The Tomato Knife

I recently wrote about how I became a pescetarian. After reading my post, a friend of a friend wrote me, wondering what happened next. I admit, going “pescetarian” has been quite an adventure, from buying fish and learning new vocabulary (in both French and English!), to properly cutting it in a restaurant and, of course, [...]

What do quinoa, mangoes and shrimp have in common? Not much; they just all found their way into my “Tantalizing Tabouli.”  I’m a huge fan of tabouli, traditionally made with bulgur wheat and dominated by fresh parsley.  I often play with different combinations of ingredients, including the grains.  This version is a fun, colorful (and [...]

One of my favorite terms in French is amuse-bouche. The verb amuser means to entertain or amuse and the word bouche means mouth. An amuse-bouche is a small hors d’oeuvre served with an apéritif. The term makes me laugh because I imagine sleepy taste buds being teased and woken up in preparation of the meal [...]

The year I decided to become a “permanent expatriate” in France was the year I became a “pescetarian.” Translation: In 2005, as a teaching assistant nearing the end of her nine-month visa, I officially told my family I wasn’t leaving France. I also began eating fish. Staying in France was not a difficult decision. Becoming [...]