Foodie Friday!

This week's foodie moment is brought to you by: Quiche Lorraine. Quiche is a savory pastry dish filled with a mixture of eggs, cream, meat, and/or vegetables. Quiche Lorraine originally contained eggs, cream, and lardons*. Now, cheese (usually gruyere) and onions are typically added as well.

*Sarcastic Cultural Difference Moment: Hormel is not sold here! Instead, they use lardons, which are essentially pieces of pork fat cut in thick cubes or strips (so, the same part of the pig as bacon, but just thicker and a different shape). If you were wondering: YES, they're better.

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Vincennes

As I mentioned earlier, this past weekend our studio professor gave us a tour of Vincennes. Notable points on the tour were the Chateau de Vincennes and the "Festival America", which was going on at the time. 

We first went to the Chateau, which is a Medieval castle. I know this is going to come as a shock as I am an architecture student, but I've always been fascinated with different styles of architecture. Just in case you happen to stumble upon a castle, here are some tell-tale signs if it is Medieval. (Sidenote: there are a bunch of classifications within "Medieval", I'm just giving you some basics...)

1. The purpose behind a Medieval castle was defense, not just to be an opulent spectacle of wealth and indulgence. If there is no wall, gate, or drawbridge in sight, they might have perished long ago (the Middle Ages are considered to be the 5th to 15th centuries... annnnd a lot has happened since then...). Usually, you will see these things. Other defense devices include: walkways along the top of castle walls, small slits in the defensive walls which enabled knights to shoot arrows at the enemy, moats (or evidence of an pre-existing one), and its location. Smart kingdoms are located on a hill and near a fresh water source (think about it).

Approaching the donjon, which is the main tower on the grounds. Here, you'll find everything you need if you're a king or queen in the Middle ages. This is the tallest remaining donjon in Europe.

Foodie... Saturday?

Ok so last night at dinner I realized I hadn't posted for Foodie Friday yet (sacre bleu!), so I was going to cop out and just do a little post about wine. BUT I WOULDN'T DO THAT TO YOU GUYS. You are going to get some great French treat-eye candy (just pretend that makes sense) and pictures of the remnants of my red wine are just not going to do. Obviously, red wine will make an appearance eventually... but it needs to be planned, or curated, if you will. It's not going to happen after I scarf down some lasagna and am then anticipating my Amorino (which you will also see, no worries... I have big plans.). And yes, we were feeling Italian food last night. Okay anywayyyys onto more important things in life:

CHEESE!

Today our studio professor gave us a tour of Vincennes, a town outside the eastern edge of Paris. We ended the day at his home, where his wife had a smorgasbord (YEP I SAID IT) of cheese, bread, grapes, and wine waiting for us. I honestly do not remember all the names of the cheeses - I know there was brie, chevre, comte... and that's about it. They told us all the names, but I was so hungry and had all these delicious cheeses in front of me... my memory was on the backburner. I've never met a cheese I didn't like (and I've met some of the stinky ones...), so each was amaaaazing. 

If you are in France, get a cheese plate for dessert one night. It will not disappoint! And, you might find a new one you never thought you'd like. 

I told everyone to be awkward. Great Success!

TECHNOPARADE.

One of the best things about living in a city is that there is always something going on. The weirder, the better. Last weekend my friend Aubrey and I heard about this little thing called a "Technoparade". Obviously, we had to check it out. It's literally a parade of floats playing techno music with crowds following close behind - dancing and partying all day. Let me tell you - great people watching. Have a look for yourself!

Foodie Friday!

This. Just. Happened.  The Moelleux au Chocolat is the answer to any chocolate lover's prayers. A warm, tender, fresh-from-the-oven chocolate cake with a decadently rich, molten center paired with cool cream. I am a huge fan of sharing dishes, but this was not split with my dining companions. I selfishly inhaled the entire thing, and was ready for seconds.

Happy Friday everyone, have a great weekend!

L

PRAHA

I went to Prague a couple weeks ago with some friends for a long weekend. As a city that has long been on my travel list, it was awesome to finally cross it off. The buildings, the culture, the food, the history - it is incredible. The weekend was full of lots of walking, eating, reunions!!, picture taking... and more walking (in an attempt to balance the eating part). Also, I have a mild infatuation with apple strudel, which is dangerous in a city literally bursting at the seams with these treats. Yes, I've been on a strudel detox ever since.

DISCLAIMER: My hair products were confiscated at security, so ignore the crazy amount of hair issues you are about to see. 

The Astronomical Clock

Foodie Friday!

So I've been a little quiet this week due to orientation (there was wine), our first day of class (I called a stop sign a hexagon... let me design your building for you!), etc.  So far we just have French class; our studio and other classes will start in a week. I am also in the midst of creating a fascinating post documenting my travels this past weekend to Prague! Ooh ooh ooh it was beauuuuutiful. So stay tuned.

Due to my love of anything themed, I've decided to label Fridays as "Foodie Fridays". Starting out the series will be (drumroll pleaseeee):