The year when everything changed — L’année quand tout a changé

December 24, 2009

I’ve been meaning to tell you about my weakness for anything involving potatoes.

Growing up, my mother prepared râpés de pommes de terre (grated potatoes cooked like small galettes, close to latkes) perhaps once a week, which invariably made my brother and me extremely happy. Because it was food that involved potatoes, and because hers were deliciously crispy, always cooked to perfection. She liked to serve them with a dollop of silky fromage blanc, a sprinkle of sea salt and freshly chopped chives, and a side lettuce tossed in a vinaigrette with piquant. That was dinner during a wintry week day: simple and gorgeous in every way.

I’ve been a lover of that type of comforting food since then. During the winter, that’s what we have for dinner at least once a week.

Sometimes my râpés will make a casual meal, just as we used to eat them at home, and at other times, they’ll dress up our meal, as I prefer to serve them as an appetizer, topped with crème fraiche or mascarpone, a slice of tasty smoked salmon and pear.

While my mother never uses eggs to prepare hers, I use a few — like in this recipe. I also find root vegetables delicious in this dish, and often make new variants following the produce seasonality and my fancy. Here, you’ll see that I used white sweet potato, parsnip and carrot. You’ll thank me for it! It’s a real boost of flavors and vitamins in your plate.

When I prepared these a few days ago, I remember looking at Lulu when she and I sat at the table for lunch. “Je suis sûre qu’elle va aimer,” (I’m sure she’ll love that) I couldn’t help but think.

That didn’t fail.

She took a small piece in one hand and looked at it cautiously at first, as she always does. Then she grabbed another piece delicately with the other hand, before bringing the food to her mouth and looking at me with a smile in her eyes.

It’s a funny thing to admit but the fact that she ate the râpé enthusiastically really made me happy. Enjoying these just like her papa and her maman.

Tomorrow is Christmas. It’s the day when many of you, and us too, will celebrate with family and friends. For us, it’s also the day when last year, our little Lulu was born. The meaning of Christmas has completely changed since then; life has never tasted as sweet since our daughter has been with us.

She is truly the best Christmas gift that we will ever have. What an amazingly rich journey this year will have been! I wonder what 2010 will keep ahead…

Have a wonderful celebration! My best wishes for this end of year and for the next.

And many thanks for being such a fantastic crowd on the other side of the screen! Between the writing of my book and taking care of Lulu, I might not have been as present, but know that every email and comment you wrote was special and meant a lot. Merci !

Joyeux Noël et bonne année à tous !

Root vegetable râpés


(Makes 10 râpés)

You need:

  • 1 carrot, peeled and finely grated
  • 1 parsnip, peeled and finely grated
  • 1 white sweet potato, peeled and finely grated*
  • 2 small eggs, lightly beaten with a fork
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • Sea salt and pepper, to taste
  • Safflower oil, to fry
  • Smoked salmon, to serve
  • Crème fraiche or mascarpone, to serve
  • Slices of pear, to serve

    • *the grated vegetables combined make 1 lb + 4 oz (600 g)


Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the vegetables with the eggs, parsley, nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a few tablespoons of oil on medium to high heat and when warm, add a heaped tablespoon of vegetables. Use the back of a flat spatula to flatten the râpé.
  • Cook for 3 to 4 minutes and then flip on the other side. Cook for 3 more minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Keep them in the oven preheated at 250 F while you keep working.
  • Serve topped with crème fraiche spread on top, a slice of smoked salmon and one of pear. Add salmon roe too, if you like. And enjoy!
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Tagged as: Appetizers , Fish , French Inspired , Gluten Free , Life and Us
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71 Comments »

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  1. Mmm your râpés look deliciously crispy and so so good, we call them potato rosti, you have inspired me to make them again soon as we haven’t in too long, not sure I can wait for winter to come first.
    Wishing you the happiest of celebrations Bea, P and Lulu, Merry Christmas and Happy birthday dear sweet Lulu.

    Comment by Bron — On December, 25th, 2009 at 12:07 am

  2. Bea, I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, and also a very happy 1st Birthday to dear Lulu. I feel proud to be sharing the same birthday as such a gorgeous little gourmand!

    Comment by Christy — On December, 25th, 2009 at 1:04 am

  3. My best wishes to you and your family, happy birthday to your sweet little Lulu!…It is always a real pleasure to read your posts and travel through your photos and taste your amazing recipes!…Merci pour tout!…

    Comment by Dimitra — On December, 25th, 2009 at 2:11 am

  4. Happy Christmas.. best wishes to you and your family…

    Comment by so Spiffy — On December, 25th, 2009 at 3:17 am

  5. I hope 2010 will be an even better year for you and your family! Happy Holidays!

    Comment by kat — On December, 25th, 2009 at 3:40 am

  6. Gorgeous pics! Your site is really pretty!

    Comment by Talita — On December, 25th, 2009 at 4:13 am

  7. Joyeux Noël à vous, et bon anniversaire à la petite lulu!

    Comment by Dominique (De vous à moi...) — On December, 25th, 2009 at 5:12 am

  8. merry christmas to all
    and happy birthday, dearest lulu.

