Eating my way around Paris - as you do..

My Happy Place

First of all apologies for my delay in new blog post but I have been a lucky busy bee of late, what with a wedding in the Amalfi Coast, trip to Brighton, scouring the make up counters for the ultimate red lippy (a success by the way!) and a long weekend in Paris. Now that things have somewhat calmed down I will go back to sharing my favourite food and beauty finds with everyone.

Let's start with the perfect Parisian trip. Back in August when the sun was still shining my boyfriend and I took advantage of a long weekend and booked ourself in for some fun at Disneyland Paris. Having never been to any Disney resort before I was simply giddy with excitement and once there refused to take off my Minnie Mouse ears until I got into bed (despite the blazing sun almost giving me heat stroke!). The ears now hang with my ever growing hair band collection that Blair Waldorf would be proud of.

I know most people would prioritise soaking in all the sights, culture and couture they can fit in but for me I had two aims. Disney and food! I was determined to eat at least one macaroon on this trip and due to the gorgeous Laduree being closed for Renovation I found mine in the most unlikely of places, McDonalds. I can say, having sampled macaroons from Laduree London, the McDonalds ones were every bit as good, if not better (did I just commit macaroon blasphemy?).

I had also heard that the Vietnamese food in Paris is supposed to be the best outside of Vietnam and I have to say, it's not bad at all, after having a delicious grilled chicken rice at Le Lotus Blanc. I do think we have some pretty decent Vietnamese places here in London though. I guess I will have to try more in Paris before I give that crown away.

At Disney, we started the day as we meant to go on, with the best hot dog ever. The sausage was flavoursome and the bun was brioche-soft. After a day of ice slushy drinks and junk food (well we were like big kids for the day and kids eat junk!) we managed to squeeze in a rather more refined meal in the evening by having dinner at Walt's on Main Street. The food here was exquisitely presented with it tasting every bit as good as it looked.

For our one day in Paris as well as seeing a few of the sights (perhaps there is some culture in me after all) we had lunch at Leon de Bruxelles on Champs Elysees. I know mussels aren't typically French but I couldn't quite bring myself to try the Escargot.

I still can't believe we got to Paris so quickly on the Eurostar, it is definitely a trip I look forward to doing again.

My new friends

Salmon starter at Walt's

One of the best burgers I have ever tasted, topped with a naughty bit of fois gras

Mussels from Leon de Bruxelle

Mad people risking sun stroke to queue for Louis Vuitton

Simply delish!

Gargoyle wonders: How many calories are in a macaroon?

It's hard work walking to the top of Notre Dame in the 40 degree heat you know...

Grilled chicken and rice at Le Lotus Blanc

xx

My favourite cake

This recipe was passed to me by my Aunt Cindy, the best cake maker I know. Everyone single one of her cakes are baked to perfection and as soon as I was old enough to be let loose on an oven I begged her to teach me how to make this family favourite. It's quick, simple and tastes fluffy and light each time. You can have lots of fun with the decorations t0o. I usually stick to grapes, kiwi and strawberries but my Aunt Cindy says if you are in a real rush then tinned fruit works just as well.

To make life easier I usually make the sponges a day in advance as otherwise you will be hanging around for the sponges to cool. Just make sure you wrap them tightly in cling film once they have cooled down.

Ingredients

For a 8 inch cake tin use 8 eggs

1 small bowl of caster sugar (I use a chinese rice bowl)

5 tablespoons of plain flour

1 large tub of double cream (add some icing sugar to the cream to sweeten)

Fruit for filling and decoration - strawberries, grapes (green and red) and kiwi fruit

Instructions

Pre-heat the over to gas mark 6 / 220 degrees.

1)       Separate the egg whites and egg yolks. Whip egg white until stiff (use electric whisk). 

2)    Add the small bowl of caster sugar to egg yolk, then mix together until it is smooth and runny

3)       Add the egg white to egg yolk and sieve in 5 table spoons of flour to it. FOLD IN.

4)       Melt butter in bowl+brush tin with butter to prevent sticking. Pour mixture into baking tin until it is 1 inch high.

5)   Bake in the oven for 10mins and then leave to cool. Repeat until you get three sponges.

6) While the sponges are baking prepare the fruit. Layer the first sponge with a thin coating of whipped double cream and strawberries. Place the second layer or sponge on top, cover again with cream and kiwi fruit. Top with final sponge and cover the whole cake with cream. Then, go wild with the decorating!

Keep the pretty pieces of strawberries for decorating and use the rest for layering

Take care not to over handle the cream as it will melt

 

Enjoy!