Chez Jour Du Marche with all my friends
Saturday, June 04, 2005
It's been a long time
Hello everyone, sorry that I have not written in awhile. I thought that noone was paying any attention to my site but a few people have asked me why I have not put a ne post up in the past two weeks. So, here we go with a summary of everything that has happened since the last post. First off we had a party last week for Anna before she left Lyon. She is from Sydney and while she is coming back for a couple more weeks it was the last time with Jo, Maddy, and a few others. We had a great time at her place having some drinks and then went to Ayer's Rock. It's supposed to be an Australian Bar, it was my first time and we had a great time. However, I wasn't missing anything the other night's I missed there, it's not that great.
The rest of the week was pretty routine and I did some rollerblading, with a hangover the next day.... I have also fallen off my gym routine because of all the parties and drinking so I am headed over tomorrow to get back into the regime mode. Everyone is leaving so I am not going to have a lot else to do.
This week I started taking care of a 6 year old that my Kiwi buddy Jo was looking after the last 7 months. I am taking care of him through my departure for a little bit of spending money. This month is going to fly-by I think. No, I am not ready to come back and I think that I am going to move back as soon as I am finished with school. Hoping to find a job while I am applying to graduate school and then probably move back when I am done with that. I am ready to see a lot more of the World and I am not at all impressed with some of the things happening in the States right now. I would also like to head South-Of-The-Border for a year or two to learn Spanish and Mexican cuisine.
This past weekend Renee came in from Dijon to spend some time with me and my friends here in Lyon. Renee is a great, driven individual and we had a great time. Plus we have a few inside jokes now as well, sorry I can't let you in on the secret. Just between us.... Don't you just hate a page turner? We went to La Part Dieu and did a little shopping. I wanted to get something for the girls going away. I got a t-shirt for Madz, a green and yellow one for Brazilian colors and I had her Beau's name pressed on the back. She was worried she may look a little dag with it bakc home. I told her that noone will know the difference if she says it is a Brazilian soccer player that she is crazy about. There is not a lie in either of those statements as long as she doesn't say he plays for a team or is famous outside the International students here in Lyon. She loved it! Also picked up a ladies second best friend for the rest of the girls. While roses may be a little passe and cliche, chocolate never gets old. Especially when it's in a nice box with a ribbon wrapped about it. I won't go there with a Forrest Gumpism, you know the one.
Next we went to Rue De La Republique to watch the L'Olympique Lyonnais game against Nice. They won the French Title and so the city spent 60,000 euros on celebrating it. They set up a Big-Screen TV in the Place. In some ironic typically French fashion the screen did not begin working so we left to head towards a bar in Place Des Terraux where the after-match party was to take place. We originally intended to go to a bar with some of the other students but ended up talking to some drunk guys in the street. They were a little off, but unusually nice and pleasant in comparison to some of our other experiences in that area. So off to the big party and Jo was in rare form. She was really "red" and a little bit belligerent, ok, really belligerent! We wanted to stay for the party and she wanted to go meet some people that sounded cool, but interfered too much with the plans. Then she tried to kick a guy who was being a bit of a jerk, but not too bad. Be careful how much alcohol you give a spirited Kiwi, which is to say all of them. But, I love you JoJo, Louis says hello as well!
The next night we had a stir-fry at Maddy's to finish up the weekend and have one last night at Madz before Jo left for Glasgow, Scotland. It was a fun night and the girls got interesting, I am not going further with that in this forum because friend's and family may be present... yet again the page turner.
Tuesday I saw off Renee from the comfort of my bed, not enough energy to see her to the door. I think that came out wrong so I must alliterate a little. No, she wasn't in the bed with me, we got home really late and a cab was taking her to the train station. She had to get some things from my room and told me to stay in the bed, so I wasn't disagreeable.
Tuesday night was my birthday dinner, I tried to get a reservation at Cafe Des Federations but they were booked up solid. I perused the Petit Paume and found another place, but got an answering machine. Next I went to another Petit Paume reference called Jour Du Marche. The place was very accomodating and although I made the reservation for 12-14, they did not have a problem getting the 20 of us fed and slightly pompette from the pichet wine. Lea and her friend Florient came in a day earlier than I had expected and so they met us at the resto. I received the most thoughtful gift ever in a calendar from Jo, Alex, Jules, and Maddy. You make me very proud to call you all My Girl's! I'll show you all when I get back, it's the girls in costume all over Lyon from the fountain at L'Hotel De Ville, to a rather provocative one at Parc De La Tete D'Or. I am surprised you were not arrested for that one. Arno gave me a L'OL t-shirt that Maddy told him I was thinking of getting. The food, oh the food! It was not a bouchon or typical Lyonnais saveur. It was more of a global cuisine that showed the Lyonaiss chef's attention to fresh ingredients and his Japanese sous chef's creative preparations. I am headed over there on Monday or Tuesday to try and get a couple night's in the kitchen before I go on my way.
