Besides me, that is. Yes, I have returned to Les Etats Unis and was unpacking my bags this morning. This is always a little like Christmas for me in that I usually forget what I've bought and delight in surprising myself.
So, in the food and wine department we have, from left to right: Lesieur mayonnaise, coarse sea salt, Turkish delight (a gift from the Istanbul airport from Linda), Amora Dijon mustard, wine from Saint Emilion, Epices Rabelais and chocolate covered prunes from Maison Guinguet in Duras.
The back story: I read about Amora mustard on David Liebowitz's blog a few months ago and, being a big fan of moutarde, I made a mental note to try it and return with some. It is very sharp and delicious with patés and charcuterie, but also a great addition to sauces.
The Epices Rabelais is a common spice blend used as a meat rub or in a stew in France. The exact ingredients are a big secret, but it's got rosemary, coriander, cinnamon, nutmeg and other spices. It has a deep, almost exotic aroma and I look forward to trying it--maybe as a rub on slow cooked ribs.
Chocolate covered prunes are just a sinfully delicious treat. If you like dark chocolate and dried prunes, this combination is a winner. Maison Guinguet is a great little shop with all sorts of wonderful confections and gifts. They grow all their own plums and make their chocolate.
The mayonnaise is just because even supermarket mayo in France is worlds better and has a nice piquant dash of Dijon mustard in it to liven up even a dull ham sandwich.
Now to the other stuff:
I cannot leave France without loading up on my favorite cosmetic brands. For moisturizers I like Caudalie first because it's based on grapeseed oil from the Bordeaux vineyards. Also Embryolisse lait-creme concentrate, because it is a good, cheap moisturizer and makeup remover and does not sting my eyes.
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