The Loire Valley and especially Blois
Jean Michel went mushroom picking with Alain, our friend and neighbour from Les Grouets who led him straight to these wild hedgehog mushrooms. The French name pied-de-mouton means sheep’s foot but we can’t find the origin. The fine needle-like spores are bitter if not brushed off. Delicious cooked in a little olive oil and served …
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When I took this photo of my favourite biscuit maker at the market – Sablés Les Grouets – the sausage vendor opposite was jealous, so I took his photo as well! Lorsque j’ai pris cette photo de mon fabricant de gâteaux préféré au marché – Sablés Les Grouets – le vendeur de saucisson en face …
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We saw these chocolate shoes and bags at the 9th Rendez-vous du Chocolat at Château de Villesavin this weekend. We didn’t buy any but we tasted (and bought) other chocolate. Nous avons vu ces chaussures et sacs en chocolat au 9e Rendez-vous du Chocolat au Château de Villesavin ce weekend. Nous n’en avons pas acheté …
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Café gourmand which consists of a selection of mini desserts is my favourite dessert. I had this one at Le Bistrot du Cuisinier on quai Villebois Mareuil in Blois. Le café gourmand est mon dessert préféré. Celui-ci était servi au Bistrot du Cuisinier, quai Villebois Mareuil à Blois.
I love the courtyard of this tea (and light lunch) room near Blois Castle. It also has a wonderful 15th cellar with local wines. It’s called Les Forges du Château. J’adore la cour de ce salon de thé à côté du château de Blois (où on peut déjeuner également). Il y a également une très …
Paella is a traditional dish from Valencia in Spain based on short-grain rice and mussels which derives its name from the pan used to make it, but it’s been popular in France for a long time now and can often be found at the market. We also saw our friend Sire Damien who makes those …
This one was a challenge for me because takeaways apart from pizza and hamburgers are not part of French culture. However, we have traiteurs, which are a bit like delicatessens, where you can buy prepared meals. On today’s menu: blood sausage & Caribbean grill on the left-hand board and stag sausage and terrine on the right-hand …
The French expression for “best before” is “à consommer de préférence avant le” plus the date. This box, bought at Feuillette in Saint-Gervais-la-forêt near Blois, says “Best before the others [eat them]! Guesss which flavours. Macarons achetés chez Feuillette à Saint-Gervais-la-forêt! Dévinez les parfums.
The fête du pain or bread festival takes places in France every year on the feast of Saint Honoré, patron saint of bakers. Norbert Gourget, who has his own bread oven in our neighbourhood, Les Grouets, turns into a baker once a year for the local association Les Amis des Grouets to bake bread, brioche …
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As we were walking through the market in Blois, a green bicycle with “Les Grouets” on it caught my eye. “Les Grouets” is the name of our neighbourhood in Blois. We soon started talking with an enterprising pastry cook who makes and sells delicious shortbread biscuits. Now we buy a packet every time we go. …