Something's Cooking

Hello all, it's been a while since my Thanksgiving posts, but a lot has been brewing here, chez nous in terms of celebrations, in fact they've just kept coming  - almost every day.

I'd like to take this blog in a new direction.  The THIRDCULTURECOOK will become a JOYFUL JOURNAL, serving up all sorts of recipes of course, but the occasions will not necessarily be calendar focused.  In fact, they'll be from any given day.  Before I get started on my new direction, however, I would like to share my joy and thanks for a beautiful conclusion to 2011.

Shortly after Thanksgiving, we went to New York to celebrate Christmas with Didier's family and some of our dearest friends.  En route, my loving sister Angelica came to meet us at Amsterdam's Schipol Airport for our layover.  Olivier loves seeing his cousins, Dirkie and Eva, and 1 hour 30 minutes is barely  enough.  But, they made the most of it!  For any of you wondering, Schipol is a great airport to have a lay over in, with kids.  There are a lot of games, play rooms and places to run and tire out the little one, for the next leg of the flight!

Christmas dinner Chez Faur, was traditional -  rich and bountiful, as was the family warmth.

La bûche de Noël

Family Faur

We also went to see Floy, the king of our sushi world, and he spoiled us for any other Japanese meal, "this side of the pond".  As usual,  the feast was bountiful, delicious and memorable....and, we returned for more.  I wish I had taken more photos, but let your imagination wander....He made countless platters of various seafood combinations on both nights.  And, we even had Lobster!

One of 3 platters of original sushi combinations

Floy asked about Sushi in Paris and we replied that there's nothing to compare (without breaking the bank).  I told him that we content ourselves with making sashimi at home, as we have a great poissonnier.  So, he gave me the following tip to serving up sashimi like his:

 

1. Take a cut of salmon and clothe it enough salt, that it is completely covered.  Let sit for 45 minutes.
2. Rinse salt off with rice vinegar and wrap up in plastic wrap and refrigerate over night.
3. Enjoy the next day!

Time spent in NYC  was perfect!  Great times, lots of dining and making merry.  The weather was perfect - Sunny, and only once did the temperature dip below 10 degrees centigrade!  As far as winter goes for me, Bliss!!!

We visited the Tree at Rockefeller Center, went bowling, Ice Skating, and  visited the Highline, which weaved its way above the streets and through the urban jungle of the meatpacking district.  Peaceful and zen in its own way, and very different from coulée verte, near our home, in Paris.  

We had drinks at gorgeous Top of the Standard Club, cruised the busy streets, from uptown to downtown, weaving east and west, through the swarms of visitors.

I limited my use of the subway, preferring to stay above ground and not skip a beat.  Most impressive to me, though, was that  Didier made like Pretty Woman and bought 23 kilos worth of wardrobe! 

   

Christmas 2011 was priceless, and we look forward to the next time!

While there are no recipes for this entry, there are many to come!  So stay tuned....a lot of yumminess is a coming your way!

xoxo