Favorites from the City of Lights
I still can’t get over last night! BEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!! 
My husband is truly amazing, and I’m very lucky to have him.
Ok, so ready for the surprise? Well, it’s a actually a two-part surprise. The first part started with Mal picking me up from our apartment. Once we started to drive to our destination, he made me play 20 Questions to guess my surprise. Well, after asking 20 questions, I still had no idea!
Eventually, Mal just told me what he had planned. He arranged for us to attend a Classical French cooking class at The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts!! So cool! I was psyched! 
Mal’s family is French, so he was just as excited for the class as I was!
Once the instructor explained to us what we needed to do, our 10-person class got right to work. We prepared a 9-course meal for dinner.
We broke off into smaller groups to tackle each of the dishes. Mal and I were responsible for the Chicken Fricassee with Cognac and Fraises Au Poivre Et Au Rouge (fresh strawberries with peppercorns and red wine).
We started by preping all of the ingredients needed for our chicken dish, which included cutting up a whole chicken, slicing bacon and onions, and portioning out the right amount of butter.
For some reason, I thought 1 tablespoon = 2 ounces, so I got a little carried away with the butter. (FYI: 1 tbsp = 1/2 oz.)
French cooking typically requires a lot of butter, so I wasn’t concerned at first. But, then I realized that I had a massive amount of butter in my bowl.
Oops! 
Luckily, I realized my mathematical error before we started cooking.
The recipe also called for bacon “lardoons,” which were basically thin strips.
Mmm… bacon.
Then, Mal took the reigns on cutting the chicken into pieces. He’s a brave one.
Mal did a great job with the chicken. We let the pieces marinate in cognac for about 20 minutes.
While we waited, we enjoyed some red wine.
And prepared the strawberries for the Fraises Au Poivre Et Au Rouge.
A little while later, it was time to get cookin’!
A good two hours later, it was finally time to eat! We were starving, but it was well worth the wait. Everything was so, so, so delicious! We lucked out with a talented group of people and a great instructor.
For our meal, we enjoyed French Onion Soup.
Mussels in Velouté Sauce.
Salad de Bleu D’Auvergne.
Pommes Dauphinoise.
Chicken Fricassee with Cognac and Asparagus with Tarragon Butter Sauce.
Beef Wellington.
Bon Appétit!
I loved everything on my plate, especially the Pommes Dauphinoise. I can’t wait to make them at home.
And dessert!
Fraises Au Poivre Et Au Rouge.
Cream Puff Croquembouche.
Mal and I really enjoyed cooking together. We’re already eyeing a tapas class for a future date night.
Part 2 of my birthday celebration is coming soon!
Tags: Favorites from the City of Lights, The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts
Mastering Public Health — June 12, 2010 @ 11:23 am
What a nice birthday date for both husband and wife — such careful orchestration of the surprise! Everything looks so professional, too.
Judy — June 12, 2010 @ 11:23 am
What a great present and so cool that you two got to share the experience together. The food looks great and happy early birthday!
Kellie — June 12, 2010 @ 11:25 am
Homemade cream puffs? Oh my goodness!!
Mo@MommyRD — June 12, 2010 @ 11:25 am
Wow, what a fun surprise! I love that he thought of something that would be unique and fun for both of you. Can’t wait to hear what’s next!
Marilou @ Mostly Healthy — June 12, 2010 @ 11:25 am
What a great idea for a birthday surprise!!!!!
I love french cuisine, and everything looks amaze-bouche.
Can’t wait for part 2!
Dorry — June 12, 2010 @ 11:26 am
What a fun, creative birthday gift! Love it.
Ann @ Appalachian Appetites — June 12, 2010 @ 11:27 am
yay! great present mal
can’t wait to hear about the rest!
Runeatrepeat — June 12, 2010 @ 11:27 am
That makes our cooking class look like making PB&J! Mal is too good
Mama Pea — June 12, 2010 @ 11:29 am
OMG, Mal is the man. That is the best gift EVER! Hope you guys enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Freya @ Brit Chick Runs — June 12, 2010 @ 11:29 am
What an amazing present!! Hold onto Mal, he seems like a good one
Diana — June 12, 2010 @ 11:32 am
Wow, all the food looks amazing! Can’t wait to hear what the rest of the surprise was!
