L’Art de Bien Manger

  • 21 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Les Cadeaux

    21 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Les Cadeaux

    Or never mind an awkward gift A quick reminder: do not be shocked if it turns out someone other than your better half put that pair of naughty stockings in your Christmas stocking (see also door no 16), for this is a French Christmas and giving away inappropriate gifts to unassuming receivers therefore is totally Read more

  • 20 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – The Meltdown

    20 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – The Meltdown

    It’s normal to have a meltdown but for God’s sake don’t smear your makeup. What with four days to go until Christmas it’s perfectly normal you should have a meltdown. Now, of course, there’s a particularly French way of melting down, think Catherine Deneuve in 8 Femmes. In fact, a little meltdown even is required Read more

  • 19 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Pate de Fruits

    19 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Pate de Fruits

    Pate de Fruits What would Christmas be without the pâte de fruits. It’s basically fruit jelly, only just really so much better. They’re served after splendidly long meals along the coffee, and they’re the size that will fit your stomach even after seven courses, promised.  My favourite flavour is blackberry, yours?  What you’ll need How Read more

  • 18 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Christmas Mass

    18 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Christmas Mass

    Christmas mass really is very important Of course there is the French revolution and Voltaire and all that stuff but Christmas mass really is very important. It’s that temporary switch off from modern life illumination and diving into the mystery that is Christmas. Christmas mass usually is on the twenty-fourth around midnight which is why Read more

  • 17 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Le Marché Noel

    17 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Le Marché Noel

    Le Marché Noel It’s the scent of nutmeg and honey, roasted almond and gingerbread beckoning the casual passersby to step closer. Get a cup of fiery hot spiced wine and enter a world of warmth and comfort. There’s stalls selling delicacies and roasted chestnuts, others handcrafted things, sometimes a little weird and sometimes just perfect: Read more

  • 16 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Christmas Stockings

    16 Les Poissonchat’s Wondrous Advent Calendar – Christmas Stockings

    Christmas stockings are not meant for hanging by the fireplace Let me get this straight: in France, stockings are not meant for hanging by the fireplace. Also to clear any ambiguity in terminology, in France, stockings are soft airy sheery things meant to embellish legs, normally female. They are, if worn the French way, legendary, Read more