I have a piece of news that I am very pleased to announce. Something that, let’s say, has been in the cooking for a while. Something that I have been thinking about for a while…

I am pleased to announce that Chris Armstrong from Primary Reps will represent my photography work. When Chris and I spoke, I liked his ideas and work philosophy. So the decision was made easy for me, and I made the jump.

I am really excited to be joining him. And I very much look forward to starting our project collaboration. (now I only need to update my portfolio site which has not been touch in soooooo oh sooo many years! Hopefully, I will some time to do this in the coming months…)

Thanks Chris!

Chris already represents some of my talented fellow blogger and photographer friends: Matt, Helen, and Mowie. I am thrilled to be part of the team.

And for those of you who want to see the French Food Show on the Martha Stewart Show on Hallmark Channel, the video is now available on their website here.

Hello everyone,

I hope you had a lovely weekend for la fête des mamans–did you know that Mother’s Day in France is June 3d?

I must say, our day was just lovely. We woke up late (all things considered with a three-year-old sneaking into our bed at 6 AM), then we had a lazy brunch before taking Lulu to the circus (for the first time). Ah to watch the sparkle in her eyes when she discovered acrobats and clowns and magicians and horses! I don’t recall seeing her clap in her hands so much before!

We also had a French pique-nique, and I prepared Fabrizia’s ricotta gnocchi again.

And today (Monday May 14th), I will be at Harvard Book Store to sign copies of my book. The event starts at 7 PM.

I am really pleased to be there.

Harvard Book Store
1256 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02138

And I hope to see you if you are in the area. Oui ?

In the meantime, enjoy the gnocchi. They are a must try!

I still cannot decide what I loved the most about my recent trip to Sicily. I keep changing my mind on the topic.

To start, there was Fabrizia, daughter of Anna Lanza who founded the Anna Tasca Lanza Cooking School where we were invited to spend five days. Then there was the amazing culturally rich group of people I joined who had flown from all across the globe–from Japan, Scotland, England and Germany. There was also the casual beauty of Case Vecchie, the heart and soul of the school, and the gorgeous wild flowers beautifying every landscape that unfolded before our eyes–they knew well I was going to go crazy when I’d catch sight of them everywhere.

And then there was the food and wine with behind it all, the friendly faces of Sicilians.

Clearly, this all felt like a dream.

Except that this dream was real.

I had only traveled to Sicily once before when I was in my early twenties. Which oddly didn’t leave me with strong memories about Sicilian food.

Fabrizia took care of changing that image for me.

Fabrizia is the daughter of Anna Tasca Lanza, a known name on the Sicilian food scene.

I feel silly to admit it but, because she is Sicilian, I didn’t imagine that Fabrizia could be tall. But she was. Framed by beautiful gray curly hair, her face always expressed a genuine smile enhanced by bright blue eyes that exuded an obvious joie-de-vivre.

I didn’t imagine that she was going to welcome us like family either. But she did. Generously.

So naturally, it seemed.

In 1989, Fabrizia’s mother, Anna Tasca, decided to open her cooking school on her family’s 19th-century estate known for its fine wines. Although she didn’t at first have any other intention but enjoy cooking, her school rapidly acquired a reputation on the international scene. During her lifetime, Anna met food icon Julia Child. She appeared on the Martha Stewart Show and wrote a few cookbooks on Sicilian cuisine–which revealed the beauty of Sicilian land and cuisine to the world.

Fabrizia was her only daughter.

Fabrizia didn’t know that one day, she would join her mother’s culinary adventure. Feeling asphyxiated on the island, she left Sicily at the age of eighteen. She graduated with a literature degree in Art History and worked for twenty years in the museum world. But when that ended and her mother suddenly needed help, she didn’t think twice about it. Her food-impassioned roots were calling and she decided to return home. And in July 2010, when her mother regretfully passed away, Fabrizia decided to naturally take on the beautiful mission of continuing what her mother had started with the cooking school.

No doubt that this must be something running deep in their family’s genes because Fabrizia does it with grace and elegance.

Case Vecchie, the house where the school is located, is a gem.

Shall we take a walk on the property? Fabrizia asked us one day by late afternoon.

We were far from imagining what was going to unfold in front of our eyes.

