Last week I spent a few days in Cote d’Azur in the south of France with Adam and David. Our days were filled with food, cooking, rosé, markets, a fragrance factory in Grasse, winding mountain roads and a few practical jokes thrown in for good measure. It was a splendid time that I enjoyed immensely. Tomorrow I head back to Paris and Champagne for a few days, more on that later.

That part of the world is exactly how everyone describes it – drenched in sunlight, verdant, rough around the edges the way only a Mediterranean town can be, with the faint hint of herbs and aromatics floating through the air wherever you go. It’s unlike any place I’ve visited. And the food–sardines, fish, cheese, bread, butter, with plenty of Italian touches thrown in for good measure–is perhaps my favorite way of eating. The regional specialties like socca, a chickpea crepe, and panisses, chickpea flour fritters, help me understand why travelers and food lovers from all over the world come here, some never leaving.

I’ve put together my top ten moments in Côte d’Azur for you but please don’t think I’m a drunk though, deal?

10. A very long lunch at Mirazur

Mirazur is located in Menton, where France meets Italy. We spent about 5 hours there, first touring the organic garden before sitting down to a very lovely lunch. Organic fruits and vegetables from their own terraced garden were featured throughout the 10-course lunch, with views of the Mediterranean below us.  It was quite a delicious meal from award-winning chef Mauro Colagreco although to me it felt a bit precious and forced at times. But what do I know, I don’t write about restaurants. You can read a very thorough review from David here.

9.  Saint Jeannet

Picture this: a medieval village perched in the mountains. Then picture this: me out of breath, cursing and sweating up a storm and pausing long enough to admire the view as we lugged ourselves up an almost vertical incline.  And here I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing break from Paris, not a workout. Still,  sore legs included, it was a beautiful visit and extremely relaxing. Sort of. See #8.

8. Driving

If I put something so white-knuckle inducing in my top 10 moments then I’m sure to forget how absolutely nutty it was in the beginning and only remember the wonderful moments, right? Go with it. But in the end I actually did enjoy driving throughout France and neighboring Italy. About the only thing that made foreign signs and symbols comforting were the French drivers who take a very relaxed attitude to my driving mishaps, moments that included driving down the wrong side of the road, stalling 921 times on steep inclines, my efforts on the roundabouts that clamored for a Benny Hill sidetrack, and practically running over cyclists and scooter drivers.  To the people of France, merci for going easy on me.

Don't worry, I ate that random potato chip trying to escape

7. Rosé, rosé, rosé.

Do you really need me to elaborate on this one?

6. The Markets

It’s easy to claim shopaholic status when you are buying for your business. In our case it means props for photography and France certainly showed no shortage in that department. Bowls, whisks, linens, bakeware and ceramics were everywhere, not to mention things too large to every carry home.  In fact, I cried myself to sleep two nights in a row over a gorgeously dilapidated antique wooden cheese cabinet for 7 euros. Yea, I said seven. I’m hyperventilating now, let’s not mention this again.

(As a sidenote, while taking a break from shopping at a fantastic flea market in Paris we did manage to sit next to this pop superstar which caused me to freak out just a tiny bit because I love her and we all know how I feel about Australians!)

5. Socca

I’ll admit that I had never tried this regional dish that caused me to marvel in its simplicity. Chickpea flour plus water makes a batter, the batter is then poured into a cast iron skillet, baked for a few minutes then the top is raked halfway through. Once cooked, the socca is cut into strips, liberally sprinkled with salt and pepper, and eaten faster than you can say “perfect snack.” It’s the chickpea cousin to the tortilla of my dreams, and if I had my way I would have eaten twelve times as much and also tried it scooped into fresh guacamole. Screw hyperbole when I say it was quite possibly the best thing I had the entire trip.  Or maybe that was #4.

4. Panisses

I should just cut and paste the entry above: I’ll admit that I had never….you catch my drift. Again, water, oil, and chickpea flour is mixed into a thick batter over heat like polenta, allowed to set in saucers or molds until it becomes a solid disk with a vague hue the color of orthopedic contraptions. The disks are cut into strips (think steak fries) and then fried in olive oil. Salt liberally and eat immediately.  Crunchy, salty, with a soft interior texture like the perfect French fry.

3. Aioli

With the help of an experienced instructor I whisked 2 eggs yolks, garlic, olive oil and a dash of warm water into an emulsion worthy of the gods. We then dipped roasted potatoes, radishes, carrots and baby artichokes into the aioli and made quite a wonderful meal out of it. Simple and delicious, with nothing more than a few ingredients. I could eat like that every day, I’m sure the view certainly had something to do with it as well.

