The Matzo Invasion

Wednesday was the first night of Passover, a holiday not widely celebrated in the slightly anti-semitic country of France. However, Brittany was determined that we acknowledge our heritage by attending or having a Passover seder. Thanks to her mom who sent a Haggadah (a Jewish religious text that sets out the order of the Passover Seder) and the Juif-section of the Marais (the sole place in Paris that sold Matzo), Brittany was able to put together a makeshift Passover Sedar. We read from the Haggadah, put together a Seder plate, and ate chicken, greens, and potatoes, and of course, matzo. And to bring together the Jewish and Parisian culture, we drank du vin!

I have to say, despite the underlying tension between the French and the Jewish religious cultures, their cuisines compliment each other rather well. The French keep their grocery stores stocked with a plentiful selection of smoked salmon (lox). Much more impressive than the two lox choices I usually find at Giant. The roast chicken from the butcheries here not only provides a great substitution for a shank bone but it's delicious! And, the pièce de résistance... the combination of Matzo and butter...a childhood favorite of mine. However, this is not just any butter...it's the amazing French salted butter that I know I've repeatedly raved about. Mmmm...

The Matzo made its second appearance last night at my dinner party. In attendance were the girls, Mirko and Alessandro, and my new coworker Soufien and his girlfriend Lindsay. The weather was warm enough for us to eat on my glass-enclosed balcony - my entire reason for renting my too-expensive-for-me apartment. We had the usual cheese and bread appetizers, a spring pasta salad, green salad, quiche and dessert pastries. Oh...and about 5 bottles of wine. My hosting abilities didn't quite measure up to Alessandro's - the male Bree Van de Camp - but I think it was a successful fête!

Tomorrow I will be hosting my second round of ''visitor.'' My friend Amy from D.C. is set to arrive tomorrow morning, just in time for us to jet off to Florence for Easter Weekend.

I'm still not sure when I'm going to pack, as my night is shaping up to be quite busy. A drink with Mirko and his Italian friends after work, a party with the French girls, Mathilde and Anne-Sophie, the possible need for a late-night crepe... Ah well, demain est un autre jour!