Surrounded by over 1,000 acres of vine-covered rolling hills–home to their family owned magnificent Regaleali wines–the old stone house with its bright blue gate is filled with character: from olive, almond, and citrus trees, to its well-cared vegetable garden and numerous outdoors sitting areas.

We had five days to spend on the property. To cook and eat and learn. We savored every minute of it.

Our daily schedule repeated itself rhythmically: wake up, walk, cook, eat, rest and relax, take a walk or visit a local artisan nearby while sharing stories, and start all over again. Three times a day. Not a minute growing tired of it.

It was a simple formula that allowed us to sense the pace of life at Case Vecchie. It was impossible not to fall in love with it instantly.

I thought I’d share tidbits of what we did. What we ate. What we saw. With words and pictures–many of them.

–I was convinced that I had been fooled when I found green grass, snow-capped mountains with an Alpine-looking flair that reminded me of Switzerland or parts of the French Alps. They created these breathtaking views.

–I now understand that I didn’t know what ricotta is supposed to taste like before I ate Sicilian farm fresh ricotta cheese. We even enjoyed it for breakfast with homemade jams and cakes. I adored the visit to a ricotta cheese making farm nearby.

–I had the taste of a vanilla orange for the first time. This surprised me with something completely different (mellow) from what I had expected when thinking about the taste of an orange.

–We indulged in a delectable picnic prepared by Fabrizia in the magnificent citrus orchard (orangeraie) Giardino della Kolymbetra. There was so much poetry in this place. In the peaceful moment we shared while enjoying homemade foccacia, olives, artichoke and pepper preserves, Sicilian cheese and cured meats. I am still dreaming of the oh so! utterly delicious blood orange sorbet Keiko prepared with some oranges we *discreetly* stuffed in a bag for the dinner all of us cooked to celebrate our stay. If I thought before that eight people simultaneously cooking in a kitchen would lead to chaos, I was proven wrong.

–I was not aware that Sicilians love to deep fry food–and they do it so well.

We tasted scrumptious panelles (chickpea fritters similar to a Panisse, a speciality from the south of France). Fabrizia showed us how to prepare them so that they remain thin (the batter is spread thinly onto plates) and very crisp once they are fried. I noted this as an excellent amuse-bouche idea to enjoy with drinks before a meal.

–We attended the feast of Saint Guiseppe (St Joseph day during Lent) in Sclafani Bagni, a small picturesque village perched in the mountains. We shared a traditional meal with the people from the village and discovered about the tradition villages nearby keep on that day: families prepare food altars that display ornate breads, pastries, and symbolic foods like fava beans and fennel, for the poorest children in the village. Many families believe that having a St. Joseph altar can bring good fortune.

–Sicilian cuisine relies heavily on seasonal local food. Dishes are simple. They celebrate ingredients to the core.

Sicilian cuisine is different from Italian cuisine, I heard Fabrizia say when asked. We understood how–even when similar vegetables and produce are used.

We tasted scrumptious fennel salads prepared with citron (not the French word for lemon by the way, but cédrat instead), stuffed artichokes, Fabrizia’s oh so delicious artichoke caponata, macco soup and pasta con le sarde (a traditional pasta dish served with a sauce made with fresh sardines and wild fennel).

Are you new like I was to the taste of wild fennel? I loved the vegetable so much that I promised to myself that I’d try to plant some in my garden.

–I learned that once baked, a sponge cake makes a funny squeaking noise when you press on it. Yes, I know, this sounds rather odd but you must try it! This might make you smile the way it did for us.

–I learned that Sicilians are generous people that are always ready to help and share.

–I realized that the best time to come to Sicily must be Spring and that the best way to experience it is the way we did at Case Vecchie. Treated like true members of a Sicilian family.

We talked and laughed a ton, we cooked and ate and drank amazing food and wine. We built precious memories in Fabrizia’s kitchen. And we made friends.

So naturally, when I came home, I was inspired to bring Fabrizia’s recipes in my kitchen.

So I cooked away. Even feeling a little Sicilian while I prepared ricotta gnocchi and biancomangiare (blanc manger) and citrus puddings for friends and family.

And Macco soup too.

Oh that soup!

