Over the years, I admit to having a slight obsession with buying cookbooks - especially when traveling. I love picking up a local one - something you can’t easily get at home - as they shed light on the local culture and cuisine while providing interesting ideas for entertaining.
After spending time immersed in David Lebovitz’s book, My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories, I stumbled across an article in The New York Times which featured another cookbook that had me dreaming of being in France called Plat du Jour: French Dinners Made Easy by Susan Herrmann Loomis.
Hmmm, I thought. “Plat du Jour,” a common expression meaning the “dish of the day,” one prepared specially by a restaurant on a particular day, often highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients grown locally. Sometimes it even consists of several courses, all at a fair price and a favorite with locals at lunchtime. While travelling in France over the past thirty years, it’s my go-to order and I’ve never been disappointed!
After reading Herrmann Loomis’s cookbook - and still not traveling (though vaccinated) - I was desperate to find a way to use my pent-up creative energy, so I brainstormed for a few weeks and became inspired to create a once-a-month cooking event in my home - allowing me to spend time with a few close friends who love to cook. I lovingly called it “Plat du Jour,” but know purists will say it should be called “Plat du Mois.”
My special gathering works like this: I plan the menu; I invite a couple of friends (who have been vaccinated); we cook and prepare the food; we pick flowers from the garden; we discuss the various options for the presentation, including what tablecloth to use and which dishes & glassware seem appropriate. We’ve also selected the wine at this point, too! Then, we simply relax, enjoy our Plat du Jour lunch, talk about our common challenges, and share the joys and dreams we all have during this strange time. While it doesn’t totally transport me to Europe, I certainly walk away revitalized and refreshed.
Soon, I hope to incorporate a live streaming experience into my Plat du Jour meet-up and will invite a French friend or one of our Cheese Journeys chefs to join us. Keeping it simple, casual and fun!
I can’t wait for next month!