We respect and pay tribute to this day's long culinary tradition. We have done our best to follow it.
The lunch began with the opening of a bottle of Alfred Rothschild demi-sec champagne and some oysters which I had bought from the Marenne/Ile d'Oleron farmer at the St Livrade sur Lot Friday market.
Cliona did a wonderful job setting the table with exquisite lotus flower napkins ... and at 2.30pm we opened proceedings with a tranche of foie gras d'oie, and a glass of Chateau Grand Mayne 2013 Sauternes.
We followed with roast chapon, which is a large rooster, neutered at a young age and fattened on a local farm. Cliona slow-roasted the bird to perfection and made two stuffings, bread sauce, gravy, roast veggies and apple-flavoured red cabbage with cloves and nutmeg.
This was accompanied by a Grand Vin de Bordeaux, La Marquise d'Alphonse de Gamage 2012. It is a Merlot-dominant blend, with 15 per cent Cabernet Franc and 15 per cent Cabernet Sauvignon.
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We concluded the meal with a slice of Buche de Noel, which I bought from the local Boulangerie/Pattiserie in the main street of the village.
Sound like you enjoyed the experience. Good.
ReplyDeleteYes, thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo much food...
ReplyDeleteOui ma cherie. J'ai souhaite que tu etait la.
Delete