Summer's here…with lots of stories about what's going on in Paris, recipe links to use the bounty of summer fruits and berries, boating on the Seine, and my brush with American Gladiator fame - and more!
Late to the party here, but that is because cherry season just ended and I bottled at least a dozen liters of your cherry compote, now residing in the freezer to take me through the winter. I use it on everything. Truthfully, I eat it right out of the jars as well as on top of…everything.
Thanks for another great post and I’m relieved you recovered from your COVID bout.
Hi David, I’m a new subscriber, living in Australia. Love the recipes I’ve tried so far, but am wondering about oven temperatures? You often state 400F or 200C oven temperature. We have a fan forced oven and usually drop the temperature 10C. What would you recommend?
We are in the middle of winter down under but where we live it is still a mild climate, 16-18C in winter, 28-32 in summer. Everything is still available in our markets and we can still grow basil all year round. Great place to live but certainly not the culture bomb that France and Europe is.
We were in Paris last year during the Fete de la Musique. It wasn't intentional, but it was quite fun! That night we walked through a particularly raucous street party rather than add another 15 minutes to our already long walk, and my son, who was 5, was very popular with the men in the crowd. They kept patting him on the head, and cheering him. He didn't know what to think of it at the time, but he remembers it as a good memory, and it's these random moments that are why we love to travel even if we don't get any sleep!
Also happening in Paris on July 21 is BRUNGIS, a gargantuan brunch event out at Rungis market. I believe the Olympic torch will be passing through at some point. More info and link to sign-up page here. https://brungis.rungis-marche.fr/page/dba2-accueil/ (I clicked on the little translate English button in my menu bar but not sure if it will carry over.) I don't think I'll manage to get out there myself, but no reason others shouldn't know about it and enjoy. David?
Linda - Retired nurse here- I got Covid twice coming home from Europe! I’m coming from Montana at the end of august with a friend who has never travelled - will we have trouble getting around Paris?
Olympics should be over by then. Can’t wait to try the fun store you told us about!
I made the cherry compote yesterday. It is so delicious over vanilla ice cream! Thanks for the recipe! After years of cooking, I finally invested in a cherry pitter last year....a necessity here!
Sorry you were poorly, how fortunate to have a personal chef and DR. in the house.
I love Cherry season!
I also have been harvesting my home grown Raspberries - bumper crop this year all coming at once(which is a first). I grow Bristol Black raspberries, Anne Gold, Double Gold, Brandywine, and Heritage Red Raspberries.
Here in Wisconsin chocolates have been challenging to find and when I do find the brands I love - it is small packages. You are correct the last few years good chocolate prices have been rising.
Many people traditionally take their vacations in France (and in Europe) in July and August, so a number of people will be leaving town. The city is really in full-on construction mode with lots of street and métro closures, with more to come. (And no one believes the Seine will be ready for swimmers in less than 3 weeks. The water is still testing poorly.) However I think it'll come together once we get closer to the date & fingers crossed all goes well.
Wonderful newsletter, as always!!! I was in Paris for the first week of June, and the weather was superb!!! I can't imagine being there thru the olympics... I just pitted 30 lbs of sour cherries, my obsession. Cherry hand pies tonite!!!
Thanks for another great newsletter. I am not a baker, however, I had forgotten how easy clafoutis is to make. I will be picking up more cherries Thursday at Marin Farmers market, and making.😎
People in France don't bake at home with the same fervor as we do in the States (because there are so many good bakeries) but clafoutis is really easy to make and it is a staple of home baking in France for a reason : )
Hello David, thank you for all the updates on what’s what is Paris and especially during the Olympics. Our son and his wife will be in Paris at the end of the main events but when the Para-Olympics will still be on, so I guess the road blocks for traffic will still be the same. Glad you didn’t get full blown Covid and that you were well looked after, thankfully both my husband and I have missed out so far, but as they say “never say never”. Thank you also for the recipes, if I don’t make them this week they will still be on file, I just need to note where I have seen the ones I choose.
Paris is somewhat of a knot right now with lots of street closures and transit changes. My friend Heather of Secrets of Paris just did a post about getting around Paris this summer, that you might want to pass along to your son: https://secretsofparis.com/practical/getting-around-paris-olympics/
Cherry season is over here in Northern California, but Costco has 2# package of beautiful, large cherries from Washington. So of course I had to buy 1 containers to make your cherry compote. And the Whole Foods also had large bags of sweet cherries and I had to buy them too! Just finished the compote and put it in the freezer, delicious!!! Next up is the cherry clafoutis!
Hi David! I love your writing so much and am happy to be a paid subscriber. I haven't visited France for many years, and living in southern California it's a big trip to visit. BUT, it's time to go!! I know that the weather can be wacky, but if I'm avoiding the horrible heat & crowds (I'm a huge walker), what months do you recommend?? 😊 Laurie Lasala-Tuttle
Glad you're enjoying the newsletter! The best months to come to Paris are October and April/May/June, when the weather is milder and there are less-visitors. We've had some brutal heatwaves in the last few summers and the city isn't quite set up to cope with heat, but walking is a great way to get around : )
I can't load metro rides on my phone either, whereas my husband can. I think it's because my phone is too old. If Romain's phone can do it, then he can load your Navigo as well.
I have a new iPhone 15, so it's a little strange I can't do it, but I just updated the app and there was a notice of some "improvements" so hopefully that's fixed.