I had never heard about it before. But after Fabrizia prepared some for us one night, I fell in love with its delicate flavors and texture right away. Somehow, that dish was very Sicilian to me. Showcasing the best the garden can offer.

The soup is simple. Hearty. It speaks of what Sicilian food is all about: recipes with a lot of character that require only a few steps and ingredients that stand out.

Macco soup has three ingredients: onion, fava beans and Pecorino cheese. I was inspired to serve the soup with a poached egg on top, the way Fabrizia prepared it for us.

Truly addictive and irresistible.

Thank you Fabrizia, Mita, and Gianluca for making this delicious culinary adventure possible. I cannot wait to come back to visit and taste more of Sicily.

It still feels surreal that I was there. In magical NYC, on Wednesday, April 4, 2012. Standing next to Martha Stewart in her studio kitchen. Laughing. Cooking together.

Needless to say, dear readers, that this occasion was quite an experience for me!

Her staff was wonderful. Everyone was friendly and welcoming.

I loved to be there.

And cook.

I knew it before, but seeing it with my own eyes confirmed that Martha’s kitchen is a dream for anyone coveting delicious and pretty props of all style and color. A green cake stand? Sure, there are plenty of those. And what about pretty turquoise blue bowls? Not a problem either.

The theme of the show was French food. Two other charming ladies were part of it. Talented French Ariane Daguin, founder of D’Artagnan, prepared glazed duck breast while chef Jody Williams from Buvette made a French classical mousse au chocolat (chocolate mousse).

The show will air on May 11 at 10 AM. So if you are interested in watching it, turn on your TV to Hallmark Channel (see the schedule here). I will be there. Cooking vegetables tartines and baking brown butter and pistachio financiers. They are recipes (2 out of 3) from my cookbook.

The brown butter pistachio and poppy seed financiers flavored with cardamon are invariably a hit with anyone who tastes them. When Lulu turned one, I remember that I had baked mini versions of them because at one, the world of pistachios and walnuts and pecans and hazelnuts was suddenly opening up to her. And I am so glad it did because Lulu really loves nuts–as well as these financiers.

As to the tartines, Martha chose one prepared with cherry tomatoes roasted slowly in the oven with tarragon, and I suggested another tartine prepared with spring greens (asparagus, peas and watercress), smoked salmon, and ricotta flavored with basil oil. If you are a regular visitor to my blog, you know that these are favorites in my kitchen.

Of course, I was nervous to cook with Martha. And inevitably, I felt that my head was in the clouds during that splendid day in NYC.

I hope you’ll enjoy. I am excited to see the show on Friday since I have not yet seen the images.

I am extremely thankful to Greta, the wonderful producer I worked with, and her entire team who made it so comfortable for me (let’s say it, it’s pretty nice to have someone else fix your hair!)

Well my dear readers, in short, what a day it was! I am still smiling at it all.

A book signing and a food styling and photography workshop at the beautiful space Haven’s Kitchen in NYC in June.

How lucky is that? I am asking you.

The New York Times Diner’s Journal had found out about this elegantly designed shop on two floors of a 19th-century carriage house in Chelsea before I did. But then, during my recent visit to NYC in April, my editor and I paid them a visit. Immediately, we fell in love with the space.

Fast forwarding a few weeks, after a bunch of emails, we have now planned two events together: A Book Signing & A Food Styling and Photography Workshop.

I am thrilled to be back in NYC so soon!

—-

On Friday June 8th, I will be signing books at Haven’s Kitchen from 5 to 7 PM.

—-

On Saturday June 9th, I will be teaching a food styling and photography workshop at Haven’s Kitchen.

The class will start at 10 AM and finish at 4 PM. During this workshop, I will walk you through my typical styling and photography workflow to create images. You will be grouped in small groups to prepare, style, and photograph two recipes extracted from my cookbook, La Tartine Gourmande: Recipes for an Inspired Life. You will learn how to best use natural light to create photographs that reflect your own style. Tons of styling and photography tips will be provided.

What to Bring: Your camera (SLR is preferred); A notepad
Optional: Tripod; preferred props and linens; laptop
What is included: lunch + a signed copy of my book

—-

Cost: US$ 400; The workshop is limited to 12 students.

