Lovely Awkward: A Year of Wine, Romance and Life Among the French

Lovely Awkward: A Year of Wine, Romance and Life Among the French

Friday 24 December 2010

Christmas Eve among the French -- and a hint about something I've been hiding

Tonight is my first Christmas Eve dinner in France and I'm a little intimidated by the amount of food we're going to be eating -- even if the menu sounds delicious. Well, most of it. I'm still getting used to some of the food and traditions here in France. And tonight's menu, I've been told, will begin with oysters. (I wrote about my first frightening experience with those slippery little shell creatures here in the Toronto Star.)

In the middle of today's dining experience, I'm going to be on CBC Ottawa's All In a Day this afternoon -- I think just after 3:30 p.m. ET -- talking to Stu Mills about our big French meal, French Christmas traditions, and about being away from home for the holidays. Listen live here.

BUT, I'll also be talking about something else -- if you listen closely. I'll give more info in the new year about what's changed in my story. For now though, I'm mostly sticking to the dinner. Oh, and the living crèche that the city has erected here, where we are near the Loire Valley. I'll post photos of the dinner tonight and photos of the crèche tomorrow.

For now:

Le menu du Réveillon

Entrée
-oysters
-homemade foie gras (duck)
*Served with white wine

Plat de résistance
-lotte à l'Armoricaine (Bretagne)(fish)
-rice
*Served with white wine

Le fromage
-assortment of cheeses (chèvre, Comté, Brie, Saint Nectaire, etc.)
-lettuce
*Served with red wine

Dessert
-bûche aux chocolats noir et blanc (sort of Yule log)
*Served with Champagne

Photos to come...

4 comments:

  1. Kerry:

    Bravo! Very delicious menu! Pictures look super. I love the fish!!!

    I missed your talk! I went to the website for past episodes but it seems to be only providing the links to the music.

    Anyhow, I'm looking forward to your new updates about the story!

    Carmen

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carmen,

    I'm working on getting a copy of the interview and will hopefully be able to post it soon. No sense in posting a mystery without the hints...

    Kerry

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just catching up on my emails and blog reading...so, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! As I was without internet *gasp* no computer I missed your talk. I hope it went well.

    All the best and catch up with you soon!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Tanya: Yes! I thought we'd be stuck with the hail, but now that the sun is out... I can't wait to hit the old town again.

    Hope you had a great holiday!

    ReplyDelete