Wednesday I took Lea around Lyon and to meet the girls again for one last drink with Jo before I looked after Louis. It was a nice day, my 28th birthday, passed saying goodbye to friends and looking after Louis. We played some soccer and then I headed home to have yet another dinner chez moi with Alex, Madz, Lea, Florient, and Arno. I kept it simple and made a nice green salad with my infamous balsalmic vinaigrette, then to the main course of a creamys pasta with chicken and some basil/olive oil sausage. It was formi-formi-formidable! Somehow Alex made it from her's with a chocolate cake, only the batter in a dish, on her kid's bike. She said that we must have a cake and candles for my birthday no matter what. It was great with a little Nutella smoothed over in plave of icing. Again, I have been fortunate to meet some amazing individuals and I love every one of you, it pains to know that our goodbyes are soon to come.
Then today was pretty lazy and I have not left the house, save once to the epicery. I miss you all and I we'll see you soon or along the path called life. Cheers, Me
The rest of the week was pretty routine and I did some rollerblading, with a hangover the next day.... I have also fallen off my gym routine because of all the parties and drinking so I am headed over tomorrow to get back into the regime mode. Everyone is leaving so I am not going to have a lot else to do.
This week I started taking care of a 6 year old that my Kiwi buddy Jo was looking after the last 7 months. I am taking care of him through my departure for a little bit of spending money. This month is going to fly-by I think. No, I am not ready to come back and I think that I am going to move back as soon as I am finished with school. Hoping to find a job while I am applying to graduate school and then probably move back when I am done with that. I am ready to see a lot more of the World and I am not at all impressed with some of the things happening in the States right now. I would also like to head South-Of-The-Border for a year or two to learn Spanish and Mexican cuisine.
This past weekend Renee came in from Dijon to spend some time with me and my friends here in Lyon. Renee is a great, driven individual and we had a great time. Plus we have a few inside jokes now as well, sorry I can't let you in on the secret. Just between us.... Don't you just hate a page turner? We went to La Part Dieu and did a little shopping. I wanted to get something for the girls going away. I got a t-shirt for Madz, a green and yellow one for Brazilian colors and I had her Beau's name pressed on the back. She was worried she may look a little dag with it bakc home. I told her that noone will know the difference if she says it is a Brazilian soccer player that she is crazy about. There is not a lie in either of those statements as long as she doesn't say he plays for a team or is famous outside the International students here in Lyon. She loved it! Also picked up a ladies second best friend for the rest of the girls. While roses may be a little passe and cliche, chocolate never gets old. Especially when it's in a nice box with a ribbon wrapped about it. I won't go there with a Forrest Gumpism, you know the one.
Next we went to Rue De La Republique to watch the L'Olympique Lyonnais game against Nice. They won the French Title and so the city spent 60,000 euros on celebrating it. They set up a Big-Screen TV in the Place. In some ironic typically French fashion the screen did not begin working so we left to head towards a bar in Place Des Terraux where the after-match party was to take place. We originally intended to go to a bar with some of the other students but ended up talking to some drunk guys in the street. They were a little off, but unusually nice and pleasant in comparison to some of our other experiences in that area. So off to the big party and Jo was in rare form. She was really "red" and a little bit belligerent, ok, really belligerent! We wanted to stay for the party and she wanted to go meet some people that sounded cool, but interfered too much with the plans. Then she tried to kick a guy who was being a bit of a jerk, but not too bad. Be careful how much alcohol you give a spirited Kiwi, which is to say all of them. But, I love you JoJo, Louis says hello as well!
The next night we had a stir-fry at Maddy's to finish up the weekend and have one last night at Madz before Jo left for Glasgow, Scotland. It was a fun night and the girls got interesting, I am not going further with that in this forum because friend's and family may be present... yet again the page turner.
Tuesday I saw off Renee from the comfort of my bed, not enough energy to see her to the door. I think that came out wrong so I must alliterate a little. No, she wasn't in the bed with me, we got home really late and a cab was taking her to the train station. She had to get some things from my room and told me to stay in the bed, so I wasn't disagreeable.
