This weekend kicked off the Semaines du Manger Local or the “Eat Local Festival” here in Paris. The inspiration behind this local food festival was to promote local eating in order to appreciate the culinary treasures of the L’Île de France region. The festival was launched with La Fabuleuse Fête du Manger Local, the celebration of local food along the Seine with local producers, food trucks and culinary demonstrations. Since this Indian summer is still in full effect, Martine and I thought it would be a nice afternoon to stroll along the river and dip into some local delicacies.
First thing was first, we scoped out the entire boardwalk to see what was being offered. Everything from vegetables to bread to pastries to jams to cheese and ham and fresh juices. Where to begin?! We thought we would mix it up a little bit and start with an entrée then have a dessert then a main then some more dessert...with some nibbles and tastings in between. When we spotted the booth with lush greens sticking out from behind and people walking away with a cup of something, we were intrigued and bounded over to find Cressonex & Co. That lavish little forest of fat green leaves perking through the booth window was bundles of watercress. I can’t recall ever trying watercress so two soups to go and off we went to enjoy. At first glance the soup resembles a green slime, something out of Ghostbusters, but with that first spoonful, it makes you want to jump for joy. The buttery richness releases a tartness on your taste buds yet leaves a pinch of something sweet behind. We rated it a 10/10 and can’t wait to make up a batch for ourselves (recipe to follow!)
As we pursued through the vendors we samples some marvellous jams, caramels, bread, brie, macaroons and, my favourite, mustards by Patrice Boudignat. The aromas of these mustards were heavenly. There were three flavours to taste at his little booth: Moutarde au Vin Blanc, Moutarde “Champenoise” and Moutarde à la Rose. They all had their own elegant quality traits but for me, the Moutarde à la Rose took it home for the win with douses of white wine and rose lightly weaving through the mustard seeds. I just couldn’t resist, I had to pick up a jar for myself!
At the Bugelski food truck, the bagel sandwiches looked delightful, but alas, we were too late to join that bandwagon...(err, band food truck?!) so we decided on dessert instead: an apple strudel that was staring at us right in the eyes! We decided that it would’ve been better served warm but with every bite the melange of apple, citrus and cinnamon got better and better. (We’ve also decided that we are going to have to pop over to the Marais to try one of their bagels sometime in the near future).
Well, let’s get to the main event, which for me was the Australian Food Truck, run by Alexis Braconnier, an ex-candidate for Top Chef. His food truck was offering an Australian Brunch consisting of Vegemite Croque Monsieur, a smoothie, banana bread and a lamington. Although Martine was a bit apprehensive about the Vegemite at first, we picked up our picnic box and found our spot along the river. Bravo Alexis, you hit the nail on the head with a subtle layer of Vegemite followed by some cheese, ham and béchamel sauce, crusts removed and grilled to perfection! Then as I looked over the Seine as I took that last bite of Lamington, I envisioned my toes in the sand and the waves of the sea of my beloved Bondi Beach.
Now you might be wondering why a French guy is running an Aussie style food truck? I was curious too so had to ask. To sum it up, he is Australian! His dad is French and his mother is Australian and he spent a lot of time Down Under, where his siblings still live. He is going back in December to visit them, and maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll bring me back some Messina.
First thing was first, we scoped out the entire boardwalk to see what was being offered. Everything from vegetables to bread to pastries to jams to cheese and ham and fresh juices. Where to begin?! We thought we would mix it up a little bit and start with an entrée then have a dessert then a main then some more dessert...with some nibbles and tastings in between. When we spotted the booth with lush greens sticking out from behind and people walking away with a cup of something, we were intrigued and bounded over to find Cressonex & Co. That lavish little forest of fat green leaves perking through the booth window was bundles of watercress. I can’t recall ever trying watercress so two soups to go and off we went to enjoy. At first glance the soup resembles a green slime, something out of Ghostbusters, but with that first spoonful, it makes you want to jump for joy. The buttery richness releases a tartness on your taste buds yet leaves a pinch of something sweet behind. We rated it a 10/10 and can’t wait to make up a batch for ourselves (recipe to follow!)
As we pursued through the vendors we samples some marvellous jams, caramels, bread, brie, macaroons and, my favourite, mustards by Patrice Boudignat. The aromas of these mustards were heavenly. There were three flavours to taste at his little booth: Moutarde au Vin Blanc, Moutarde “Champenoise” and Moutarde à la Rose. They all had their own elegant quality traits but for me, the Moutarde à la Rose took it home for the win with douses of white wine and rose lightly weaving through the mustard seeds. I just couldn’t resist, I had to pick up a jar for myself!
At the Bugelski food truck, the bagel sandwiches looked delightful, but alas, we were too late to join that bandwagon...(err, band food truck?!) so we decided on dessert instead: an apple strudel that was staring at us right in the eyes! We decided that it would’ve been better served warm but with every bite the melange of apple, citrus and cinnamon got better and better. (We’ve also decided that we are going to have to pop over to the Marais to try one of their bagels sometime in the near future).
Well, let’s get to the main event, which for me was the Australian Food Truck, run by Alexis Braconnier, an ex-candidate for Top Chef. His food truck was offering an Australian Brunch consisting of Vegemite Croque Monsieur, a smoothie, banana bread and a lamington. Although Martine was a bit apprehensive about the Vegemite at first, we picked up our picnic box and found our spot along the river. Bravo Alexis, you hit the nail on the head with a subtle layer of Vegemite followed by some cheese, ham and béchamel sauce, crusts removed and grilled to perfection! Then as I looked over the Seine as I took that last bite of Lamington, I envisioned my toes in the sand and the waves of the sea of my beloved Bondi Beach.
Now you might be wondering why a French guy is running an Aussie style food truck? I was curious too so had to ask. To sum it up, he is Australian! His dad is French and his mother is Australian and he spent a lot of time Down Under, where his siblings still live. He is going back in December to visit them, and maybe if I’m lucky, he’ll bring me back some Messina.
Watercress soup
Ingredients:
1 box of watercress
1 onion
3 medium sized potatoes
1 tbsp olive pil
20g butter
salt
pepper
crème fraiche
Directions:
In a pot, heat butter and olive oil. Add chopped onion, brown for 2-3 minutes. Lower the heat, add washed watercress (both leaves and stem), let them reduce. Add 1.5L of water, potatoes, salt and pepper and let cook for 20 minutes. Blend.
If you are feeling gourmet, add a spoon of crème fraiche.
Your soup is ready!
-Cressonex & Co (wish you a bon appétit!)
Ingredients:
1 box of watercress
1 onion
3 medium sized potatoes
1 tbsp olive pil
20g butter
salt
pepper
crème fraiche
Directions:
In a pot, heat butter and olive oil. Add chopped onion, brown for 2-3 minutes. Lower the heat, add washed watercress (both leaves and stem), let them reduce. Add 1.5L of water, potatoes, salt and pepper and let cook for 20 minutes. Blend.
If you are feeling gourmet, add a spoon of crème fraiche.
Your soup is ready!
-Cressonex & Co (wish you a bon appétit!)