february in france.

Bienvenue en France!

It’s no secret that France is one of my favorite places on Earth, particularly Paris. I love everything about it: the language, the architecture, the fashion, the people – and most importantly, the food.

If I had my way, I would live in France for at least some period of time in my life. I am so inspired by the stories of women like Julia Child who’ve taken the opportunity of a lifetime to move to France and attend culinary school. I picture those fabulous Parisian markets and imagine myself walking among them, grabbing whatever catches my eye and then taking it up to my magnificent – however quaint, it would be unquestionably magnificent – apartment in the 1st or 2nd arrondisement. Any arrondisement. There, I would cook from the heart – no recipes needed. Well, perhaps I’d allow myself a peak at yesterday’s lesson à Le Cordon Bleu.

The only rule to follow? Enjoy. All of it.

I would sit, and relax, and savor every bite. I would enjoy my glass of wine, enjoy the food I prepared for myself. I would certainly enjoy the cheese.

This recurring dream of mine exemplifies what I love most about France: the way of life.

And this, my dears, is why I am devoting the month of February to everything French. Join me as I cook my way through all (well, maybe not all, but many!) of the deliciously French recipes I’ve been dying to try.

Here are a few of the recipes on my agenda (subject to change, of course!) thus far:

• Pissaladière
• Tarte Tatin
• Roast Duck or Duck a l’Orange
• Scallops Provençal
• Gourgères
• Croque Monsieur
• Croissants
• Bouillabaisse
• Crème Brûlée
• Quiche Lorraine
• French Onion Soup

Looks like I have a lot of cooking to do! Anything you’d like to add to the list?

And because it’s the whole way of life I’m so addicted to, I will try to interject interesting tidbits about French culture and living as we go. Tips from “French Women Don’t Get Fat,” anyone? And who wants to know more about French wines?

À bientôt, mes chéries!

{See you soon, my darlings}