I'm not cooking much these days and I don't like it.I'm just too darned busy!
I am not starving: One of the perks of my job is free lunch on meeting days, and we have a lot of those. It's fast-ish food, of course, and I must put an end to it by spending some quality time in the kitchen this weekend, chopping vegetables and preparing dishes that will last into the week.
I seldom buy convenience foods at the supermarket. I am not a rigid purist, but high blood pressure runs in my family and I like to avoid sodium. I'll admit to buying Triscuits and - I've admitted this already - ready-made pizza or pie crust. Is that my father rolling over is his grave? Sorry, mon pere.
I love French convenience food. The notion that you can buy frozen Croque Monsieur intrigues me. I have never tried it, but one of these trips, I will.
On our last visit, my husband bought a ready-made hotdog from the lower level of a Fran Prix on Avenue de la Bourdonnais, about five blocks east of the Eiffel Tower. It was near the end of our trip, and he was craving American food.
"Not bad," he said, after zapping it for a bit in the microwave.
I prefer convenience appetizers, like the cunning little cheese bites above. They were topped with pimiento, chives and herbes de Provence. We both enjoyed them.
I was attracted by their cuteness. Yes, I was. Fortunately, they offered real flavor, too. I have found that convenience food is not necessarily tasteless in France.
By the same token, "cute" food does not always equal good food. I've been seduced by shape or size or packaging many times. We all have.
Have you ever been taken in by a cute food? If so, what was it? What did it taste like?
16 comments:
We always talk about this when we're in France, how French convenience food is better than American. How can that be? We're supposed to be the kings of convenience food. But everything from frozen foods to the little tabouleh, carottes rapées, etc. that you can buy in the supermarket is so much better usually! Not to mention CHEAPER.
France was one of the first places where I saw food in tubes -- tuna is the one I remember. Trader Joe's frozen baby pizzas, just a few inches in diameter, are one cute food I can't pass up.
Cute . . . I'm sure I've put the word cute to food at some time but I sure can't remember. I think I'd like the cheese bites also.
Did you ever check out "Picard" frozen food in France? They have some really great, gourmet dishes - -I suppose you could call it convenience food, although any resemblance to Stouffer's is non-existent!
Mimi:
This looks wonderful. Is that goat cheese you're using?
We love to have an oversized shrimp cocktail in the summertime. Just cool shrimp, some dipping sauces, a nice green sald and some good rustic bread. BLTs are also wonderful.
Trish
I agree, Laura. Cute little French food is much cheaper - the same items would cost 2 to 3 times as much in the US.
Ah, Lydia, I must admit to a thing for those little pizzas, too.
Tanna, they were well worth the euro or so that I paid for them.
Betty C, I looked for Picard's and found two of them butwe were always near a Picard on a holiday or Sunday, it seemed and they were closed. There is supposed to be one on Avenue Rapp, just around the corner from our flat. Did not find it, but will look for it next time.
It was goat cheese, as I recall, Trish. And so good.
That's a great summertime meal, Trish - and a great way for me to eat better when I'm on the run.
Funny thing about convenience food - it pops up in everyone's kitchen from time to time. I usually get mine from Trader Joe's...it hardly matters what it is because it's always tasty. The only thing I can think of right now is their spicy spinach pizza like thingy, which is in the refrigerator section. They come 4 to a package, and you can heat them in the toaster oven.
We eat a lot of frozen pizzas of all sizes, here, especially when work overwhelms us. Wish we had a Trader Joe's up here, Toni.
I buy those little darlings lots, in all flavors! Now they have packaged cubes of chevre for tossing in salad! I'm always a sucker for cheese....
Those are especially cute! I can see why they caught your eye.
Hope your new job is going well!
Katie, I've seen those little cubes online. I would not be able to resist!
Kristen, I love it! But I have no time for anything! I am sleeping really well, because I am so tired. And I've been ending the day with a glass of wine - every night.
Yes! This is so true! French convencience food really does taste better than what we're offerend in Canada. I just don't understand it.
Funny you should mention the croque monsieur as my guy and his dad picked up a package of them and ate half of them yesterday for lunch, pronouncing them to be quite good. As they are French, I'd guess they'd know more about it than this grilled cheese Canadian
BTW, the cheese looks adorable and yummy. I wouldn't mind trying them myself
Mimi
I am reminded by your post that almost everything is more applealing in minature, puppies, kiittens and some food. My mother-in-law (one of the best cooks on earth) had a specialty that she made for dinner parties of miniature ham loafs with a "baby" carrot glaze that she would frost with garlic mashed potatoes. The ham loaf itself was heaven but it was the cute presntation that always drew people.
At first I was ofcourse intimidated by my mother-in-law who when her adult kids came home would prepare one roast rare, one medium and one well done along with three different pies each representing their favorite. She was kind and patient and taught me most of what I know in the kitchen.
When I make those mini ham loafs I still expect to have her at mu side. I guess she really is still.
The Milkmaid
Mimi,
I agree with Tanna that the word 'cute' is very apt for this post.
And, by the way, how is your new job going? You must be very busy!
Nerissa, I swear I'm going to try one of those Croque Monsieurs next time I am in France. I think we'll do a week in the country and a week in Paris next time.
I'll pack a lot lighter so I can bring more food home. LOL.
Milkmaid, what wonderful memories you have. I am sure your mother-in-law is with you still.
Petit Fours. So prety in their lovely pastel icing. But, always, sadly, lacking in flavor. Am I just buying the wrong kinds???
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