If you’re a DYI kind of gift-giver, make up a few batches of my Winter Fruit Compote for Cheese. Offer it in small gift jars, perhaps alongside a wedge or two of your favorite cheeses, in a cute little mini-basket.
Also consider making this compote for your next gathering with friends. Served with a variety of cheeses, the compote makes a lovely French dessert—without a lot of work on your part. See more information on How to Serve a Cheese Course—The French Way.
Winter Fruit Compote for Cheese
From The Bonne Femme Cookbook: Simple, Splendid Food That French Women Cook Every Day.
1/2 cup finely chopped dried figs
1/2 cup finely chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries
1/2 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup Cognac or brandy
1 teaspoon finely chopped orange zest
Pinch of salt
In a medium-size saucepan, combine the figs, apricots, cherries, orange juice, sugar, Cognac, orange zest, and salt. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid is reduced and syrupy, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving. Makes about 2 cups (can easily be doubled).
Note: Be sure to tell the recipient to refrigerate this compote.
PS: Looking for other gifts for the French food lover? Check out my Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Epic French-Focused Gifts for Cooks.
Wini Moranville blogs about French food and lifestyle at Chezbonnefemme.com. Also find her on facebook at Chez Bonne Femme.
Christmas/Holiday Tour of Paris for 2014
Paris is magical during the holidays and I am happy to announce a special Christmas/Holiday Tour of Paris for 2014. Clients will experience the marvelous shop windows, gleaming outdoor lights, beautifully decorated trees, and festive Christmas markets. The tour includes a visit to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores, the Champs Elysees Holiday market, the yummy gourmet shops Fauchon and Hediard on Place Madeleine overflowing with delicious holiday goodies, and the rue St. Honoré, with designer shops Hermes and Lanvin. To warm up, we stop for an authentic hot chocolate at one of the top Paris chocolate shops.
Tour times 10AM-1PM or 2PM-5PM
Cost: 225 euros for 1-3 people, 75 euros each additional person. Hot chocolate is not included in price. Click here to book the tour or for more information.
Tours will be conducted everyday from December 20, 2014 to January 5, 2015 except on Christmas and New Years Day.
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
