La Fin du Monde

The winds have changed.

2009-02-08T20:31:00.001-08:00

Friends,

As you have noticed, La Fin du Monde has been lingering for some time now in a state of perpetual neglect. Not for lack of content have I been absent. I had so many great plans, and so many great things to post that for one reason or another, though they made the transition from my mind into reality, never made there way from reality into blog form. I wish so much that I could have shared 'stew extravaganza' with you, not to mention "Bread of the week" which was at least a partial success, or 'Winter '08: the Scone Age'. Pictures of all these things exist, but sadly they are spread out across computers and cameras and through multiple states- lost memories now, I'm afraid. What is more, there were a few kites that I built and flew that never got posted. That stuff is dead to me now. I'm through chasing after the wind.

Here is the revised plan: I hope to read as many children's books as I can, and write about at least one per month. I'm going to focus on picture books, and as a starting point I'm going to use the Caldacott award winning books (at least those I can find/those that are still in print).

I had thought to write an introductory note explaining why I think children's books are so great. Or at least a note to explain what I think a great children's book can do that no other art form can- not painting, not writing, not cooking nor kite-making.
But I decided it would be better to let these opinions unfold in the course of things.

I need your help, though. I my knowledge of children's books is somewhat limited, so I need some recommendations. There's a lot of really, really bad stuff out there, so if you have a children's book that you really enjoyed, either as a kid, or as an adult, send the title along to me and I'll check it out. (Guest reviews are always welcome as well). You do not need to mention 'Mike Mulligan and his steam shovel', 'Goodnight Moon', or 'Frog and Toad' which are pretty much works of great genius as far as I'm concerned.

Check back soon.
Within the next week I hope to post my thoughts on "The Biggest Bear" which, aside from having what everyone seems to agree is one of the most awesome titles ever, also happens to be a pretty incredible book.

Cheers,
Nathan

Day 4: NW at 10 knots

2008-05-30T14:06:00.000-07:00

Not only is this kite free advertising for Macy's; it is (inadvertently) flown in support of the revolution.

Eggs: 0
Butter: 0

Day 3:

2008-05-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

Winds: W at 14.7 knots.

The "Sode" kite comes from Japan and is sometimes known as the kimono kite. This one flew like a drunken jackal in one of my traps until I tied some extra weight to the end of the tail.

Eggs: 0
Butter: 0

Day 2:

2008-05-15T20:12:00.000-07:00

The ubiquitous diamond kite. Unmistakable even from a distance. A few days ago I was flying this kite off of a hill in a park and I heard behind me, "Mommy, Mommy, I want to fly the kite. Whaaaaa!" His mom told him not to come near me and he was totally bummed. Then the rest of the birthday party saw me and they all started crying too.

My social standing is going up already. I'm already the most popular kid at the birthday party. Whee!

Eggs: 0

Butter:0

Day 1:

2008-05-14T17:46:00.000-07:00

It brings me great pleasure to announce the return of La Fin du Monde. However, I won't be cooking any more. Naturally, I've moved on to kites.

Here is the first kite. It is your basic "Sled Kite" made from plastic bags and bamboo skewers. Bon Appetit!

Eggs: 0
Butter: 0

Untitleable

2007-12-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving gone wild.

2007-11-23T10:41:00.000-08:00

When it comes to thanksgiving, I hold to a pretty traditional set of values. After hosting 2 thanksgivings, and roasting up my 3rd turkey in 5 days, however, I'd gotten a little tired of plain jane turkey. Here's documentation of some of my infidelities.

Thanksgiving pizza. Made a nice appetizer.

Giant 10 egg Thanksgiving omelet.

An early Thanksgiving.

2007-11-21T11:44:00.000-08:00

Turkey
Mashed potatoes
Stuffing
Cornbread
Rice Pilaf
cranberry sauce
Corn
Gravy
Pumpkin dessert thingy

Here is the fictionalized account with some nice shots of the basement.

Eggs: 12
Butter: 4 lbs.

Day 34:

2007-11-01T19:50:00.001-07:00

Colombo de Porc Frais (curried prok with bananas and coconut)

Butter: 0
Eggs: 0

Day 33:

2007-10-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

Sole Bercy (Sole baked in white wine)
Peaches Flambees (Flambeed peaches in meringue shells)

All work and no play makes Nathan a dull boy.

