Sunday, April 26, 2009

Tomato, Goat Cheese and Honey Pasta Salad


Juan and I recently moved into a new place. It's been tough but we're slowly getting our place into order. I think what I hate the most is having to find a new place for every little thing. And that's what it's down to now... Thank goodness for storage baskets!

One of the first things I cooked for us in our new kitchen was a tomato, goat cheese and honey pasta salad. I don't know if it's pregnancy hot flashes or what, but it felt warm enough that I did not want to use the stove or the oven for too long. 

I made up this recipe but I have also been inspired by the wonderful tomato and brown rice salad that my friend James made a few weeks ago, at a food blogger potluck. It reminded me of how much I love Spring and Summer cooking, for simple salads like these. 

So I switched a few ingredients here and there, added a few more, and the result was a succulent, fresh, satisfying and just plain no-frills summer salad. I always like to change a few things when I make up a recipe, but I just love the combination of the sweet honey, the tart goat cheese and the oniony flavor of the green onions. 




Tomato, goat cheese and honey pasta salad (serves 4)

about 2 cups of dry mini Fusilli pasta
2 tbsp champagne or white wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt 
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tbsp honey
4 medium Heirloom tomatoes, cut in large dices
4 tbsp chopped green onions
1 cup basil, chopped
1/2 cup goat cheese, cut in large pieces
1 tsp of Herbes de Provence (optional)

Bring some water to a boil, salt the water and add the pasta. Return to a boil and cook according to the package directions. Drain and allow to cool for 10 minutes. 

Meanwhile, prepare the vinaigrette by whisking the vinegar, the salt and the pepper together. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil and whisk together. Whisk in the honey. Transfer the pasta into a bowl and stir in the vinaigrette. 

Stir in the tomatoes, the green onions and the basil. Lastly, add the goat cheese (and herbes de provence if you choose to) and gently stir. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Adjust seasoning of necessary. 

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Happy Birthday to The French Fork

Today is The French Fork first year anniversary! It's been a whole year now that I've been blogging. Wow! Such a great experience I surely do not regret to have ventured into... 


Actually, I'm more wondering why I never started blogging before! I guess I was too shy... Now, I feel like writing has opened up a whole new world to me. Literally, it has allowed me to get in touch with people from so many different countries, who read The French Fork and share with me the same passion: French culture and homestyle cooking.

Thank you all so much for reading me and supporting me. A blog doesn't really exist without the people who read it and share their thoughts with the author. I hope to bring you many more years of French memories and cultural adventures. 

Hmmm, that makes me think, I would like to ask you if there is anything you would like me to talk about, that touches on French food and culture. Please share! Any recipe you're curious about? A particular detail of everyday French life or culture you'd like to know more about? 

Stay tuned for Part 2 of The French Fork 1st Anniversary, as I would like to work out a little surprise for you all. Please bear with me, I have been completely tied up in the past week since Juan and I are moving into a bigger place. And moving at nearly 8 months pregnant ain't fun, let me tell you... 

But enough whining - and more THANK YOUs - to all of you, who keep me going and inspire me. And of course I could not end this post without thanking my beloved husband Juan, who is always supporting me and thanks to whom the design of this blog wouldn't exist.


Monday, April 13, 2009

Tale of a Pregnant Woman



31 weeks pregnant... How time flies! In just 9 weeks or less, we'll be holding our baby boy. Something I can't wait for! I definitely "look" pregnant now -no doubt- and "feel" pregnant. Yep. I wobble, I hold and stroke my tummy. This is it! And what about cravings I hear you ask? Ah, see strangely enough, for someone who loves food and eating as much as I do, I thought I was going to send Juan on some crazy food search adventures; Like say to pick up the ingredients for one of my favorite combo: hard goat cheese, fresh baguette and dark chocolate with hazelnuts - yeah, that's what I'm talking about! But no! I've been going through this pregnancy without any particular cravings...

Until last Friday. I woke up with an acute case of banana-chocolate-walnut muffins! (note that you do not need to be pregnant to hunger for these little beauties)

Because that's right, I think I'd like to claim that I, Laetitia Bertrand have developed one of the best cure to [pregnant] women's sweet tooth syndrome. 



My banana chocolate and walnut muffins are absolutely to die for. You have the flavor of the banana, combined with the crunch of the toasted walnuts and the bite of the chocolate. And not to mention how moist they are! 

I absolutely love them with a cup of coffee or tea for breakfast, or even as a snack with a glass of milk. I can't get enough of them!


Banana Chocolate and Walnut Muffins
(makes about 18 muffins)

1 cup walnuts, whole
1 1/3 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
10 tbsp butter, left at room temperature
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
3 medium very ripe bananas, mashed
1/3 cup whole milk
1/3 cup vanilla yogurt (whole)
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 oz semisweet chocolate

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a muffin tin and line them up with muffin liners. Put the walnuts on a cookie sheet and toast them for about 8 minutes. Check often to make sure they don't burn! Set aside.

