It’s no wonder I gained almost 7 pounds when I moved back to France… First, my grandmother insists on cooking every meal, second, when I can escape the house, this (see to the left) is what I would enjoy… or the Friday Night potato chips dinners at the Broc’ Bar.
Enough was enough and I took control back on my food intake and went back to my initial weight (pff…) Not saying it was easy, and not saying I’m not going to try to lose another 6 or 7 pounds (that’d be brilliant) but in the meantime, I wanted to write an ode to food.
I realized how much I love food.
I love food so much that I decided to make a top 10 of my favorite foods ever… Just in case you were wondering how to cheer me up someday, here’s a list!
1. Peanut Butter
Forever number one. The person who invented peanut butter is a genius. Side story: when John D. interviewed me for the Marketing Manager position at Boiron, one of his question was: “What do we have here, in the U.S., that you cannot find in France and that would make you want to move here?” As prepared as I was for the interview, I did not expect this one. The answer came pretty easy though: “Peanut Butter!” I got the job…
2. Mango
As you can see from the rest of my list, I’m not very much into sweet stuff… But mangoes… Oh mangoes… One of the reason why Dominican Republic is so high on my favorite-countries-to-visit list: fresh, juicy mangoes!
3. Avocado
Avocado (and asparagus) are poorly known from the French who traditionally consumes them with mayonnaise… Eww… And then you’ll pretend that French women don’t get fat… That’s impossible.
4. Eggplant
My favorite (but not the healthiest) is slices of eggplant breaded and fried. It tastes better than meat! But eggplants are also delicious in Ratatouille, which is one of my signature dishes!
5. Mashed Potatoes
THE comfort food for me. Heavy, gooey, stomach-pleasing and nap-inducing. When you’re in pain, there’s nothing a good mashed potatoes can’t help with.
6. Coffee
I wasn’t sure if I could put coffee in a food list, but I decided to. I’m not an espresso snob, I used to be, but I learned to love slow drip coffee too. If you’re ever in Philadelphia, visit my favorite coffee shop: Bohdi, they’ll teach you plenty about coffee and you’ll never see your morning Joe the same way [miss you guys A LOT!!!]
7. Cheese
You didn’t think I would miss this one, did you? That’s where the French in me wakes-up: the runnier, the better… If I had to make a quick top 3, I’d say: St Marcellin, St Nectaire and Roquefort…
8. Eggs
You know how in Runaway Bride, Julia Robert’s character cannot decide how she likes her eggs best. She always ends up liking them the same way as the guy she’s dating. I can relate to that. I like eggs EVERY WAY. Maybe not the old Chinese egg in the middle of a cake that someone brought to our office once, but to that exception: bring it on…
9. Bread(s)
The day you walk into a French bakery, late morning, when the baguette is still warm from the oven, you’ll understand…
10. Sour Patch Kids
Ok, it was a tough call between Sour Patch Kids and Jelly Beans… Both are supremely addictive… But I will have to give the win to Sour Patch Kids, again, I’m not a sweet person… sour works better with me. I think my friend JSD must be relieved that I’m no longer there: his bags of SPK are probably living a lot longer, on the office table, at the dance studio.
Mmm… I’m getting hungry… Is it dinner time yet?
Because it’s yummy; soft and moist and delicious. Because it doesn’t require any measuring tool. Because it’s fun to make and even more fun to share with friends and family… Because it’s Vegetarian, easy and cheap… The traditional French Yogurt Cake recipe!
