Petite Bebe

This week I did something that I've never dared do before . . . I went to a movie . . . by myself! I was in a desperate need of an escape from my endless to-do lists, emails, phone calls . . .everything. So what better place to escape to then a dark, comfy movie theater when you can indulge in yummy snacks & lose yourself in the story on the screen. To all my highly busy, multi-tasking ladies, I highly recommend stealing an afternoon for yourself this way soon. Think of it as the beginner's guide to liberation!! :)

So what did I see? Julie & Julia, which I know most of you have already seen, but just in case you're as behind on the movie scene as I am, let me give you my super quick recommendation: GO SEE IT! Two hours of good food & drinks, all things French, good husbands, and (my favorite thing!) it's a fabulous reminder that going for it & following your dreams, no matter how small, far fetched, or unrealistic they might appear, is NEVER a bad thing!

So in honor of both Julie & Julia and their inspiring determination & oh so funny personality quirks, today's posting is highlighting just a few great French finds that can brighten your (and your petite bebe's) day!

These adorable alphabet cards would not only serve as a great learning toy for your soon-to-be bilingual bebe, but also look fabulous as a border in your little one's nursery.

Hooray for functional style!! How cute would these suitcases, found on Basic French, look stacked in your playroom? The answer is VERY! Even better, after playtime is over you can easily shove all those miscellaneous toys into the cases and your nursery returns instantly to it's former glory! Another great idea for these cases, feature them on a display shelf with your child's favorite stuff animals peaking out of them. Too cute!

For true homage to Julia, why not serve your little one's gourmet meals (truffle mac & cheese anyone? Hmmm, maybe save that one for mommy!) off of these "ahhh" worthy dining sets, available at P.O.S.H. I absolutely love these!

Wanting a French name for your future world traveler? How about Bailey, Eloise, Isabelle, Jaimie, or Porter? Find out the meaning behind these names, along with their popularity & the best sibling names at Babynamewizard.com. My friend Claire (aka: the true baby name wizard, she's genius at knowing how to find the perfect baby name!) swears by these books and how now roped Brad and I into the obsession . . . check out both the Wizard book & website, I guarantee hours of fun!

This next find might be a stretch since I don't know how many of us would comfortably spend $75,000 on a child's bed, but if you are in the market for the perfect gift for your little princess that has it all, then this Posh Tots carriage bed is a MUST!

It's so perfect & sweet it makes me want to sleep in it! Before being whisked away to my chateau by my handsome prince, circa 1800's. Let's just say Brad is in big trouble if we ever have a little girl!!

And finally, for those of you wanting to honor Julia by sticking to a classic culinary homage, try whipping this little treat of a dish up next time you're entertaining. I plan on doing it . . . just as soon as I start cooking again. Note to the non-preggers: pregnancy equals take-out!

Boeuf à la Bourguignonne
For 6 people
6-ounce chunk of bacon
9- to 10-inch fireproof casserole, 3 inches deep
1 tablespoon olive oil or cooking oil
A slotted spoon
3 pounds lean stewing beef cut into 2-inch cubes
1 sliced carrot
1 sliced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons flour
3 cups of a full-bodied, young red wine such as one of those suggested for serving, or a Chianti
2 to 3 cups brown beef stock or canned beef bouillon
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cloves mashed garlic
1/2 teaspoon thyme
Crumbled bay leaf
Blanched bacon rind
18 to 24 small white onions, brown-braised in stock
1 pound quartered fresh mushrooms sautéed in butter
Parsley sprigs

Remove rind and cut bacon into lardons (sticks, ¼-inch thick and 1½ inches long). Simmer rind and bacon for 10 minutes in 1½ quarts of water. Drain and dry.

Preheat oven to 450º. Sauté the bacon in the oil over moderate heat for 2 to 3 minutes to brown lightly.

Remove to a side dish with a slotted spoon. Set casserole aside. Reheat until fat is almost smoking before you sauté the beef.

Dry the beef in paper towels; it will not brown if it is damp. Sauté it, a few pieces at a time, in the hot oil and bacon fat until nicely browned on all sides. Add it to the bacon.

In the same fat, brown the sliced vegetables. Pour out the sautéing fat.
Return the beef and bacon to the casserole and toss with the salt and pepper. Then sprinkle on the flour and toss again to coat the beef lightly with the flour. Set casserole uncovered in middle position of preheated oven for 4 minutes. Toss the meat and return to oven for 4 minutes more. (This browns the flour and covers the meat with a light crust.) Remove casserole, and turn oven down to 325 degrees.

Stir in the wine and enough stock or bouillon so that the meat is barely covered. Add the tomato paste, garlic, herbs and bacon rind. Bring to simmer on top of the stove. Then cover the casserole and set in lower third of preheated oven. Regulate heat so liquid simmers very slowly for 2½ to 3 hours. The meat is done when a fork pierces it easily.

While the beef is cooking, prepare the onions and mushrooms. Set them aside until needed.

When the meat is tender, pour the contents of the casserole into a sieve set over a saucepan. Wash out the casserole and return the beef and bacon to it. Distribute the cooked onions and mushrooms over the meat.Skim fat off the sauce. Simmer sauce for a minute or two, skimming off additional fat as it rises. You should have about 2½ cups of sauce thick enough to coat a spoon lightly. If too thin, boil it down rapidly. If too thick, mix in a few tablespoons of stock or canned bouillon. Taste carefully for seasoning. Pour the sauce over the meat and vegetables.

Recipe may be completed in advance to this point.

Serve immediately: Cover the casserole and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce several times. Serve in its casserole, or arrange the stew on a platter surrounded with potatoes, noodles or rice, and decorated with parsley.

And, what's a fabulous meal without a lick-the-inside-of-your-glass cocktail to pair it with? A bore (if you ask me)! So be sure to pair your Boeuf à la Bourguignonne with this upside down martini - yum!

Upside-Down Martini
5 parts Noilly Prat
1 part gin
Put ice in a wine glass. Fill with Noilly Prat and top with gin. Garnish with a twist of lemon.

Bon appetit!