. I think that must be the store I saw on Luke Nyugen’s show by the sound of it, if so I’m drooling. Always buy a cooking souvenir, usually try for an antique rolling pin or hand tool. Got a chapati pin and board in Delhi, takes me back there every time I use it.
Thanks Maree! I really had a wonderful time in Paris, and that shop was so tempting!!! Your chapati pin and board sounds like a fabulous souvenir too
Hi Mel, glad you’re having a wonderful holiday. I really enjoyed taking a peek into your Parisian kitchen. Re-living our own fabulous trip last year. Foodie heaven!
Thanks Christine, am having a wonderful time!
how wonderful to be in paris. it seems like everyone we know is heading there this year. i always try to get kitchen gadgets or food when we are travelling. have fun in istanbul.
I’m feeling a bit guilty now as my IMK round up this month is a bit more outside of my kitchen than in it!
Love that photo of cheeses, charcuterie and pate – one of our favourite things in France is self-drive holidays with a coolbox in the back of the car, we either take or pick up a cheap chopping board, knife, some plastic cups and love buying picnic items from both supermarkets and food markets, to enjoy at some gorgeous spot as we pootle around.
Such fun!
Kavey (fellow IMKer)
nah, don’t feel guilty! My husband and I love self-drive holidays too, for the same reason as you