Tuesday night was my birthday dinner, I tried to get a reservation at Cafe Des Federations but they were booked up solid. I perused the Petit Paume and found another place, but got an answering machine. Next I went to another Petit Paume reference called Jour Du Marche. The place was very accomodating and although I made the reservation for 12-14, they did not have a problem getting the 20 of us fed and slightly pompette from the pichet wine. Lea and her friend Florient came in a day earlier than I had expected and so they met us at the resto. I received the most thoughtful gift ever in a calendar from Jo, Alex, Jules, and Maddy. You make me very proud to call you all My Girl's! I'll show you all when I get back, it's the girls in costume all over Lyon from the fountain at L'Hotel De Ville, to a rather provocative one at Parc De La Tete D'Or. I am surprised you were not arrested for that one. Arno gave me a L'OL t-shirt that Maddy told him I was thinking of getting. The food, oh the food! It was not a bouchon or typical Lyonnais saveur. It was more of a global cuisine that showed the Lyonaiss chef's attention to fresh ingredients and his Japanese sous chef's creative preparations. I am headed over there on Monday or Tuesday to try and get a couple night's in the kitchen before I go on my way.
Wednesday I took Lea around Lyon and to meet the girls again for one last drink with Jo before I looked after Louis. It was a nice day, my 28th birthday, passed saying goodbye to friends and looking after Louis. We played some soccer and then I headed home to have yet another dinner chez moi with Alex, Madz, Lea, Florient, and Arno. I kept it simple and made a nice green salad with my infamous balsalmic vinaigrette, then to the main course of a creamys pasta with chicken and some basil/olive oil sausage. It was formi-formi-formidable! Somehow Alex made it from her's with a chocolate cake, only the batter in a dish, on her kid's bike. She said that we must have a cake and candles for my birthday no matter what. It was great with a little Nutella smoothed over in plave of icing. Again, I have been fortunate to meet some amazing individuals and I love every one of you, it pains to know that our goodbyes are soon to come.
Then today was pretty lazy and I have not left the house, save once to the epicery. I miss you all and I we'll see you soon or along the path called life. Cheers, Me
Sunday, May 22, 2005
The Last Supper in Lyon.
Yesterday was a lovely Spring day here in Lyon. I got up early, which on a Saturday means about 10:30am. I went down the street to the outdoor market at Montplaisir to search for some things to make for dinner. I decided to do something that would be good, simple, and enough for everyone who might show up. In the States it is usually hard to get people over and I always have too much food left over. Here, my dinners have become somewhat of a legend and everyone is always sending me a text to see if they can attend. I always try to think about what I am going to cook before I go so I have a game plan. However, like some writers I usually suffer from a cooker's block. So, I went without a clue what I was going to prepare. I was walking through the market listening to Jack Johnson and enjoying the odors of fresh produce, Spring, and some roasting chickens. I passed some small potatoes and could not resist, they would make a lovely hot potato salad with some fresh herbs, creme fraiche, lemon zest, and nice merguez sausages. Passing along I noticed some nice lettuces in the center of the market and my mouth began to produce it's own idea for the dinner. A nice green salad with some plump grape tomatoes. I love the smell of fresh cultivated tomatoes, it takes me back to my neighbor's garden when I was a small boy, it's one of my favorite smells ever. I got some nice creamy roquefort to top it off and my now crowd favorite herbed balsalmic vinaigrette. I may actually post the recipe just for Alex and the other filles. Lastly, I have always passed one of my local butcher's shops wishing that I had the money to stop and get some of there brightly painted meats for a great dinner. This time I could do it because I had the whole group chipping in as well. I got a 1.5 kilo roti du porc and the merguez sausages that I used in the potato salad. I had been reading some things on my favorite chef Jacques Pepin the day before and I decided to let the pork speak for itself and not go crazy with a rich sauce. I roasted it with some coriander spice, pepper, salt, and fresh time. Giving it a light glaze of maple syrup and mustard just at the end. It was perfectly cooked to medium and after giving it 15 minutes to rest it was the juiciest pork I have ever dropped on my tongue. You could cut it with a fork, this is pork I am talking about too, not veal. It was perfect and I think I should go thank the butcher's shop for there wonderful job in selecting a fine loin of pork.
