Friday, February 17, 2012

French Food Friday : Boeuf Bourguignon

I have been so busy with my exams that i didn't have the time to cook the Boeuf à la Bourguignonne  which requires a lot of time and patience. It is a typical dish from my home region, Burgundy.
Today i will show you how to do it, but without my own pictures.


The boeuf bourguignon is a rich stew prepared with beef braised in red wine (bien evidament a full-bodied Burgundy Red. The traditional Burgundy stew requires a meat coming from the Charolais cattle, one of the most known and renewed cattles in France... and world!
Charolais has become an french institution, known for its tenderness and taste.



The authentic recipe was first mentioned by Auguste Escoffier at the beginning of the 20th century. He was a french chef and culinary writer who popularized and updated traditional french cuisine.

This is what you will be needing for the stew:



METHOD

Cut bacon into small strips and simmer for 10 minutes in water, dry bacon.
Cook the bacon in a large saucepan with a little olive oil at moderate heat for 2 or 3 minutes, remove bacon.

Cut the beef in cubes, using the same saucepan, cook the beef in the bacon's fat until browned. Remove the bacon.

In the same pan, put the onions, carrots and champignons, cover with beef. Add salt and pepper.
Pour in the wine and enough bouillon so that it covers the ingredients.
Add small white onions, garlic and herbs- bring to a boil.

Cover the pan and simmer for 3 hours on a low low heat.
The meat is done, when the fork slides out easily a beef cube. remove from heat. 
Serve with boiled potatoes, rice or pasta.


Bon appétit

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Discover Dijon: La chouette

Dijon can be discovered if you follow the owl.



The owl is Dijon's Mascot and the Owl's trail will lead you to all the sightseeing treasures Dijon has to offer.



The trail got it's name after the stone owl at the Notre Dame church.




Find it, rub it with your left hand and make a wish!! The owl will make you come back, and your wish come true.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

This week's favorite : An Aussie Beauty

Rose Byrne had some nice Red carpet moments over the past years, and she is getting even  better and ... New stylist??




















Prints, petterns and bold colors.... good recipe!!!

i am curious, what she will be wearing to the oscars...

What do you think of her style??

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

HOW TO: Think Pink

One of my friends bought a bright pink blazer the other day, which instantly brought us a little Spring/Summer feeling and i found myself thinking about all the ways to wear it...


Every season, the same problem... where to get THE perfect white dress... this one comes quite near the perfection searched....
Open hair, an envelope clutch in the nude color family ...( guerrilla girl a fellow blogger from Croatia sews them pretty successfully for her self as well as for a famous croatian design duo called Envy Room....)
...and i imagine wearing wedges... or nice T-strap sandals... nothing over the top...


Kanye is a drama-queen...




Pink, tan, strawberries and STRIPES.... nice!



works with color too....


Olivia spotted the trend as well, she rarely does it wrong actually...

More pink on leather...



These are my two favorite looks! 
Preppy and effortless... take a beanie... you never know..







Would you be my Valentine

Happy Valentine y'all!!! May love lead the way for everyone out there!














Monday, February 13, 2012

Monday's Music and i need this desperately!!!


Billie Hollyday: I 'm a fool to love you


Can someone please tell me where to get this gorgeous pink Liz poster???


or this.. what is it? A Pantone color palette ???

ASAP ...please??

pics via the glow

Sunday, February 12, 2012

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU Ft Giveaway CLOSED!!!

Six months ago i started this little adventure of mine and 200 posts later i would like to give thanks...

A big shout out and thank you to my readers who follow me openly through facebook, twitter , hellocotonbloglovin'  from all around the world.

I really appreciate you stoping by and it gives me the feeling of doing something good and right... and i am thankful for all those friendships i was able to make.

It really makes my blogger heart happy...







My first giveaway will be 1 BOTTLE of the Bioderma Sébium H2O  purifying Non-Rinse Cleanser for combination skin that i presented here .



The giveaway is open to everyone, here the rules:

1.Follow me on Google Friend Connect,  and Facebook (if you want to increase your chances, you can click on the twitter and bloglovin' button too...)

2. Leave a comment below with your E-Mail address and tell me how did you discover me

3. The giveaway will be open till Thursday, i will randomly chose one of you.

I am giving this bottle of Bioderma Sébium because i am really impressed and convinced and god knows how long i have been searching for a water that removes make-up and the grease.

Once you discover it, you won't ever want to have anything else.

Good luck to everyone!!

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Music makes the world go round

This made me smile today... spread love, make music!

Friday, February 10, 2012

French Food Friday : Charlotte aux Framboises

This was my first attempt to make a raspberry Charlotte....
Actually it is quite easy, one needs just to place the Lady fingers nicely...

There is a doubt on the origins of the name Charlotte.
Despite the fact that Chalottes are served across Europe, some say it is a corruption of the old english word charlyt, meaning a dish of custard.
Meat dishes were popular in the 15th century and were known as charlets.

Others say that this sweet dish took its name from Queen Charlotte-wife of George III of UK. But most certainly it is possible that the dessert takes its name from the Russian Emperor Alexander's sister in law, Charlotte of Prussia (because there exists a Russian Charlotte and a Charlotka)

This is my result:


I used a special mold and am not quite satisfied with the looks, but for a first try, it is not bad. 
Here i have to say that everything i cook or bake is tasty but doesn't look neat.... i suppose i have to keep on practicing...

INGREDIENTS:

Lady fingers
Frozen raspberries
Whipped cream
Raspberry juice (or any other)
a mold

METHOD:

Dip your lady fingers carefully in the juice, than layer in the mold.

Beat cream until it holds stiff peaks, add some raspberries, blender others to obtain a smooth raspberry sauce.

Spread the whipped cream evenly, lightly press the cookies on top and chill. 
(We had - 8°C the other day, so i left my charlotte on the balcony for an hour.... and i almost got ice-cream)

Serve with raspberry sauce.

Bon appétit



EDIT: this was the second time around.... much better isn't it??? keep on practicing the mastering!!
This one features strawberries.... me likey! 
Next time i'll make one with cherries or blueberries....