2. Rosé, rosé, rosé. Again.

Cheap, abundant, and in every corner market. Was I drinking the best rosé in the world? Probably not. Was it good enough? Absolutely.

1. My Travel Buddies

I’d reference the Three Stooges here but I know we’re not that clever nor entertaining. But there was something magical and entirely comical about the three of us getting lost on a daily basis. But being with Adam and David made me wake up everyday and thank my lucky stars that I am alive and so fortunate to have such a good friend as well as the most loving partner on the planet. Life is good, folks. It really is.

I’m off to Paris and am leaving you in the mighty fine hands of Kristina Gill. She regularly covers book reviews here and this week it’s all things Paris! Take it away, Lady K!

Despite my hourly contact with Matt on a daily basis, it was way after the fact that I learned that he and Adam would be taking a trip to Paris this September. And actually, I have been thinking about what books I could put together in a round up that would be a bit of a Parisian experience for people going and/or returning. What food is it that people love? What “institutions” do they love? Well, in the past year (and earlier) several books have passed through my hands and this round up is all on how to get your Paris on -before, during, and after. I know many of you will have other titles to add. I admit, France is in my “to build up” category on cookbooks. So please please please share all your recommendations!

Ready for Dessert: My Best Recipes by David Lebovitz (2010 Ten Speed Press; photography by Maren Caruso; food styling by Christine Wolheim). It’s kind of cheating to start this list with David Lebovitz’s newest title because it’s not really about Paris. But when I think of Paris and I think of my sweet tooth, I think of David. And I think that his perspective and experiences in Paris are a good way to prepare for any trip. So, what of his book? It is full of elegant yet achievable desserts for the home baker. The kind which look even better when they are imperfect. You’ve got everything you need from cakes to tarts, ‘spoon’ desserts, frozen desserts, cookies and candies, and sauces. You also have detailed notes on technique. If you love fruit in your desserts, you’ll really love this book. As I glance over at my baking shelf, I realize that David’s book stands out among the crowd. Perfect for anyone who wants to have many options in one volume without ever getting bored.

Paris Patisseries: History • Shops • Recipes foreword by Pierre Hermé (2010 Flammarion; photography by Christian Sarramon) This isn’t really a cookbook, although there are a few recipes in the back. It is instead exactly what the titles suggests: a book about the pastry shops of Paris, their history, and explanations about Parisian pastries (mille feuille, tarts, macarons, etc). It is a nice picture book and an interesting read. It’s perfect for someone who is taking the dream trip of their life to Paris, to make sure they don’t miss out on those Parisian institutions we hear so much about.

Paris Sweets: Great Desserts from the City’s Best Pastry Shops by Dorie Greenspan (Broadway Books 2002; illustrations by Florine Asch) So once you’ve eaten your way around Paris, thanks to help from David Lebovitz and the Paris Patisseries book, you are back home and don’t want the trip to be over. Enter Dorie Greenspan. She wrote this book to help us all keep the dream alive. It includes recipes for the home baker which replicate the gateaux, tarts, flan, tarte tatin, éclairs, the works. Dorie is an expert baker and her books are always a treat to have. If Paris means good desserts/sweet treats to you, you should consider investing in this small but wonderful illustrated volume.

La Maison Du Chocolat by Robert Linxe with Michèle Carles (Rizzoli 2001; photography by Christine Fleurent; food styling by Marie-France Michalon) Another oldie but goodie. Robert Linxe is a master chocolatier who founded La Maison du Chocolat which specializes in, yes you guessed it, show stopping chocolate desserts. And while I have baked a couple of things from this book, it’s really hard for me to evaluate chocolate recipes because I find that chocolate lovers believe that all chocolate desserts are good, some are just better than others. Therefore I can tell you that although this book is divided into chapters on types of desserts, throughout the book, flavors that are paired with the chocolate are highlighted: orange, ginger, pistachio, almond, coffee, citrus, etc. It is exquisitely presented, almost intimidating. However, if you love chocolate, you can’t avoid diving in and trying whichever recipes look the most inviting. Another thing I’ve learned from baking for chocolate lovers: they don’t care about presentation. No one will EVER notice the desserts don’t look like the ones in the pictures, because they won’t be around long enough!! Definitely a book for chocolate lovers and perfectionists.