Marisa (Loser for Life) — June 12, 2010 @ 11:35 am
OMG, drool city! Wow! What a great birthday surprise! Well done, Mal
Kel — June 12, 2010 @ 11:37 am
That is awesome! What a great idea!
Katie @The Small Boston Kitchen — June 12, 2010 @ 11:38 am
What a great surprise! Love the pictures, everything looks so yummy and it looks like you both had a lot of fun. Happy Birthday!
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine — June 12, 2010 @ 11:40 am
Wow, what an absolutely amazing birthday surprise!! Definitely worth all the suspense! If you were a fan of the lardons, you have to try it in a “salade frisee.” Curly endive, poached egg, lardons and shallots in a basic vinaigrette. It’s both of my parents’ favorite salad! Can’t wait for the rest of the recap
kelly — June 12, 2010 @ 11:41 am
What a GREAT surprise!!! Way to Go Mal! (my 40th is next month — will be informing husband that he needs to up his game lol)
Lisa — June 12, 2010 @ 11:44 am
Oh my god that food looks amazing!!!!!
Kara — June 12, 2010 @ 11:46 am
That looks like an amazingly fun birthday so far. I’m looking into culinary schools so I’ll have to check out CSCA. Do you know how their reputation is?
Also, took my first Body Pump class this morning. I was dying during some of the arms, but I loved it. Definitely upping my weights for next time.
The Wife of a Dairyman — June 12, 2010 @ 11:47 am
What an amazing birthday! A great husband you have there:) Looked like SO much fun.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend:)
Julie @ Pickley Pear — June 12, 2010 @ 11:49 am
What a perfect idea for both of you! He’s a great guy
The chicken looks fabulous…the more butter, the better!
Claire — June 12, 2010 @ 11:51 am
That is truly the best bday present! Mal is awesome lady! I only hope my boyf thinks of something half as creative for my bday one day. Sounds and looks like so much was had!
Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life — June 12, 2010 @ 12:00 pm
How FUN! Mal is definitely a keeper!
I’ve been wanting to take a cooking class for a while now…I just have to find a good one!
Kelly — June 12, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
That sounds awesome!!!! Great surprise!!!
I can’t believe you left us in suspense for part 2, MEAN haha
Wendy — June 12, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
Awesome!!!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter — June 12, 2010 @ 12:19 pm
That is such a great birthday gift! You two are too funny when you cook, I love it
Erin — June 12, 2010 @ 12:23 pm
This looks like so much fun! What a neat surprise.
diana@mymarblerye — June 12, 2010 @ 12:36 pm
I’ve been DYING to take a cooking course but they are so darn expensive!! Mal totally “knows” you and what you would love! bon apetit!
Miranda @ Mirandasjeans — June 12, 2010 @ 12:41 pm
Wow Mal is one amazing guy, as if you didn’t already know that! What an absolutely amazing first part of the night. Can’t wait to read about the second part of the night.
Emily — June 12, 2010 @ 12:42 pm
Happy birthday, Tina! What a cool birthday present! I would love to do a cooking class like that one day.
I’ve read your blog for a while, and I’ve been wanting to try out Body Pump from your reviews. So this morning I headed to “Muscle Pump,” my gym’s version! It was great! I referenced you on my blog, so I hope that’s alright. Thanks!!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg — June 12, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
That is SO cool!!!! We’re coming to Boston in July, and I would LOVE to do that! What a sweet husband you have!
Gwen — June 12, 2010 @ 12:55 pm
How fun! And it all looks delish! H and I did a cooking class earlier this year and it was a disaster! Mal did much better with his chicken than we did!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin — June 12, 2010 @ 1:02 pm
What an awesome surprise! Mal is so creative to come up with this! And the food looks amazing, especially that French onion soup. Mmm!
