Ooh La Loire : Page 89 of 92 : MONKVALLEY: Memories and thoughts about food and a life lived in the Loire Valley, France

JAMMED AND IN A PICKLE

During the gardening year it is of course a warm, satisfying feeling harvesting and eating produce. A big part of the pleasure is the preserves that result:- Jams and pickles. … Continue Reading →

POTAGER KITCHEN GARDEN

When living in the UK I had very little space in the garden for growing fruit and vegetables. A small greenhouse was as far as we got, tomatoes and cucumbers, … Continue Reading →

OVEN ROAST CHIPOTLE HONEY PORK

Serves 8-10 Ingredients 2.5kg bone-in Pork Shoulder Sea Salt and Black Pepper 2 tablespoons Lard (for a truly Mexican feel lard is the fat of choice) 1 medium Onion, … Continue Reading →

COURGETTE-R-US (our favourite courgette recipes)

Let’s consider the humble courgette:- To start with it’s incredibly easy to grow, ideally sited in a well manured plot, and watered regularly, you will be rewarded with a bumper … Continue Reading →

SWEET AND SOUR COURGETTE PICKLE

A delicious and simple way of using all your surplus courgettes. INGREDIENTS 1 kg Courgette 2 onions For the pickling Liquid 400g white sugar 250ml white wine vinegar 1 … Continue Reading →

COURGETTE SOUP WITH PARSLEY AND BASIL

I love the infusion of the herbs egg, and parmesan, it makes for an interesting soup, full of flavour; INGREDIENTS 2 Tablespoon olive oil 1 small onion finely chopped 5 … Continue Reading →

COURGETTE AND MINT SOUP

This is one of our favourite soups in Monkvalley. Delicious and simple. The last minute addition of the mint and parsley give the soup a sharp, fresh flavour. Serve … Continue Reading →

COURGETTE TART

My favourite tart recipe. A change from the ubiquitous French Quiche and perfect to take on summer picnics. INGREDIENTS For the Pastry 225 plain flour salt 140g unsalted butter 1 … Continue Reading →

we RECOMMEND

DOMAINE DE SAINT-MAUR Ideally located in Anjou, the Domaine Saint-Maur is located on the hills that dominate the left bank of the Loire, the Thoureil, Maine and Loire. The vineyards of Saint Maur became the property of the CHOUTEAU family in 1962. Winegrowers and winemakers for several generations, we bring our passion and our know-how to the breeding of our vines. The main grape varieties that make up the 36 ha predominantly clay-limestone are theCabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon-Chenin, Sauvignon Blanc and Grolleau .

Manoir de Jouralem Manoir de Jouralem is a new stylish boutique bed and breakfast & Gite in The Loire Valley, France. Opened in July 2018, Mel & Hywel are English speaking owners living the good life with their young family and Tilly the wonder-dog. There are 8 hectares of grounds to explore, including the new natural swimming pool, walks through the woods, passing the flower garden, orchard and picnic area. They look forward to welcoming you for a well deserved stay, whether you are wine and food enthusiasts, keen cyclists, chateaux visitors or just need a good cosy rest.

Domaine Leduc Frouin Nathalie and Antoine LEDUC now run the family estate founded in 1873. Before them, four generations of winegrowers - parents, uncle, grandparents - built and developed the Seigneurie vineyard. Combining tradition and modernity , they do everything they can to offer you typical Anjou wines, subtle and surprising. Passionate, they work rigorously on their vineyard of around thirty hectares located in Martigné-Briand, in the heart of Haut-Layon. The diversity of their terroirs - falun, schist, clay - allows them to produce plot-by-plot vinifications that reveal the character of the Seigneurie wines each year.