eGfoodblog: Dave Hatfield

[C. sapidus]

Dave: Thank you for the lovely visit to your village. The food reminds me of a visit to my half-French cousin's house in California. They served a simple, delicious meal, accompanied by ample quantities of well-chosen French wines. Two decades later, I can still remember their grilled zucchini. Fresh ingredients cooked well, and a refreshing story told well. I am sorry to see it end.

[heidih]

Thank you so much for blogging an especially for the narrative and the photos of your walks. My head and heart are still stuck on your first lunch of sausage, salad, cepes, and cheese. My first exposure to this style of eating was Corsica in the early 70's and it remains a hallmark for me in terms of consideration and enjoyment of simple wonderful food. As to your puppy- I always thought he was a Photoshop "superimposition" of a moose and a dog!

[Abra]

All I can say is à toute à l´heure, dude! And thanks for everything.

[eje]

Dave... Thanks so much for sharing your week. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

[GourmetLight$]

Such a very unexpected treat - thank you! Hubby and I have 2-weeks planned. I was so nice and let him pick and he chose Tuscany. I figure that since I'm making the arrangements, he'll get on the plane and unexpectedly be enroute to Southern France in the 2nd week and LOVE it! I haven't been in the region since 1989 and am suddenly homesick. Such a wonderful peek into your blessed life!

Cheers,

[Kim Shook]

I am so glad that I was able to 'get back' to egullet in time to respond to your blog. I have enjoyed this so much. If I never realize my dream of travel, I will have had a lovely taste of rural France thanks to you, Dave. I have taken lovely walks with you and Rupert. I have eaten your glorious apricot tart. I have smelled heavenly cheeses - both subtle and stinky! I have gone along on your road trips and seen incomparable views! Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us, Dave. And for enriching my life!

Kim

[nyokie6]

Enjoyed the "trip"

[Dave Hatfield]

Paul and I think that the "little brother" is for clamping tubing, and perhaps a more confortable corkscrew!

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You're right about the tubing.

And, it's a corkscrew for 1/2 bottles.

Dave

(just joking)

Edited July 9, 2007 by Dave Hatfield (log)

[Dave Hatfield]

ote]

My French has gotten all rusty and barnacled over the decades since I took it in high school, but it looks like the "all dark chocolate" dessert has some sort of sweet-and-savory, sweet-and-pungent riffs going on.

Mousse with Szechuan peppercorns? Chocolate creme with fleur de sel (sea salt, right?)?

How were those two?

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Your translation is pretty good. Yes to both plus the ice cream with cardamome.

I didn't have it, but those who did were delighted.

Linda & i had the apricot dessert and were over the moon!

[sharonb]

This is the first eGullet blog I've read, and today when people started talking about it being over, I felt bereft! Dave, this was just brilliant, and I admit to checking in several times a day. Bravo!

[Pan]

Fantastic blog, Dave! I loved the whole thing, but perhaps my favorite part of it was the photojournalism of the errand you did with Rupert. You, Linda, and Rupert obviously have a wonderful joie de vivre, and it's great that you've had the experience of being accepted by a friendly community. I have not been to that part of rural France but did experience the effusive friendliness of people in Burgundy and the Loire Valley during a trip in 2002, and it reminded me very much of my experiences in Italy.

[Domestic Goddess]

Dave, again many thanks for taking us with you to your wonderful village and letting us glimpse a part of your life. Thank you for teaching me how to prepare the wonderful Salad Nicoise. I hope to see you once again here soon.

[Kouign Aman]

Thank you!

[hsm]

More thanks for everything. It was the next best thing to being there.

[JeanneCake]

Thank you for sharing with us. I feel as if I've been on vacation by reading your blog, thanks for taking all of us along for the trip!

[Peter the eater]

That was a lovely yarn. Its been nearly twenty years since I spent a summer touring France by bicycle and munching voraciously. Your blog set off a few welcomed flashbacks for me.

[Kent Wang]

This has been one of my favorite food blogs yet. I would love to one day retire to France like you.

Rupert is also my favorite of the pets featured on food blogs!

[Anna N]

This is a sauce made locally here in the Rouergue and which is a traditional addition to magret. I first learned of it from Jeanne Strang's book "Goose Fat & Garlic". I highly recommend this book by the way. If you like the Paula Wolfert book on South Western French cooking you'll also love this book. In addition to the recipes Jeanne describes a way of life that continues in this area, but is slowly fading away.

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If I can't have more of your blog, Dave, then I will console myself with "Goose Fat & Garlic" for the next few days. Thanks for recommending this - it's a terrific read.