    Comment by beyond — On December, 25th, 2009 at 7:34 am

  9. Blessed Christmas Bea, P & Lulu. And hugs to our dear Lulu on her birthday. How time flies.. and how sweet the times had been for you all.

    Comment by Angela KL — On December, 25th, 2009 at 9:49 am

  10. What a lovely post, and the happiness that comes through loud and clear whenever you talk about Lulu always makes me smile. Wishing you all the best in the year to come.

    Comment by Kalynskitchen — On December, 25th, 2009 at 9:55 am

  11. Merry xmas to you and happy bday to little lulu. this dish looks so delicious, i will surely have to make it! I have been following your site for over a year and im so happy for you and your family. your an inspiration for me to have kids:)

    Comment by cindy — On December, 25th, 2009 at 9:56 am

  12. All the best bea…wishing you a very merry xmas and a happy 2010.

    Comment by Peter G — On December, 25th, 2009 at 11:04 am

  13. Merry Christmas to you, and happy happy birthday to your daughter!
    And thank you for this beautiful blog.
    :)

    Comment by Maya — On December, 25th, 2009 at 11:05 am

  14. Merci bien :) Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

    Comment by ReNi — On December, 25th, 2009 at 11:08 am

  15. Wishing you the best this holiday season and for the year ahead.

    Happy to see Lulu growing so well (and so fast)!

    Bisous a vous trois. Un tres tres joyeux Noel et pleins de bonnes chose pour l’annee qui vient.

    Comment by Tartelette — On December, 25th, 2009 at 11:27 am

  16. Such a nice story, of your childhood and Lulu’s. We eat potato pancakes often too, prepared almost the same way. Salmon and sour cream a must. Anyway, have a wonderful Christmas! Can’t wait to hear about the birthday girl’s big day. Very sweet photo of the two of you. One more thing, tell me about the lovely fork in the photo. Such close attention to details always comes through in your photography.

    Comment by valérie-jeanne — On December, 25th, 2009 at 11:42 am

  17. Excellent noël à toute la famille ! les photos sont toujours aussi belles et l’anglais l’emporte sur le français !!!

    Comment by mercotte — On December, 25th, 2009 at 12:39 pm

  18. Joyeux Noël et un bel anniversaire à Lulu !
    J’espère que tu continueras à nous enchanter en 2010… Tu as toujours le verbe et la photo justes pour transmettre les petits et les grands instants du quotidien. Bises !

    Comment by Clea — On December, 25th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

  19. [...] The year when everything changed — L’année quand tout a changé document.getElementById("post-13467-blankimage").onload(); Share and Enjoy: [...]

    Pingback by Moonlit Minds « Moonlit Minds — On December, 25th, 2009 at 3:01 pm

  20. Merry Christmas to you and your family. I can’t wait to try these.

    Comment by Erika — On December, 25th, 2009 at 3:12 pm

  21. Je te souhaite un excellent Noël. Un très bel anniversaire à Lulu. De l’inspiration en 2010.

    Comment by Tarzile — On December, 25th, 2009 at 4:43 pm

  22. Oh, we share the same passion for potatoes! :) I made a similar râpés several weeks ago, just a plain ones only from potatoes without eggs, served with smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers, I liked it very much. Your version looks even tastier!
    I wish you and your family all the best and a very happy 2010!

    Comment by Sarka — On December, 25th, 2009 at 7:36 pm

  23. Joyeux Noël à vous et votre famille , et un bonne anniversaire à Lulu! :D

    Comment by Chandi — On December, 25th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

  24. Joyeux Noel to you and your adorable family!

    Comment by Kelli — On December, 25th, 2009 at 8:48 pm

  25. Béa, I’m wishing you and your family such a happy Christmas and a lovely New Year!

    Comment by Ivonne — On December, 25th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

  26. kiss lulu:)

    happy everyday new year bea~~~

    Comment by YOYO love cooking — On December, 25th, 2009 at 9:31 pm

  27. What a beautiful post.
    Merry Christmas and a wonderfully sweet New Year to you & your faily.
    Love the spuds!

    Comment by deeba — On December, 25th, 2009 at 11:12 pm

  28. Those look lovely! Hope you had a merry Christmas and joyeux anniversaire to Lulu!
    Question about the recipe, if you Mom doesn’t use eggs, do they still hold together well?

