chez pim

the baskets of Lalbenque

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Continuing on the theme of memorable things from the Lalbenque truffle market, from the faces of the people, whose every wrinkle tells a story, and now to little baskets of treasure. The truffle hunters from areas all around Lalbenque, and some as far south as the Midi, came to market with little paniers or baskets full of treasures, demurly hidden in multi-colored kitchen towels. Walking around the market, it's these baskets -some handsome, some old, some new, some quite wretched workmanship, and others a marvel of homemade glory- that were sometimes even more interesting than the treasured content within.

Michelin Guide France 2007, really out

Now Michelin news is really out. The official Press Release came out yesterday, pretty much confirming the news that was leaked by François Simon (and reported here) early this month. The only place that Simon was off was Hélène Darroze getting a third star, which turns out to not to be the case.

So, the official new three stars are the following:

L'Astrance, Pascal Barbot and Christophe Rohat
Le Meurice, Yannick Alléno
Le Pré Catelan, Frédéric Anton
Pic, Anne Sophie Pic
Lameloise, Jacques Lameloise (regained the third star they lost few years ago)

The faces of Lalbenque

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Kate and I went to the truffle market at Lalbenque yesterday. And what a day it was, filled of amazing discoveries and deliciousness. But perhaps the most striking part of the experience was the faces of the people we encountered. Here are some of them that I can share.

Where is Paris?

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Where is Paris again? I seem to have forgotten. I came down to Gascony to visit Kate for the weekend, and now I might be staying forever. Well, perhaps not for ever, but for another week until I have to get back to London.

I am in a stone house dating back to the 1600's, in a charmed room with a view of the garden, the canal, and Kate's lived-in houseboat There's a clawfoot tub in my room, where I take my bath every night before bed, and a round wooden table by the window where I write, inspired by the fog creeping in over the landscape. There's also a door that opens to nowhere, and a fleeting spectre of a lady in white just turning around the corner.

We celebrated Chinese New Year Saturday night, with a charmed circle of friends Kate has cultivated, winemakers, poétesse, playwright, artists, cooks, writers, gardeners, and more. Lucy, having spent a few years working in China, made delightful chinese dumplings (the recipe and detailed instructions can be found on her blog.) I made beggar's rice -or perhaps to be appropriately fortuitous for the new year I should call it generosity rice- which was an impromptu recipe composed entirely of borrowed ingredients.

But for you-know-who waiting for me in California, I might never leave here, ever.

Self-portrait of a blogger

Where in the world is Pim?

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...in an old farmhouse in Gascony, eating locally raised ducks -with skin and fat a half inch thick- roasted in an open fireplace. More cooking in Gascony, and a visit to the truffle market, later.

Paris graffiti

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Neat graffiti found on the streets of Paris, around the 13e. Suitable-ish for Valentines day.

Truth in advertising: a veggie version

Now that's truth in advertising.

Dandelion is called Pissenlit in French. Dandelion leaves are known to be diuretic. And, so, what does piss-en-lit mean exactly? Ok I'll give you one little hint, lit is bed in French. Piss-en-lit, see? Yeah, it means precisely what you think.

If this is not truth in advertising, I don't know what is. Kraft could learn a thing or two.

What should you do with Dandelion? I love making a salad, dress with a strong shallot vinaigrette, toss into it some crisp bacon, and top with a softly poached egg. Eat enough of this salad and you might need to wear this stuff to bed though. Just don't say I didn't warn you.

Au Marché

Going to market at the Ave du Président Wilson in the 16e.

Quite styling people for a Saturday morning. Well this is Le chichi Seizième after all, I guess.

There was one particularly stylish Asian girl who was also there just to take pictures. We exchanged glances but no one spoke. I probably should have said hi. I betcha she's a blogger too. (Last photo, in the slideshow.)

Speaking of taking photos, someone must give me a clue about how to photograph people. I am much better at shots of food. They don't move! They don't look at you funny when they realize you're taking photo of them. And they certainly don't do this. I've asked a couple people if I could shoot them, but then the shots turned out so obviously posed that I didn't like them at all. I am clueless. Help?

My street, and thereabouts