Today I was late getting to class because the Metro just stopped for a while, but I had my trusty I Phone and e-mailed Pino that I was on my way. He went ahead and since I knew the routine, I found them with relative ease. They were already in the cheese shop. He suggested yesterday that I might be bored to hear his spiel again, but I learned other things today that he had not mentioned before. I was forced to buy some of that cheese I had admired so much yesterday. It will go nicely with a glass of wine! Today there were four of us, a mother daughter and a Korean-American. So we got to do even more of the preparation. It is too bad; I think most of the classes are full. Today we bought shrimps, asparagus, duck breast, and the ingredients for Ratatouille. Another worrisome menu, but I learned from yesterday to go with the flow amd see what it brings. IT was worrisome because I have studiously avoided shrimp here since the time, long ago, that I got them with their tiny little heads still attached. Never fear, today we got to behead them! I think being a nurse helps some because there are some things we have had to do to our food (we had to kill the mussels yesterday) that have not been the most pleasant. Thank God I don’t have to eat my patients though! (Just a little nursing black humor) I was a lot more comfortable with the kitchen, protocol and it was even more fun today. I decided that this company does not spare expense with the food we are taught to cook (and eat!). We are not only fed what (or can bring home) we cook, but we are also served as a cheese course as well as wine with each. One might think that I will have to roll home, but in reality I may have to purchase new pants soon! Either that or buy a belt and look like I am, let’s see, oh say fresh from the farm in Indiana!
So our menu today was Shrimp rubbed in North African spices, on Asparagus with Aioli, Duck Breast with Onion Comfit, Ratatouille, cheese courses and Crème Brule. Pino was apologetic about doing the Crème Brule, but practice makes perfect! And it is the best I have ever had, even after the second time round! One benefit of these classes that I had not considered it that it serves as my big meal, so in my budgeting I had not planned on that. How often does one make a mistake like in the positive?
After class today I wandered a street where there are several cooking supply stores. As you can imagine I have quite a list of items I think I NEED on my return. But stuff is so much more expensive here and difficult to get home that I think will contribute to the US economy rather than French. I also stopped in St Eustache for some quiet time, I got to hear some organ practice too!
I was not ready to settle in for the night so I went home and changed clothing, mostly for the change in shoes, and went to the Monoprix for some items. ON my way back I stopped for a glass of wine. I was sitting there and felt something on my toe and looked down and there was this tiny little gray mouse. I stood up and moved my grocery bag so the little blighter (I really called him a fornicator) could not get to my supper (another Pizza tart). The waiter looked at me oddly so I said in my perfect French, there is a mouse down there, and he looked at me, shrugged and said “but no” O.K. I thought the cute little this is not bothering me, but just wait until he tickles the toes of someone who does not think he is so cute. I tried to get a photo of him but he was just too fast! I had a huge glass of Bordeaux and the waiter brought me peanuts. I was sitting there reading and a pigeon decided they looked pretty good and swooped in for a few. That was the end of them for me! Amazing that in a city this large I am meeting and greeting so much of the native wildlife!
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