Mariage Freres French Tea: Three Centuries of Savoir-Faire by Alain Stella (Flammarion 2003/2009) I love tea. I buy tea just about everywhere I go. A stop at Mariage Freres tea house in the Marais is a mandatory stop for me on every trip to Paris. Although the Marais shop opened in 1985, the history of the tea maker is much older, and this book tells the whole story. There are a few recipes in the back of the book, notably for matcha tea pound cake, however, this is not a cookbook. This is a wonderful coffee table book gift for a tea loving friend. The outer case into which this hardback book slides is all black and mimics the tins in which the teas are sold.

Comme Au Resto by Trish Deseine (2009 Marabout; photography by Dierdre Rooney; prop styling by Elodie Rambaud). This book is in French, and while I could fumble my way through it, I have not yet. I do, however, have 110% faith in the recipes because I know Paris-based Trish Deseine is an impeccable author and food expert. Why on earth do I have the book, you may ask?? Well it just happens to be one of the most breathtaking books I have seen in years. Elodie has done an amazing prop styling job, Trish has done an amazing food styling job, and Dierdre has captured it all perfectly. The book is all about recreating “restaurant food” at home–simply, but with the WOW factor. I can never get enough of looking at this book. Ever. Anyone who loves beautiful photography– regardless of subject– should have a look at this. If you love food photography, food styling, prop styling, textures, you should have a copy of this book. And of course there’s the food inside.

Matt asks: Do you have any favorite French titles? Leave them in the comments, I’d love to know!

Our week at Club Med in Ixtapa, Mexico has come and gone. I had every good intention of being as diligent as my fellow bloggers who posted regularly, but a scientifically-proven physical reaction occurs whenever you combine these elements: Cerveza, sunshine, beach and great company. You cannot blog. You cannot stand up straight. Every tendon and corpuscle fills with an antidote for working. It’s only now that I’m able to sit at my computer and gather my thoughts. And I’m pretty sure my shorts are still filled with sand.

Last week Adam and I headed to Club Med Ixtapa for the 2nd Annual Food Blogger Camp. I joined a team of my fellow bloggers and led a workshop on food photography while Adam taught a very informative session of food styling for food bloggers. The camp was attended by several food bloggers from all over the world, some I know quite well and many new faces that I’ve come to adore in just one short week. Our days were filled with extremely informative lessons about writing for blogs, best practices and all things creative while our nights were filled with cocktail hour(s) and amazing dinners overlooking the pacific ocean. There were daily activities like market tours, fishing trips and trapeze acts but I cannot convey the true beauty of the entire weekend: Club Med’s gracious resort and the amazing people I met.

My head is still water logged and I have no doubt I’m still on Mexican time. Please enjoy my Food Blogger Camp at Club Med Ixtapa Top 10 List and when you’re done would you pass me another beer? Gracias.

10. Tortillas
A great tortilla is a marvel: warm, fluffy yet dense with a chewy texture and true corn flavor. One bite and you begin to curse the grocery store variety for its lack of character and its boring uniformity. Luckily for all of us we were treated to glorious handmade tortillas three times a day: as the base for a hearty huevos rancheros, wrapped around tender lengua for lunch, and as an ancient utensil for folding around mole de pollo for dinner. And the tortillas de maiz were just so perfect that no plate ever went uncovered with at least a few thrown on top for good measure. Many times I’d tuck spoonfuls of fresh guacamole inside, top with a sprinkle of salty cotija cheese and dollops of cool-yet-picante salsa y nada mas. A perfect lunch.

9. The People
The more I teach the more I learn. And this past week I may have stood up in front of a tripod and monitor with a plate of tropical fruit but the real lesson was learning from everyone who attended. I’ve learned so many things, been touched by so many personalities and made new friends that I cannot wait to see again. Oslo, here we come.

8. La Playa
Be still my heart. Warm water invites you in as rocky islands stand guard in the distance. Add a constant sticky breeze to the mix and you know you are in Mexico and no place else. Our collective goal was to sneak in beach time in whenever we could, engaging in shoptalk from lounge chairs as we sipped margaritas and beer. And the constant back and forth between Ruhlman and Lebovitz added fireworks to an otherwise lazy afternoon. Just so you know, they’re both always correct.

7. Plenty of Lebovitz Isles & Ixtapa Cocktails
Allow me to take credit for the naming of a delicious cocktail that was once ordered by David Lebovitz in the Bahamas. His preferred sippy was a drink made from champagne and pineapple juice. And folks, it’s goooood. So yea, we had plenty of Lebovitz Isles all week long as well as the resort’s signature drink, The Ixtapa. Muddle slices of lime, orange and pineapple, top with soda water, tequila, a splash of peach schnapps and add plenty of ice. You’re welcome.

Despite appearances I was enjoying it. Really.

