COILED CHALLAH

I just thought that you'd like to see how a Rosh Hashanah "Challah" looks like...

The recipe for this bread can be found here.

For those of you who have never tasted to the joys of baking "Challah" at home or who have never taken a bite from this delicious brioched bread, then the occasion to experience new culinary sensations is given to you within this post, so take the opportunity to remedy this situation and get baking! No bread is as sweet as this one...

WEEKEND CAT BLOGGING #70

As every week now, this weekend's WCB is hosted by another cat lover who kindly volunteersed to host this 70th edition...

It is D of "Cat In The Box" from USA who is putting together our weekly round-up, so send her you kitty (in a box) pictures and she'll gladly post them as soon as they are submitted.

I would also like to let you know that, next week, the festivities will move to Switzerland as I will be hosting the WCB #71, so don't forget to send me your permalinks via e-mail (grandchamp@gmx.ch) or to leave a detailed comment on my blog. See you next week, then!!!

Help, a ghastly monster is coming my way!!!!!!!!!!
Don't be scared that's only Maruschka after she has eaten her supper, but is still behaving like a "foodpsycho" because she doesn't want to accept that it's enough for the day...
She behaves like a crazy programmed zombie who is totally obsessed by food no matter how much she has gobbled. She never seems to have had enough to eat...
In fact, all this is psychological as no matter how much she eats, she always behaves like a a ghost with an empty stomach and believe me, that's quite terrifying!

WCB Schedule:

October 14 - Rosa from Rosa's Yummy Yums

October 21 - Jelly from I Got 2 Shoes

October 28 - Linda from Kayak Soup

November 4 - Lali from Lali Et Cie

November 11- Skeezix at Skeezix The Cat

November 18 - Amar at Catsynth

November 25 - Up for grabs

December 2 – D at The Hidden Paw

December 9 – Miz D and the Angry Cat at Belly Timber

December 16 - at Kitchen Mage

December 23 - at Chefsarahjane

December 30 - Up for grabs

(Evil Kitty -Pic by Source Unknown)

THE FIRST COLORS OF AUTUMN

Whether we want it or not, autumn is back and it shows everywhere! For me, this season is particularly beautiful as I love the way the trees look and the particular light that is so characteristic of this time of the year...

Autumn has a very magical atmosphere that gives me a feeling of well-being.

That's how the Salève looks now in the evening; eery and nearly holy, as if it would keep a age-old secret within it's massive entrails of stone!...
In comparison, the Salève this summer can be compared to an untouchable and imposing mammoth, powerful and stremgthful like an invicible warrior ready to crush everything on it's passage... Nature is flamboyantly, yet overpoweringly green and the light is sharp, nearly blinding; a suffocating atmosphere...

BIZARRE MEME

I've been tagged with this meme by my fellow blogger Vero of the interesting foodblog "Delimoon" from Switzerland. Thanks!

Originally, this meme was in French, but as my blog is meant to be readable by anybody worldwide, I decided to translate it for all of you to enjoy it's contents!

Take the first book that you find underhand, open it on page 18 and copy what’s written on the fourth line from the top:
Here’s what’s written in Joan Nathan’s “Jewish Cooking In America” cookbook “…their poverty like krupnick, a cereal soup made from oatmeal, sometimes barley, potatoes, …”. It is a book I bought a few months ago and which I really love as it is very interesting culturally and culinary speaking. Ruth of “Once Upon A Feast” had recommended me to buy it and I'm ever so glad to have a copy home…

What was the last program you watched on TV ?:
I watched “Prison Break”. That’s a truely awesome series with a great plot and fabulous actors! Believe me, it's really addictive...

Without verifying, try to guess the time it is?:
8h20.

Check out. It is:
8h15, time passes too fastly anyway...

Which noise can you hear apart from the one of your computer?:
With the window open, the noise of the cars on the motorway in France – not very loud though. Otherwise, it's dead silent...

When did you go out for the last time and what did you do?:
Yesterday afternoon. I went to present myself to a potential employer...

What are you wearing now?:
My comfortable house clothes: a t-shirt, a pair of 3/4 trousers and a small jacket. At home, I never dress up in any special way as I like to feel well and not to be afraid of dirtying (while cooking or cleaning) my nice "outside" clothes…

Before you started this meme, what were you looking at?:
I was going through my list of blogs as I do everyday. I was also surfing on “Blog-Appetit” in search for cool recipe or new blogs and ordering the Hocico (one of my favorite EBM bands) "A Través De Mundo Que Arden" DVD…

Did you dream this night?:
I can’t really remember, but I know that it was linked to the three days I spent working in this tea-room.

