I Prefer Paris

Cookbook Giveaway: Everyday French Cooking by Wini Moranville

I am delighted that my friend and wonderful cookbook writer Wini Moranville asked if I would post about her new book. Please see her note below.

A few years ago, Richard was so kind to help me get word out about my cookbook, The Bonne Femme Cookbook: Simple, Splendid Food That French Women Cook Every Day.

I’m excited to share that a new paperback edition of this book has just been published. Better yet, my publisher is offering a giveaway to readers of this blog.

The paperback is called Everyday French Cooking: Modern French Cuisine Made Simple . For this new edition, I scrupulously pared down the recipe list to only include only recipes that were truly everyday in nature — recipes French home cooks (who are just as busy as we are) would truly prepare any night of the week, whether feeding the family on a Tuesday night or casually entertaining friends on the weekend. And I added a some fresh, contemporary, and simple recipes I’ve discovered since the first edition was published.

Best of all, the new book has photos — dozens of great photos that I hope will further inspire you to bring a slice of France to your table.

Here are four photos from the book. Which dish would you make first?

Pizza Bergère

Salmon with White Wine, Leeks, and Pernod

Pork Chops with Mustard-Caper Sauce

Classic French Fruit Tart

To enter the giveaway, you can: either:

1. Tell us (in the comments section) which of the above dishes you’d make first if you were to get your hands on a copy.
OR
2. Sign up for my All Things French e-newsletter, which I send out about once a month.

A winner will be chosen randomly from the responses and the signups. Note: U.S. addresses only. 

We look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Pizza Bergère

Salmon with White Wine, Leeks, and Pernod

Pork Chops with Mustard-Caper Sauce

Classic French Fruit Tart

 

Everything’s Coming Up Roses in Paris, May 22

It’s rose season in Paris, and their gorgeous, glorious blooms are springing up in many of the gardens and parks around the city. I captured some of these delights at a few neighborhood parks in the Marais and at the Rodin Museum the other day.

Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

I am excited to launch a new series of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

The limited-edition series of Eye Prefer Paris Door Collection Postcards are available three different ways.

18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Each postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock, that enhances the vibrancy of each image. Eye Prefer Paris Postcards come in classic postcard size (6”x 4.25”), perfect for collecting, framing, or sending to that special someone. 

Each order is specially hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. Postcards take about 4- 7 days to arrive in the U.S. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection make a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family, and I can write a handwritten note for you and include it in the envelope. 

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Maison Matisse

Dear Subscribers, Before I get to today's post, I wanted to let you know that from now on I will be publishing every Monday and Thursday instead of every Monday and Wednesday. 

I was walking on rue du Bac last week a discovered a delightful new boutique.

Maison Matisse is a home design company owned by the heirs of the Matisse family and is dedicated to preserving and extending the art and spirit of Henri Matisse. Collaborating with some of the top artists, ceramic makers, and artisans from around the world, Maison Matisse, strives to meticulously capture Matisse’s creative soul. The beautifully curated boutique has a range of products that includes ceramic plates, platters, cups and vases, candles and candle holders, blankets, scarves, pillows, furniture, rugs, and wallpaper.

Although I wanted to own everything in the store, my favorite items were the vases and platters designed by the French Polish artist Marta Bakowski, reminiscent of the iconic Matisse cutouts and bold colors. Running a close second were the fabulous blankets and scarves in irresistible colors.

Maison Matisse

38 Rue du Bac, 75007

Open Monday to Friday 10:30am to 2pm & 3pm to 7pm

Saturday 10am to 1:30pm & 2:30pm to 7:30pm

Closed Sunday

https://www.maison-matisse.com/en

Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

I am excited to launch a new series of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

The limited-edition series of Eye Prefer Paris Door Collection Postcards are available three different ways.

18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Each postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock, that enhances the vibrancy of each image. Eye Prefer Paris Postcards come in classic postcard size (6”x 4.25”), perfect for collecting, framing, or sending to that special someone. 

Each order is specially hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. Postcards take about 4- 7 days to arrive in the U.S. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection make a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family, and I can write a handwritten note for you and include it in the envelope. 

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Le Monde de Steve McCurry/ The World of Steve McCurry Photo Exhibition

I’ve been trying to get to the Le Monde de Steve McCurry/ The World of Steve McCurry photo exhbition  ever since it opened in in December, and finally got to see it last week.

Steve McCurry is a celebrated portrait photographer who has extensively traveled the four corners of the world and beyond, capturing haunting and arresting images in exotic locales such as India, Cuba, Southeast Asia, Brazil, Ethiopia, and Afghanistan for over 40 years. Many of his iconic images have appeared in publications such as National Geographic and the New York Times and he has won numerous and prestigious awards for his photos and photojournalism.

The exhibit at the Maillol Museum, is the most comprehensive of his work, with displays of over 150 photographs. The curation and organization of the photographs laid out on two floors, is beautifully executed, and hung against black walls, to best enhance the colors.

I was blown away by the color saturation, meticulous composition, the textures, and depth of color of the photos. Many of the portraits had the color intensity of painted portraits. There’s something about the way he captures images of children that is unparalleled.

