Les Francophones Get-Together

This has been an amazing summer so far…  Back in June, I started taking this conversational French course at L’Alliance Française.  I have mentioned to you already I take regular classes at L’Alliance, but usually we have to take a summer break and go without speaking or learning French because the courses are mostly grammar reviews for the entry level students, etc.

Well, this year they organized a conversational course where you can attend from Monday thru Thursday and take a 2hr conversational class.  No assignments, just talking and speaking in French for 2 hours straight.  The funny thing is that the class was FULL – we had almost 20 students in class every day, something only seen at the introductory French classes.

All these people are super excited about the French language.  So enthusiastic in fact, that we created a club – Les Francophones.  The first meeting of Les Francophones was held chez moi last Saturday night…  of course I had to make a French-inspired menu.  I got a little inspiration from the book that also inspired me to take up French classes again – Barefoot in Paris from Ina Garten.

Here was the menu…

Cheese Platter with Roquefort, Gruyere, Camembert and Cheddar with a selection of Strawberries, Grapes, Apples and crostinis

Rosemary Almonds

Sun-dried Tomato and Roasted Garlic Breadsticks

Brie Chaud avec Walnuts Praline et Honey

Mushroom-Stuffed Mushrooms

French Onion Soup with Gruyere croutons

Citrus Punch

And a Tarte aux Pommes that Laura brought in…

We had a wonderful night… we spoke mostly French all night and saw a French movie called Le Grand Chemin.  To my surprise, everyone wanted to take some of the leftovers home… everybody raved at how good the food was.

I hope this is just the first of many, many Francophones dinners/get-togethers.  But most of all I want to thank my sous-chef Annie-Mariel, Laura, Katherine, Michelle, Noreniel, Zorymar, Kristina, Nicole, Antoinette, Ana, the crew of the French frégate Cassard and L’Alliance Française for making this Summer of 2008 an unforgettable one.  I have found true friends that I hope will last for a lifetime… 

 Merci mes amis… a bientôt.