When did you laugh for the last time?:
Yesterday while watching TV and while playing with my two "silly" clownesque kitties!

What’s on the walls of the room in which you are?:
Nothing, at the moment. My place is not yet entirely decorated and there’s still a lot to do in order to make it presentable! And in any case, the walls are so bad that you can’t even stick a nail in them!!! Sigh…

Did you see something strange today?:
Our cat Maruschka didn’t stop throwing up… I hope she has nothing serious!

What do you think of this meme?:
It’s fun to answer the questions. Quite relaxing…

Which was the last film that you saw?:
“Urga”, a Russian film in Russian, Chinese and Mongolian by Nikita Mikhalov. It’s about a Mongolian family living in the steppes, the Chinese modern world around them and their birth control laws. It also speaks about Sergei, a Russian truck driver who is "slaving aboard in order to live decently at home" and who will enter Gombo's life. The story is poignant, yet humorous and the photography is abslutely breathtaking!…

If you became a multimillionaire overnight, what would be the first thing that you’d buy?:
That’s a difficult question as I’m not used to having much money to spend... But, I’d definitely buy a professional digital camera (Nikon or Canon) with all the gear that is needed in order to take great pictures (portraits, nature, food, etc...). After, I’d have to think what I could do with my money in order to use it intelligently without throwing it out of windows!!!

Tell us something about you that we don’t yet know:
I can “feel” people's positive or negative vibes (mood, aura, etc…)!

If you could change something in the world apart from culpability and politics, what would you change?:
The way some people are. The world is not going well because, certain people are greedy, badly behaved, without any moral codes, hypocritical, money/profit obssessed, mean, heartless, negative, calculators, followers/sheepish, etc… If human beings would be a little more positive in their ways, less egotistic and would think a little more, I’m sure that we would not be where we are now and certain things could not be imposed (wars, violence, death, corruption, etc…)!

Do you like dancing?:
I love seeing people dance, but as I don’t feel comfortable doing so myself, I would answer “no”. In fact, I don’t think that I’m a very good dancer, he, he…

Georges Bush?:
I'm not into politics, because most politicians are a bunch of lying liars!

Which name would you choose if you had a girl?:
I must say that making children is my last preoccupation at the moment (too many problems to solve) and I have not really thought about that option! But I like names such as Gwendolyn, Silke, Zephyra, Sunniva, …

And if it was a boy?:
I like the following names: Alix, Ephraïm, Tristan, Conan, Aidan, …

Have you ever thought about living in a foreign country?:
Yes. I’d love to move to North America (Canada or USA) as it’s always been a place I dreamt about. I don’t know why, but I was always attracted to this beautiful continent. Maybe it’s because I’m really interested in all things related to Native Americans. I guess that it also has a lot to do with the magnificence of the landscapes and of the nature that can be found there…

What do you want God to tell you when you go through the doors of Paradise?:
Glad to meet you, but are you sure that you entered the correct gate?!?…

Which are the 4 other bloggers that you'd love to tag:
I'd love to tag the following foodbloggers (no obligation to fulfill my wish)...

• Tschörda of "Dinner For One" from Austria
• Ivonne of "Cream Puffs In Venice" from Canada
• Ruth of "Once Upon A Feast" from Canada
• Pamela of "Posie's Place" from Switzerland

(Prison Break -Pic by www.demapples.com)
(Hocico -Pic by http://photos.lacoccinelle.net)
(Urga -Pic by www.baumanngraphik.de)
(Kindness -Pic by http://imagecache2.allposters.com)
(Snake River, Wyoming -Pic by www.foxyshadis.com)

TAHITIAN POISSON CRU OR RAW FISH

I am not well acquainted with the foods of the Pacific Islands (Polynesia), but since I have a book on that subject and an ongrowing interest in such dreamlike places, I decided to try a traditional dish from Tahiti...

This "Tahitian Poisson Cru" (Tahitian raw fish) or "E'ia Ota" is a national dish in that region of the world.

