REMINISCING RUE DES ROSIERS

  Location: in my heart, Paris

 

 

When I was in Norton’s grocery Bondi Jucntion, I found myself reminiscing over the quaint fruit shops in Paris. Then I found myself lusting for the Israeli food in the Marais quarter especially the falafel plates at L’AS DU Fallafel!

I love to grocery shop without a plan and let myself be inspired by the food around me. So I decided I would satisfy my craving! I simply could not resist sharing this meal with you....
First things first I prepared some falafel mixture which I set aside for later. This is so easy; you just add water and follow the instructions on the back of the packet!

Next I began preparing a beet salad. I steamed two beets until they were just cooked (still quite firm). I also lightly steamed a handful of Dutch carrots for about five minutes which I put aside. While the beets were steaming I prepared some vegetables to grill. I mixed olive oil, garlic and Italian herbs into a marinade to coat slices of egg plant and zucchini. I grilled these on high heat along with a halved capsicum and a halved Spanish onion for about 20 minutes (turning them after 10 minutes)

While the veggies were roasting I let the beets cool down.

I marinated some roughly chopped button mushrooms (using a mix of balsamic vinegar and truffle oil). Then I grated one beet and diced the other (to give the salad an interesting texture!). I added 2 cloves of crushed garlic, a diced apple, balsamic vinegar, a handful of chopped parsley and some dried Italian herbs, sea salt and pepper.  

By now the veggies were grilled, but I still had the falafel balls and carrots to deal with. I rolled the falafel mix into little balls (the size of big walnuts) and fried these in olive oil for about 2 minutes on each side. I Also fried the steamed Dutch carrots to give them back a little bit of crunch!

I let the falafel balls and carrots drain on some kitchen paper and tossed my mushrooms in the hot oil for about 2-3 minutes.

I had purchased some wild olives, sundried tomatoes, grilled artichoke hearts and hummus. I put these (along with everything I had cooked) on a big plate. Here is the end result!!

Yummi Yumm yum!!