To register for the workshop, call 212.929.7900, or e-mail classes@havenskitchen.com with the full names of the guests attending, as well as your credit card number and expiration date.

Haven’s Kitchen
109 west 17th street
New York, NY 10011

So, I hope to be able to meet you at Haven’s Kitchen in June.

So here we are. It’s been a weekend of gardening, enjoying lunch on the patio, watching the first peonies bloom, going to Yann Tiersen’s concert (such a wonderful event that one), choosing a cherry tree to plant, baking pizza, tossing together a spring-like pea shoot salad–and then preparing these ramp, carrot and chicken mini quiches with my recently purchased bunch of ramps.

In truth, the tartlets were initially meant to be sneaked inside our picnic basket on the way to the beach. But that very plan failed. We ate the tartlets minutes after they had just come out of the oven. The aroma they left in the kitchen while baking was too intoxicating– and then we quickly grew hungry after our morning spent working and playing in the garden.

I used leftovers of a chicken roasted a few days before. Grated a carrot. Sauteed the vegetables in olive oil with ground coriander and garlic. Added fresh parsley and prepared a small appareil made of eggs, cream and Pecorino cheese. I will leave it to you to tell me what you think.

This quiche recipe is a pretty exciting one! Lulu could not stop eating the crust, more precisely. And while she also enjoyed the rest, oh the crust! We found the tartlets irresistible.

So much so that after a first batch of four, I baked another one. With the hope of another picnic.

I still have another bunch of ramps in the fridge. I know already that what will come next will be inspired by some of your lovely suggestions.

Thank you for that!

This crust has become one of my favorite everyday crust whenever I bake a savory tart. It’s made of a combination of millet, teff and sweet rice flour. Nutritious. With character. I also added poppyseeds for fun and a different twist on a favorite.

I have a few tidbits to share. It seems to be happening a lot these days.

First of all. Thank you!

The workshop with Karen at Sunday Suppers is now sold out. So quickly! I am really thrilled to meet those of you who registered in June.

And in case you are wondering, there are still tickets available for the cooking class and supper on June 24th.

Secondly.

On Monday April 30th–in short this coming Monday–I will also be on CTV Montréal television in the noon newscast. If you live in Canada, and more likely in the vinicity of Montréal, you can watch the interview Mutsumi Takahashi did with me last week. I loved meeting her. She made me feel very welcomed.

Thirdly.

These vegetables. Oh so pretty. They made my day.

I found them at my favorite épicerie fine in town yesterday’s afternoon while doing errands: baby Romanesco (making me *so* happy and eager for a plate of this food); pea shoots which shapes danced together; fiddleheads (I never resist these), and ramps. My name was written all over these Spring greens.

We ate the fiddleheads last night. I steamed them for two minutes. Then I sauteed them lightly in olive oil, adding garlic and fresh coriander for extra taste. They kept a crispy texture with a grassy, spring-like flavor we loved.

As to the ramps, I still have no idea yet how I will prepare them, although my inclination will most likely go for a preparation that involves eggs or potatoes.

Which prompts my question to you: What’s your favorite way to cook with ramps (wild leeks, in French aïl des bois)?

Bon weekend à tous !

Update: The interview with CTV Television and Mutsumi Takahashi is now live here.

I am so excited about what follows.

A few years ago, I was lucky to virtually meet Karen from Sunday Suppers.

Karen doesn’t need introduction. I am sure you already know that she is a fabulous stylist and photographer; And that she is the talent behind Sunday Suppers. At the time when we chatted, we envisioned we’d work on a project together, but between a book and babies, life became busy for the two of us.

A few months ago, Karen and I resumed our conversation. And without any hesitation, we agreed that we’d make a very special event in NYC happen. In her newly renovated studio. A gorgeous placed filled with beautiful light.

So here we are. We’ve now worked out the details, and I am pleased to announce two special days in NYC at Sunday Suppers Loft.

Saturday, June 23 :: A full day Styling + Photography Workshop at Sunday Suppers loft.

The class will begin at the market where we will select the season’s best ingredients. The produce will then be brought back to the loft (Williamsburg, Brooklyn) for the workshop.

In this workshop, you will prepare, prop and style food for the camera, learning how to best use natural light to create photographs that reflect your own style. I will guide you to understand the composition details to keep in mind to create a good photograph.

