The Shopping Bag edition

                        

Let's see, what have we been up to?

1. Made falafels. The NYT's Mark Bittman (The Minimalist) showed how to in a video. We followed the method but winged the quantities of ingredients. Ours turned out green, fresh-tasting and moist, the green was from loads of parsley. They were also too garlicky, next time we'll halve the quantities. I like my falafel in sandwiches, and assembling it was equally easy- add salad, tahini, yoghurt and melty roasted aubergines.

2. Got bored with eating strawberries. Now it's plums and apples. Still waiting for rhubarb. And I am in a major pamplemousse phase, right now there's three varieties in the fruit basket. We are eating ever so healthily these days. Hardly any pastries, cakes, pates and only a bit of cheese. The fruits and vegetable baskets in the pantry is piled high with beautiful produce which gets depleted quickly, it all tastes delicious see, even the boring old cucumbers and beans. This is the benefit of living in a country that grows its own food.

3. Erm, the other day we made honey and yoghurt muffins but did not have any baking soda. So I doubled the quantity of baking powder and folded in some whipped egg whites in the vain hope of giving the cakes some 'lift'. The muffins emerged scone-like with weird bubbles. But strangely enough, the kid and dogs loved them.

blah blah blah, so boring. Let's talk about something else. Such as.....shopping baskets and bags!

In France, and most of Europe I would imagine, when you buy things at the bakeries, markets, etc, they don't always give you a bag or plastic carrier. Breads are wrapped in paper, fruits in dinky paper pockets, and well, if you are not prepared, it can get very unwieldy. People bring their own baskets or 'chariots' -tall,  waterproof-cloth covered trolleys with wheels- to do their shopping.

                      

This is our chariot. It is actually a made-in-Japan dog stroller, complete with breathable panels and many flaps and buttons to suit the weather. It is expensive but worth it, and it isn't available here. The dogs take turns to sit inside but most of the time we use it when we go to the market. It has 4 wheels and can take up to 12kg comfortably, is not too wide as to be inconvenient for other shoppers, and quite smart looking, as the admiring glances and comments from the locals can verify. Very useful for the heavy stuff like meats and potatoes. And even more useful when it rains, the shopping stay drier than us humans.

                        

On our coat rack there is also a selection of marketing bags. The green one was bought at BHV for about 4 euros, the Pocky bag was from Sungei Wang in KL and the pink striped bag was a mistake 'fashion' buy from 5 years ago. These are good for carrying breads and delicate vegetables.

                        

And because I always end up buying something after school or between other errands, I keep a foldaway bag inside my handbag. This is a nifty example from BHV, about 4 5 euros (the price went up since I last visited, blimey!). It comes with a little bag with snap buttons as well as a clip to attach to say, an appendage or ring clasp from the main handbag. My fourth sister bought a yellow one when she was here, her friend liked it so much she gave it away. I have to go get her a replacement unit soon.

                      

The bag inside, unfurled. It is big enough for baguettes and supplies for a quick dinner. There are similar examples of this bag sold in household stores like neighbourhood 'drogeries' and Muji.

Comments

[keona]

Thank you for sharing all your adventures in Paris. I've always enjoyed reading your blog. That pix of your daughter and the stroller is priceless!!!!!! She's sooo cute ( and strong!) and those happy dogs ..LOL

[tommy]

I bring a basket whenever I do food shopping, and try to remember to bring a cloth shopping bag with me all the time too. It's much more eco-friendly! Rhubarb season is here in England, but I can't wait for the strawberries. So jealous that you're sick of it already.

[tscd]

I distinctly remember being very disillusioned by rhubarb. I always imagined it to be some sort of berry. When I found out it was a purple celery and not at ALL sweet, I was very sad.

[umami]

keona, I'm really pleased you enjoy reading my blog, thanks for visiting!

tommy, yeah we had some rhubarbs yesterday, gorgeously fuschia-hued. Lovely.

tscd: I know, once you get over the fact that it is not sweet, you'll like it for its perfume and like citruses, it makes great sweet-sour pairings. I make a quick stew of it, then eat is sprinkled with sugar crystals, nursery food comfort.

[ivan]

Oh my goodness, she got shaved! ;)

[Beaulotus]

Umami, your little girl is sooooo cute!!! And a cheerful pair of doggies you have...

[umami]

no lah Ivan that was way back in October, she is prettier and more girlie now.

beaulotus, thanks, that was her baby look now she has more hair.

[nardac]

"This is the benefit of living in a country that grows its own food."

Echoes of our lunch at the Comptoir du Relais. Robert and I spent the afternoon walking off that meal, then went into kamikaze action at Pierre Herme. Gosh, their Rose Macaroons are to die for. Later on we betrayed all foodie origins and chowed on Lebanese sandwiches while hovering over a bottle of mediocre wine by the Seine.

It was lovely to meet you, and you have to visit our part of town for the live crabs! When you get back from London... Perhaps I can still convince you with white asparagus...

[umami]

Hi nardac, I had a gyros sandwich yesterday as well ;)
and on your account we'll definitely give them white asparagus another chance... after we're done with the 3 bottes of the green ones in the pantry!

[kat]

Good idea to hang bags near the front door. I always forget to bring my bags out with me and end up carrying plastic bags of stuff!