A Sweet Start!

Chocolate first thing in the morning? YES! I bound out of bed for Chocolate Almond Butter with fresh pears.

Several years ago while in France I was visiting with a friend of mine, Chloe Doutre, a world renowned chocolate expert, when she confessed to eating as much as 12 ounces of chocolate per day.  I could not hide my astonishment, it was written all over my face when she said, “Only in America would you invent a negative word to describe someone’s love of chocolate.” Chocoholic is the word of course.

It got me thinking, why not embrace my love of chocolate, and take a page from Chloe’s book. I came home and created my Chocolate Almond Butter recipe, now a staple of my morning routine.  When pears are in season and at their juicy best, it is pure joy!  If you ask me, that is the perfect way to start the day.

I hope you will try this simple concoction and let me know how you like it!

If you would like to join me on a tour of my favorite Haute Chocolate Boutiques in Paris, complete with tastings of course, Click HERE for more information.

OR join me for an upcoming cooking class spaces are filling fast! Register TODAY by email to lorie@atasteofparis.net

Friday, February 3rd  2017 11:00-1:00 Lunch and Learn Simple Freezer Meals  Join me every month or just THIS month for Lunch and Learn, an extended lunch hour that gives you a full cooking class experience, a delicious lunch and an arsenal of new recipes to help you get dinner on the table at your house!   I will show you how to bring home the groceries and put meals in the freezer.  Busy day, no problem, pull out a meal, pop it in the slow cooker or oven and you have a fresh dinner on the table anytime you need it.  The tasty fun starts with Zesty Buffalo Chicken and Potato casserole sure to be a FAM fav.  Caprese Bake is rich and delicious and will be a meal that keeps them coming back for more.  We will prepare my Salmon Bake my main go to meal, not a salmon fan,  whitefish or chicken can be substituted. Tangy Meatballs and Mashed Potatoes will really satisfy your hungry family.  Mexican Chicken pot pie will be a creative take on a classic along with flavorful Lemon Chicken and green beans.  For a much deserved sweet finish we will prepare Coconut Cream Pie oh my!  Class fee $53.00 

Friday, March 17^th 2017 11:00-1:00  Lunch and Learn TEX MEX cooking  Join me every month or just THIS month for Lunch and Learn, an extended lunch hour that gives you a full cooking class experience, a delicious lunch and an arsenal of new recipes to help you get dinner on the table at your house!   We will have some fun with farm fresh ingredient to concoct crave able dishes your family will love.  Just because its spring we will start the fun with Strawberry Margarita Shots!  Creamy Poblano Soup is jam packed with flavor served with a dollop of sour cream.  Black Bean Dip is a snap to make along with Garden Fresh Salas, both fantastic nutritious snacks.  We will prepare Chicken Cheese and Mushroom Enchiladas with fresh homemade Salsa Verde for a true authentic home cooked flavor.  Pork Tacos with Mexican Slaw and Avocado Dressing will be an instant hit.  We will prepare a simple Corn Salad, brimming with fresh goodness and one of my most requested recipes.  For a sweet treat to round out the feast, what could be better than Yeast Bread Cinnamon Rolls with Salted Caramel Sauce.  Class FEE $53.00

2 Day French Workshop

By popular demand 2nd date added April 6th and 7th 10:00-2:00  

March 30th and 31st SOLD OUT Join me for a truly unique culinary event.  Immerse yourself in the food and culture of France in this 2 day workshop. We will work side by side to prepare some of the most iconic and mouthwatering dishes on the planet.  In this one time special offering you will learn and prepare two of the French “mother” sauces, béchamel and Espagnole.  In addition, two major French doughs will be taught, straight dough and choux paste. Laminated Viennoiserie will be demonstrated and enjoyed by the group in the form of croissant and Pain Chocolate for those that want to arrive 30 minutes early on day 2.  We will dine together for a true French experience.  Wines will be served along with a cheese course each day.  Breakfast and lunch portions will be eaten together and the dinner portions will be taken home. Three irresistible French desserts are included.  This course promises to improve your overall kitchen skills; French cooking is the gold standard and expertise acquired will last a lifetime. Hope you will be part of the fun! Class will be limited to 10 participants Fee $189.00 per person. CLICK HERE for the menu offering

Chocolate Almond Butter

1 cup raw whole almonds

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 tablespoon dark cocoa

2 tablespoons walnut oil

Pinch of salt

Toast almonds on the stove top until just warm.  Melt chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring each time.  Add almonds to food processor and process until they are a very fine powder and beginning to turn into butter.  Add chocolate and process another minute until mixture looks shinny.  Add salt, cocoa powder and oil; process another minute, scraping down the sides of the food processor.  Store butter in a jar at room temperature.