For those wondering what we were quenching our thirst with I will tell you about my punch. It is getting warm and I wanted to have a nice aperitif that would open up the pallet a little. I bought some raspberries, watermelon, oranges, and young yellow peaches to toss in the bowl. I am not a big fan of tequila but I love prickly pear martini's so I decided to try and make something close. I picked up some fresh pear juice at the market and followed with some orange juice, white grape juice and a bottle of white tequila. It was gone in a matter of minutes and everyone wanted to know how to make it. Dead simple, spend a little more and get real juice, not concentrate and it will make all the difference in the end. Everyone was also asked to bring some wine or beer along with the 5 euro ante.
The dinner was a lovely event and a great way to say goodbye, some memories may fade quicker than others but with the taste and smell of food it enhances your memories. Smell is the strongest memory jogger there is. I hope that some day long from now the people that my dinners brought together last night and every time before will taste or smell something that was in my pork roast, or banana bread and remember the unforgettable times we had here as students, friends, lovers, and teachers. I would not trade it for anything in the World, you are my inspiration in everything I do, every new dish I create, every smell that lifts my soul. You are my passion in life, I will never forget you. Thank you for your friendship, your laughs, your days in the park, your spirit, I hope to see you all again one day soon. You are welcome in my home and at my table whenever the thought suits you.
For those wondering what we were quenching our thirst with I will tell you about my punch. It is getting warm and I wanted to have a nice aperitif that would open up the pallet a little. I bought some raspberries, watermelon, oranges, and young yellow peaches to toss in the bowl. I am not a big fan of tequila but I love prickly pear martini's so I decided to try and make something close. I picked up some fresh pear juice at the market and followed with some orange juice, white grape juice and a bottle of white tequila. It was gone in a matter of minutes and everyone wanted to know how to make it. Dead simple, spend a little more and get real juice, not concentrate and it will make all the difference in the end. Everyone was also asked to bring some wine or beer along with the 5 euro ante.
The dinner was a lovely event and a great way to say goodbye, some memories may fade quicker than others but with the taste and smell of food it enhances your memories. Smell is the strongest memory jogger there is. I hope that some day long from now the people that my dinners brought together last night and every time before will taste or smell something that was in my pork roast, or banana bread and remember the unforgettable times we had here as students, friends, lovers, and teachers. I would not trade it for anything in the World, you are my inspiration in everything I do, every new dish I create, every smell that lifts my soul. You are my passion in life, I will never forget you. Thank you for your friendship, your laughs, your days in the park, your spirit, I hope to see you all again one day soon. You are welcome in my home and at my table whenever the thought suits you.
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Weird Dreams, My Estella...
OK, I went to bed late and rose early this morning for my teaching bit. It was actually a really good day because I learned that my French is improving and noticably right now. I think that I may be in the mode where it just turns over into real understanding soon with my speaking where I am not thinking about it. I know it is really affecting my credibility in the States but I am glad that I am staying another month. I hate doing things like this half-assed, I want to speak and understand French. Anyways my first two classes went well and I took my break to find out that one of the kids in my first class pushed a girl over and busted her lip. I think that is his last straw and he is going to be expelled from the school. He is a borderline kid with some mental troubles from what I have been told. The sad part is he is probably one of my smartest students, he remembers everything so he may have some sort of autism going on. Wish I could do more but there is really nothing I can do except lead be example for the kid.
My last class was late in returning to the classroom and we decided to do a question and answer kind of thing because the teacher was having trouble controlling them all morning. Works for me because I get paid either way so I answered some of their questions and they think my life is like a stars life. If they only knew!!!
Returning home I picked up my latest read, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. It is a book that I bought about 7 years ago and have never read because I always pick up another beforehand. So, I was tired and read about 10 pages before putting the book down to rest my eyes a little, wink-wink. It wasn't long before the stars came out and I fell into a trance. I was transported to an estate in France with a spattering of Frenchies and old family friends. It was really bizarre and I remember it vividly. The best part was that the super cool teacher was there and I told her how I thought she was sooo beautiful, sexy, intelligent, likeable, etc... I said that it's a shame she had a boyfriend and that if she didn't I would definitely make a move on her. So, instead she made a move on me and gave me a small kiss, leaned out like a cat pawing at it's prey and said that she broke it off with him, leaning in for a more bewildering embrace!!! I am devestated that I woke up, I could have stayed in that dream with her for eternity. She is my Estella. If only dreams transcended into reality, I guess maybe I should just give it a try in real life. I do make a mean dinner and I can choose a handsome bottle of wine that does not delve too far into my purse. Anyway, I thought that would make a cool entry because some of my latest ones were junk. They were marred by hangovers, stress, and a general lack of enthuiasm I think. See you later Pip, old chap!
