The enjoyment of Cooking

We lost so much in take-for-granted experiences during the Pandemic, but when life served you lemons, you had to find a way to make lemonade. In my case, one of the pleasures I missed the most were the experience of dining at a restaurant. Savoring great food and wine, and be surrounded by other humans. I decided, early on, I would practice and hopefully hone my cooking skills. Additionally, I was living in France renowed for its food products, and had already experienced where to buy the best of local produce, vegetables, cheese and wine. I also discovered how efficient it was to buy Asian and Latin food ingredients on-line to add in some international recipes, and most recently how to purchase premium beef from Japan, Ireland and Argentina that is shipped to me overnight from Paris.

So here are a few of my dishes that I prepared then, and now - Maison Bagguley did not shut down, but the proprietor after the Pandemic enjoyed having someone else cook some meals for him again.

Not my kitchen LOL 

My all-time favorite Black Bean Soup with Ham

Fresh-made pasta with peas and ham

Healthy, delicious simple mixed salad

Caprese Salad

Burger with Cantal Cheese, Roma tomato and Basil

Poached Salmon in White Wine with Shallots Tomatoes and peppers

Mont D’Or incredible with that Santenay

Kobe Wagyu A5 with timbale of mushrooms, green onions, and tomatoes.

Bouef Wellington

Smoked salmon, French caviar and ice-cold vodka