Cooking class....for adults

I couldn't return back in the U.S. without having take at least once a lesson in French cuisine. I signed up with Linda, via the Internet, a session offered by the La Cuisine Paris: 

the menu included stuffed quail, roasted vegetables and chocolate mousse.

The location already is incredible: a small boutique overlooking the Seine in quai de l'Hotel de Ville. 

On the first floor there is a simple but elegant room with shelves full of cookbooks and cooking tools (look at this biscuit cutter....)

followed by a small reception area where two nice young ladies confirmed our reservation. Upstairs a large kitchen and a central table occupy most of the floor, aside from a small dining area next to the window facing the river. 

 

When we arrived the oven was already hot, so we took our positions: each of us had a cutting board, a knife, bowls and an apron. In the center of the main table were standing all the ingredients (veggies, butter, eggs, chocolate, quails, cheese  ready to be cooked by us, the students. We wrote our names on the apron and then the Chef,  is affable and friendly, instructed us, step by step in the recipes: how to beat the egg whites until stiff, how to melt chocolate without burning it, how to cut the onions without letting out all the juice, how to prepare the filling for the quail, etc etc.  

All in a relaxed, friendly and jovial atmosphere. 

In the end, when everything was ready, we cleaned the work surface, set the table and tasted the delicious freshly prepared dinner. A real treat for the palate.

  

Cailles farcies avec legumes de saison rotin

mousse au chocolat

My friend Linda, who was in a very bad mood at the beginning of the evening due to some problem with her Visa application, left the place relaxed and happy, "cured" by this wondrous meal, just as int "Babette's feast" where old quarrels are healed and past sins forgiven while the guests are initiated to the pleasure of life! 

Absolutely an amazing experience. Next time .... baguettes?