Forum Thermomix

Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: brazen20au on April 30, 2009, 09:05:07 am

Title: thermomix-er....!
Post by: brazen20au on April 30, 2009, 09:05:07 am
can you please remind us, where are you going and to do what? can you post us little updates of what you're doing here in this thread, and also pics if you can? are you meeting anyone off this forum??
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on April 30, 2009, 11:16:22 am
Start in Paris, then down to Lyon, then across to Florence and a cooking school that is being run by Nico Moretti - now the Perth ladies drool and become envious - then across to Pisa/Cinque Terre and back to Milan to come home. 

Sounds like a lot, but time will fly.

Will post pics.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: brazen20au on April 30, 2009, 01:31:10 pm
ohhhh milan is my old haunt - i lived there for 8 months, LOVED it.

i shouldn't have asked  :D
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: CarolineW on April 30, 2009, 10:01:28 pm
Have a great time, Thermomixer.  Sounds fantastic. 
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 01, 2009, 08:40:40 am
Had the BIG ticket lunch at a three star Paris restauarant L'Arpege yesterday - will send pics info.

That was what I have saved for and now I can relax - made it before I die - not that I intend doing that tomorrow LOL ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Master Moderator on May 01, 2009, 09:56:41 am
Have a fantastic time..Keep us updated on the food trail :-)

MM
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Amanda on May 03, 2009, 07:02:18 am
Thermomixer, I went on a foodie tour of Florence last year with a wonderfully informative guide.
It was one of the high points of my trip.  Let me know if you need the details - it would be worth it, I promise! :)
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 03, 2009, 08:54:03 am
Thanks Amanda - you have aleady generously shared the information with me ; so I'll post it in public for others.

Quote from: Amanda
The website is called "Taste Florence" - http://www.tasteflorence.com/

The woman who does the tours is an expatriate American called Antoinette.  She is friendly, knowledgeable and informative with a background in Anthropology.  She clearly has a relationship with the businesses that she takes you to, but there is no feeling of being required to purchase something at all and the the shop owners are very friendly.  The tour is not cheap (I think that it coast about $120-$130 each), but I loved it.  It would be wiser to do the tour in your first days in Florence as you are then in a position to use the extra knowledge when choosing restaurants etc.


I have checked it out and will definitely see if we can fit it in when in Florence.
Thanks again
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 03, 2009, 11:27:01 pm
LAst day in Paris - went to some markets - Rue Cler and Rue Mouffetard (?) - both great - Rue Cler is a little "trendy" and touristy.  Mouffetard is full of tourists, but loads of locals.  Fantastic food -especially in the traiteurs - ready cooked/prepared food that looks and tastes good.

Fantastic cheeses and loads of wounderful breads, cakes, pastries - you have to walk around with baguette in hand only covered by enough paper to protect your little fingies.  Otherwise you look like another bloody tourist.

Did a big drive yesterday to Mt St Michel http://www.mt-st-michel.fr/?lang=en (http://www.mt-st-michel.fr/?lang=en), Bayeux Tapestries and Cathedral http://www.tapisserie-bayeux.fr/index.php?id=3&L=1 (http://www.tapisserie-bayeux.fr/index.php?id=3&L=1) and http://www.mairie-bayeux.fr/index.php?id=232#c993 (http://www.mairie-bayeux.fr/index.php?id=232#c993), D-Day landing site near Arromanches and a few hundred kms before back to hotel to consume some spoils from the grocers including quail stuffed with foie gras and crumbed pigs' trotters (well we liked them  ;) )
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: judydawn on May 04, 2009, 02:09:41 am
Love reading about your travels Thermomixer.  I had breakfast with you this morning, catching up on all your overnight postings. I think you should be upgraded to Sir Thermomixer ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 05, 2009, 10:02:54 am
Arrived in Lyon yesterday by the TGV -fast train- better than flying in terms of leaving hotel and arriving at next hotel.  Only 2 hours for 400km - takes more time to get to the airport and catch the plane ! 

Walked around the streets of Lyon and had a drink in one of the "squares" before heading back for a meal in the hotel.  The meal was very good - we had jamon from Spain - not very French but I love it.  There was a wonderful little appetiser with a cauliflower foam on top, really good foie gras and  poached cod which just melted in the mouth.  Eggs mimosa which was presented in a little glass and was so creamy and delicious.  I am not a dessert person, but there was a pistachio creme brulee which was just divine and strawberry soup with basil chiffonade.