As it is the case with other dishes hailing from this corner of the world, "Tahitian Poisson Cru" is fresh, quite simple, yet flavorful, delicate and perfectly harmonious. This dish is particularly delicious and will make your tastebuds shiver with ecstatic pleasure!!! "Tahitian Poisson Cru" is in many ways similar to the South American "Cerviche" or the Hawaiian "Salmon Poke", but it differentiate itself by integrating coconut milk as a final touch (it soften it's flavor).

I really recommend you to make this exotic dish even if you are skeptical when it comes to eating raw fish as this "Tahitian Poisson Cru" is incredible!!!

Recipe adapted from "Trader Vic's Pacific Island Cookbook", Doubleday 1968 (see link here and there).

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:
450g Salmon
3 Limes, juiced
2 Cloves garlic, crushed
2 Red shallots, very thinly sliced
1/2 Tsp Castor sugar
Tabasco (red), to taste
Salt, to taste
Ground black pepper, to taste
150ml Thick coconut milk
Spring onions, chopped
Fresh coriander, chopped

Method:
1. Slice the salmon very thinly (6mm/1.5 inch in thickness) into bite-sized pieces.
2. Place in a bowl and add the lime juice, crushed garlic, sliced shallots, sugar, tabasco, salt and pepper.

3. Place in the refrigerator and let the fish marinade for about 4-6 hours.
4. Take out of the refrigerator and add the coconut milk.
5. Rectify the seasoning, if needed.
6. Arrange in a bowl and sprinkle over the chopped spring onions and the coriander.
7. Serve chilled.

Remarks:
For this recipe, you can use any kind of firm-fleshed fish such as tuna, cod, sole, swordfish, mahi-mahi, mullet, etc...
If you wish, you can add a cubed tomato to the poke.
Don't serve this dish too cold otherwise, the coconut milk will tend to solidify.

Serving suggestions:
Eat this "Tahitian Poisson Cru" alone, spooned into avocado halfs or served over cold glass noodles (bean thread noodles). Use your imagination!

(Hawaii -Pic by Robert Teague www.trekearth.com)
(Hula Dancing -Pic by www.improve.org/hawaii)

WEEKEND CAT BLOGGING #69

Once again, Sanjee and Robin of "House Of The (Mostly) Black Cats" from USA are kindly hosting this week's WCB round-up, so don't forget to leave a comment on their blog and give your permalink if you want to participate!

Ladies and gentlemen, please greet the most snotty kitty of the house: König Kiki Der Dritte (King Kiki The Third)!!!
Fridolin seems to love his (errr, sorry, their) basket so much that he always chases the poor Maruschka away. She then has to uncomfortably lie under the tree like a punished soul. Grrrr, that really drives me bananas as his attitude is so unfair! So, when our little "Strom Johnny (Electric Johnny)" is in his tyranic and idiotic modus, you'll see me "punishing" (no bad treatment here ;-)!) him like a little kid (it's one in reality). Then, to frustrate him, I put back Maruschka in the basket, he, he...

I think that our little devil is suffering from an immense complex of superiority which makes him do lots of mean things to Maruschka who, although she is bigger than him, never fights back and accepts his attitude like a servile kitty...

(King Lear -Pic by www.literary-cat.cwc.net)

WORLD BREAD DAY 2006

The 16th of October 2006 has been declared as "World Bread Day" by the International Union Of Bakers And Bakers-Confectioners (UIB).

As bread holds an important role in our lives, Zorra of the highly recommendable "Kochtopf" blog has decided to organize a little foodblog-event on the occasion of this special day.

Here's what she says:

"So I would like to take this opportunity and invite all food- and other bloggers to bake a bread and blog about it.

Bake a bread with or without yeast, use sourdough, experiment with different flours, add some seeds... It's up to you!Let us also know which is your favorite bread, your "bread habits" and how much bread you consume.

You never have baked a bread before? Well, give it try! It's easy and once you have this smell of your own fresh bread in your kitchen, there is no way back.

If you have no time to bake a bread, you can buy one at your favorite bakery and write about the bread and also the bakery.

I hope at the round-up (which I try to set up on 17th of October) we will see a huge basket filled with bread from all over the world!

How to participate:

* Bake or buy a bread, take pictures (if possible) and blog about it on Monday, 16h October 2006 (feel free to write your post in your mother tongue)

* Send an email to kochtopf(at)gmail(dot)com including
- your name
- your blog's name and your blog's URL
- the recipe name and the post's URL
- your hometown/region and country."

