Apple Sans Cinnamon

As an American, I've always thought that apples and cinnamon were a match made in heaven. But, according to my Cordon Bleu-trained Parisian friend Alexandra, cinnamon is "blech!" Goodness knows my Pastitsio would seem a travesty to her Frenchified, cinnamon-offended tastes, but even desserts with merely a sprinkle of the spice illicit an "ick!"

I never understood why.

Then a branch of Maison Kayser opened in my neighborhood. Who was I to resist the draw of a freshly baked Baguette Monge? And, then I saw it. Apple Tart, gloriously tiled slices of apple graced with a light glaze atop a thin piece of pastry. No cinnamon in sight. One bite and I knew that it wasn't necessary. This was pure unadulterated apple ecstasy.

Will I now scorn my once beloved cinnamon in stick or powdered form? Non! But I will say "Oui" to another slice of that tart.