Eat Like a Rabbit

Reliving our trip to France, I had thought of making open-faced grilled cheeses or croquettes without ham a few times, and finally got around to it. I chose a good time because we had some fabulous fresh veggies to make a good salad take center stage with the sandwiches on the side. Honestly, because I used Paul's favorite Cabot Extra Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, the sandwiches weren't tops in my book. I just can't learn to love a really sharp cheese. But Paul enjoyed it. I think the recipe was right on, I just need to find a cheese that I adore.

Recipe for Croquettes

• Four slices whole wheat bread
• 2 pads butter (half for each slice, more if preferred)
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1/2 cup sliced cheese (more or less to taste
• 1 Tablespoon dried parsley, crushed

Spread half of each pad of butter over bread. (Some people say to toast the bread first. I didn't think it necessary, but it is certainly an option for really crunchy toast.) Lay slices of cheese over bread. spinkle paprika over cheese. Sprinkle parsley on top. Cook on top rack of oven with broiler set on 500 degrees for just a couple minutes until c cheese is melted and edges are toasty. It isn't necessary to preheat the oven in this case. Also, especially if you've never used a broiler before, don't allow yourself to be destracted by the rest of the meal. Do it ahead--even the salad part. Because the bread will toast quickly, and I have blackened toast just by turning my back around.

I thought this picture of these butcher's knives from a to-die-for (even today) World War I kitchen in a "hunting chateau" called Chenonceau in France is an appropriate photo to accompany this post. It was a well-equipped and systematic setup in the early days of technology. It's a must see if you're ever in the area.

I have received some comments about the post from a little over a week ago regarding our daily protein count. Also, I was reading on the plane and came across some more information that was helpful to me, and I thought it might help others, too. This might turn into a series all its own!

Roissy is basically where Charles de Gaulle Airport is in Paris, France. We got done saying good-bye to the group late and there were only three restaurants open in the city (not including the hotel dining rooms.) The only option was an Asian restaurant; so, we walked into the largest restaurant we had seen during our trip around Paris and northern France. But, even by the time we left there were only four tables filled.

Honfleur is a beautiful seaside town with a great history. We suspect that our ancestors sailed to Nova Scotia, Canada, from this port in search of a new life. The day was quite chilly and rain was in the forecast during the first Saturday in March. We took pictures quickly and searched for a restaurant along the warf that had a reasonable vegetarian option. This was especially hard near the sea when almost everything had fish.

Once we left Paris, we had an interesting variety of breakfasts. In Caen, the Kyriad Hotel had a great variety of rolls, cheeses, sliced meats, cereal, and granola. They had juice dispensers instead of juice poured out of pitchers, which was more institutional than quaint. And they even had hot chocolate powder. Amusingly, the hot chocolate mix was Nesquick! I also remember a basket full of fresh fruit.

There are times when it is appropriate to cut corners when eating. We felt Mont Saint-Michel was one of those opportunities. A real tourist trap, even small packages of cookies with the island printed on the packaging ran over 7 euros in gift shops.

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