Details:
One Day Styling and Photography Workshop
10am – 5pm
The class will meet at the Union Square Farmer’s Market at 10am
Cost $350 includes materials, produce at the market and lunch

Tickets can be purchased here.

What to Bring:
Your Camera (digital SLR preferred)
A Notepad

**Optional items:
Laptop
Card reader
Tripod
Any linens or favorite styling pieces you would like to use in your photos (some props will be provided)

Sunday Supper :: June 24

I will be teaching a Sunday Supper in which the class will cook by my side. A small group of students will prepare a three course meal. The class will be followed by a seated dinner.

For Menu details and tickets, click here.

So, will I meet some of you at Sunday Suppers loft in June?

I hope so.

Hello Montréal!

Hello everyone,

We arrived late last night. Tired but happy to be back in Montréal. Ready for tonight at Chapters Indigo.

Are you coming?

I also realized that I had forgotten to tell you about the delicious strawberry cake I baked right before leaving.

Light like a feather! Springy. Nutritious. Not too sweet, but just right.

Garrett inspired my recipe (and his was inspired from Deb–isn’t it funny how a recipe can evolve?) His cake recipe made me crave to bake a similar cake for breakfast, but with my own touches and tweaks.

So I did.

And we loved it.

And because I had a few slices remaining, I decided to pack them for our road trip yesterday on our way to Montréal. And oh oh, I need to tell you how nice that felt when, by five o’clock in the afternoon, we stopped for a nibble. We sat around a wooden picnic table by the side of the road. It was sunny and the fresh air did us some good. And so did the cake and fresh strawberries I had packed as well. With tea.

And now we are settled in a lovely B&B. Hanging out for the day. Mostly resting. Tonight is a special time to meet some of you at the bookstore.

And tomorrow morning (Saturday April 21st), I will be on the 8 AM CBC Radio Show in the “All in a weekend” show with Sonali Karnick.

I am excited for everything that is happening in Montréal.

More on Monday!

But in the meantime, bake the cake and enjoy!

Update: This is the short interview I had with Sonali Karnick on Saturday. She was so friendly. So welcoming! Thank you Sonali (and especially to my friend Sylvie!) I loved being there.

Oh le rythme de la vie these days…my reality…

These days, it could be summarized in just a few words. I am busy.

So busy that, in fact, I am not able to find the time to write. I miss it terribly. I so much want to be able to chat and share recipes, stories and pictures.

I know when I am back, I will tell you about these ricotta gnocchi Fabrizia taught us to make in Sicily–and that I’ve not stopped cooking since I came back. I will tell you about the Sicilian foods and desserts we ate, the landscapes we saw, the markets we visited– and above all, the fabulous people I was lucky to spend a week with.

I made real friends.

I will also tell you about gardening. Spring. And about how much fun I am having with my girl in the kitchen right now. Lulu is such a bundle of joy! I am so lucky to spend this time with her.

Being three is so refreshing.

On Thursday, we are taking her to Montréal again. To spend time with friends. But also to continue to share words about my book.

My book, you know, is doing so well! I am really lucky with it.

Right as I am typing, it is going through its first reprint. My words are not expressing how proud that makes me feel. Of course, none of this would be possible without you. Alors merci to you all who have supported it.

And so in Montréal and on Friday April 20th (yes this Friday), I will be doing a book signing at Indigo Bookstore rue Ste Catherine. The event starts at 7 PM , and I really can’t wait. To be in this fabulous space and meet fellow Canadian friends. If you live in the area, come to say hello. It looks like I am receiving a fair amount of love from Canada right now. As seen here and here. Merci !

After that, I will be back home. Will write about Sicily. These light like-a-puff-of-air ricotta gnocchi. And then onto other pieces of exciting news that occurred in NYC two weeks ago…

That makes me a busy Béa.

Many thanks for being here.

And so now, will I see you on Friday?

“La Tartine Gourmande Recipes for an Inspired Life”
A book signing at Chapters Indigo bookstore
1171 Ste-Catherine ouest
Montréal
Friday April 20th at 7 PM.

And oh, before I forget, I should add that I really enjoyed writing this short post. Made me feel connected again.