goutdelavie

Sot-l’y-laisse - this translates into “The Fool Leaves It”. It’s also the French term for the “oysters” on a chicken or other fowl. Those deliciously tender and flavorful morsels between the thigh and the backbone are, to a certain extent, what my blog is about - the delicious secrets of life. Add drink, music, and, simply, a good time and you have “Goût de la Vie” - a “taste of life”. There’s no such thing as ‘too good’ we were once told while at a restaurant in Paris. I tend to agree.

In my blog, I’ll cover food & drink, travel, music, and the occasional non-sequitur topic. It will most likely focus on food and music though. We cook a lot at home. More recently, the simple and elegant dinners have been turning into simple and elegant dinners that are complex in their preparation. The freezer has many extras as of late - bacon fat, veal stock, fish stock, beef bones, carcasses from fowl. Though these items have become more commonplace in many kitchens of the food-aware, they are still very special. Sure, you can buy some beef stock and come out with a fantastic soup or sauce. But making your own stocks makes such an amazing difference. Their not hard to make - they just take a lot of time. I only have brown veal stock - there are several extra steps to white veal stock - adding well over an hour to something that already takes a full day. But, if you’re going to be home why not have a big stock pot full of bones simmering away on the stove?

To add madness to the methods, I volunteer several times a month to learn more about cheese. Seriously. Cheese, wine, and the other accoutrement that are welcome, steadfast friends, ready to aid any cheese in a moments notice. Check out the Big Cheese Stories blog by Murray’s Cheese Affineur and Cheese Nanny, Zoe Brickley when you get a chance. It’s a great starting point. The classes that Murray’s has to offer are wonderful and well worth the time and money.

Lastly, I DJ in my neighborhood of Astoria a few times a month. It’s difficult for me to be anywhere without music. Well, if it’s just outright bad music that may be another story. But this is the place where I make my announcements about upcoming gigs. You should certainly come down to Hell Gate Social for a night of music, good people, and better drinks. I hope to see you there some time!