My last class was late in returning to the classroom and we decided to do a question and answer kind of thing because the teacher was having trouble controlling them all morning. Works for me because I get paid either way so I answered some of their questions and they think my life is like a stars life. If they only knew!!!
Returning home I picked up my latest read, Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. It is a book that I bought about 7 years ago and have never read because I always pick up another beforehand. So, I was tired and read about 10 pages before putting the book down to rest my eyes a little, wink-wink. It wasn't long before the stars came out and I fell into a trance. I was transported to an estate in France with a spattering of Frenchies and old family friends. It was really bizarre and I remember it vividly. The best part was that the super cool teacher was there and I told her how I thought she was sooo beautiful, sexy, intelligent, likeable, etc... I said that it's a shame she had a boyfriend and that if she didn't I would definitely make a move on her. So, instead she made a move on me and gave me a small kiss, leaned out like a cat pawing at it's prey and said that she broke it off with him, leaning in for a more bewildering embrace!!! I am devestated that I woke up, I could have stayed in that dream with her for eternity. She is my Estella. If only dreams transcended into reality, I guess maybe I should just give it a try in real life. I do make a mean dinner and I can choose a handsome bottle of wine that does not delve too far into my purse. Anyway, I thought that would make a cool entry because some of my latest ones were junk. They were marred by hangovers, stress, and a general lack of enthuiasm I think. See you later Pip, old chap!
Monday, May 16, 2005
Haircuts, Laundry, and Fried Chicken.
I have never had hair this long in my life! I think that after 8 years in the military my hair is the longest it has been since I joined up and had is all shaved off in Basic Training. A few weeks ago I was sitting with Jenny and Jo after Generation Roller when I was talking about shaving my head. They both pleaded that I didn't shave my head or get a haircut because it was the perfect length. Stating that men always cut their hair just when it's perfect, since most guys say this about girls I decided that maybe they knew what they were talking about. I let it go and now I have these curly things happening on my side burns area and I am going crazy, no matter how they think it looks I think I am going to get a touch up here soon. Although I am getting some greys I am not worried about them and I think they add more character than a bottle of dye or some highlights so I am going to keep them.
I have not done laundry in almost 2 weeks, I have no undies available, and no socks too. I tried to do some the other day but Marianne freaked out about me bringing over my bag of clothes that night so I decided to wait until Monday when I would be on stirke. Gotta love the French and their strikes ehh? I thought I would tell you about my laundry days for those of you who think it's tough back in the States. For the greater part of the last year I have been doing this routine. Depending on the volume of dirties I have 3 different sized bags for the trip to wash. A Nike athletic bag for the 2 load day, a backpack for the 3-4 load journey, and a 30-inch upright rolling Samsonite luggage bag for the "Oh My God I Don't Have a Life For The Next 2 Days" washing syndrome. When weather is providing it is also possible to pull a backpack/athletic bag if I choose the option. That will probably be the choice today since I hate that huge suitcase. It's only purpose is for stuffing until the seams almost pop with clothes, French wine, foie gras, etc... on the way home.
Next I go down to the Tramway stop at old Rue Villon with my dirty laundry strapped to my back and mount the old T2 en direction de Perrache. I take the tramway 7 stops to the end of the line at Perrache. Walking through the station to the Metro A to head up around Hotel de Ville and Chez Maddy. All in all I spend about 30 minutes in transit with the sometimes near radiating cargo, then 98 stairs up to the palace. From there I start the laborious process of washing and drying. Of course there are machines but normally I have to finish up whatever someone else has started. That includes waiting an hour or two before getting to my things of course. Once I get my things in I can count on a 2 hour turnaround from start to finish where I am folding my clothes and putting them in my bag. My washer at home is large enough to do this is 2 loads for whites and darks but the one here is more about 4-5 loads to do this. Therefore I usually spend a full day or more washing my clothes every other week. Since I am working out and rollerblading at the moment you see that it's more every 9-10 days. So the next time you don't feel like doing your laundry or folding it after it comes out of the dryer you can think about this story. Don't be a lazy bum, fold those clothes.
