La Nourriture (The Food)

Ah, the delicious food I eat here! Well my family eats healthy food, mostly organic and fresh. There is a large garden outside and so most meals involve the tomatoes and zucchini that grow there. I’m still getting used to what is the norm for meals. Generally it’s all very simply prepared and staggered so that each food can have your plate all to itself. They don’t use much seasoning, if any at all. Sometimes, I just want a little salt on my veggies but out of fear of offending I eat my meal un-doctored. All the food tastes good anyway, so I manage.

Mmmm, the cheese. This week and a little of last week we have had a plethora of cheese in the house. I tried the very strong Roquefort cheese that has straight up mold in pockets of the cheese (which you eat along with the rest of the cheese). Also, they have a cheese that is called “horse poop” because of its small, round shape. It doesn’t taste or smell like horse poop though, so I tried some (not my fav.). I live in the region where Brie is made so we have several different variations on that (delicious!). But by far my favorite cheese is goat cheese (fromage de chèvre)!! Some fresh baguette and a slice of “chèvre” and some red wine to wash it down… HEAVENLY!!

I don’t cook as much as I thought I was going to because Alain likes to cook. They have shown me their “go-to” French cook book but alas… until I can read more French cooking words, that book might as well be written in hieroglyphics. I have cooked one or two meals and some lunches for the kids on Wednesday when they are out of school. I made sandwiches for lunch one day and was later told that was only for “quick” lunches. I also gave the kids pasta for their snack because I thought we were out of bread, alas another no-no. I’ve made some good pastas for dinner. So far the family favorite that I have made is baked cauliflower which is incredibly easy (and probably tastey because I used salt and pepper!!!!). Cut cauliflower (or any vegetable for that matter) and mix with olive oil and salt and pepper and bake at ~400 for ~20 minutes (?? I usually guess at this time and take them out when they are browned and a little crunchy).

How do I fare with all of this food, you ask? Well digestively I have had a few hiccups but everything is running smoothly now. Since they don’t keep a lot of candy around the house, I find myself craving sweet things. However, the real issue is that I get really hungry in between meals. Now, you may all know that even before France, I was a big fan of food as well as an avid member of the Clean Plate Club. Fortunately they have a solid snack time but even then, I’m READY TO EAT by dinner time. I can’t tell if it’s the portions or not a lot of protein or what, but I must have a real American appetite. My mom sent me some home-made rice kripsy treats and trail mix that have been tide me over when I can sneak them without the children seeing them.

Have a good week!! Miss you all!!