Abra

What I find adorable about this week is that our local paper, Midi Libre, is showing each day what the little kids are doing in school as part of the semaine de gout. Today, for example, it's all about apples.

By George, I think you've got it! I'll just check with the driver, but a quick map perusal and a coup d'oeil over their menu suggests that this may be it. Do you suggest reservations?

Jalapeno poppers, jeepers! Can we talk about quince tatin? There are gorgeous quinces everywhere now and I'm longing to tatin some. Since they're so firm and take so long to cook, how should I get them to perfection?

Two months ago I would have had nothing to add here, but since I've bene living in France I've found so many delicious prepared foods that there's no reason to resist them. I'd never pass them off as homemade, though.

It looks like La Barbacane is dinner only, and Le Puits du Tresor is a ways off our route. Maybe Carcasonne isn't the right place to lunch? What we need is a great little bistro-type place right on the route between Narbonne and Toulouse, or somewhere on the outskirts of Toulouse.

Any updates on Carcasonne? We'll be driving through on our way to Espelette, and prefer to avoid going into Toulouse to save time for lunch and still get into Espelette at a reasonable hour. Domaine Auriac looks too fancy for a lunch en route.

I am so happy to see that vin de noix being put to good use, and I can't wait to try whipping it into some cream myself!

Thanks for the heads-up on the filtering, willows. Mine too are turning brown-gold in their alcohol bath. In France the grocery stores sell "alcohol for fruits" which is only 80 proof, so that's what I'm using. In the US I couldn't get Everclear, but used the highest proof vodka I could find, so this will be different but I'm not sure how yet. I think the ruby color only develops with cooking.

As it turned out, for reasons that I describe here, we had pizza and kebab tartine. No crow!

We had lunch in Barjac yesterday, at the restaurant of the Hotel du Centre, right on the main street where the excellent Friday market was wrapping up. While it's not a big wow, it was a pretty decent country-style meal. The menu for 14.50 Euros brought me an entrée of the world's largest serving of soupe de poisson in a tureen that would have happily served three, and with a really nice spicy rouille. My husband had an excellent charcuterie plate, and we were looking forward to our plats. Sadly, they didn't quite live up to the entrées, with my civet de lievre being tasty but dry, and his escalopes de volaille arriving nicely charred and sauced, but somewhat underseasoned. And if you've never been served a dessert in a Mickey Mouse glass, just look here. So, all in all, we'll keep trying other places in Barjac, which is a charming town with a lovely market to which we're sure to return. But I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this place if you're just looking for simple decent food at a very fair price.

Thanks for the compliment on French Letters. The French are really into quince, and although it's a little past quince harvest time here, they're still easy to find. I'm thinking about making something else quincey this year, since it's a rare treat for me to have them so available. Hmmm, maybe some sort of quince mince for a pie? A quince upside down cake?

Since I love Mexican food and am currently living in a place where there is none, I'll be really enjoying this blog. What took you to Mexico?

Wow, Peter, I've never seen a red quince. Those are beautiful. I made membrillo today and it's drying in the oven right now. I also started a quince liqueur. I've really no idea how it's going to turn out, but soaking fruit in alcohol and then sweetening it almost always produces something wonderful.

Tarte Tatin! The markets here in France are full of apples now, apples and chestnuts. And pears, if you want to make a pear tatin instead of apple.

I think this is the most delicious turkey stock in the known universe. Adding a few extra turkey necks makes it even better. It's the fennel that really does it for me.

Mesdames et Messieurs, Ladies and Gentlemen. As the originator of the thread, let me express my amazement at how controversial this has become. And let me say that YES, photos are a substitute for experience! If I can't have the experience myself, because I can't get to that restaurant myself, I'd much rather have your photos with your words. Most people don't write as well as they should, and so the photo conveys a lot of additional information. I'd love to visit all the places where all of you are eating, but life is too short. Therefore, thanks to those who enrich my life with their photos of beautiful food!

Lookin' mighty good, Arne, from over here where smoking is almost a rarity!

I do it by the handful, if you're buying baby greens in bulk. One handful per person and a few extra "for the bowl."

Holy cow, lardo wrapped shrimp! And those gnocchi look heavenly too. It's way too long since I had lunch at Salumi, and it looks like it just keeps getting better. Happy Birthday, Lorna!

It looks and sounds like a wonderful honeymoon, Della!

There are a lot of basil sorbets floating around. Basil with honeydew would be nice and green. Probably pretty predictable, though. Basil is also excellent with pineapple, as in so many Thai dishes.

As you've probably surmised, applesauce freezes wonderfully. Normally I put up about 20 quarts or so to eat all through the winter. Alas, now that I have a small French freezer I won't be doing that this year, so make some extra for me.

Sorry, too late to edit the previous post. I just wanted to add the PermaLink to the review which is here.

Another vote for Montreal bagels here - the best of my life! If I weren't living in France I'd love to live in Montreal for those bagels. I have a non-food question: are there still free-range skunks on the Mont Royal?

Cool report, Rob. Here where duck is cheaper than chicken I'm really surprised not to be seeing duck eggs for sale. Now I'll definitely start asking around.