Don’t miss this exceptional and inspiring exhibition and make sure you watch the videos on the lower level of McCurry speaking about his work and his process.

Until May 29, 2022

Musee Maillol

59-61 rue de Grenelle, 75007

https://www.museemaillol.com/expositions/steve-mccurry/

Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

I am excited to launch a new series of Eye Prefer Paris Postcards with the Doors of Paris. 

The limited-edition series of Eye Prefer Paris Door Collection Postcards are available three different ways.

18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Each postcard is printed on thick matte coated card stock, similar to traditional vintage postcard stock, that enhances the vibrancy of each image. Eye Prefer Paris Postcards come in classic postcard size (6”x 4.25”), perfect for collecting, framing, or sending to that special someone. 

Each order is specially hand wrapped with love from Paris and mailed in an elegant, French blue envelope. Postcards take about 4- 7 days to arrive in the U.S. 

Just in time for the holidays, the Eye Prefer Paris-Paris Door Collection make a perfect gift for your Francophile friends and family, and I can write a handwritten note for you and include it in the envelope. 

CLICK HERE to order 18 cards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors, 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers. 

Cost: $65- Free shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Red Doors, 3 Blue Doors, 3 Green Doors.

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

CLICK HERE to order 9 postcards: 3 Wood Doors, 3 Iron Doors, and 3 Door Knockers

Cost: $35 plus $5 shipping 

Green Doors

Blue Doors

Metal Doors

Floralien in Ghent, Belgium

In 2017 I visited Ghent, Belgium, and I loved the charms of this small city of romantic water canals and handsome architecture. I am still on the mailing list for the Visit Gent, the official tourist office and in February they sent an announcement for Floralien, a flower show and exhibition held every four years. Floralien began in 1809, starting off with only 137 plants and displayed in a 500 square foot venue. Fast forward to 2022, and Floralien is a major event taking place in a sprawling convention center in a pretty park near the main train station, attracting tens of thousands of visitors. 

I thought it would be a fun event to attend and Visit Gent was kind enough to provide a press pass to Floralien, a one-night hotel stay, and dinner at a local restaurant. 

The theme for Floralien for 2022 is "My Paradise, My Worldly Garden" and explores the need for urban dwellers to have more green spaces in the city centers, as they are shrinking in most cities around the world. The show is also focused on trends, durability, research and innovation in gardens and gardening. "My Paradise, My Worldly Garden" also coincides with the celebration of the Ghent Altarpiece/ The Mystic Lamb by the Van Eyck brothers, an historic masterpiece of painted, religious panels from 1432. 

I arrived late morning to Floralien and was given an all-access pass. It was the second day and a Friday, so it wasn’t too crowded. The first section of the exhibition there were individual displays from various landscape artists and designers, which were dramatic and astonishing. I was floored by the incredible talent, artistry, and attention to detail of each one. Walking through the rest of Floralien, there were sumptuous, tabletop floral arrangements, and walkways festooned with mounds of luscious seasonal flowers including azaleas, roses, and hydrangeas in the most brilliant colors. Many of the displays throughout the show referenced The Mystic Lamb. 

After the sensation and thrill of Floralien, I took an easy tram ride to the historic center of the city. Since I had done most of the tourist attractions on my last trip in 2017, I was free to stroll the city streets and discover cool shops, off the beaten path, narrow lanes with ancient architecture, and rediscovering the canals. 

One of the more interesting shops was Paarl, where the owner, Paarl, hand makes and designs individual handbags and no two are ever the same. She mixes leather with other exotic materials including marble, stone, and concrete panels, which are super light and thin. 

Believe it or not I refrained from eating Belgian chocolates until almost the end of my stay in Ghent (trust me, it wasn’t easy) when I visited Yuzu Chocolade. The owner, Nicolas Vanaise, who came from a sixth-generation chocolate making family, was an archeologist, but left the field in the early 2000s, to open a shop where he personally makes the chocolates himself. The focus is just as much on the visual as it is the taste, and each one was like a mini-art piece. Between the gorgeous colors and the unusual and appealing and exotic flavors, it was impossible to choose, so I narrowed it down to 6 pieces. The owner’s wife is an avid collector of Japanese and Asian ceramics, and a good part of the shop was dedicated to her beautiful collection lining the shelves. 

That evening I had an outstanding dinner, one of those memorable food experiences from beginning to end. Kruidtuin is a small, contemporary restaurant with a young, dedicated staff, passionate about food. The five-course, pre-fixe dinner is a set menu at a reasonable cost of 63€. A loaf of freshly baked, sourdough bread laced with fennel and caraway seeds was served warm, and set the standard for the rest of the meal. Each plate had distinct flavors, using seasonal ingredients, including tender white asparagus, rhubarb, cauliflower, and mackerel. The most unusual dish was the dessert of asparagus flavored ice cream. 

Floralien 2022

Until May 8, Open daily from 8am to 6pm

https://floralien.be/en/welcome/

Paarl Handbags

https://paarl.be/

Yuzu Chocolates

https://www.yuzubynicolasvanaiseandc.com/nl/

Kruidtuin Restaurant

https://www.kruidtuingent.be/#home

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Gay Tours, Girlfriend Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.