Add Fire to Your Crepes for Sweet Satisfaction
Posted in France on 08. Jan, 2010
It would be pretty tragic to spend a lot of time working on preparing the perfect dessert entree, only to have it catch on fire before it hits the dinner table, right? Well, not exactly. Enter: the Crepe Suzanne.
Folklore states that a 14-year-old chef’s apprentice did just that while preparing a meal for the Prince of Wales in 1895. He thought surely his future as a chef was over when he accidentally caught the top of the crepe on fire while working closely with a chafing dish. When he tasted the dish, though, he knew it was a winner. The short flame unleashes all of the different flavors in all of the ingredients. After being served the Crepe Suzanne, the Prince of Wales apparently ate every crumb and even scooped the sauce up with a spoon when he was finished.
To make Crepes Suzanne, simply make your favorite crepe recipe. Then, melt 1/2 stick of butter in a large skillet, then add 3 tablespoons of sugar until dissolved. Add the rind and juice from one orange into the skillet and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, then place a folded crepe in the warm sauce. Use some tongs to fold the crepes in half again while in the sauce. (Make sure you do this rather quickly unless you want soggy crepes!)
Here’s the heat goes up a notch! When you have done this with all of the crepes, warm up 1/3 cup or so of Grand Marnier liqueur and pour it over the pan of crepes. Light a long match and ignite the sauce. Take the pan off heat and (after the flames go out) put the crepes on dessert plates and garnish with orange slices.
There’s quite a few restaurants in France that have this item on the menu, too. Be sure to check it out when you visit, or if you are feeling brave, try it yourself! Bon appetit!
Top Yoga Studios in Europe
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP…
Ah yes, the less-than-comforting sound of an alarm clock. There you were, in a perfectly blissful state of slumber, and that awful blaring of competing tones disrupts your bliss and you are forced to leave that safe, warm place and go out into the harsh world.
But, what if you could take that warm, peaceful feeling with you to work or school?
Yoga allows that to happen. By syncing your body and mind through different poses and meditation, you become more focused. For me, yoga gives a greater sense of purpose for all of the day’s tasks, so I don’t become overwhelmed or stressed, but take things one step at a time. Doing this doesn’t make getting out of bed difficult, but almost exciting to make the most of your day.
Travel & Leisure posted an article of the top 25 yoga studios around the world. Here are a few located in Europe:
- Hamsa Yoga Studio: Copenhagen, Denmark – Offering Vinyasa yoga, this studio also offers advanced back-bending and Thai massage. English classes available on request.
- Triygoga: London, England – With locations in Primrose Hill, Covent Garden and Soho, this studio also offers acupuncture, naturopathy and massage.
- Airyoga Munich: Munich, Germany – About a four-minute walk from Mandarin Oriental Hotel, this studio offers massages, facials and pedicure in addition to all major yoga styles. English classes available upon request.
- Rasa: Paris, France – This studio focuses primarily on Vinyasa yoga, but still offers classes in Mysore, Ashtanga and Yin. English classes available upon request.
- Airyoga Zurich: Zurich, Switzerland – Here, a variety of 10 different yoga traditions are taught in a convenient location in Bellevue Plaza. Almost all classes are taught in English.
Of course, there are many yoga studios around the world you can attend. Just try out a few sessions and see if it’s a good fit. Hopefully it will leave you rejuvenated and refreshed. With plenty of hotels in and around Copenhagen, London, Munich, Paris and Zurich, be sure to check out affordable hotels at Eurobookings.com.
If all else fails, perhaps a more soothing alarm clock could also do the trick. But trust me on the yoga thing.
Float in to Paris Nightlife
Posted in Paris on 17. Dec, 2009
Good nightclubs typically have to have most of the following: reasonable drink prices, good music, fun crowds and a unique atmosphere.
Batofar in Paris has is all. It even floats!
This dance venue/bar is a bright red boat, docked on the Seine River. Music lovers of all kinds love this club because of the wide variety of house music, garage, techno and jazz. Be sure to check out their music schedule before you go to make sure you get the genre you love most.
One highlight of partying here is realizing in the wee hours of the morning you’ve been on a boat the whole time while the Seine River appears in the portholes as the sun is coming out.
Overall, this is one of the Paris attractions you can’t afford to skip. Find a hotel close to great nightlife to make the most of your time spent in Paris. Be safe and keep the party going!