Eggs: 3
Butter: 1/2 stick

Day 32:

2007-09-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

Pain de Petits Pois Frais al la Creme de Cives (terrine of fresh green peas with chive cream sauce)
Lapin a la Graine de Moutarde (rabbit in mustard cream sauce)
Pates Fraiches (fresh pasta)

Waskouwe wabbet.

Eggs: 6

Butter: 1/2 stick

A few summer eats.

2007-08-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

Here's a few things from the summer that I never got around to posting. Hopefully now that schools started up again I'll be able to update more regularly. Special thanks to the Capitola Cove Community Dinner group for being tasters, and in their own way offering a significant contribution to a developing theology of food.

Clarification: Due to its circular, seductive shape, some people have found the "Paris-Brest" a reason to giggle. Real mature, guys. The book explains: "...around the turn of the century an ingenious pastry chef decided to name one of his creations after a bicycle race [the race from Paris to Brest, France]".

In other words, it is meant to look like a bike wheel. However, we do not deny this pastry's inexplicable allure.

==========================================================
Brioche loaf

Tarte Bourdaloue (Pear and almond cream tart)
Paris-Brest
Puff Pastry (attempt #1-over 500,000 layers)
Feuilletes de Poireauz a la Confiture d'Oignon (puff pastries with leeks and onion relish)

Sou-Borek
Borma
Tarte Tatin (caramelized apple tart)
Bell Pepper Wellington
Napoleons
Souffle au Chocolat (Chocolate Souffle)

Cygnes Chantilly (Choux pastry swans in a peaceful lagoon)

Eggs: 51
Butter: 4.1 lbs

Day 31: Visit us at our west side location.

2007-06-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

Effeuille de Saint Jacques et Petits Legumes au Safran (sea scallops and spring vegetables with saffron)
Entrecote Bordelaise (Rib-eye steak with bordelaise sauce)
Pommes Anna (Potatoes Anna)
Cafe Liegeois (coffee ice cream sunday)

Friends and lovers,
I have moved, and with this move has come some changes:
1. As you have probably guessed, Cafe la Fin du Monde has been on hiatus; but the new kitchen is now stocked, the snails have fatted, and my cholesterol levels have stabilized for another round of punishment. But the upcoming posts will be shorter. This is because I am lazy. (And also because if I want to make food like below, I wind up spending most of the day at the market).
2. Salsa night is now Wednesday (so as to not conflict with Taco Tuesday), and tengo night will be moved to Thursday in place of swing.
3. Better sanitation.

Eggs: 5
Butter: 1 LB!!!! A new record!

Day 30:

2007-04-28T20:13:00.000-07:00

Beignets de Langoustines, Sauce Tartare (Langoustine Fritters with super fancy Tartar Sauce [12 ingredients for tartar sauce!])
Ananas Princesse (fresh pineapple with strawberry sorbet and Genoise)

With this meal, I've completed one third of the book. Butter and egg totals will be posted soon - I am slow with addition.

Eggs: 10
Butter: 1/8 stick

Day 29:

2007-04-26T23:01:00.000-07:00

Saute de Veau Marengo (veal stew with white wine and tomatoes)
Miroir aux Kiwis (vanilla Bavarian cream with kiwifruit)

Sometimes the cookbook - in the way it has you present things - implicitly reminds you that it is not good to eat alone.

Eggs: 4
Butter: 1/2 stick

Day 28:

2007-04-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

Omlette aux Pointes d'Asperges (Omelet with asparagus tips)
Entrecote Lyonnaise (Steak, Lyonnaise style)
Beignets aux Pommes, Sauce Abricot (apple fritters with apricot sauce)

Cross reference at somuchonions.blogspot.com.

Eggs: 7
Butter: 2 sticks (for 2 people)

Day 27:

2007-04-14T14:43:00.001-07:00

Escalopes de Veau Viennoise (breaded veal scallops)
Pommes Allemandes (sauteed potatoes, German style)
Oranges et Citrons Giures (frosted orange and lemon sorbet)

Evidently a more sexy version of day 15.

Eggs:3
Butter: 1 stick

Japan - Living the dream.

2007-04-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

Day 26:

2007-04-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

Quiche aux Epinards (spinich and ham quiche)
Bar a la Normande (sea bass with mushrooms and cream)
Crepes Soufflees au Cointreau (souffleed crepes flamed with cointreau)

1. Cointreau is very high quality triple-sec. It has twice the alcohol content of normal triple-sec, so it is great for lighting crepes on fire.
2. It is also good for lighting things like place mats and chairs on fire.

