November Unpacked: Savoring Champagne, Parisian Markets, and Delicious Fall Recipes

November truly was a month to remember, brimming with delightful experiences! From a romantic getaway to the heart of the Champagne region, to savoring exquisite food and wine, exploring vibrant Parisian markets, and creating heartwarming dishes, this past month offered a rich tapestry of inspiration. We kicked off our adventures with a memorable weekend trip à deux to Reims, the iconic capital of the Champagne region, indulging in tastings and culinary discoveries.

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November’s Delicious Recipes

This past November, our kitchen was truly buzzing with activity, and it seems many of you joined us in our enthusiasm for pumpkin recipes! We firmly believe that one can never have too many creative ways to enjoy this versatile fall ingredient, and your incredible engagement on Pinterest proves you wholeheartedly agree. We are genuinely moved to see over 35,000 of you visiting our recipes each month. This truly is a HUGE and wonderful community of food-loving individuals, and we are incredibly grateful to have you here, enjoying the fruits of our labor. Our most popular share this month was, without a doubt, this particular pin, demonstrating just how much you adore our pumpkin-themed creations.

Throughout November, we were thrilled to share a diverse array of recipes, perfect for cozy autumn evenings and festive gatherings. Here’s a closer look at the culinary delights we brought to your tables:

Spaghetti Squash Noodles with Arugula Pesto: A delightful gluten-free alternative, these spaghetti squash noodles are both tasty and surprisingly beautiful, especially when tossed with a fresh arugula pesto.

Pumpkin Goat Cheese Quiche: A savory sensation that perfectly marries the earthy sweetness of pumpkin with the tangy creaminess of goat cheese, baked into a golden, flaky crust.

Honey Pumpkin Madeleines: These delicate shell-shaped cakes are infused with the warmth of pumpkin and a hint of honey, offering a sweet and elegant treat for any occasion.

Pumpkin Mushroom Bowls with Brown Rice: A wholesome and satisfying meal, combining tender roasted pumpkin, savory mushrooms, and nutritious brown rice for a comforting bowl of goodness.

Lemon Ginger Infused Apple Cider Cocktail: A refreshing and zesty drink, perfect for fall gatherings, with the comforting flavors of apple cider uplifted by vibrant lemon and spicy ginger.

Jack Be Little Mini Pumpkins with Raclette Cheese: An adorable and incredibly delicious appetizer or side dish, where small pumpkins are roasted and filled with luscious, melted raclette cheese.

Cool Foodie Events of November

November also brought exciting opportunities to explore the vibrant culinary scene. We were fortunate to attend the Salon Marjolaine, an extraordinary organic fair held in the beautiful Bois de Vincennes. This event is a paradise for conscious consumers, showcasing an incredible range of products from organic food, artisanal chocolate, and exquisite teas, to sustainable textiles and eco-friendly home goods. It was a fantastic chance to browse, sample, try, and purchase to our heart’s content, truly immersing ourselves in the world of organic living. Keep an eye out for a dedicated article about our delightful day there!

If you missed it, we also highly recommend revisiting our thrilling experience at last month’s Salon du Chocolat, where we had the incredible opportunity to meet the renowned Mercotte and taste her exquisite verveine-citronnelle macarons. It was a truly unforgettable encounter for any chocolate lover!

In Our Reading Nook: Favorite Books of the Moment

Our downtime in November was filled with inspiring reads. We recently acquired the **Skinnytaste cookbook** and it has quickly become a kitchen staple! This book is an absolute treasure trove of healthy, flavorful recipes that are incredibly easy to prepare. What we love most is that these dishes can be enjoyed without any food guilt whatsoever, as they are packed with nutritious ingredients. A significant number of the recipes are also wonderfully low in calories, making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable. We’re thoroughly enjoying cooking our way through it, recipe by recipe. This cookbook has impressed us so much that we even decided to feature it as a key recommendation in our Parisian Holiday Shopping Guide.

Beyond the kitchen, I’ve been deeply engrossed in Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic.” As a long-time admirer of her work, having read all her books, this one particularly resonates. It speaks directly to creative individuals, offering a profound and inspiring perspective on the author’s personal relationship with creativity. For anyone navigating a creative path, especially those who are self-employed like myself, this book is a truly wonderful and motivational guide, encouraging us to embrace our unique creative impulses.

November Restaurant Discoveries: YAM’TCHA BOUTIQUE

This month, we had the pleasure of discovering the YAM’TCHA BOUTIQUE, and it was an absolute culinary highlight! We opted for a tasting menu of their exquisite bao buns, and each one was a revelation. Our absolute favorite, a surprising and unforgettable combination, was the stilton and cherry bao. The concept behind YAM’TCHA BOUTIQUE is truly innovative: it’s a chic tea salon, an offshoot of the acclaimed, Michelin-starred YAM’TCHA restaurant, run by the same talented husband-wife duo. And speaking of the starred restaurant, we are incredibly excited to be trying the original YAM’TCHA (located on the rue Saint Honoré in the 1st arrondissement in Paris) in January! Stay tuned for all the delicious details of that experience.