    Comment by Kristin — On December, 26th, 2009 at 1:40 am

  29. Une jolie histoire de Noël … qui parle d’enfants, de parents et de transmission … Une jolie recette, aussi … qui pourrait bien, après les agapes des deux jours passés, nous faire replonger dans une cuisine familiale simple mais néanmoins délicieuse !
    Une très bonne fin d’année à la jeune famille
    Bises
    hélène

    Comment by Hélène (Cannes) — On December, 26th, 2009 at 3:50 am

  30. Merci a vous!
    Joyeux Noël et bonne année à tous !

    Comment by Donata — On December, 26th, 2009 at 6:06 am

  31. Serais-tu vosgienne d’origine? Les râpés ont bercé mon enfance. C’était le plat que mon père nous préparait parfois les samedis midis. Et quand c’était le cas, c’était la fête! Merci pour ces souvenirs…

    Comment by Marimuse — On December, 26th, 2009 at 8:46 am

  32. That is a beautiful photo of the two of you! I wholeheartedly agree about life changing when we are offered little miracles.
    We can love with all our heart again:)

    Comment by Monique — On December, 26th, 2009 at 9:29 am

  33. Joyeux Noël à toi et à ta famille Béa!
    Que la vie soit toujours aussi belle et heureuse :)

    Comment by Bea — On December, 26th, 2009 at 1:19 pm

  34. Happy Holidays to you and your family. Happy Birthday to Lulu! It’s great to see that she is already appreciating your home-made food (how could she not, it always looks delicious!)

    Comment by Gaelle@whatareyoufeedingyourkidsthesedays.com — On December, 26th, 2009 at 9:12 pm

  35. I am happy to know that your life is so tremendously rich. I got really attached to you sharing with us, readers, not only your splendid food creations, but also the private thoughts and cherished moments of your daily life. Thank You and all the best for this Christmas and always.

    Comment by Gosia — On December, 26th, 2009 at 10:33 pm

  36. Joyeux Nöel et Bonne Année,Béa!

    Comment by Léa — On December, 27th, 2009 at 4:15 am

  37. Winter Holidays as beautiful and quiet, which will fill the soul with joy, confidence, hope and love!

    Comment by Diana — On December, 27th, 2009 at 6:54 am

  38. superbe, comme toujours chez toi! encore bonnes fêtes, biz

    Comment by Claude-Olivier — On December, 27th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

  39. A very happy birthday to a very special and beautiful little girl :)

    Comment by Pille — On December, 27th, 2009 at 3:07 pm

  40. what a wonderful year indeed. hope you had a great christmas bea… crispy root vegetables say it all!

    Comment by Aran — On December, 27th, 2009 at 3:47 pm

  41. Forcément Noël sera encore et toujours plus magique avec cette double célébation, bon anniversaire à Lulu….

    Comment by bergeou — On December, 27th, 2009 at 4:56 pm

  42. Great blog. Have a wonderful new year ahead!

    Julius
    from Occasional Baker

    Comment by Julius — On December, 27th, 2009 at 5:04 pm

  43. That photo at the end made my heart skip a beat. Such a wonderful shot, so much love packed into one frame. Joy, too. Happy, happy birthday Lulu, happy holidays, and all the best for the coming year.

    Comment by tara — On December, 27th, 2009 at 6:25 pm

  44. happy birthday to the little Lulu and Merry Christmas to all your family! and a wonderful, happy, bright New Year :)
    Chiara.

    Comment by chiara.u — On December, 27th, 2009 at 6:59 pm

  45. Joyeux Anniversaire!

    Comment by molly — On December, 28th, 2009 at 2:32 am

  46. A Christmas child is always a treat! I’m a holiday child too (but a Halloween child) and I used to think that everyone celebrated my birthday with me by dressing up. I bet it’s going to like that for Lulu, everyone sharing happiness!

    Comment by Gali — On December, 28th, 2009 at 2:46 am

  47. C’est surement le plus beau des cadeaux de Noel qui existe. Excellentes fetes de fin d’annee a tous les trois.

    Comment by gracianne — On December, 28th, 2009 at 8:15 am

  48. What a lovely post, and a special time of year for you and your family.

    Happy holidays.

    Comment by Julia @ Mélanger — On December, 29th, 2009 at 12:47 am

  49. The dish looks lovely. And what a Christmas blessing for you… Happy Birthday Lulu!

    Comment by El — On December, 29th, 2009 at 10:38 am

  50. Hi Béatrice –

    Thanks for another year of beautiful food…and congratulations on Lulu’s first birthday. Best wishes from Maine for a happy, healthy and peaceful 2010.

    best, Stephen

    Comment by stephen — On December, 29th, 2009 at 11:30 am

  51. Merry Christmas and a Happy 2010 to you! ; )

    Comment by Anali — On December, 29th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

  52. You make a simple comfort dish look so elegant!
    I love latkes but never tried it with root vegetables. Great idea! I did make them Southern-ed when I was invited to a Southern food potluck. I added to the potatoes onion, white and jewel sweet potatoes and fried them in bacon fat, butter and oil :) , served with sour cream with chopped green onions and crumbled bacon!

