Monday, July 12, 2010

French bakers know how to do it!

When I see the sign for a boulangerie or patisserie, such as this one on Rue St.Jean close by our hotel in Quebec City, I just know there will be fabulous FRESH baked goodness  waiting inside.
 
Even before I smell the early morning perfume of warm bread and pastries wafting out the open door and windows, I've made my breakfast choice......and I'm almost back in France where baking is an art and a boulangerie rarely disappoints.

Fresh from the oven artisan breads......truly the 'staff of life'. 

Jasmin loves French bakeries too - we trained her well during her time in France.  A gooey Pain au Chocolat was her morning choice, twice!

Bob and I each devoured one of these two mornings in a row - Creme Amande - a still warm croissant loaded with almond paste and topped with crunchy sliced almonds....fantastic!

We started our day sitting at the open window early morning before the crowds filled this busy street......sipping good coffee with our "best ever" croissants, breathing in the yeasty bread................

...........and eying the beautiful warm loaves as they were carried from the kitchen by the elderly baker (most surely Monsieur Baluchon), and his female assistant. This was obviously a favorite place with locals on their way to work.  They popped in non-stop to pick up breakfast pastries, good coffee, and even baguettes.

Guess what, couldn't come home without at least one beautiful bread......tucked a loaf of Olive avec Fines Herbes into a carry-on bag!

11 comments:

  1. Yummmmmmmmmm! Since coming back from France this spring, I have wondered why the bread here at our bakeries never taste as wonderful as those baguettes we picked up daily in Paris.

    This place looks like it could be France!
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  2. YUM! I think I gained 5 lbs just reading this post!! hehehe!

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  3. Mmm, Almond Croissant - my favorite!

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  4. Yummmmmmm everything looks of so yummy!! And as always your photos are just like being there!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Blessings...
    xoxo Gert

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  5. Those croissants look incredibly good! Lucky you!

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  6. Mary, my breakfast of yogurt has become suddenly inadequate. HA! I am drooling over your text and photos. Jasmine looks so beautiful. She is growing up and lovely. Love this post Are you home yet?
    Enjoy your day.
    Love, Jeanne

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  7. Welcome home. Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Jasmin just continues to become more beautiful every time you post her pictures.

    The breads have me drooling. I would love something delish right now.

    Have you been to Guglhupf here in Durham? We love it.

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  8. Tried to leave this yesterday, but internet was being naughty perhaps due to day #11 of over 90 degrees. I am NOT thanking you for bringing this weather with you!! Looks like my yearning to go to Quebec City all these years must have been based on the Patisseries. I do love a good croissant. We may go to Montreal for our anniversary this year and save Quebec for another time, not sure yet.

    Are you home now? How did the bread make it? Hello to Bob and Jasmin.

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  9. I think I gained 5lbs just reading this. Oh this is one of my favorite things to do. French pastries are amazing. No wonder I had high cholesterol by the time I came home from 3 weeks in France last year. I love all those butter ladened goodies.

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  10. Mmmmmm, I love that bread!, especially with some good homemade jam on it! Love that sign too! I had to take a photo of all the ones I saw since they are just so different. I could have started the morning out eating quite a few of those Creme Amande, of course, whether I could have zipped up later would be a different story!
    Take Care,
    Ulrike

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