Slow Europe

Coffee and Croissants at a Cafe

Say it isn’t so!

The thing I love most about France are the cafes. Sitting at a table outside a cafe having my morning coffee and croissant, enjoying the sun and people watching, is one of my favorite France activities and one I was planning on indulging in a lot on our next trip. But today’s New York Times says that cafes are not so busy and many are closing.

There are many reasons for the slowdown: the smoking ban that started in January, strict drink-driving laws, the recent economic downturn, changes in the culture.

“Across France, Cafe Owners are Suffering,” Steven Erlanger, New York Times, November 22, 2008.
“The plight of Ms. Guérin is being replicated all over France, as traditional cafes and bars suffer and even close, hit by changing attitudes, habits and now a poor economic climate.”

So, when in France, do your civic duty and go to the cafes, have a coffee, have two! I know that I will!

Vegetables from Stroud Farmers' Market

An amazing article on the BBC website today: Will we eat wonky fruit and veg?

Starting in July, the European Union (EU) is lifting regulations that stop vendors from selling oddly-shaped fruits and vegetables. These regulations have been in place for 20 years. For example, it is against the law to sell a carrot with two “legs”.

In the interests of avoiding waste, these regulations are being lifted for 26 fruits and vegetables (but remain for 10). An article in the Telegraph says: “An estimated 20 per cent of the British harvest is thrown away to comply with the EU regulations, rules which have been calculated to add as much as 40 per cent to the price of some vegetables, such as carrots.”

The quality of fruits and vegetables sold in Europe is usually much better than what we find in most shops in the US (although we do have great farmers’ markets with locally grown produce). We seem to have almost the same vegetables no matter what the season, but many European countries follow the “eat local and in season” food philosophy. However, I do argue with people who say all fruits and vegetables are better in Europe. In the English supermarkets you find many packaged out-of-season fruit and vegetables from southern countries just like we have from California. Same in the large supermarkets in France and Italy. But, in Europe, you more easily find good local farmers’ markets or small food shops with local produce. In the US you have to hunt a bit more for great vegetables.

The reason that I find this article amazing is because I am stunned that they had these regulations. We probably have similar ones in the US (I have not seen many two-legged carrots), but I thought the EU would be better than that!

The photo above is from our shopping at the Stroud Farmers’ Market (Cotswolds, England) last January. Look at those fabulous root vegetables! We ate very well during our two winter months in England. (No potatoes are shown because our landlord left us a huge bag of potatoes from her organic farm - so we never had to buy any.)

Other Articles about These EU Regulations

• BBC News website - Will we eat wonky fruit and veg?
• The Telegraph (UK) - EU to allow sale of ‘odd’ shaped fruit and vegetables
• The Times (UK) - Reprieve for curvy cucumbers and crooked carrots as EU bends rules
• New York Times - Europe to Shoppers: You May Now Eat Abnormal Veggies

No-Knead Whole Wheat Bread

Last spring I started making bread twice a week using the No-Knead Bread recipe. I was so thrilled with this recipe that I posted it on this blog in July.

Since then I have continued making the bread and have refined my technique. Now I use a willow proofing basket and the La Clouche clay baker. I no longer use the 4 cup whole wheat recipe, but have changed it to a 3 cup recipe. One loaf of bread lasts us for 3 - 4 days.

I have updated the recipe and the photos for my earlier post.

Post Updated: Make Your Own (European Style) Bread

This bread is easy to make, tastes great and uses simple, good quality ingredients. I have a batch of dough getting ready to bake right now.

Post updated November 8, 2008. I have been making this bread twice a week for months now and love the recipe. I have come up with my own variation of the recipe (posted below).

One of the things that I love in France, Germany and Switzerland is the bread! A basket of perfect croissants in the morning at a cafe in France, a bakery with at least ten types of fresh baked bread in Germany, the wonderful whole wheat breads served for breakfast in a tea room in Switzerland.

We have great quality bread in North America too - it is not all Wonder Bread here! In Santa Fe, Sage Bakehouse produces artisanal, organic bread.

Jim Lahey, owner of Sullivan St Bakery in New York City, makes good European-style bread. You can purchase it at their store and other NYC locations. A couple of years ago, he published his recipe for No-Knead Bread on his website. A version of his recipe was printed in the New York Times in November 2006 - No-Knead Bread - and (it seems like) everyone in the US started making this bread.

My friend Chris (Slow Travel moderator) posted about it in the Food Forum on the Slow Travel Forums and many Slow Travelers started making bread and experimenting with the recipe (the Food Forum is for paid members only - they have a lively exchange of recipes). I missed all this because I did not read the food forum; I assumed they were always talking about meat, sugar and wine - which I am not interested in. Boy, was I wrong - my apologies to the Food Forum Followers!!

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