Allison Zinder
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allisonzinder

French gastronomy | culture | history | art | educational experiences
Based in Paris, France since 1995.

Allison Zinder
What are these things? They’re my favorite kind What are these things?

They’re my favorite kind of saucière, otherwise known as a sauce boat - or, if you’re from the southern US, a gravy boat!

The French saucière is special, because you can choose the “maigre” (lean) side and get only that delicious jus, OR choose the side marked “gras” and pour some delicious fatty jus over your roast meat. 

These saucières are easy to find at a vide-grenier, where people sell all their old stuff. 

In the French countryside, some of these village-wide sales contain treasures, and others are duds. You never know ahead of time, so just in case, I like to hit ‘em all in summer!
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#sauciere #sauceboat #gravyboat #frenchsauceboat #frenchsauces #sauces #frenchgastronomy #frenchcooking #frenchcuisine 
#frenchfood #lifeinfrance #frenchcountryside
#burgundy 
#bourgogne 
#nofatnoflavor 
#legrascestlavie 
#videgrenier
#yardsale #vaisselle #kitchengadgets
#gastronomy
#gastronomie
#ministry_of_frenchfood
#frenchfoodathome
#frenchfoodblogger
#frenchfoodie
#frenchfoodlovers_
#foodie
#tasteoffrancemag
#saveurmag
Visiting the Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay in Burgu Visiting the Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay in Burgundy is a spiritual experience, especially for lovers of gardens with water features.

The monastery’s Latin motto translates into a version of « God floats along the waters. »

If you go, you’ll see - and feel - why!
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#frenchmonasteries #abbayedefontenay #waterfeatures #cistercian #sacredplace #spiritualplace #burgundy #bourgogne #bourgognetourisme #bourgognefranchecomte
Gratitude for a full + super + blue moon birthday Gratitude for a full + super + blue moon birthday last week! 

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
An amazing and delightfully complex dinner @leserg An amazing and delightfully complex dinner @lesergentrecruteurparis on the Ile Saint Louis.

Merci Chef @alain_pegouret !

1.     Sunset on the Pont Marie
2.     Amuse-bouche of tomato and red pepper gazpacho with a pepper tuile
3.     A most curious Sancerre
4.     Red tuna in a smoked marinade caramelized over a flame, mimosa in cucumber cannelloni, shizo-frosted avocado
5.     A more traditional Burgundy
6.     Just-cooked chanterelle, lasagna and barely runny egg yolk, poultry and chardonnay sauce
7.     Poultry from Luteau roasted with black garlic under the skin, celtuce and bimi broccoli, strong herbs and matcha tea
8.     Another curious wine, this time from the Jura region
9.     « Half-fig, half-grape » with a cardamom panna cotta on a sponge cake and smoked fig coulis
10.  Below the mirrored wall, at the chef’s table (under the pass)
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#lesergentrecruteurparis 
#alainpegouret #gastronomiefrancaise #gastronomiefrançaise #frenchgastronomy #frenchfood #frenchrestaurants #guidemichelin #michelinstar #paris #parisrestaurants 
#localisbetter
#madeinparis
#parisdesparisiens 
#foodstagram
Summer’s almost over, but the tomatoes from our Summer’s almost over, but the tomatoes from our friend’s garden are still going strong!

We added a little kick to this tomato and mozzarella salad with a cébette, a kind of French spring onion.

Vive l’été ! Long live summer!
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#tomato #tomates #tomatesdujardin #tomatemozzarella #tomatomozzarella #summer #summervegetables #essenceofsummer #countrylife #frenchcountryhome
Rare are the yard-sale finds and « newsed » tr Rare are the yard-sale finds and « newsed » treasures that waste space in our home. 

But once in a while I’ve taken very inexpensive risks on, well…. a clearly foolish purchase!

The name of this item should have been an obvious red flag: who uses the word « classy »? Not me.

I bought these probably 20 years ago, possibly in the US, and used them once or twice to make fun-shaped canapés.

But ultimately they were really not fun to use and a waste of time. If I want triangle-shaped mini-sandwiches to serve to guests, I’ll use my knife to make them, and with far less waste, thank you! 🤣🤣🤣
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#gadget #kitchengadgets #uselesskitchengadgets #dumbtools #uselesstools #canapes #appetizers #amusebouche #yardsales #thriftfinds #lovethrifting
Look at this take! 👀👀 Blackberries galore. Look at this take! 👀👀 Blackberries galore.

Our hazelnut tree has been dead for years, but it sure does produce bumper crops of this summer staple in the French countryside.

