March, 2005

I’m Here

Just wanted to let you know that I made it safely to Europe! Spent a week in Paris–what a great city. And moved into the Castello di Sinio about a week ago. It’s a major construction site at the moment and a little like camping, but I LOVE IT! We’ve boosted the population to 383, so not exactly a booming metropolis, but the people and the character in this town and area are just amazing. I don’t have internet access yet, but hopefully within the next few weeks. All well here!! Miss you! ~Sheesh

P.S. I’m seven hours ahead of the East coast time.

Paris

I’m going to Europe tomorrow!! Wooohooo! It turns out that my apartment isn’t finished being built yet, so I’ll be staying with Jay and Denise in Paris until it’s ready for me to inhabitate. (I know, rough life right?) I’m a little bit nervous about getting from Milan to Paris (as it involves taking a bus, the Underground and a train–none of which I have tickets for yet), but hopefully it will all go smoothly. I don’t speak a single whit of French, so the next couple weeks will be quite an adventure! Keep in touch and I’ll promise to post as often as possible! Ciao, amici!

Multicultural Imbibing

Here’s a serious drink recipe, compliments of Bouchon LV. Be forewarned, this clean, bright, mildly sweet, herbacious drink is not for the light of heart. The salt and brininess of the cornichon kick the flavors up a notch.

The name refers to a variety of nationalities hanging out together– something that often happens in the modern-day bistro and the French Foreign Legion Military.

Foreign Legion

Ingredients
Grey Goose
Tanqueray 10
Drambuie
Splash of Amaretto
Generous pinch of Fleur de Sel

Method
1. Combine all ingredients in a pint glass. Shake vigorously with ice. Pour into Martini glass and garnish with a cornichon. Designed for serious cocktail drinkers.

Kitchen Spanish

Esas son algunas palabras �tiles para cocineros. The Hispanic guys I worked with in Vegas taught me these words, none of which are in any of the Spanish-English dictionaries I own, so I can’t be sure of their accuracy, but I used them on a daily basis and everyone seemed to understand what I was saying. Perhaps they’ll be useful to you as well!

mantecida; mollete- muffin
panquecitos- little pastries
jarabe- syrup
raspada- sorbet
garapi�era- ice cream machine
tapadera- lid, cover
fiebra- scrubbie
charolla- sheetpan
espatula- spatula
chaparito- little one (i.e. short little guy)
orno- oven
cocer- bake
gorra, cachucha- cap/hat
tabla- cutting board
bascula- scale

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