Stir together the flour, the baking powder and the salt. Set aside. 

In another bowl, mix together the butter and the sugar, until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time and combine. Combine half of the dry ingredients. Add the bananas, the milk, the yogurt and the vanilla and mix. Add the remaining of the dry ingredients.

Chop the walnuts, then the chocolate (make sure the chocolate is finely chopped) and combine in a bowl. Add to the batter and combine.

Divide the batter among the muffin liners. Put in the oven and bake for about 18 to 20 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before transferring the muffins on a cake rack. Allow to completely cool before serving.


Wednesday, April 8, 2009

My Top 5 Hotel Chains in France

I'm often asked by friends to help organize their trip to France, and it's always such a pleasure for me to do it. After many years of playing travel agent, I decided to combine a few hotel tips here. (Sorry I know I haven't posted any recipes in a long time, but they're coming soon!). 

I have chosen to focus on French hotel chains because they can be found all over France. Now, of course there are oh so many fantastic mom-and-pop hotels all over France, but it would have been too hard for me to combine it into one post.



A French chain of hotels of great quality that are small (about 19 rooms) and most of the time family-run. Each hotel has to meet a very strict quality charter to be labeled Logis de France. They all have a restaurant, whose focus is always put on the discovery of local specialties, using local products. The food quality is always excellent. You will not be disappointed. Here's an example of the Burgundy region specialty menu: Starter-Crispy pike perch with Sainte-Foy red butter, and thinly-sliced caramelised chicory, Entree-Almond-coated pheasant supreme, marrow, fried forest mushrooms and grapes, Dessert-Lightly-cooked vintage chocolate cake with pistachio ice-cream.

What I love most about Logis de France is that you can select your hotel depending on what you like to do. 

  • If you like staying at place that has a lot of charm and reflects the style or culture of the region, you can select a hotel under the category Logis de Caractere. You can then expect a hotel with lots of interesting local architecture and furniture, beautiful flowers, and a focus on overall perfect appearance. 
  • If wine tasting is what rocks your boat, you will select your hotel under the category Logis Bacchus. The hotel will be located within 1.8 miles (3 kms) of vineyards. The wine list of the restaurant will reflect the local wines. The staff will be trained in wine tasting, the manager of the hotel will organize tours to wine cellars and tasting, etc. 
  • Other categories include Logis Neige (if you like skiing), Logis Randonnee Pedestre (if you like hiking), Logis Nature Science (if tranquility, rest and well-being is what you need), Logis Peche (fishing), Logis Velo (cycling).
The cost for one night will depend on where you are staying (it will be more expensive in Paris for example, about 97 euros). I have found prices as low as 50 euros for one night in the French countryside. It does not include breakfast (usually 8 euros extra) or dinner. It is very reasonable for what you get, trust me! 


Very affordable. Good for low budgets. I have stayed at these many times and they're good hotels for the money. One night for 2 will bring you to about  70 euros in Paris and about 50 euros outside of big cities (and sometimes lower). The rooms are clean and modern with flat screen televisions and the beds are comfy. Like most hotels in France, breakfast is extra, usually about 8 euros. But it will get you a wonderful breakfast buffet: fruit, yogurt, bread, croissants, pains au chocolat, ham, cheese and more! A lot of these hotels have a restaurant, simple and very decent. You'll usually find these hotels in most French cities and big towns.


Rent a studio, an apartment or a home through Pierre et Vacances and live the French way! An apartment for 4 in the Mediterreanean in Argeles-sur-Mer for 6 days will cost you about 384 euros. There is a balcony with patio furniture. Bed linens are included and the kitchen is equipped. You can pay more and have house with a pool, or easy access to the beach, or in another location, close to the ski slopes. Great choice when you're traveling with friends - you can split the cost! 


I stayed at many of these with my parents when I was younger when we were on vacation, and I have wonderful memories. A lot of these hotels have a pool (it depends on location), which is wonderful if you're traveling during the summer. They have a buffet type restaurant where they serve breakfast (a hearty one), lunch and dinner. One night in Juan Les Pins (on the French Riviera) for 2 in June will cost you about 75 euros. Campanile is great when traveling with kids and a good deal overall.


If you want to experience the finest of the finest without making your wallet explode, try Relais Chateaux. The actual hotels are set in stunning mansions, castles, manor or country houses. Want to live like a lord and sleep for one night in this 15th century castle? It's possible, for 130 euros (depending on the season of course). Each hotel offers wonderful culinary experience - really worth it. It might be a little too tight for a lot of budget but once in a while, there's nothing wrong in splurging.