New Bistro Ware

On warm nice night like this, it's the perfect time to walk down some Rue in Paris, to have dinner at one of the hundreds of Bistros.

You can sit outside, on little chairs like the ones above, or sweet traditional woven sets like the Red ones {that I love!} below.

Bistro food is generally simple, good food. Chicken. Steak. Frites. {with mayonaise...sigh...to die for!} Often the chef has his or her own blend of special herbs, to sprinkle on meats, poultry and potatoes.

At chez FgH, we use our own blend of herbs for our Herbes de Provence. I use it for just about everything and anything...tonight it's on the chicken that will go on the barbeque. It is so easy to make your own!

I keep it in this old pot of Herbes that I bought long ago. It's seen better days, but it's the perfect place to store the mixture, dry, cool and within reach of the stove. {it's a little scary showing all of you this pot, in the picture it looks, well, dirty, but it isn't!}

Herbes de Provence Recipe:

4 tablespoons dried thyme
4 tablespoons dried basil
4 tablespoons dried rosemary, crushed
4 tablespoons dried tarragon
4 tablespoons dried savory
4 teaspoons dried marjoram
4 teaspoons dried oregano
4 teaspoons dried lavender {be sure to get culinary lavender}
4 bay leaves, crushed

Mix together, and store in a dry, airtight place. Mix with Olive Oil and brush on fish, chicken or beef before baking, rub on a turkey before roasting, or whisk into homemade salad dressing. I sprinkle this over potatoes, in my Spaghetti sauce, it really goes in most things and makes everything taste so great. The perfect gift with a bottle of French extra-virgin Olive Oil for your favorite hostess.

I was inspired for this Bistro post by the new St. Germain Bistro ware we just got in. How cute are these? White Porcelain, accented with Red & Black. Like eating in a French Bistro.

Just as happy serving up breakfast, with cafe au lait and croissants.

I love the mugs, too. It's not easy to find a great sized mug, this one is not too big, not too small, just right.

Dinner is ready! Hope you enjoy the outside as much as possible, eating outside, at a French Bistro or in your own back yard, has its own charms. Bon Appetit!