The French have a charming custom of delivering sprigs of muguet (lily of the valley) to their friends and relatives on the 1st of May. As well as celebrating the return of Spring, these fragrant little bell shaped flowers are a symbol of luck for the person on the receiving end.
I was fortunate enough to receive two little muguet plants, one from Louise, my friend in Lannion with whom we stay when we visit France, and the other from Martine, my other friend with whom we'd just eaten the gourmet meal a few weeks earlier. Knowing what elaborate feasts both ladies are capable of creating, perhaps it wasn't a co-incidence that I was receiving wishes for luck. I would most likely need them in order to finish what was destined to be a dinner of gargantuan proportions being prepared by Louise this very evening.
With memories of Martine's mouth-watering meal which we had eaten only two weeks earlier, I tried to imagine what Louise could do that would top it. Since Lannion is situated on the west coast of France in Bretagne, seafood is plentiful and would no doubt find its way onto the menu.
We started with apperos and amuse-bouche, otherwise known as champagne and appetizers. Stuffed cherry tomatoes; layered cheese, pesto and flatbread hors d'oeuvres and miniature puff pastries with a variety of fillings quickly flew off the platters. Just as soon as we were all relaxed and off our guard, we were called to the table. An audible, collective gasp could be heard as Louise and André stepped into the dining room. Five pairs of eyes widened in amazement as an enormous platter filled with, crab, shrimp, winkles and oysters was placed before us.
Three more courses were to follow. One, was a shellfish so secret and hard to attain that it was necessary to have a "source" for its harvest. I dare not reveal its name for fear of reprisals from the authorities. This was served with "potatoes à la Louise", a dish made by slowing roasting new organic potatoes on the stovetop in a blend of butter and olive oil until they are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.......sigh....... Follow this up with tender, baby greens from André's garden, dressed with an authentic French dressing, which is nothing like what we call French dressing in the U.S.
After taking turns at the platter of our favorite cheeses, served with crusty chunks of French bread, all washed down with copious amounts of wine, we made room for dessert. A treat for the taste buds awaited in a scoop of apple sorbet drizzled with calvados, the apple brandy of Normany. This is known as "le trou Normand" or Normandy hole and is used to clear the palate between courses. It has been said that after the trou Normand, one is ready for another 3-4 courses!
In addition to the sorbet, we were treated to a dense chocolate fudge cake served with a dollop of whipped cream and Gariguette strawberries, the most flavorful (and expensive) strawberry in France, which had also been raised in André's garden.
A great time was had by all, with jokes and stories galore, a mental feast in addition to the culinary one. No, don't feel sorry for me as I struggle to maintain my waistline. It's well worth the pain and suffering.......I only wish that all my friends could be so "miserable".
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