Oh, France

Oh France how I miss you so. It has been almost four years since I’ve been to France and I miss it dearly, more each day; from the freshly made baguettes to the delicious homemade meals on a Sunday afternoon. Even though I wasn’t there for that long, I tried to make the best of it, but as a 16 year old, I didn’t. Instead of sight-seeing and learning about a new culture I decided to drink and eat the entire time. Don’t get me wrong, drinking and eating are fantastic but there was more I could have done.

The host family I stayed with tried to accommodate me as much as possible; they were fantastic. The nicest people I have ever met by far. They showed me around the city quite a bit and took me to a few places- lot of car stores mostly-but I loved it. After walking around for a while they took me to this little restaurant in the center of town, can’t remember the name for the life of me (something French).

As we walked in I realized that it was a four leveled building. The place was amazing. It had a very casual atmosphere but with so many people eating and all the wait staff running around it was somewhat hectic, but still nice. After waiting for a while we were finally seated; we were either on the second or third floor, I believe third.

I was looking pretty carefully at the menu trying to decipher French to English but I was having no luck. I should have just pointed to a random item on the menu, but instead I was a boring American and got steak and frites. I don’t know why I didn’t get something I’ve never had before; I mean food was the main reason I decided to go to France. See what I mean about not making the best of what I could have. But that is life, you live with the choices you make, even the meaningless ones like the one I’m describing but onward and upward.

On Sunday- a couple days before I was about to go home- my host family made me this huge lunch. I thought it was very nice of them. They said they did this every Sunday but I doubt with so much food. I don’t remember the meal very much for we were all drinking wine and eating cheese all morning, but it mostly consisted of a few meats, some nice fresh vegetables, and sauerkraut. I wish I could describe more of what went down but as I said, I’ve been drinking and it’s been almost four years. Their grandmother also came over afterwards for a drink, very nice lady, and extremely funny. I wish I could have got to have spent more time with them but everything must come to an end.

Hopefully I will get to see them again someday.

 

 

 

That Spinach Thing

Getting ready for the Super Bowl usually consist of preparing extravagant amounts of food regardless if you are cooking for just yourselves or a large group of friends and family. No matter what who is over enjoying the game, people to decide to use the Super Bowl as an excuse to make large quantities of food from delectable appetizers to very rich of desserts. Any excuse to make food is a good excuse for me.

There are many things I enjoy eating, for I’m no picky eater. But despite my lack of love for certain “greens”, one thing that I extremely enjoy is spinach and cheese -preferably with a Swiss or Provolone-rolled or stuff in a sort of pastry. I’ve heard called spinach Swiss roll but I call it “that spinach thing” and my father instantly knows what I am talking about. When my father told me he was thinking about making this “spinach Swiss roll” I was overjoyed on the inside, with my mouth already beginning to water. Instantly I started craving and mentally began the countdown to the Super Bowl. I woke up with anticipation on game day but with kickoff still hours away it became a waiting game.

“It is time!” echoed through my head when I saw my father beginning to prep my beloved “that spinach thing”. I stroll over and just sit and watch my father and step mother prepare it.

 My step mother begins to sauté peppers and onions with a tablespoon or so of garlic added to it, seasoned with some salt and pepper. I have had it without the pepper and onions but I do not prefer it that way. My father gets the pastry dough ready to flour…gives it a little egg wash adds the rest of our fixings, and then pops it into the oven until it becomes nice and brown.

When my father took it out of the oven, the aroma of the sweet onions and peppers and the fresh baked pastry filled the kitchen. I didn’t even let it cool I wanted this so bad. I dove right into “that spinach thing” stuffing my face and not caring if I burnt the roof of my mouth or not. My taste buds were satisfied instantly. The pastry was cooked just under perfection; nicely flaky with a subtle aftertaste of eggs.  Following the taste of the pastry, came the combination of fresh spinach, Swiss cheese, and the sautéed peppers and onions. You got all the flavors in every bite and everything was balanced seamlessly, from the flakiness of the pastry to the fresh spinach covered with Swiss cheese - which left the long strands of cheese from your mouth to your hand -and then lastly to the peppers and onions that brought it all together.

I enjoy this dish so much mainly due to the simplicity of it and how fantastic it tastes. This can be made for any type of party or occasion and be a big crowd pleaser for your visitors. I encourage everyone to go out and make this or have someone make it for you, either way, you need to try it. Who knows, you may like it.