So, what are you waiting for, heh?!?!?

Get motivated and bake that bread! We foodies and foodbloggers worlwide want to see your creation and we can't wait to discover new recipes...

A PEACEFUL PLACE

After having shown you many pictures of the view I have from my windows, I thought that you'd like to see some photos of my village...

I'm lucky to live in a very pretty place where it is always nice to go back home. Getting down from the bus and arriving in Veyrier is the best thing you can experience! The contrast between town and countryside is so big that you suddenly feel well and calm as soon as your feet touch the ground; a real breath of fresh air.

Our village is always wonderfully decorated with seasonal flower arrangements. It is a real pleasure for the eyes as it brings colors to the streets, thus making them look very attractive and adding more cachet to this special village...
This is what we call the "Châteu de Veyrier (Castle of Veyrier)", a magnificent 18th century house that proudly stands in the middle of the old village...

TATSCH FROM GRISONS

As the autumn is back and the days are fresher, I've decided to introduce you to a dish that is ideal if you are looking for a quick yet healthy recipe that will be loved by the whole family...

"Tatsch" is a traditional dish from the mountainous Grisons (Graubünden) region. Like most authentic recipes from this magnificent canton, "Tatsch" uses only humble ingredients and is simple looking. As with all farmer foods, it is also hearty and highly comforting!

"Tatsch" is a bit like a fastly prepared version of "Spätzlis" and is also very similar (when prepared the sweet way) to a dish that the Austrians call "Kaiserschmarren". It is something which will make you look forwards to the sad cold days of winter and the cuddly warmth of your kitchen when the weather outside is uninteresting and your soul is asking for attention!

This dish is delicious with any kind of fruit compote. It is not very sugary, but sufficiently sweet to fulfill your dessert loving palate. It is also a healthy ally as it isn't fatty at all and it brings you the vitamins you need...

I can guarantee you that if ever you try "Tatsch", you'll be hooked on it! It is so fine that it will very fastly dethrone (maybe not totally, but it will surely be on your heartthrob list) other sweet foods like French pancakes, American pancakes or clafoutis, etc...!

Serves 2-3 people.

Ingredients:
150g Plain white flour
3/4 Tsp Salt
1 Tsp Vanilla extract (optional)
250ml Milk
3 Eggs (~50g)
1- 2 Tbs Unsalted butter

Method:
1. Place the sieved flour into a bowl.
2. Add the salt.
3. Mix together the vanilla extract, the milk and the eggs.
4. Slowly incorporate them to the flour in order to get a thickish pancake-like batter.
5. Let it rest at room temperature for about an hour.
6. Heat up a frying pan and add the butter.
7. Pour the batter into the frying pan and cover with a lid until completely set.
8. With a spatula, cut the "pancake" in pieces.
9. Fry until nice anf golden on all sides.
10. Serve.

Remarks:
Tatsch should be cooked over medium heat as it should not get burnt.
You can cut the "pancake" only once the batter has totally set, otherwise you will end up with a total mess!
Tatsch tastes better when it is prepared just before serving.

Serving Suggestions:
Eat warm sprinkled with powder sugar and accompanied by any seasonal fruit compote/puree of your choice (apricot, prune, apple, peach, fig, cherry, dried fruits, etc...). It is also delicious when served with a salad or with meat (without the vanilla extract)...

(Disentis -Pic by Jean Yves Roure www.trekearth.com)

WEEKEND CAT BLOGGING #68

This weekend, Sarah of "Chef Sarah Jane" is kindly hosting the WCB round-up, so if you want to paticipate to this 68th edition, please send her your permalink...

This weekend, unlike all the preceeding ones, I've decided to show you my new friend "Felix"!
It is a cute young kitty who is most of the time left outside for hours without ever going back home, because it seems that his owners don't care much about him. He gets fed and caressed by the people who feel heartbroken about his situation....

He seems to never (or very, very rarely) get fetched or taken care of by it's owners and walks around asking for love and food. He even comes in front of our entry door and cries for us to let him in. Of course, with our cats, that's impossible, but I'd love to let him in or adopt him! Poor little cat...
He is an extremely sociable cat with a sweet character. Not only is he a loveable soul, but he is also damn cute! I love his coat and his white flecks.
We don't know his name, but we call him "Felix" as he looks abit like the cat in the advert...