So, off to lunch today are a little sroll.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: brazen20au on May 05, 2009, 10:07:59 am
sounds wonderful!!!
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 05, 2009, 10:59:17 pm
BIG lunch today with one of my heroes - M. Paul Bocuse.  He inspired me to cook with his Tv program on ? SBS back 20 plus years ago.

We got personalised menus and because I forgot my camera they took the attached photo - now I need to go on a diet !!

Food was superb.  Lobster and foie gras to start - amazing cheeses and huge platters of desserts to choose from to finish.  I only had a very small Iles flotant !  Probably shouldn't have had anything  :( :(
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: brazen20au on May 05, 2009, 11:12:54 pm
great photo!  gastronomical holiday sounds great - worry about diet when you get home LOL
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 13, 2009, 09:13:50 am
Sorry, in Italy now and have had problems connecting to internet.

At class, which is about to start with Nico Moretti - great to see that there have been some 400 posts since last I looked - but not sure when I'll get to read them !!

Ciao tutti.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: I Love Bimby! on May 13, 2009, 11:36:49 am
Wow - love reading your posts Thermomixer! Hope you enjoyed the cooking class!!! ;) :)
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 13, 2009, 01:49:41 pm
Classes have been great - Sergio and Stefano ( check their website for the villas here http://www.villafabbroni.com/index_ing.htm (http://www.villafabbroni.com/index_ing.htm) - our room is in photos 1 and 7 of the 23 of HERE (http://www.villafabbroni.com/inglese/appartamento_villa.php) are great - wonderful hosts and teachers.

Monday was bruschette, polenta with mushrooms (sorry brazen - still on the list), stuffed mushrooms, handmade pasta- potato gnocchi, mushroom lasagne, tortelli, ragu alla Bolognese,  last night beetroot and potato gnocchi, spinach and ricotta gnocchi; and today, vitello al forno (stuffed rolled veal - one with omelette, mortadella, spinach and fontina cheese and the other with artichokes and rosemary), stuffed tomatoes, stuffed round zucchinis, cauliflower sformati (Stefano di Pieri does these).

Has been superb.  More food info when I have time - best check out posts and will return.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: bron on May 13, 2009, 04:20:54 pm
We HAD really missed you! Pleased to see you are back!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Master Moderator on May 14, 2009, 12:46:01 am
Welcome back Thermomixer....

Glad you have caught up with the 400+ posts

:)


Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: ralo on May 14, 2009, 12:58:44 am
Sounds like a fabulous trip
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: judydawn on May 14, 2009, 01:15:20 am
I woke this morning to find all your postings.  You know what that means - I am going to get nothing done this morning ;) ;) ;) until I have read them all.  This forum is getting busier and busier - soon I won't have time to sleep!  What you guys get up to when your DW's go shopping :D :D
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 14, 2009, 08:05:29 am
Sorry JD - you don't know how frustrating it was for me with limited access seeing all those posts build up  ;) ;)
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: judydawn on May 14, 2009, 01:44:08 pm
Is today some sort of record for postings Thermomixer - they seem to be never ending and just keep on a coming!! In between babysitting the 2 grandkids this afternoon (harder in our home than their own) I have tried to sneak in and read a few every now and then but gave up and waited until they went home to finish them all. DH and I are mentally exhausted and even the 4 year old confessed to being very tired and needing a rest by 5pm - how lucky was DD picking up tired kids who had let loose with all their energy on us oldies.  Love them to bits though ;D ;D
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: brazen20au on May 14, 2009, 01:57:02 pm
and i'll bet they went feral for her after being angels for you...

or is that just mine? lol

very proud of my 5yo atm , he wangled a dinner invite with nanna for tonight - he decided it was time she fed us LOL  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: judydawn on May 14, 2009, 02:04:25 pm
A very smart 5 yo, as they are!  I think my 2 grandkids would have been too tired to go feral tonight - it would have been bath, tea and bed for them. I do like to wear them out for my DD but at the same time it wears me out too :D :D :D  These are precious moments and are not going to last long so we like to make the most of it.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 15, 2009, 09:17:39 am
Is today some sort of record for postings Thermomixer -


Probably was - sorry, really felt like being a big girl !!!!!!  Verbal computer overload.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: judydawn on May 15, 2009, 09:28:39 am
What, and chucking a wobbly ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 15, 2009, 12:02:07 pm
What, and chucking a wobbly ;D ;D ;D ;D

