Tiramisu, c'est pour vous!

First of all I would like to apologise for the quality of image, I was too excited in creating what I classify as one the most delicious Italian desserts.

Ok so now it's about time that I let you into the secret of how to prepare the tiramisu. You'll need the following utensils:

Whisk (fork), teaspoon, table spoon, one dish (egg yolks) and two big bowls (one for egg whites and one for coffee), ladle and a pyrex dish measuring 28cm x 18cm and aaprox. 6cm deep.

Next are the ingredients and you'll need :

2 eggs, 6 teaspoons of sugar, 250gms Mascarpone cheese, 4 or 5 cups of Lavazza coffee (percolated is preferred but filtered will do), sponge fingers, 3 or 4 tablespoons of Amaretti di Saronno, Chocolate (good quality or sweet cocoa).

Now that you have all of the utensils and ingredients, let's get started!

1- Seperate the 2 x egg whites and 2 x yolks and mix in seperate bowls.Yolks in the dish and the whites in the big bowl.
2- Add 6 teaspoons of sugar to the yolks and whisk until creamy and a biege colour (not yellow). Mix and leave.
3- In the big bowl, whisk the whites. This is time consuming and can be painful if you whisk by hand. The texture you are looking for is fluffy and white; like snow!
4- When both are ready, add the yolks slowly to the whites and roll (not whisk). Keep rolling until mixture becomes a biege/yellow colour.
5- Add the mascarpone spoon by spoon and mix in slowly to the mixture. Try to ensure it is smooth, creamy and lump-free.
6- Prepare the coffee and when ready , pour in to the second big bowl. Take 3 or 4 tablespoons of coffee and pour into the tiramisu mixture.
7- Add 3 or 4 table spoons of Amaretto di Saronno to the tiramisu mixture.
8- Slowly mix the tiramisu mix with the whisk (do not whisk).
9- Rinse the pyrex dish and dry. Using the coffee in the large bowl, dip one-by-one sponge finger into the coffee (sugar side up) and then place into the bowl (length-ways and without breaking the biscuit). After the first layer, ladle some of the mixture over the sponge fingers until all coated.
10- The ingredients should last you for two layers. Repeat 9 until all tiramisum mixture is finished.
11- On the final layer, finish off by sprinkling (or grating) chocolate on the top.
12- Place in the fridge for approximately 5 hours.
12- Enjoy a small portion with friends or family.

This should be enough to feed around 10 people because with tiramisu you only need a small portion.

I made this for myself and my two flatmates and there was enough to consume over 3 days.

Please bear in mind that mascarpone is a cheese and will stay fresh for approx. 3-4 days maximum.

All that is left to say is, bon appétit!!

á la decourverte de Navigo Passe

I know, I know, it has been a little while since I posted on this blog. However, I have been collecting some important information to create blogs. What's more, the week commencing 21st July 2010 was the toughest week I have experienced in my lifetime; I very nearly had to leave Paris. Therefore, I would like to give a special thankyou to the following people: Fanny De La Prada, Alcatel-Lucent peers, Karen Ephram, AimHigher peers, my parents, LCL bank, my flatmates and last by no means least my landlord. I can now say that my feet are firmly secure on the ground in Paris.

Sorry for the tangent but I felt it was feasible and valid to mention. OK so back to writing the blog...

At the beginning of my blog I informed you that you could buy 10 billets to get you safely into Paris. The next step is then to find a ticket that will get you to and from work and around Paris cost effectively in the long term. I have the answer.....The Navigo Passe.

This is the French version of the Oyster Card. You can use it on Metro, Suburban, RER and all bus routes. I believe you can use it on the tramlines too. There are a variety of cards that you can purchase

in Euros
Zones Week Month
1 - 2 € 17.20 € 56.60
1 - 3 € 22.70 € 74.40
1 - 4 € 27.90 € 91.70
1 - 5 € 33.40 € 109.90
1 - 6 € 37.60 € 123.60

***There is a EUR5.00 to all first-time buyers for the card and card holder that is non-refundable***

Please note: You will need to take a passport photo, pen and payment (Euros or Card). I was not asked for any other documents. However, I have heard rumours that some train staff ask for proof of ID and a valid 'Convention de Stage' or alternative proof for your time in Paris.

The following website has lots of important information that you can download such as price lists including a Zone Map: http://parisbytrain.com/paris-train-metro-week-pass-navigo-decouverte/

I purchased the card for zones 1-3 for EUR74.40 well EUR79.40 to be precise. My next month will decrease to EUR74.40. I find these zones cover all of my travelling in Paris to get to and from work and sightseeing on the weekends. My advice is to get a metro map and always plan your journey. This way you will always know whether you need to purchase extra tickets or not. If you do need to buy more tickets bear in mind to just buy tickets to permit you entry into the zones that your NaviGo Passe will not; keeping your expenses down is a priority!!

Remember to keep your receipt of purchase to give to your employer for reimbursement. It is usually standard practice for French employers to reimburse the cost of employee travel expenses. However, this is not the rule of thumb so you will need to check with your employer first. Finally, and probably one of the most important points, REMEMBER THE DATE TO RECHARGE YOUR NAVIGO PASSE!! Diary the date, set reminders on email calendars and your mobile phone.

Bonne navettage (Happy Commuting)!!

Bienvenue à Paris

For those of you that have never visited Paris or for those that may have forgotten how to travel into Paris by train. This information will assit you to get you on your way. Please note this is for passengers flying via Charles de Gaulle airport!

1- When exiting airport you need to look for signs stating 'Sortie' (Exit)
2- Turn right out of departures and head towards signs stating Paris par Train or RER. This is a long walk where you just keep walking right in the airport until you see the train station.
3- Locate a green billet machine and purchase a book of 10 billets for EUR 11.60. These will get you into Paris and you will have plenty left over. 1 ticket will get you into Paris from Charles de Gaulle
4- Follow Paris Sud signs
5- Board train that travels direct to Gare du Nord; usually left platform
6- Alight at Gare du Nord, walk up stairs to Metro line 5 heading towards Place d'Italie; destination Oberkampf. Changed to Metro line 9.

This is the metro line that will take you into the heart of Paris.

Take Metro line 9 towards Pont de Sévres and alight at Franklin D Roosvelt and chqnge to Metro Line 1 heading towards Chàteau d Vincennes; just one station stop Champs Elysées Clemenceau. Two stops after this station will take you to Musée du Louvre.

My suggestion to you is find a metro information desk and ask, "Je voudrais un petit plan, sil vous plait".