Do we eat like the French?

YES, but no.

Obviously one of the things I was most looking forward to was the wonderful food in France. I had visions of the most perfect 'potager' with the children collecting seasonal veg (all in soft focus). Obviously it’s way too soon for that but have our eating habits changed?

St Paul doesn't have the greatest market, it’s there and it does its job. There are better ones in Perpignan (wrong side of the tracks) but good, 3 cantaloupe melons for €1.49, a third of the price of the supermarkets. Quillan also has a good Saturday market but that is up the mountain on the overhanging rock narrow road, really have to WANT to go there rather than just pop in.

So where does this leave me? At the supermarché, that’s where. Apparently our local Carrefour is 'très cher' but being used to London prices I am not shocked. However the grocery bills have been rather large but when examined it was all 'la fille's' required stationery that was adding up, which not having had a child in secondary school before; I am sure the price in UK would be similar.

If I have found anything eye watering and a bit of a deep breath needed it’s at the meat counter. Like most I prefer organic or at least not factory farmed but you do pay. Hubby went pale when the local butcher asked for €40 for 10 double joint chicken pieces. They were delicious. The good news is the seafood can be inexpensive and it’s lovely and fresh.

As mentioned before the kids eat in the canteen. I had to pick up 'le garcon' from there and I wanted to stay and eat the meal he couldn't. They have a choice of starters normally salady type of dishes, bread (natch, but only 3 pieces mind). They have to eat most or all of their main course and on the day I was there it was salmon in dill sauce, it looked really good. Then dessert can be anything from flan, fruit or ice-cream. So far my kids seem to love it and don't appear to come home staving and all that for €3 a day. The teachers are not on duty at lunch and they have a separate dining room with one way glass I have never had it confirmed that they have a glass of wine but I so hope they do.

So hubby and I (if he's) here, generally have breakfast together at 10ish fresh bread and/

or pastry, confiture, fruit, yoghurt and café. Lunch is well, bread again with a bit of salad, cold cuts and of course the fromage.

Dinner can be anything from beans on toast (yes Heinz) I am afraid we imported them but they are available here at a price; to homemade veal escallops’ with mushroom sauce, depending what day it is. So we eat well but smaller portions throughout the day rather than a huge meal in the evening.

So do we eat like the French? There is definitely a lot more bread on our table. We are eating seasonal fresh veggies and fruit because we have to. The fromage is ever present but that isn't all that different from before but the taste oh yes, the ripe sweet tomatoes, juicy flavourful peaches and plums added to the bounty of green and black figs from Gigi's garden all eaten al fresco, yes it does seem more French, but I suspect those Heinz baked beans and frozen petit pots will always have a place in my pantry/freezer.

 

As for the dreams of the potager, I have asked if there is an allotment free and I'm waiting to hear if there is one available. In the meantime I have planted loads of seeds mainly herbs and for some spring colour lots of bulbs, it’s a small start. Come the spring we will get ready for those home grown salads. In the meantime I have the markets and the wonderful bio veggies from @maspeyre and I've heard a rumour that IF I'm really lucky some ready to eat sanglier may appear! Très French, non?

 

Harvest continues to continue, the weather is playing up again and some of the red varieties are not yet at optimum ripeness. I will do a full report when the wine is settling and possibly some of it is blended. A bientôt.