I would never infer that  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: brazen20au on May 15, 2009, 12:08:27 pm
are you in rome atm thermomixer?
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 15, 2009, 02:52:51 pm
Still in the country near Florence - not going to Roma this trip - next week back to Milano (sorry -had to mention it) and then home.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Master Moderator on May 15, 2009, 03:12:00 pm
Thermomixer,

It's so nice to have you in Europe, because I can see your posts at LIVE AND DIRECT!!!!!, not first thing in the morning after my brekky. STAY HERE!!!!!!!!! lol

But I am sure your fellow countrymen/women are missing you.  :)

Europe shall miss you :(

Take care

Admin


Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 15, 2009, 03:22:48 pm
Don't think they would miss me that much - would love to stay.  But I need to earn some money - was thinking about setting up a villa/B&B - could do that.

PS - sorry, have filled the pages lately.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: judydawn on May 15, 2009, 03:52:09 pm
Still in the country near Florence - not going to Roma this trip - next week back to Milano (sorry -had to mention it) and then home.
All good things must come to an end Thermomixer and I'm sure Mrs T is anxious to see the new grandson. Enjoy your last week, sounds like you have had a wonderful time.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: brazen20au on May 15, 2009, 10:45:16 pm
someone popped into my blog from rome (according to feedjit) and i wasn't sure if it was you ;)

make the most of those last days, they will go too fast
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: brazen20au on May 15, 2009, 11:11:35 pm
It is you! not sure why it only sees Rome and not Florence but there you go ;) have a look and see for yourself! (click on the see live feed on the feedjit thingie towards the bottom right)
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: MrSpock on May 16, 2009, 01:21:41 am
Excellent travel logs. I'm so envious! Your France menu sounded like my TMX cookbook index, let me know if you'd like me to translate the Foie gras or egg mimosa recipe for you! *g*
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Paul on May 16, 2009, 07:00:49 am
Paul Bocuse....I had the best meal I've ever eaten in my life at his (now defunct) Melbourne restaurant.  How exciting!
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 16, 2009, 08:12:23 am
Brazen - think that the internet company that I am using must have its HQ in Roma.   

Yes all good things must come to an end.

Also went to the paul Bocuse restaurant in Melbourne - miss it too.  The chef who set it up is now a friend - he has the restaurant, the Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel and great food, but brasserie style and not quite Bocuse.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Paul on May 16, 2009, 08:26:56 am
I'll have to give it a try next time I'm in Melbourne.  I had the most beautiful roasted baby vegetables, they were like jewels.  And a sorbet after the main that looked like a miniature apple - exquisite.  Lamb which melted in the mouth, and a chocolate and raspberry dessert that swam in custard. 

I have to say though I've sort of gone off the restaurant scene and prefer home cooking by dedicated amateurs, especially women, who are less showy than men.  It seems more honest somehow.  Not that I'd turn down a chance for a meal cooked by Paul Bocuse.
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 17, 2009, 08:53:35 am
Have to agree in terms of eating out - maybe I'm just getting old and harder to please, but prefer to eat at home.   I hate paying for non-existant service. 

We had a great meal here last night in a little town near the Cinque Terre.  Weren't sure when we started but the produce was fresh - seafood of course - and the chef did a great job.  Something that we didn't have was a pineapple carpaccio done with caramelising the slices and then a vanila ice cream with a sichuan pepper sauce (think that was right) at least he had used Sichuan peppercorns - here in regional Italy.

The "spag marinara" (not called that on thier menu) was realy good, as was the baccala in 3 ways and prawns wrapped with lardo and served with a fennel sauce.  Turbot was good, as was the sea bass with a red wine sauce.

Went to the rich end of Italy - Portofino and Santa Margherita in Ligure - saw the mini-Monaco.  Shops like Armani, Brioni, v. expensive jewelery etc at the waterfront for the filthy rich to stock up on when they dock to take on supplies.  ;) ;) ;)
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Paul on May 17, 2009, 08:55:19 am
So envious!
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: brazen20au on May 17, 2009, 10:07:16 am
ooohhh i spent new year 94 at portofino / santa margherita ligure, i ADORE it down there! and the food is very yum!
Title: Re: thermomix-er....!
Post by: Thermomixer on May 18, 2009, 08:26:11 am
Off to Milan today - last couple of days - don't know where the time went.  Mainly eatiing and driving  ;) ;D

Would have been crowded at PF/S.Marg at New Year ??