Eggs: 12
Butter: 2 and 1/2 sticks

Day 25:

2007-04-11T21:16:00.000-07:00

Thon Basquaise (fresh tuna, Basque style)

Props to a few awesome California friends for visiting and for helping to cook this. You know who you are - and you are much loved.

Eggs: 0
Butter: 0

2007-04-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

My beloved roommate made this as a birthday present for me.

My defense:

I think I am exceptionally qualified to plead insanity.

School is too much with us; late and soon,

2007-04-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

La Fin du Monde has been on hiatus for a little while. But check back next week for some new updates. Here are a few things (not from the book) to tide you over. Stuffed lamb, and turkey-avocado eggs benedict.

Day 24:

2007-03-13T21:56:00.000-07:00

Gratin de Courgettes (zucchini gratin)
Noisettes d'Agneau a la Creme d'Ail (medallions of lamb with garlic cream sauce)
Tarte aux Poires Alsacienne (Alsatian pear tart)

Confession: I don't really fancy tomatoes all that much. Sometimes they add a nice flavor, but lots of times I pick them out (of food I cooked myself!).

Eggs: 6
Butter: 1 stick

Day 23:

2007-03-12T23:08:00.000-07:00

Mayonnaise (boo-ya!)
Salade Hermine (chicken salad with endive, celery, and olives)
Estouffade de Boeuf Provencale (braised beef casserole, Provence style)

Nathan and Scott saw Hermine when they were in Oxford.

Eggs: 2

Butter: none

Day 22:

2007-03-08T23:35:00.000-08:00

Julienne Darblay (creamed leek and potato soup with julienned vegetables)

Eminces de Rognons de Veau a la Graine de Moutarde (sliced veal kidneys with mustard sauce)

Pommes Parisiennes (Parisian potatoes)

Gateau de Riz Autrichien (Austrian rice pudding)

I do whatever the book tells me to. If the book jumped off a cliff, I would jump too.

Thought you might want a closer look:

Eggs: 3
Butter: 1 stick

Day 21:

2007-03-07T21:54:00.000-08:00

French bread (a la elephant man)
Omelette aux Fines Herbes (fresh herb omelet)
Paves de Rumsteak au Poiure Vert (Serloin steaks with green peppercorns)
Pommes Sautees a Cru (sauteed potatoes)
Pets de Nonnes (choux pastry fritters with apricot sauce)
Narcissism

Eggs: 14 (new record)
Butter: 1 and 1/4 stick

Day 20:

2007-03-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

Flamiche (leek pie)
Longe de Porc aux Pruneaux (Roast pork loin with prunes)
Mousseline de Celeri Rave (creamed celery root puree)
Poires a la Diable (flamed poached pears)
Tuiles aux Amandes (almond tile cookies)

There seems to be a leek shortage in Lansing. I had to go to 5 stores to get enought leeks to make leek pie.

Eggs: 10
Butter: 2 sticks

Day 19:

2007-03-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

Poulet Saute a la Grecque (sauteed chicken, greek style)
Pudding Diplomate, Creme Anglaise (ladyfinger pudding with creme anglaise)

It's just chicken - I have nothing to say about it.

Eggs: 11
Butter: 2/3 stick

Day 18:

2007-03-06T11:08:00.000-08:00

Oeufs Brouilles aux Foies de Volailles (scrambled eggs with sauteed chicken livers) [sans chicken livers]
Cotes de Porc Flamande (baked pork chops with potatoes and thyme)
Poires Belle Helene (Poached pears with vanilla ice cream and warm chocolate sauce)

We also made Shirley-Temple's.

Eggs: 10
Butter: 1 and 1/2 sticks

Correction:

2007-03-02T15:24:00.000-08:00

It has been brought to my attention by my good friend EG that the record number of eggs so far is 14 (on day 14); even though I claimed that Day 16 was tied for the record at 11 eggs. I will try to be more careful in the future.

For those keeping track, that puts me at 110 official eggs so far (those used in the meals below)and nearly 300 eggs used in my cooking in general.

Next week I'm off for spring break, so there should be lots of updates.

Day 17:

2007-02-25T14:00:00.000-08:00

Oeufs Cocotte a la Creme (baked eggs with cream)
Paupiettes de Veau (stuffed veal rolls)
Carottes Vichy (vichy carrots)
Tarte aux Agrumens (citrus tart)

I was in such a hurry to get the veal rolls to the table while they were still hot that I forgot the sauce. The sauce contained neither eggs nor butter though.