What would YOU make with 1.3 kilos (3 lbs.) of blackberries?
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#summer #summerfruit #blackberries #mures #blackberryseason #bumpercrop #ripe #frenchcountryliving #frenchcountryside #bourgogne #burgundy #bourgognetourisme
Monochrome bouquet for house guests here in Burgun Monochrome bouquet for house guests here in Burgundy.

Rose of Sharon, hydrangea, and always-fragrant buddleia, courtesy of the backyard!
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#summer #summerflowers #flowers #bouquet #monochromaticbouquet #monochromehues #guests #houseguests #entertaining #countryhome #lifeinfrance
I got this promotional copy of the Paris Food Trip I got this promotional copy of the Paris Food Trip in my mailbox, and can’t wait to use it! Merci, @le_food_trip

There are 30 (count ‘em) tastings included, so I’ll be hitting up these food and beverage purveyors in the coming months for my free samples of their wares.

If you buy one of these Food Trip passes, let me know and we’ll meet at our first stop. Only question: where should we start?! 
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#le_food_trip
#parisgram
#parisculture
#IgersParis
#lifeinfrance
#instaparis
#vivreparis
#parismaville
#hello_france
#bonjourparis_guide
#visitparisregion
#le_bonbon
#quefaireaparis
#pariszigzag
#lefooding
#pariscafes
#frenchcooking
#frenchfood
#gastronomy
#frenchgastronomy
#gastronomie
#frenchrecipe
#ministry_of_frenchfood
#frenchfoodathome
#frenchfoodblogger
#frenchfoodie
#frenchfoodlovers_
#localisbetter
#madeinparis
#parisdesparisiens
Agay…. French Riviera Agay…. French Riviera
Nothing more fun than the « job » of introduci Nothing more fun than the « job » of introducing study abroad students to their first Michelin-starred restaurant.

Especially when it’s far from the occasionally stuffy formalism of some fine-dining restaurants. 

At @lesergentrecruteurparis the atmosphere is what I like to call « structured convivial » : a perfect blend of rigorous fine-dining aesthetic and a warm, diner-centric service style. 

Gaétan and his team make the Michelin star accessible and even… gulp… FUN! Nothing intimidating about it, and with the sublime menu offerings from @alain_pegouret we’ve got a winning team!
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#lesergentrecruteur
#alain_pegouret 
#frenchcooking
#frenchfood
#gastronomy
#frenchgastronomy
#gastronomie
#frenchrecipe
#ministry_of_frenchfood
#frenchfoodathome
#frenchfoodblogger
#frenchfoodporn
#frenchfoodie
#frenchfoodlovers_
#foodie
#foodies
#restaurant
#frenchrestaurant
#foodstagram
#tasteoffrancemag
#foodmagazine
#foodandcultureoffrance
#frenchculture
#frenchfood
#jmu
#jmuglobal
#studyabroad
#university
#students
#studentlife
On tour with the fabulous and dynamic Charlotte of On tour with the fabulous and dynamic Charlotte of @bacchusandclio for an interactive French Revolution mystery hunt!
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#bacchusandclio 
#frenchrevolution 
#paris 
#tourguide 
#touragency 
#guideconférencier 
#studyabroad #studyabroadinfrance #studyabroadparis 
#foodandcultureoffrance
#frenchculture
#frenchfood
#jmu
#jmuglobal
#studyabroad
#university
#students
#studentlife
Amazing kitchen hack for this bottle of olive oil Amazing kitchen hack for this bottle of olive oil here at a friend’s place in the south of France….
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#oliveoil #lemidi #huiledolive #kitchenhack #oilhack #suddelafrance #southoffrance #lifeinfrance #frenchfood
Over 5 weeks this summer, I led 2 different study Over 5 weeks this summer, I led 2 different study abroad groups through Paris, and some through Burgundy.

One highlight of both programs? MACARONS! 

It’s always a pleasure to work with the inimitable Jonny of @lebonparistours for this macaron history and tasting experience.

Highly recommended! 
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#lebonparistours
#macarons
#macaronsparis
#richart
#studyabroad 
#studyabroadparis
#studyabroadfrance
#jmuglobal
#jmu
#foodandcultureoffrance 
#citytechhmgt
#citytechcuny
#studentlife
 #parislove
#pariscity
#parisculture
#IgersParis
#lifeinfrance
#instaparis
#vivreparis
#frenchgastronomy 
#frenchculture
#frenchfood
#university
#students
Food & Culture of France with JMU is here! This Food & Culture of France with JMU is here! 

