Two classic sauces and two jars of anchovies…
I went back to the exercise bars on the Quai d’Orsay this morning, only to have my plans scuppered once again—this time by the waters of the Seine, which had risen high enough for the pavement alongside the water’s edge to be closed by the authorities. Trying to think of something else to do, I explored the gardening shops by the Pond Neuf and bought some potting compost and seeds for tomorrow’s project. One of the nice things about Paris is how unexpectedly you come across shops like these—quite why there are three excellent garden centres (not florists, I mean proper garden centres) nestled on the river next to La Samaritaine—one of the most famous department stores in the world (currently undergoing major renovation)—is beyond me.
The greengrocer had nice looking asparagus in today, so I decided to practice two classic sauces that I’ll be making a lot when I start the course at Ferrandi in February: mayonnaise and hollandaise. I've made YouTube videos for both!
In other news, anchovy filets could not be procured in any of the shops near me at a price that I was willing to pay. Fortunately, and quite unexpectedly, the camping shop near where I stayed in Normandy had jars at a normal price. I think I perplexed the shopkeeper little when I bought one bag of crisps and two jars of anchovies (for the store cupboard, not for lunch!).
Lunch: Poached eggs and asparagus, with homemade mayonnaise (click for recipe). Dinner: Crêpes with asparagus, parma ham and sauce hollandaise (click for recipe).