Eggs: 10
Butter: 2 and 1/3 sticks

Day 16:

2007-02-21T16:24:00.000-08:00

Fondants de Poisson au Beurre de Citron (salmon croquettes with lemon-chive sauce)
Magrets de Canard aux Poires (duck breasts with pears)
Petits Pots de Creme (Vanilla, chocolate, and coffee custards)

It is sometimes challenging to find the specialty ingredient called for by the cook book I'm using. This was especially true in the case of today's meal as, according to the book, "real magrets are rarely available outside of France". This is probably because "A true magret de canard is the breast meat of force-fed ducks raised to produce foie gras."

On the other hand, I have discovered a number of excellent stores in the Lansing area. One of my favorites is "Foods for Living", the local organic food store that sells only the most socially conscious, free trade items. They've got a great selection of spice, tea, and produce; and not too bad of a meat section. I was browsing the other day - "Free range chicken...grass fed beef... 'happy' pork.... Ahh yes; this is what I'm looking for - the tender juicy breast of a force fed duck."

These were supposed to look like little pears.

Eggs: 11 (tied for the record so far)
Butter: 2 and 1/2 sticks (tied for the record so far)

a break:

2007-02-20T20:00:00.000-08:00

Dear readers, today is Paczki day here in the midwest (pronounced "poonch-kee"). This has nothing to do with my cooking mission, but since it's an important midwestern food holiday, I thought it was worth mentioning. Paczki day is a polish tradition, wherein you attempt to use up all of the fruit, sugar, and lard in the house, which is forbidden during lent. Stalwart Paczki day observers will only eat paczki's on paczki day; and although some stores have had paczki's for a week or two, many only carry them on paczki day.

I had some extra cheese that was just starting to get moldy, so I decided to make deep fried cheese sticks. At $13 a pound for gruyere cheese, you'd expect them to be pretty good - and they were. Maybe I'll make them every year in honor of Paczki day.

Day 15:

2007-02-19T20:13:00.000-08:00

Potage Crecy (carrot soup)
Escalopes de Veau a la Milanaise (breaded veal scallops with milanaise sauce and spagetti with fresh tomato sauce)
Peaches, Poires, et Pruneaux au Vin Rouge (poached fruit in red wine)
Madeleines de Commercy (madelines)

Sometimes my roommates don't come home on time, and I have to eat everything myself. This night I ate so much that I nearly threw up. Throw-up of joy, that is.

Butter: 2 sticks
Eggs: 5

Day 14:

2007-02-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

Souffle au Comte (cheese souffle)
Truite de Mer, Sauce Verte (whole poached fish with herbed
mayonnaise)
Creme Brulee

After a marginal success with seafood yesterday, the sea got its revenge. The fish was a mess from start to finish. My biggest problem was trying to figure out how to divide a whole fish into portions for serving - especially after
trying to create cucumber "scales" on the back. Yea. I know. It looks kinda freaky.

Everything stank like fish for several days. I spent a long time trying to clean, but I'm still finding fish scales here and there. Here's a good tip though- For sterilizing your person, I recommend the following procedure: Shower. Sauna. Shower again. Repeat.

Butter: 1/3 stick
Eggs: 14

Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-13T20:16:00.000-08:00

Cygnes chantilly (choux pastry swans)

Eggs: 4
Butter: none

Day 13:

2007-02-11T14:32:00.000-08:00

Coquilles Saint Jacques Dieppoise (Scallops with mussels and shrimp in cream
sauce) [sans shrimp]
Foie de Veau au Vinaigre et aux Deux Pommes (Sauteed
Calf's liver with roasted apples and potatoes)

Ahhh liver- The Jezebel of the meats. So beautiful to look at, but in the end she will only leave you with a bad taste in your mouth.

As an act of conscience, we finally put her down, having succumbed to the temptress' beauty for far too long. We are not as strong as we think we are.
What we ate instead:

Eggs : 0
Butter: 1 and 1/3 sticks

Day 12:

2007-02-06T20:08:00.001-08:00

Canard a la Nicoise (duck with garlic, tomatoes, and olives)

It's a lot of extra work to capture a wild duck, but it's totally worth it.

Butter: 1/3 stick
Eggs: 0 (!)