Exploring Parisian Markets: Marché d’Aligre

Our deep affection for the **Marché d’Aligre** in the 12th arrondissement continues to grow. If you’re a local or planning a visit to Paris, we wholeheartedly recommend experiencing this quintessential Parisian market, especially on a bustling Sunday morning. You’ll be greeted by an impressive array of organic fruits and vegetables, fresh produce, and artisanal goods, truly embodying Parisian market culture at its finest. Beyond its vibrant offerings, the Marché d’Aligre holds significant personal meaning for us. It’s where our Sunday morning shopping tradition began, back when Hugo and I first met and he lived close by. While we’ve since moved to the 9th arrondissement, making visits a little less frequent, returning to our old stomping grounds always feels like a special treat. This traditional covered Parisian market is a joy to behold and experience, offering a glimpse into authentic Parisian life.

The market is also home to the legendary “Le Baron,” a true French institution that absolutely deserves its own dedicated article – a promise we’ll be fulfilling very soon! As a little teaser, imagine this: it’s THE ultimate spot to enjoy fresh oysters and crisp white wine, famously served on repurposed garbage bins, creating an unpretentious yet utterly chic Sunday morning experience. It’s a testament to the unique charm and character of Parisian living.

Travel Adventures: Discovering Reims and Fossier’s Heritage

Our travel highlight for November was undoubtedly our visit to **Reims**, the heart of the Champagne region. This trip was meticulously planned to immerse ourselves in both the culinary and cultural offerings of the city. We embarked on several fantastic food and champagne tours, dined at exceptional restaurants, and even attended mass at the magnificent Reims Cathedral, all expertly packed into a delightful two-day itinerary. For all our top restaurant, food, and champagne tour recommendations, be sure to read our detailed post, “2 Days in Reims: The City of Champagne.”

During our Reims trip, we also had the incredible opportunity to collaborate with Fossier, a renowned local institution. We took you on an exclusive virtual tour of the Fossier factory, shared through our engaging Instagram stories, where they continue to produce their legendary pink biscuits and traditional gingerbread “à l’ancienne” using time-honored recipes. You can catch a glimpse of our adventures and the vibrant imagery on our Hedgehog Instagram page.

Currently, our kitchen is filled with the irresistible aroma of gingerbread and sweet biscuits as we are busy testing, tasting, and developing exciting new recipes featuring Fossier’s famous little pink biscuits and their delicious new line of gingerbread. To say our home smells incredible would be an understatement! You can already discover our very first gingerbread recipe post here, offering a taste of what’s to come.

Thanksgiving with Friends: A Time for Gratitude

As the leaves fell and the air grew crisp, November also brought the heartwarming tradition of Thanksgiving. We are eternally thankful for the wonderful friends who enrich our lives, today and always! This year, we were absolutely delighted to host Thanksgiving for our beloved group of friends, sharing laughter, joy, and a feast prepared with love. It was a truly special occasion, reinforcing the bonds of friendship and community. What are you most thankful for this year?

This occasion also brought a lovely flashback to our very first Thanksgiving together, which was also the memorable day our families officially met! It was an incredibly special moment, and this photograph serves as a constant, cherished reminder of that joyous day. Can you believe, this was the FIRST TURKEY we had ever roasted?! We were bursting with pride to host Thanksgiving and treat our families to such a gorgeous, homemade meal, marking the beginning of many cherished traditions.

To help you spread joy and show appreciation to your own cherished friends and loved ones, we’ve meticulously crafted our Parisian Holiday Shopping Guide. This guide offers a curated selection of beautiful and thoughtful gifts, organized into convenient categories. Whether you’re shopping for the dedicated home cook, the adventurous foodie, the tech enthusiast, the intrepid world traveler, the avid cookbook collector, or the classic bookworm, you’ll find perfect presents to delight. We are particularly excited about the exquisite copper cannelé molds featured in our guide, as they tie into our upcoming culinary adventures! We’ll be heading to Bordeaux in January, and upon our return, we’ll be sharing an exclusive tutorial on how to master this classic French pastry from its city of origin. Get ready to bake!

Hello December! Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Season

As we bid farewell to a truly inspiring November, we extend our warmest wishes to all of you for a very joyful holiday season! May your December be abundantly filled with precious moments alongside family and friends, overflowing with love, incredible food, and exciting new adventures. This time of year is all about embracing cherished traditions for us, and we would absolutely love to hear about yours! How do you celebrate the holidays? What special recipes are you busy making in your kitchen? Do you enjoy hosting festive gatherings, or do you prefer the delightful experience of being an invited guest? Share your favorite foodie gifts that you love to give or receive. Let us know all your holiday thoughts and traditions in the comments below!

Useful Links from This Post:

• Skinnytaste Cookbook
• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Copper Cannelé Molds