This 3-week study abroad program has gotten off to a great start, with fantastic students and finally, some sunny weather! 🌞🌞🌞

Pictured here: a visit to Champagne to learn all about the iconic, magical bubbles.
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#foodandcultureoffrance
#frenchculture
#frenchfood
#jmu
#jmuglobal
#studyabroad
#university
#students
#studentlife
#champagne
It’s (wacky) strawberry season, at long last! W It’s (wacky) strawberry season, at long last!

We’ve been seeing gem-like strawberries at the local markets for weeks, but in-the-know Parisians wait until they’re gorgeous AND taste like the strawberries we remember from childhood: sun-ripened, succulent, and just-right sweet!

But is THIS one gorgeous or scary? Would you eat it? 😅
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#strawberries #strawberries🍓 #fraises #eatingseasonally #marchésparisiens #parismarkets #eatinginparis #parisfoodie #parisfood #frenchfood
It’s tonight!!! If you’re in France or have It’s tonight!!! 

If you’re in France or have access to French tv, tune in to M6’s « Capital » around 9:30 pm to see me talk about the Parisian bouillon.

More than just a humble broth made from scraps of veg and a few bones, the bouillon is a veritable institution in Paris (and now in other parts of France).

France’s first « fast food » restaurants gained popularity around the 1850s and were full of blue-color workers.

Nowadays, people from all walks of life flock to bouillons and neobouillons for the quality and lower than low prices.

Merci @m6officiel et @capital_m6 ainsi que @elisebotiveau @hphedgehog @bacchusandclio @heidicorinnemiller 
@52martinis 
@lesdames.france 
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#bouillon #bouillonchartier #bouillonpigalle #bouillonpigalle #bouillonjulien #bouillonrepublique #parisrestaurants #lifeinfrance #téléfrançaise #frenchtv #restaurant #historicrestaurant #paris #parisfranceofficial #vivreparis #parisculture 
#parismaville
#LoveTheWorld
#hello_france
#bonjourparis_guide
#visitparisregion 
#frenchfood
#gastronomy
#ministry_of_frenchfood
#frenchfoodathome
#frenchfoodblogger 
#frenchfoodie
Amazing grand opening last night @sweetbazar_fr in Amazing grand opening last night @sweetbazar_fr in the heart of Paris.

This pastry shop and tea room is getting a revamp by ex-Cedric Grolet cheffe and ex-@ceproc student @anaishody and her talented team. Anaïs is nothing short of fabulous! 🔥🔥

Thank you @elisebotiveau from Béchamels… and it was great to chat all things Rungis with Antoine @primeurspassion !

Best of luck, Team Hody, and may you fly far on those wings from @sweetbazarangel !
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#hospitality #hospitalitylife 
#teamworkmakesthedreamwork
#le_bonbon
#quefaireaparis
#pariszigzag
#lefooding #sweetbazar_fr 
#primeurspassion
#sweetbazarangel
#foodstagram
#frenchfoodporn
#frenchfoodie
#frenchfoodlovers_
#foodie
#foodies
#tasteoffrancemag
#saveurmag
#bonappetitmag
#foodmagazine
#foodtrends
#localisbetter
#madeinparis
Finally feels like spring!
🌷🌼🪺💐🌹🌝 

Even for Cléo, who mostly prefers her spot in a sunbeam…. behind a protective windowpane.
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#lifeinfrance #spring #printemps #acatslife #printempsenbourgogne #bourgogne #bourgognefranchecomte_tourisme #primeverts #primrose #wildprimrose #burgundy #countrylifestyle
A fantastic lunch with @matthieu_lacuisinedesorigi A fantastic lunch with @matthieu_lacuisinedesorigines and @garyooooo of The Alinea Group in Chicago. 

A non-stop Meursault-fueled conversation about food, education, and the future of our trades. Love the #hospitalitylife !

And it’s always wonderful to see a former student, but even more special today… I was his first culinary instructor @ceproc - And now @edouardogier is Executive Chef @les_caryatides in the lovely #hotelalfredsommier ! The lobster Caesar salad was 🔥🔥🔥! A visit to this ultra-secret Parisian hotel and its gorgeous courtyards is a must.

Merci, et GRATITUDE pour cette vie pleine de partage de notre passion commune, l’être humain.
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#hospitality #hospitalityindustry #hospitalitylife #partage #thegoodlife #lifeinfrance #paris #parishotels #luxelife #luxe #garyobligacion
#parisgram
#parisjetaime
#parismonamour
#parislove
#pariscity
#parisculture
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