Cakes Galore

I'm back from France, done with my externship (woohoo!) and beginning my career. (sort of)
I'll probably touch more on that later.

But for now, I got an itch to bake some cakes yesterday. One for my brothers belated birthday celebration and the second because my mom found her angel food cake pan in the garage recently and I couldn't not make an angel food cake knowing this information.

I LOVE angel food cake.

I made one in my Baking and Pastry class back in culinary school and it turned out absolutely perfect. I even received praise from my picky Chef for its delightful texture and crispy crust. I dream about that cake. My second attempt was a failure that I quickly blamed on my Dad's faulty oven, but something tells me I wasn't fully present during the production. Yesterday was my third attempt and though not completely disappointing, I didn't beam with joy when I saw the results. Too flat, the edges weren't crunchy enough and the flavor wasn't up to par. I need help. Maybe it's the lack of measuring (I didn't use a scale, forgive me) or the non-convection oven I used. Whatever it is I want it fixed because I don't think I can handle seeing another imperfect angel food cake. If you have advice I could use it. (Lisa, I'm talking to you...) Could it have been the recipe I used?

sad right?

On to less depressing things. My chocolate cake I made turned out fabulously and Jared, my brother, complimented me on it, which rarely happens. He described it as a truffle chocolate cake because of its rich taste and fudge-like frosting (literally the cake wouldn't come to "room-temp" since it's so cold here and the frosting stayed fudge-like...like a piece of fudge).



You can find the recipe here ('Fudgy Chocolate Layer Cake' from Epicurious). I halved it and made a half moon cake. At first I thought it would look silly but I quickly fell in love with the funky shaped cake and think I'll do it again real soon. Who needs twelve servings of cake anyway?

Beware, this cake is RICH...like grab a tall glass of milk and sit down rich. It has espresso in it too so take heed. I subbed espresso from an espresso machine for the instant stuff called for in the recipe since I hate buying instant espresso. It bothers me to see it in my cupboard being unused in between 'Fudgy Chocolate Layer Cake' endeavors.
If you have a chocolate lover in your life you should make this cake and watch them swoon when they take the first bite. Oh and believe me, they will swoon.

Saying Goodbye

Last days are always strange.
It seems no matter what disappointment sets in at some point after all the emotional build up because no one-shift or one day experience can sum up the time you've spent somewhere.

My last day was a busy one at the restaurant with a stressed Chef and frantic cooks. It doesn't matter though since when I look back at my experience at La Fontain Aux Perles I won't just remember my last day. Instead I'll remember everyday, all the shifts and metro rides, the jokes, the French chatter I couldn't understand, the knife cuts, the tremendous amounts of different seafood, the foraged mushrooms, Carol's cafe, and of course taking breaks from the kitchen washing trash cans.

I'll miss the restaurant a little but what I'll really miss are my co-workers. They were the ones who really made the tough days bearable. Even the hectic last day, as you can see from this picture. (and yes, I know this post is a little late ;-)

On my way out the door Baptiste (pictured below) said, "Vanessa, before you leave, say 'Oh La Vache' for us one last time." So I did, and since they think me saying the French phrase meaning "oh my gosh" is hilarious, they all laughed one last time at it.

Baptiste pretending to carry the little stereo like a jukebox

Can't Get Enough Of...

...the Eiffel Tower

They paint the beast every 7 years and we got to see the painters.
How cool to say your day job was to paint this Eiffel Tower! And scary, of course.

Because it was being painted, we were only able to go to the 2nd level, but it was still magnificent

Eating a nutella-banana crepe across the street---yum!

Good Job Mr. Eiffel, you've made quite a structure.
I'll miss your beautifully lit up gem while I'm gone.

Paris: Best Fallafel Sandwich

There is a fallafel place in Paris that rivals any fallafel I've ever eaten. In fact, in 2006, it was written up in the New York Times!
Located in the Jewish neighborhood, Marais, it was a 30 minute walk to our rented flat, the perfect distance to build up an appetite- and an appetite you definitely need!

Here are the reasons I believe L'As du Fallafel makes the BEST fallafel sandwich (in the world?):

1. The pita is fresh, not dry or too doughy
2. There is the perfect proportion of fritters to sauce to greens (I'm a big proportion person)
3. It comes with big chunks of fried eggplant (eggplant is my favorite)
4. The fried chickpea fritters are light and crispy, not dry and dense
5. There is an adequate amount of white garlic sauce to last
6. Just when you think the sandwich is over and all you have is a dry bite of bread at the end there is a hefty layer of delicious hummus awaiting you!

Bon Appetite!

Tea Please

(love this perfect tea timer)

This little tea parlor in Rennes is one of my favorite spots despite the measly two times I was able to dine there. (It's closed Sundays and Mondays)

It's charming and full of warmth with sheep skin covering the chairs outside so people can come in the cold and drink Vin Chaud, like Gina and I did, on their walk through town.

My mom and I went and had the most delicious tea over a piece of orange carrot cake while listening to the chit chat of distinguished looking women sip tea and gossip. I picked the Pear Vanilla Roiboos and it was fantastic!

If you're ever in Rennes, France, you don't want to miss it!

Le Mont-Saint-Michel

she got a kick out of the lamb fur we saw on the side of the road

Anyone told I was going to live in the Brittany region of France informed me I MUST visit Mont-Saint-Michel. It's located on the border of Normandy and Brittany and during tourist season is one of the countries main attractions.

What a site! The locals aren't lying when they say it's spectacular and a must see. It dates back over a million years when the rock island was formed and what became later an abbey was built starting in the year 708 in honor of the Archangel, Saint Michael.

The lamb around the area is said to be delicious from feeding on the salty grass and restaurants in the area are known for their huge souffle-like omelets. Yum!

I would definitely stay nearby again to see the night view of this beautiful place if I ever went back- though next time I will wear more layers and ear muffs for the 2K walk back to the hotel from the island...it was FREEZING!

how cool are the people on the bridge at the bottom??

A Welcomed Visitor

My mom enjoying the hail/snow

My Mom is here visiting and I couldn't be more excited.

She is such a champ- came in, no jet lag, slept through the first night and got up with me to take on the Farmers Market the next morning...unbelievable.
We went out to weather the storm of rain, hail, snow and sun! The weather can never make up its mind here.
More adventures to come!