Four years ago, almost to the day, I began ‘Almost Italian’ in an attempt to document my obsession with food along with some of the cultural aspects of Italy that inform my life, my cooking and gardening. Since then, I’ve drifted away from my main theme, especially when travelling, and so I hope, dear reader, that these little indulgent travel stories are a pleasant distraction from whatever you are doing. Once I step back into my home and garden, the recipes will flow once again.
I’ve enjoyed the food of Dordogne, France, immensely. Everything I’ve eaten, with only two exceptions, has been quite special. Small restaurants and bistros respond enthusiastically to the seasons, and so a trip around a French country market will indicate what you’ll see that week on any menu. This season, cèpes ( porcini mushrooms) are still being hunted in the woods, pears and apples are sold ready to eat, kissed by the Autumn sun, irregular in shape and handsomely mottled. Small yellow fleshed potatoes are good just as they are, or with some salted butter from up Brittany way. Small bunches of parsley are added to your fish purchase, a box of oysters will be laid gently of a bed of seaweed, and vegetable stalls offer bunches of bouquet garni, consisting of thyme and bay laurel, for a small coin. This month, many bistros list omelette aux cèpes, which may seem like a simple enough dish, until you notice that fresh cèpes cost around €22 per kilo at the local market. I bought a small box and the flavour will haunt me forever. Walnuts turn up in every sweet dish imaginable, tarts, macarons, biscuits, as well as fresh walnut oil, which I resisted buying. Organic food is sold in markets, farmer’s roadside stalls and on supermarket shelves: there’s nothing precious about it- it’s a choice that doesn’t involve a huge premium or a special stamp of approval.
What I’ve loved most about French bistro food is the saucing, a technique that the French are famous for. A well executed sauce transforms a simple fish dish. The French are also reasonably adventurous and don’t stick to the formulaic dishes of the region but happily borrow and adapt from modern culinary trends, while maintaining a French slant.
When I return, I plan to work on my saucing and practise a little French technique. French bistro dishes will be trialed and blogged. Thanks for following, dear friends and readers. Bonjour or bonsoir. xx
The three course menu du midi, above, cost €21, which seems like a real bargain to an Australian reader, where restaurant dining and wine pricing is ridiculously expensive. But then, wages are much lower in France, and waiting staff are usually run off their feet.
Privilège du Périgord
58 rue Notre-Dame
24540 Monpazier
ALMOST ITALIAN 
Bonsoir!
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I like your travel stories.
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You must publish a book Francesca – it would be a waste not to. Two things per week I really look forward to is checking my Lotto numbers and Almost Italian! The expectation is always thrilling!
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Can you spot the kangaroo in the first photo – the sepia one with the Citroen?
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Keep ’em coming. Loving your travel stories, especially when they involve food..
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Thank God you began the blog: what joy you bring to so many of us in our homes, wherever they may be! Congratulations on the four years: may there be four times four! Love the Montpazier menu, even more than your first [well, herring was served![. And, upon sight of that wonderful vintage Citroen will you allow me to give a huge ‘heads up’ to the current James Martin ‘French Adventures’ food series at the moment showing on Australian TV – well, he bought the famous Keith Floyd’s Citroen 2CV to use in the series . . . . not really a fan of his in England, I am watching each and every episode twice or more: favourites so far – Giverny and Provence methinks . . . . this kind of cooking . . . . this kind of culture . . .
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Hungry, hungry, hungry. I had grilled cheese for dinner. When do you start cooking, Francesca? 🙂
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I’ll be back cooking in Oz on November 17. But next week I’ll be cooking some Mediterranean food in Pezenas, South of France and maybe later in Pavia, Italy.
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I love your travel stories wherever you may roam. Food and markets are also a focus for us when we travel, particularly if we hit upon good seasonal food. I am salivating just looking at all the great food you are blogging about. Time to visit France again. Love the B&W Citroen photo at the beginning – very French!
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Oh, how could you resist fresh walnut oil – would it go rancid quickly or does it cost heaps?
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The thing about food blogs is that you cannot taste or smell, your imagination has to fill in. But when the presentation is so interesting, the sight can be delightful. Thanks.
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Hey Francesca .. wow, love these photos! The food looks fantastic .. I also love your blog by the way 😃
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Oh Thanks Julie. Now has my email postie let me down and did I miss a post from you? Missing NZ news, pics of farm, beach and beasts. Oh and wooden posts.
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Ha ha .. no you haven’t missed one. I have! Lol
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