Cooking for Me, You and Barbara-jo
Earlier this past summer, Books to Cooks’ very own Barbara-jo McIntosh published an elegant little volume entitled Cooking for Me and Sometimes You, A Parisienne Romance with Recipes. In it she tells the tale of a month spent in Paris – a month spent dining, shopping at the local marchés and cooking in her rented flat. Along the way she encountered romance – of both the palate and the heart.
Inspired by Barbara-jo’s book, resident French romantic John Blakely, who just happens to be the proprietor of the very French Bistro Pastis, is launching a month long celebration of Parisian cuisine. The month of menus kicks off with a very special event – an evening with Barbara-jo on Wednesday, October 13th. The $115 ticket includes a four-course dinner, wine pairings, tax, gratuity plus a copy of Cooking for Me and Sometimes You (which Barbara-jo with autograph for you). Reservations for this dinner should be made by calling Books to Cooks at 604-688-6755.
Starting on October 17 for four weeks and ending November 13, Bistro Pastis will feature a special Paris at Pastis weekly three-course menu for only $45. Each menu focuses on a particular seasonal ingredient that can be found in the local street marchés that spring up all over the City of Light’s arrondisements. Barbara-jo’s book is based on cooking fresh, seasonal and simple food. Bistro Pastis’ four weekly menus pay tribute to this ethos and present seasonal fare redolent of autumnal comfort
Week One (October 17 – 23) features Charcuterie and includes starters such as Assiette de Charcuterie or traditional Cabbage Salad with Lardons, Red Wine and Shallots Vinaigrette. Mains include: Saucisse de Toulouse, Lentils and Bacon, Red Wine Jus, Choucroutte Garnie and, Sautéed Trout with Bacon and Button Mushrooms in a Pinot Noir Sauce. The autumnal sweetness of maple syrup provides the perfect complement to the end of the meal with two options: Maple Walnut Tart or Maple Bacon Ice Cream with Biscotti for the adventuresome bacon addict.
Week Two (October 24 – 30) focuses on squash. Butternut Squash Soup with Roasted Apple or Roasted Acorn Squash with Brie are two of the first course options. All three mains are so tempting – Oven-roasted Pork Tenderloin with glazed Butternut Squash and Almond Sauté or Grilled Snapper served with Lemon Herb Spaghetti Squash or Butternut Squash and Goat Cheese Ravioli napped with Tomato Confit. End with either an Acorn Squash Tart or Pumpkin White Chocolate Mousse.
Pears take the spotlight in Week Three (October 31 – November 6). Start with a classic Salade of Pears, Roquefort, Belgian Endive and Candied Walnuts or perhaps allow the Pear and Brie Tart to tempt you. Roasted Pear Soup is sure to provide comforting warmth on a damp day. Then move on to either Over-roasted Chicken Breast, Pear and Onion Tarte Tatin with Sage Jus or Sautéed Prawns, Fennel Risotto, Asian Pear Beurre Blanc or perhaps the classic pairing (sorry, we couldn’t resist) of Grilled Pork Chop with Pear and Brown Butter Purée. Dessert choices include Spiced Red Wine Poached Pear Crème Brulée or Poire Belle Hélène with Chocolate Sauce.
Is there an ingredient that screams ‘autumn!” more than the mushroom? The final menu (November 7 – 13) pays homage to the lowly fungus in all its myriad incarnations. For starters there are three delicious options: Mushroom and Fennel Salad (Oyster, Shitake and Button Mushrooms), Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tarte with Mesclun Salade White Truffle Vinaigrette and Wild Mushroom Soup with Bacon Froth. Grilled Flank Steak with a lovely mushroomy Sauce Forestière, Pan-Seared Ling Cod with Mushroom Risotto and Mushroom Gnocchi with Roasted Root Vegetables take centre stage while Candy Cap Crème Caramel and Cherry Mousse Crèpe with Mushroom Meringue provide the sweet finish.
Known for its extensive wine cellar, Bistro Pastis will be offering a 25 per cent discount off its wine list for those who wish to enjoy un verre de vin with their ‘Parisian repas.’
From October 17 through November 13, join us at Bistro Pastis for a little Parisian romance and comforting autumn fare. At only $45 per person, it’s a très bon marché and more economical than a plane ticket to Paris.
Reservations are always a good idea and can be made by calling 604-731-5020 or on-line at www.bistropastis.com To reserve for the special evening with Barbara-jo McIntosh, please call Books to Cooks at 604-688-6755.
