Thanksgiving. Preps etc...

Thanksgiving is ONE holiday we love. And this year, I really enjoyed learning that the French were here in America before the Pilgrims. YES YES!! Read the NYT http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/opinion/26davis.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=kenneth%20davis&st=cse and just smile...Ah the French...I wish they would have put their nose into the menu. The Thanksgiving menu is very easy but I wish I could put a French twist into it... you have to make some things and that's it: so yes we did add the Persian style rice (in honor of the first Persian immigrants...I know they did not exactly arrive on the Mayflower)but otherwise the Turkey was great, the stuffing made by Ava a delight (onions, mushrooms, parsley, bread, eggs, salt and pepper) the roasted corn was unique, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes (made by Eddy), cranberry sauce (with a red wine twist) corn bread, and one of the best salads ever made by Howard (mixed green, bosk pear in small pieces, fresh mint and fresh tarragon, sliced green onions fresh mandarins (not made in cans from China!) with a vinaigrette made of lemons and olive oil. A favorite this year! Howard, you are invited next year! We had multiple desserts: Apple pie, pecan pies, cranberry/oatmeal cookies, beautiful shaped Turkey cookies, mint tea (a definite Pilgrims' favorite, at least North African Pilgrims) and coffee. We had the loudest Thanksgiving ever!!! And tonight we are invited to a "leftover Thanksgiving party" Guess what: we have NO leftovers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No I did not put on weight yet...how am I doing it?

Well a few of you think I am now Bibendum from Michelin: NOPE! I don't eat all day. As soon as I arrive, I go to see the bakers. Again my favorite people and favorite morning smell. Then I tour the kitchens, discuss with the chef to see what's cooking for lunch, parties and receptions of the day. But I don't stay long because I am sensitive to onions, chicken or whatever is being made that early. I go back to my office and begin my work. I stop for a piece of fruit and often a cappucino or latte (I told you there is EVERYTHING you can dream about.) My lunch varies and like Ava my daughter said "tu dois etre impatiente de manger a midi... You must be looking forward to eating at lunch." You bet! Today, Tito,the crepe maker brought to my desk one of his crepes: cheese, roasted chicken, mushrooms, spinach and caramelized onions: that is actually my main problem, everyone wants me to taste what they are making (I only ate 1/2 of the crepe.) and the fact that I am French, I am a little bit the new "judge" in town. I always get a bowl of cut fruit, strawberries, melon, watermelon, grapes. Do you know my nickname at home? "The fruit terrorist" Yes this is the way Steve called me because I am eating, cutting, peeling fruit all the time. Then I go back for more fruit, yes you read well. And then tea time with no scones or biscuits. And I could! I am still 110 lbs (49 kgs.) So whoever is worried, don't. And did I add that I exercize at home almost every day for 25 to 30 min? So relax...Ah yes, I am having a lot of fun at work if you have any doubt...

Interview at France 2? Eh Michele Obama did not get this phone call yet!!

I forgot to tell you that France 2 (major French TV network) called me last week. We got an article about transfats (graisses hydrogenees in French) in Liberation a few weeks ago and they were wondering if a French tv came and visit. Well to be honest the call is really for Steve my husband. But when you say France, you automatically say Simone around the Josephs' Home. So Mr. Caillebault from France 2 wanted to interview me about transfats. This is unbelievable. Me a small French woman lost in California, found by the French TV. It is true we have seen multiple tv channels around here: most American ones from ABC to CBS to CNN, then we got Korean, Australian, Japanese to name a few who liked the story. So now France is coming strong on us. Eh like I told Mr. Caillebault, you get me a ticket and I come to Paris for the interview ...and I don't need 1st class or business class.
Here is the Liberation article in French only. Duh...http://www.liberation.fr/monde/0101121539-mesures-de-poids-aux-etats-unis
My lunch today: grilled turkey burger, one onion ring (I am being reasonable every single day and that drives the Chefs crazy because everyone of them wants me to taste things they make and I made a point to say no!) and a nice salad.

Vegetable terrine, Fried Potato Dumpling..Refinement...

We are talking refined items now. So if you are a vegan, you are a king here. Joseph in charge of the vegan cuisine thinks non-stop about novelties. He used red potatoes, he cooked and mashed them. Did not add any salt I guess. And he made big potatoes balls and stuffed them with tapenade, kalamata olives and dried tomatoes. Woahh that was good. I had 1/2 of one for lunch. Then Josh made some wonderful looking terrine. I did not see the end results since I had to go. But it was very thin sliced zucchini and he wrapped under some roasted peppers, portobello mushrooms and thin red onions (marinated in balsamic vinegar I guessed...) Then he put on top a strained tomatoe sauce with some gelatine. Will let you know tomorrow am about the result. It looks beautiful doesn't it?

Yves Saint Laurent Exhibit and my 50th birthday celebration

So I turned 50 today. It was a great day: we went to the Museum to see this new fashion exhibit about YSL. And you will not believe me, there was a dress created in 1958 (my birth year) called SIMONE! I took a picture of the sketch and the actual dress. I have no idea who was Simone in 1958, obviously not me, but this is such a nice coincidence. So many friends and family called me. Thank you all of you. My mother in law sent me the BEST birthday card. Steve wrote the best one. "I am his first lady" Be jealous Michelle Obama! So we went to eat out for dinner at Rose Pistola. Well I needed a pistol to shut the waiter up. We have never encountered someone so obnoxious. He never stopped talking. We were delighted to leave the place. Voila. 50 years passed by, looking forward to my second half of a century! Baci from San Francisco to all of you

Celebration cake, strawberries, eclairs, pasta...What a day!

Today, it did feel like all America woke up in a good mood. At Bon Appetit, we received a lot of orders for sweets. So voila the pictures! Then at lunch, Chef Robert (one of my favorites) served pasta with toppings on demand. Zucchini, caramelized onions, eggplants, tomatoes, mushrooms and sliced grilled chicken, all cut in front of him. You pick the toppings, I make your pasta! Now did you eat like that in college? I did not. Can you guess what I ate for lunch? Roasted peppered chicken, one roasted potatoe, caesar salad and ................black steamed quinoa!

Our new president: Barack Hussein Obama

“I have a dream that one day” the United States will wake up and elect a President that “will not be judged by the color of his skin but by the content of his character.” Ah Mr. King, I wish you were alive to see history play in front of your eyes. President Obama, I am so proud to be an American again. People have finally understood that what counts is the person and nothing else.
November 4, 2008