Late to the party here, but that is because cherry season just ended and I bottled at least a dozen liters of your cherry compote, now residing in the freezer to take me through the winter. I use it on everything. Truthfully, I eat it right out of the jars as well as on top of…everything.
Thanks for another great post and I’m relieved you recovered from your COVID bout.
Hi David, I’m a new subscriber, living in Australia. Love the recipes I’ve tried so far, but am wondering about oven temperatures? You often state 400F or 200C oven temperature. We have a fan forced oven and usually drop the temperature 10C. What would you recommend?
We are in the middle of winter down under but where we live it is still a mild climate, 16-18C in winter, 28-32 in summer. Everything is still available in our markets and we can still grow basil all year round. Great place to live but certainly not the culture bomb that France and Europe is.
John
We were in Paris last year during the Fete de la Musique. It wasn't intentional, but it was quite fun! That night we walked through a particularly raucous street party rather than add another 15 minutes to our already long walk, and my son, who was 5, was very popular with the men in the crowd. They kept patting him on the head, and cheering him. He didn't know what to think of it at the time, but he remembers it as a good memory, and it's these random moments that are why we love to travel even if we don't get any sleep!
Also happening in Paris on July 21 is BRUNGIS, a gargantuan brunch event out at Rungis market. I believe the Olympic torch will be passing through at some point. More info and link to sign-up page here. https://brungis.rungis-marche.fr/page/dba2-accueil/ (I clicked on the little translate English button in my menu bar but not sure if it will carry over.) I don't think I'll manage to get out there myself, but no reason others shouldn't know about it and enjoy. David?
Linda - Retired nurse here- I got Covid twice coming home from Europe! I’m coming from Montana at the end of august with a friend who has never travelled - will we have trouble getting around Paris?
Olympics should be over by then. Can’t wait to try the fun store you told us about!
Thanks
I made the cherry compote yesterday. It is so delicious over vanilla ice cream! Thanks for the recipe! After years of cooking, I finally invested in a cherry pitter last year....a necessity here!
Sorry you were poorly, how fortunate to have a personal chef and DR. in the house.
I love Cherry season!
I also have been harvesting my home grown Raspberries - bumper crop this year all coming at once(which is a first). I grow Bristol Black raspberries, Anne Gold, Double Gold, Brandywine, and Heritage Red Raspberries.
Here in Wisconsin chocolates have been challenging to find and when I do find the brands I love - it is small packages. You are correct the last few years good chocolate prices have been rising.
And I love your newsletter!
Thanks! : )
Many people traditionally take their vacations in France (and in Europe) in July and August, so a number of people will be leaving town. The city is really in full-on construction mode with lots of street and métro closures, with more to come. (And no one believes the Seine will be ready for swimmers in less than 3 weeks. The water is still testing poorly.) However I think it'll come together once we get closer to the date & fingers crossed all goes well.
I think I would take my vacation now or when the Olympics start! So much chaos going to happen!
Wonderful newsletter, as always!!! I was in Paris for the first week of June, and the weather was superb!!! I can't imagine being there thru the olympics... I just pitted 30 lbs of sour cherries, my obsession. Cherry hand pies tonite!!!
Thank you David, that was very thoughtful, I’m sure our son and his partner will appreciate reading this information 🤗
Thanks for another great newsletter. I am not a baker, however, I had forgotten how easy clafoutis is to make. I will be picking up more cherries Thursday at Marin Farmers market, and making.😎
People in France don't bake at home with the same fervor as we do in the States (because there are so many good bakeries) but clafoutis is really easy to make and it is a staple of home baking in France for a reason : )
Hello David, thank you for all the updates on what’s what is Paris and especially during the Olympics. Our son and his wife will be in Paris at the end of the main events but when the Para-Olympics will still be on, so I guess the road blocks for traffic will still be the same. Glad you didn’t get full blown Covid and that you were well looked after, thankfully both my husband and I have missed out so far, but as they say “never say never”. Thank you also for the recipes, if I don’t make them this week they will still be on file, I just need to note where I have seen the ones I choose.
Paris is somewhat of a knot right now with lots of street closures and transit changes. My friend Heather of Secrets of Paris just did a post about getting around Paris this summer, that you might want to pass along to your son: https://secretsofparis.com/practical/getting-around-paris-olympics/
Cherry season is over here in Northern California, but Costco has 2# package of beautiful, large cherries from Washington. So of course I had to buy 1 containers to make your cherry compote. And the Whole Foods also had large bags of sweet cherries and I had to buy them too! Just finished the compote and put it in the freezer, delicious!!! Next up is the cherry clafoutis!
Hi David! I love your writing so much and am happy to be a paid subscriber. I haven't visited France for many years, and living in southern California it's a big trip to visit. BUT, it's time to go!! I know that the weather can be wacky, but if I'm avoiding the horrible heat & crowds (I'm a huge walker), what months do you recommend?? 😊 Laurie Lasala-Tuttle
Glad you're enjoying the newsletter! The best months to come to Paris are October and April/May/June, when the weather is milder and there are less-visitors. We've had some brutal heatwaves in the last few summers and the city isn't quite set up to cope with heat, but walking is a great way to get around : )
I can't load metro rides on my phone either, whereas my husband can. I think it's because my phone is too old. If Romain's phone can do it, then he can load your Navigo as well.
I have a new iPhone 15, so it's a little strange I can't do it, but I just updated the app and there was a notice of some "improvements" so hopefully that's fixed.