6. Trapeze
Flailing high in the air doesn’t make my list because it was fun but rather for the lessons it taught me about life: sometimes no amount of harnesses or belts can keep you from looking like a fool. You simply must go for it, put one foot in front of the other and let go.

5. The workshops
This was the real reason we were all in Ixtapa, after all. And the amount of helpful information and the exchange of ideas has proven invaluable. It was an eye-opening experience to discuss best blogging practices, what motivates us to blog, how to style a gorgeous plate and to incorporate multimedia into our sites. Word on the streets is that this will happen again, I’m not going to miss it for the world. Make sure to check out the end of this post for workshop summaries.

4. The Ruhlmans
What a lovely couple they are. Donna rocks. And that Michael, well, he’s just filled with so much passion for his craft you cannot help but feel the inspiration. The man is a wonder with his words and has helped me to challenge my own ideas about cooking. I forgot to ask him to sign my copy of Ratio but it was in use every day: 1/3 beers, 1/3 margaritas and 1/3 endless guacamole makes the perfect happy hour.

3. David Lebovitz. Even when he reveals my most private and tender moments on the high wire I still can’t help but cherish our friendship. Paris is so lucky.

2. The  Mercado
We sneaked out early one morning with our best friends to experience the market in Zihuatanejo. Diane is the world’s best guide, fearlessly moving towards the good stuff like a fish swimming upstream. You’re wise to follow her lead lest you get left behind. At the market we sampled local fruit and tacos de carnitas washed down with beer. The market ladies greeted us with smiles, stopping to ask me about Adam’s tattoos and jewelry to which one clerk coyishly called out “Guapo!” Tell me something I don’t know!

1. The Lady Miss Jaden
I’m stating the obvious when I tell you that they broke the mold after making Jaden of Steamy Kitchen. Gorgeous, sharp as a tack, funny as hell, the more time I spend with her I just can’t help but love her that much more. And between Steamy Kitchen, her fantastic family and recent book, Jaden’s flawless organization kept us together the entire week like a true professional. How on earth does she do it? I have mad respect for this woman. Thank you Jaden!

Related Posts from Food Blogger Camp Participants
Food Blogger Camp, Part 1 (David Lebovitz)

Food Blogger Camp, Part 2 (David Lebovitz)

All I Got From Food Blogger Camp… (Steamy Kitchen)

Food Blogger Camp: Food Writing, Photography & Styling Tips (White on Rice Couple)

Food Photography, Getting a Cookbook Deal & Zihua Market (White on Rice Couple)

Food Blogger Camp at Club Med Ixtapa (Dianasaur Dishes)

Clicking the Mental Refresh Button in Ixtapa (Foodspiration)

Food Blogger Camp Part Uno (A Beach Home Companion)

Food Blogger Camp Part Dos (A Beach Home Companion)

Food Blogger Camp Part Tres (A Beach Home Companion)

Kickin’ It at Food Blogger Camp (Dianne Jacob)

Food Blogger Camp Tips & Insights (Dianne Jacob)

Sensuous Writing with Corn Pops (Dianne Jacob)

Eating in Paradise (Frantastic Food)

Sunset (Frantastic Food)

A Day at the Beach (Frantastic Food)

And He Said, “Let there be light” (Frantastic Food)

Constants (and Tequila) (Vanilla Garlic)

Zihuatanejo Market: A Short Tour (Vanilla Garlic)

Food Blog Camp Flickr Pool (Photos)

Food Blogger Camp: Ixtapa, Mexico 2010 (RecipeGirl)

Ixtapa Food Blogger Camp Recap (Wasabimon)

After a trip back home that felt more like a journey around the world (Diane can vouch for this), we’re finally home with sunkissed memories and a sunburn here and there. Oh, and a mild concussion for me. But I’ll tell you more about that later. I’m fine, really I am.

I want to thank Kate and Morgan and the entire Club Med team for such a wonderful week filled with great food and company. And I want to thank Jaden for putting it all together for us. It’s remarkable how it felt like one big happy family and getting to know my fellow bloggers outside of chat windows and skype conversations really centered me and gave me the big dose of Happy that I really needed. I’ll be posting stories about the trip in the next few weeks as I have around 16 gigs of images to edit. Whew!

And she’ll probably slap me for saying this, but Elise of Simply Recipes is one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever met.

And yes yes yes, there actually is a Thong Picture floating around the internet. Maybe I’ll post it someday.

(And a big thanks to Alex Perelman for snapping the photo of me in the above collage. The rest were taken by yours truly, pre-konk on the head)