So, after last week's good fortune with my Southern Fried Chicken I decided it made the perfect Sunday meal again. Mainly because Arno was bugging me for stir-fry again and I am sick and tired of making the stuff, mush less having to eat it. Now, I love stir-fry so don't think it's that but Arno has a way of eating, and eating, and eating the same thing until it loses all appeal and stomachability. We are about 1 stir-fry away from that point for me. So, I offered to make some chicken againg this week just to get out of the stir-fry confrontation. I even made my now infamous pommes de terres au gratin "Murf Stylie" to get it the resolution through. That is basically an au gratin but I saute some onions, lardon, and garlic until carmelized and I put that over the bottom layer of potatoes as a treat. So you have some nice starchy potato, a little cream and cheese as normal and then this nice sweet smoky layer on the bottom to round it all out. Really one of my best dishes and now it's a cinch as well. Mad's left a BBQ just to come over and try out some fried chicken and some of momma's milk gravy as well. It was a hit and I brought some to the BBQ and it was gone in a matter of minutes. Like a school of pirahnas had swarmed around it there were only scattered bits of bone left. If I never have a French 3-star restaurant I know that I can open up a Chicken Shack I guess. Probably make more money doing that actually.
Well, my camera battery died out in the sun yesterday so I do not have any photos of the BBQ, also Mauricio's going away party. So you will just have to know that it was a lot of fun and lots of people there. Including some cutie Brazilien girls that you will never see, what a shame I love that dark hair, eyes, and skin. Ciao
I have not done laundry in almost 2 weeks, I have no undies available, and no socks too. I tried to do some the other day but Marianne freaked out about me bringing over my bag of clothes that night so I decided to wait until Monday when I would be on stirke. Gotta love the French and their strikes ehh? I thought I would tell you about my laundry days for those of you who think it's tough back in the States. For the greater part of the last year I have been doing this routine. Depending on the volume of dirties I have 3 different sized bags for the trip to wash. A Nike athletic bag for the 2 load day, a backpack for the 3-4 load journey, and a 30-inch upright rolling Samsonite luggage bag for the "Oh My God I Don't Have a Life For The Next 2 Days" washing syndrome. When weather is providing it is also possible to pull a backpack/athletic bag if I choose the option. That will probably be the choice today since I hate that huge suitcase. It's only purpose is for stuffing until the seams almost pop with clothes, French wine, foie gras, etc... on the way home.
Next I go down to the Tramway stop at old Rue Villon with my dirty laundry strapped to my back and mount the old T2 en direction de Perrache. I take the tramway 7 stops to the end of the line at Perrache. Walking through the station to the Metro A to head up around Hotel de Ville and Chez Maddy. All in all I spend about 30 minutes in transit with the sometimes near radiating cargo, then 98 stairs up to the palace. From there I start the laborious process of washing and drying. Of course there are machines but normally I have to finish up whatever someone else has started. That includes waiting an hour or two before getting to my things of course. Once I get my things in I can count on a 2 hour turnaround from start to finish where I am folding my clothes and putting them in my bag. My washer at home is large enough to do this is 2 loads for whites and darks but the one here is more about 4-5 loads to do this. Therefore I usually spend a full day or more washing my clothes every other week. Since I am working out and rollerblading at the moment you see that it's more every 9-10 days. So the next time you don't feel like doing your laundry or folding it after it comes out of the dryer you can think about this story. Don't be a lazy bum, fold those clothes.
So, after last week's good fortune with my Southern Fried Chicken I decided it made the perfect Sunday meal again. Mainly because Arno was bugging me for stir-fry again and I am sick and tired of making the stuff, mush less having to eat it. Now, I love stir-fry so don't think it's that but Arno has a way of eating, and eating, and eating the same thing until it loses all appeal and stomachability. We are about 1 stir-fry away from that point for me. So, I offered to make some chicken againg this week just to get out of the stir-fry confrontation. I even made my now infamous pommes de terres au gratin "Murf Stylie" to get it the resolution through. That is basically an au gratin but I saute some onions, lardon, and garlic until carmelized and I put that over the bottom layer of potatoes as a treat. So you have some nice starchy potato, a little cream and cheese as normal and then this nice sweet smoky layer on the bottom to round it all out. Really one of my best dishes and now it's a cinch as well. Mad's left a BBQ just to come over and try out some fried chicken and some of momma's milk gravy as well. It was a hit and I brought some to the BBQ and it was gone in a matter of minutes. Like a school of pirahnas had swarmed around it there were only scattered bits of bone left. If I never have a French 3-star restaurant I know that I can open up a Chicken Shack I guess. Probably make more money doing that actually.
Well, my camera battery died out in the sun yesterday so I do not have any photos of the BBQ, also Mauricio's going away party. So you will just have to know that it was a lot of fun and lots of people there. Including some cutie Brazilien girls that you will never see, what a shame I love that dark hair, eyes, and skin. Ciao
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