Kim — June 12, 2010 @ 1:03 pm
Mal is a great guy! What a nice surprise!! I’m looking forward to reading about part 2! Happy Saturday!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — June 12, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
What an amazing surprise!!!
Cynthia (It All Changes) — June 12, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
That is like the best surprise. So you! Mal really understands you.
Hunni and I want to take a cooking course because he wants to learn the basics so I don’t have to cook all the time.
Erica — June 12, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
ah! Such a great class. Cute pictures of the both of you
I had known about part 2! He is SUCH a sweet guy!
Evan Thomas — June 12, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
Coming from a guy’s point of view, I’m wicked impressed with Mal right about now. And there’s a part 2, too?! Can’t wait
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) — June 12, 2010 @ 1:16 pm
Now that sounds like fun! Mal really thinks outside the box on gifts! I love doing things with my family for special occasions!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers — June 12, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
How awesomely cool!! Your husband rocks!!
Wei-Wei — June 12, 2010 @ 1:41 pm
That is AWE. SOME. In fact, it’s not some – it’s AWEPLENTY. (I didn’t want to write aweful, but there you go.) What an awesome, awesome idea. Gosh, I’m so jealous of you! Mal is the sweetest thing ever
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINA! I just had to say that in capitals.
Wei-Wei
MaryZ — June 12, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
OMG! How fun! I would love to do this on a date night! Mal is the best!
Mary @ What's Cookin' with Mary — June 12, 2010 @ 3:16 pm
What a thoughtful gift
It looks like you two had a splendid evening! Happy Birthday Tina!!
Helen — June 12, 2010 @ 3:48 pm
That is such a thoughtful present. What a great husband Mal is. I love that it is something tha you can both enjoy. It looks like you had a great time as well. All of the dishes look delicious, especially the Beef Wellingtons and pastry dessert – yes I love pastry! You guys tackled some difficult dishes too, I’m glad you noticed the butter mistake, that would have been a lot even for French cooking!
Emilyeatsclean — June 12, 2010 @ 3:49 pm
Go Mal!! How fun that looks and YUMMY too!!
Olga — June 12, 2010 @ 4:49 pm
Looks like you had a WONDERFUL evening!! (..and I bet the tapas class will be awesome!)
Carolyn @ lovinlosing.com — June 12, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
That looks like so much fun! What a wonderful husband to pick the perfect birthday gift!
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ — June 12, 2010 @ 7:06 pm
I would love to take a cooking class, especially with my husband so fun.
Heather (Heather's Dish) — June 12, 2010 @ 10:18 pm
wow, what a fabulous time!!! i would love to take a cooking class like that with my hubby…he’s such a great cook and so thorough!
Lynn (The Actors Diet) — June 12, 2010 @ 10:28 pm
wowee! what a man! big props to mal.
A Boston Food Diary — June 12, 2010 @ 10:33 pm
What a wonderful birthday surprise!!!!!! Looks like you had a wonderful time! Happy Birthday!!
Hannah — June 12, 2010 @ 10:36 pm
Omigod, you and Mal are so fantastic together! One day, I hope to have someone in my life who knows me as well as he knows you. Sigh!! And blue cheese, and cheesy soup, and… ahhh!
Amber K — June 12, 2010 @ 11:46 pm
What a fun idea! Although, I wouldn’t eat pretty much a single thing in the spread, I bet it would be a ton of fun anyway. And I’m sure I could find a cooking class that would cook things I actually wanted to eat! =)
shannon — June 13, 2010 @ 12:36 am
happy birthday
Anne @ Food Loving Polar Bear — June 13, 2010 @ 6:09 am
What a great surprise, I would LOVE to attend a cooking class
Emily @ The Front Burner Blog — June 13, 2010 @ 4:25 pm
Ahhhh this reminds me SO much of culinary school! How fun!
Becca — June 14, 2010 @ 10:53 am
What a wonderful birthday surprise!
Shaina — June 16, 2010 @ 8:21 pm
Wow – the cooking class looks like SO much fun! What a great idea. Happy belated birthday!!!