French Tartines Saturday, Jan 29 2011

I was introduced to French Tartines by Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa, my favorite FoodNetwork cook and the author of my favorite cookbook, “Barefoot In Paris”, bien sur! (of course!)

Tartines are thin crust, open-faced sandwiches made with fresh, simple ingredients.  Nothing like those masses of glob between two huge buns we devour here!  Nope – the French do everything, tres chic et vraiment délicieux”! (very stylish and truly delicious!)  Look at how easy to make>>

I make them at home and we love them! In the video Ina talks about a bread bakery in Paris called, Poilâne, where she buys  French sourdough bread to make her own Tartines.   Well, you can’t imagine my excitement when I discovered, Tartinery (!!) a NYC French bistro in Nolita, with a complete Tartine concept.   And take a guess, where do you think they import their bread from??  Yes!  The well-renowed Poilane country bread from St Germain-des-Pres in Paris. It seems to me life always comes full circle.  Go to Tartinery if your’re in the neighborhood – it’s an adorable and fun place.  And I promise you will fall in love with French Tartines!

Fodor’s Travel asked Ina, “What do you love about Paris”, her response:

“Everyday things in Paris are wonderful.  It’s walking down a tree-lined street; going to the parks, the street markets, and the places to buy bread; sitting out at a café; going to the museums; or just taking a walk along the Seine. It’s just an incredible city.”

My response?  What’s there not to love?

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Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien…No, I Regret Nothing At All Friday, Jan 21 2011

I am sure you guys have heard of Edith Piaf – or as the French nicknamed  her, ”La Môme Piaf” (The Little Sparrow). Born in Paris in 1915, Edith became an international singer and one of France’s immortal icons.  Her music depicted ballads of her life’s struggles and humble beginning.  Piaf’s life was a constant battle to sing and survive, to live and love. Raised in her grandmother’s brothel, she was discovered in 1935 by nightclub owner Louis Leplee, who persuaded her to sing despite her extreme nervousness.

A biopic of her  life was released in 2007,  “La Vie en Rose” (literally, Life In Pink, and the same name of her signature song).  It won five Césars, including one for Best Actress.  Marion Cotillard, who played the role of Edith, won an Academy Award for her performance, marking the first time an Oscar had been awarded for a French language role.

It also became the first French film to win more than one Oscar; the other for best Makeup.  Marion was completely transformed to look like Edith – the resemblance is right on.

Marion also plays the role of Leonardo DiCaprio’s deceased wife in the science-fiction flick “Inception” (2010). One of the songs played in this film was Edith Piaf’s “Je ne regrette rien” – my favorite of all her songs!  I thought it was quite an honor for Marion to be in this film and have this particular song chosen as background music.  It’s Edith’s version of Sinatra’s “I did it my way” – the lyrics and melody are very strong and empowering.

Check it and sing along with the lyrics I’ve translated below – it’s become my anthem!  Je ne retrette rien!

Paroles: Michel Vaucaire, Musique: Charles Dumont, enr. 10 novembre 1960

Non, rien de rien - No, nothing at all

Non, je ne regrette rien - No, I don’t regret anything at all

Ni le bien qu’on m’a fait - Nor the good that was given me

Ni le mal, Tout ca m’est bien egal - Nor the evil, They’re all the same

Non, rien de rien - No, nothing at all

Non, je ne regrette rien - I don’t regret anything at all

C’est paye, balaye, oublie - It’s all paid for, wiped out, and forgotten

Je me fous du passe - And I don’t care for what’s gone by

Avec mes souvenirs - With my memories

J’ai allume le feu - I’ve lit a fire

Mes chagrins, mes plaisirs - My sorrows, my pleasures

Je n’ai plus besoin d’eux - I don’t need them anymore

Balayes mes amours - My romances wiped out

Avec leurs tremolos - With the tremblings they braught

Balayes pour toujours - Wiped out forever

Je repars a zero - I set out once more from zero

Non, rien de rien - No, nothing at all

Non, je ne regrette rien - I don’t regret anything at all

Ni le bien qu’on m’a fait - Nor the good that was given me

ni le mal, Tout ca m’est bien egal - Nor the evil. They’re all the same

Non, rien de rien - No, nothing at all

Non, je ne regrette rien - I don’t regret anything at all

Car ma vie - Because my life

Car mes joies - Because my joys

Aujourd’hui - Today

Ca commence avec toi…It all begins with you!

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New Year’s in Paris Saturday, Jan 8 2011

Hmm…doesn’t seem like I missed much this year! What is up w/no fireworks?? Check it out via lonleyplanet.com, Natalie Tran is traveling the world and spent New Year’s in Paris…what she considered a FAIL!  Click here to view>>

 

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