2007-01-29T20:42:00.000-08:00

Day 1:

Soupe Villageoise
Escalpoes do Veau Vallee d’Auge
Crème Renoversee au Carmel

I got to light the sauce on fire! Ye haw! (note to self: put new batteries in all of the smoke detectors)

Butter: 1 and ½ sticks
Eggs: 4

=================

Day 2:

Oeufs a la Tripe
Rouelles de Veau Bourgeoise
Bousse au Chocolat aux
Noisettes et au Whisky

“Eggs cooked like tripe” was a moderate disaster. I guess I should have known not to try to cook anything “a la tripe” other than tripe. Extra wisky in the chocolate mousse made the overall experience tolerable.

Butter: 1 and ½ sticks
Eggs: 12

=================

Day 3:

Crepes au saumon fume
Gigot d’agneau (roast leg of lamb)
Gratin de blettes (swiss chard gratin)

Yay! I love crapes! Yay! I love delicious lamb! Sorry swiss chard gratin – you
gave it your best shot.

Butter: a little more than 1 stick
Eggs: 3

=================

Day 4:

Cassoulet de Poissons (fish and white bean stew)
Biscuit de savoie, crème anglaise

I’m so ashamed.

Butter: ½ stick
Eggs: 11

=================

Day 5

Tarte a l’oignon (onion tart)
Mouclade (mussels with wine and cream sauce)
Bauarios a la vanille, coulis de framboise (vanilla Bavarian cream
with raspberry coulis)

When I was bringing the mussels home, I was so worried that some of them were going to die in the car. In fact, a few did die in transit – and I felt so guilty. And you don’t eat the dead ones, so truly their suffering was in vain. Also, I accidentally ground up one in the garbage disposal. That night I had a nightmare about giant mussels enacting retribution.

Butter: 2 and ¼ sticks
Eggs: 8

=================

Day 6:

Profiteroles au gruyere (chouz puffs with gruyere cheese)
Pintadeau au chou (guinea hen with cabbage)

From the book: “The taste of guinea hen, commonly available at French markets, is often compared to that of pheasant or partridge. Either of the latter or, in a pinch, Rock Cornish game hen may be used instead.”

Eggs: 7
Butter: 1 and ½ sticks

=================

Day 7:

Soup a l’Oignon gratinee (gratineed onion soup)
Truite aux amandes (trout with almonds)
Pommes a l’anglaise (English style boiled potatoes)
Oeufs a la neige (snow eggs with carmel and crème anglaise)

From the book: “In France, anything that is simply boiled is said to be a l’anglaise, English style”.

Butter: 2 and ½ sticks
Eggs: 4

=================

Day 8:

Blanquette de Veau a l’Ancienne (white veal stew with onions and mushrooms)
(repeated Crème Renoversee au Carmel and Crepes au saumon fume)

Eggs: 9
Butter : 1 stick

=================

Day 9:

Crème vichyssoise (chilled cream of potato and leek soup)
Poulet sauté pasquaise (chicken basque style)
Riz pilaf (rice pilaf)
Tarte aux pommes (apple tart)

I was initially a skeptic about cold soup. I mean, why don’t I just take a cold sauna too? To chill the soup I put it just outside the door in the snow. A few minutes latter, I looked out the window, and I saw some punk kid grab the pot and go running down the street. He stole my soup! I grabbed my coat and went after him, but hey, was I really going to put out that much effort chasing after cold soup? The next day the boy and his mother showed up at my door with the pot. He had his head down, and she was stern, bringing him by the back of the neck. “Tell him”, she said. “Uhhh, I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry what”, she said. “I’m sorry I stole your pot full of @#$@#”.

Eggs: 2 (kinda hurts my average doesn’t it)
Butter : 2 and ¼ sticks (kinda gross isn’t it)

=================

Day 10:

Sole belle meuniere (sole cooked the way the beautiful miller’s wife cooks
it)
Cygnes chantilly (choux pastry swans)

If only I was the miller.

Butter:1 and ½ sticks
Eggs: 5

=================

Day 11:

Oeufs mollets Florentine (soft boiled eggs with spinach and mornay sauce)
Fricassee de veau aux poiurons rogues (fracassee of veal with sweet
peppers, tomatoes, and olives- served with fresh pasta)
Riz a l’imperatrice (empress rice pudding.)

You may have noticed that a lot of the recipes involve veal. My roommate has informed me that often veal in the US is made extra tender by torturing the calf- confining him and not allowing him to move. I think this must be why it is so expensive.

Eggs: 11
Butter: 1/3 of a stick (we used olive oil today)