paris in the district: simone de beuvoir

I don’t usually get all in a twitter over a lecture, but in this case I must make an exception. Usually once a year, I make up my mind that this is going to be The Year–the year that I read Beauvoir’s Second Sex. I am a Francophile. I am a Feminist. What’s stopping me?

I don’t really know. But when the opportunity presents itself to pick up a copy, I usually turn instead to the novels or lighter non-fiction stacks. Philosophy and feminism without a professor holding my hand and tugging me along through the rough patches seems a wee bit intimidating.

Which brings me back to the reason I am a-twitter: An upcoming lectureat the Embassy of France titled “Simone de Beauvoir’s Existential Feminism” by Hazel Rowley. The title not enough to entice you? Well, there’s more.

craving

I just got hit with a strong craving for a Napolean. What can I say? I’m female. These moments happen and are most often inexplicable. Anyway, I thought it might be fun to put together a post about this lovely pastry as I don’t have one handy to snack on at the moment.

I’ve had the pleasure of eating both American-made and French-made Napoleans. And I feel the first thing I should point out (which my French teacher failed to point out to me) is that the French do not call them Napoleans. In Paris, struck with this craving, I would want to order a mille-feuille (literally, a thousand sheets). If you ask for a Napolean, you may very well get a funny look. Believe me. I know. Then again, that could also just be my classically poor accent.

A bit of an etymology lesson straight from the Wiki Wizards:

The name appears to come from napolitain, the French adjective for the Italian city of Naples, but altered by association with the name of Emperor Napolean I of France. There is no evidence to connect the pastry to the emperor himself.

In France, a Napoléon is a kind of mille-feuille filled with almond paste.

Turns out, in actuality, the standard chocolate/vanilla Napoleans that always leap into my mind are only the tip of the iceberg. On NPR, Clotilde of Chocolate & Zucchini shared her recipe for artichoke and goat cheese mille-feuille. If you’re like me and prefer your French food in pastry form and want to test out your French culinary skills, the closest recipe I could find using American measurements was at allrecipes.com for French Vanilla Slices. You know, in case you need a challenge other than another batch of Christmas cookies.

If store-bought is more your speed, in DC, you can find them (among other places, no doubt) at the bakery in Eastern Market. They are currently all rockin’ some green icing in a rather festive manner.

beaujolais nouveau: a reason to celebrate!

One of the best parts about starting this blog has been a heightened awareness of all things having to do with Paris and French culture. New discoveries lurk around every corner.

Latest Discovery: Jour du Beaujolais Nouveau!