French Cookware, Cookbooks & Other Things

A visit with my good friend Ruthie Cook became a morning photo shoot of her beautiful French cookware and other things.  It all started with the conversation about her bike travel through Central Europe during the summer of 1961.  Along with her travel, the introduction to the cuisine of Europe became the inspiration of her retail store specializing in European cookware.  Her beautiful French collection have brought enjoyment to her and all who come to visit.

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French hammered copper pots and pans by Mauviel are such examples.  A wonderful way to bring a little bit of French decorating into the kitchen.  For collectors, hand-made hammered copper pots and pans are the most desirable for their quality, function, and beauty.  Over the years, the method of applying copper sheets became more popular in production to reduce cost and time.

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French copper saute/crepe pan

The ultimate destination to find a large selection of copper cookware and other kitchen supplies is in Paris France at E. Dehillerin {18 and 20, rue Coquillière}.  Retail stores such as William Sonoma and Sur La Table carry a nice collection of copper pots and pans here in the United States.

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 ceramic pie/tart dish, Vallauris clay pot, French cookbook-Dorie Greenspan, copper pots & pans

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Vallauris clay pot filled with warm baked bread.

Vallauris casserole pots have been made in the southeastern part of France for centuries. These ceramic vessels are still being made and used in cooking and baking today.   The renown artist, Picasso helped to reenergize the art of pottery making in the region.  From 1948 to 1955, he lived in Vallauris and established an art studio where he created sculptures and other artworks.  The National Picasso Museum  was built in Vallauris to showcase the talents of the people and history of the region.

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These are great French cookbooks for cooking, baking, and inspiration.

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A simple way to make and serve coffee in the morning or any other time of day using a French coffee press and these adorable white ceramic mugs….and a few pastries {not shown}.

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A wine glass holding mother-of-pearl caviar spoons and knives.

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 Crisp ironed linens all hung up and ready to be used.

After the visit and time spent perusing through Ruthie’s beautiful collection, it brought to mind the classic film that I have admired and enjoyed watching for over 20 years, Babette’s Feast.  I saw the movie recently …  twice …..maybe three times… or more, since I took these pictures.

If you have not seen the movie, Babette’s Feast, it’s truly a must see film.  In 1987, the movie won “Best Foreign Language Film”.

The story took place in the 19th Century  on a remote fishing village in Denmark where two sisters, Martine and Filippa lived all their lives.   During their later years, a visitor {Babette} came to them and the sisters were confronted with the decision to provide her a place to stay, whom they knew nothing about. They agreed and offered her a room in their home and in return, she worked for them by cleaning and cooking.

In a turn of events, Babette was given a fortune and in return wanted to use the money to prepare a French meal in celebration of the sister’s beloved father’s 100th birthday.

Babette’s menu begins with
an amontillado and features “Potage à la Tortue” (turtle soup);
“Blinis Demidoff au Caviar” (buckwheat cakes with caviar and sour cream);
“Caille en Sarcophage avec Sauce Perigourdine” (quail in puff pastry shell with foie gras and truffle sauce);
a salad featuring Belgian chicory and walnuts in a vinaigrette;
and “Les Fromages” featuring blue cheese, papaya, figs, grapes, pineapple, and pomegranate.

The grand finale dessert is
“Savarin au Rhum avec des Figues et Fruits Glacées” (rum sponge cake with figs and glacéed fruits).

Numerous rare wines,
including a 1845 Clos de Vougeot, along with an 1860 Veuve Clicquot champagne and spirits,
complete the menu. 

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The film clip is a very, very, short account of the elaborate French dinner from that night.
{video not playing, click Here}

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 images/sources:  St. Charles Public Library, Babette’s French dinner menu/Wikipedia

posted by Kay