    Comment by Nurit - 1 family. friendly. food. — On December, 29th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

  53. Oh, and my kids? Won’t touch this food… :( Lulu has a great taste. Good girl! A gift indeed.

    Comment by Nurit - 1 family. friendly. food. — On December, 29th, 2009 at 7:05 pm

  54. Happy Birthday, Lulu!

    Comment by The Leftoverist — On December, 30th, 2009 at 1:47 am

  55. yum!! those sound so good, I want some right now :)

    Comment by Claire — On December, 30th, 2009 at 12:11 pm

  56. Thank you so much everyone for your kind words and birthday wishes for Lulu! She had such a fun day during the party I organized for her ;-) Especially tearing the wrapping paper off and making noise with it! I hope she’ll keep her taste for these foods. Our food!

    Comment by Béa — On December, 30th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

  57. Joyeux Noël et bon anniversaire à Lulu qui a tout juste 32 ans de moins que moi!! je suis du 25 décembre aussi.
    On aura des images de la fête que tu as préparé?
    bises à vous trois et à l’année prochaine.

    Comment by SaRaH — On December, 31st, 2009 at 6:03 am

  58. What did your mother use instead of eggs in her recipe? I’m allergic to eggs but would love to try this recipe.

    Comment by myrecessionkitchen — On December, 31st, 2009 at 11:25 am

  59. For some reason my comment never showed up….

    Trying again: Happy New Year, and belated Bday wishes for Lulu!

    Looking forward to another year of your recipes and beautiful photography…

    Comment by SallyBR — On December, 31st, 2009 at 12:10 pm

  60. SaraH, il y aura peut-être des images, oui :-)

    Myrecessionkitchen, she does not use anything instead of the eggs, and yes, they stay together. Potatoes have enough starch for that matter.

    Comment by Béa — On December, 31st, 2009 at 2:53 pm

  61. Juste un petit message pour vous souhaiter une très belle et gourmande année 2010 et vous remercier de toutes ces belles recettes délicieuses qui mettent les papilles en ébullition …
    à très bientôt
    Laura

    Comment by chalet de Laura — On January, 1st, 2010 at 1:36 pm

  62. très belle année 2010 avec ta jolie petite fille continue à nous faire partager recettes et sublimes photos ! bises

    Comment by mercotte — On January, 4th, 2010 at 1:55 am

  63. Yeah, I like potatoes as well, in any manner possible.
    Those are called roesti, or I assume they’re more commonly known as that?

    Comment by J2Kfm — On January, 6th, 2010 at 1:39 am

  64. Bonjour,

    Je viens de découvrir votre magnifique blog!
    Etant originaire de St Etienne (pays des râpées de pommes de terres!), ce post me plaît particulièrement : les râpées de ma Grand-Mères revisitées à la sauce Noël !

    Comment by Mad — On January, 7th, 2010 at 6:55 am

  65. oh i love potatoes — never saw one I didn’t like! happy new year!

    Comment by Lisa — On January, 7th, 2010 at 5:15 pm

  66. [...] course: ceviche of red snapper with freshly fried tortilla chipssecond course: potato and parsnip latkes with crème fraîche and smoked salmon or mascarpone and homemade applesauce served with Swiss chard [...]

    Pingback by ring a ding ding : Madison Wisconsin Living — On January, 21st, 2010 at 10:23 pm

  67. I made some tonight. Thank you for the inspiration. I’ve had extra potatos around since Christmas. YUM! Perfect winter fare.

    Comment by Nicole — On January, 24th, 2010 at 8:05 pm

  68. These are so amazing. Simply delicious in every way, simple to make, and simply impressive. I just made them this chilly Spanish afternoon and am finishing the last bites with a glass of wine. The only thing, I repeat, ONLY thing, I did differently was substitute thyme for the parsley. Mmmmm…..muy rico!

    Comment by amanda josephine — On February, 14th, 2010 at 8:27 am

  69. The year when everything changed — L’année quand tout a changé
    December 24, 2009
    Bonjour, pouvez-vous me donner cette recette en français ??
    Merci.

    Comment by Evelyne — On April, 2nd, 2010 at 11:27 am

  70. Hi, your hapiness and your joy are something very relaxing to me and kind of make me forget the rest : i will try some of your recipes which sound very good to me hope to spend a nice time with my plate…
    Siham from Lyon

    Comment by Siham — On April, 21st, 2010 at 2:27 am

  71. [...] The year when everything changed [...]

    Pingback by 11 Famous Food Photo Bloggers to Watch this Year | Learn Food Photography & Styling Blog — On April, 21st, 2010 at 2:39 pm

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