Traditions can be comforting, regular events to look forward to, to anticipate, and enjoy.
Food is no exception.
Look at the anticipation we have for Christmas dinner, Shrove Tuesday, and in Summer ripe strawberries, and the first La pomme de terre primeur de l’ile de Normoutier (the French equivalent of Jersey Royals).
Living in the countryside in France you soon realise that certain foods are enjoyed seasonally. Rarely are strawberries and asparagus available outside of Summer.
Most French people would never dream of eating Cassoulet other than in the Winter. Yes, it is available during July and August in restaurants, but only to satisfy overseas tourists.
Late October is the start of the casserole season and a typical example of this, is “boeuf carotte ” the English translation of boiled beef and carrots does not have the same romantic resonance.
Yesterday we joined over a hundred local residents for a “boeuf carotte soiree” at the Societe in Le Thoureil. Exactly the same principal as the Societe Promenade we have in our village, and visited in other blog postings.
It was noisy, lively and friendly, and like many of these occasions seemingly complete chaos!
As instructed we went armed with plates, bowls, wine glasses and cutlery and seated ourselves with our friends the cousin family and other friends, waiting for the evening to start
We sat for almost an hour nibbling on crisps, cheese puffs and Tuc crackers. We were made very welcome (it was our first visit) being greeted with handshakes and kisses as the rest of the diners arrived.
The paper table cloths soon started to disintegrate as the aperitif arrived (white wine laced with cassis or peche syrup) and glasses overflowed!
The decibels increased to the levels of a disco as everyone jostled for attention.
First course was soup – a delicate onion soup, croutons and cheese. The soup was plonked on the tables in various containers to be ladled into our assorted soup bowls. Several helpings seemed to increase the volume of noise!…….or, was that the wine??
Then the boeuf carotte arrived. Again huge quantities in bowls and pans. Large pieces of beef, pieces of carrots the size of Olympic medals floating in a “gravy” the surface covered with glistening, tiny drops of oil.
The accompaniments were boiled potatoes, hunks of fresh bread and a green salad (dressed with an astringent vinaigrette, perfect for this dish).
There were 12 seated at our table, all of us ravenous. The first Bowl soon ran dry, leaving the end 4 diners looking panic stricken and a little agitated .No worries another, even bigger container arrived
Nothing “chefy” about this dish, but it was absolutely delicious. Whatever cut of beef was used, it was sublimely soft with a hefty beefy flavour that could only come from a beast of age.
Copious amounts of local red wine complemented the dish perfectly.
Cheese then followed – a small triangle of Camembert, handed individually to each diner. More salad, more bread and more wine arrived.
Then dessert. A large apple flan, almost a metre long, in its cardboard box, cut into 30 portions. A simple dessert, but crispy pastry adorned with slices of soft sweet apple and an apricot glaze – what’s not to like? Sparkling wine was served.
Coffee …………………. individual sachets of Nescafé emptied into your wine glass and topped up with hot water from a glass jug.
Then the inevitable eau de vie (strong alcohol distilled from plums) as a digestive.
The evening was a bit rough and ready, with the odd assortments of plates dishes, and cutlery, but perfectly wonderful.
The cost ? 12€ plus bottles of good wine at 3€.
Simple, honest, great company and a good start to the casserole season.
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