Wednesday, July 19, 2006

La Meuse: It's where I am

For the last few years many of my summers have been partially spent in the department of Meuse, a section of the Lorraine region. It's where my Froggie's family currently lives. Foodwise, it's a region well known for mirabelles (a small yellow cherry-plum), groseilles (red currants)*, black truffles, of course, Brie de Meaux and the original birthplace of the madeleine (in Commercy)and Verdun dragée (candy-coated almonds). Lorraine is also well known for its macaroons, quiche and bergamot-flavoured candies. Now that I'm a foodie, I'll be collecting things to take home.

Fresh dessert cheese with stewed mirabelles, fresh yellow plum on top


Alas, a foodie's life is SO hard ;-)

For an English pdf pamphlet of the Meuse, its sights and delights, etc click here

*The red current jam of Bar-Le-Duc is rather expensive because the seeds are still taken out by goose quill to this day. No machine can replace the technique for the style of jam made here! Look at a feather specialist, the épépineuse and a page dedicated to the contest between them and the jam produced

9 comments:

wheresmymind said...

Goose quill...hrm...I might end up sneezing if I had that Jam :)

Unknown said...

Ohh, I want to be there.. I have this book of preserve recipes and there are tons of recipes calling for Mirabelle plums (th ebook is french).......

Michelle said...

OMG - all those delightful things in one place? You lucky, lucky girl. Bring lots of fun things home with you - I can't wait to see what you will be doing with them!

Anonymous said...

Oh you poor thing--having to eat all that fabulous food! How will you get through that? :):) I'm jealous.

Deetsa said...

WMM: Hmmm... I don't think they leave the feathers in it LOL ;-)

Linda: Well, I wish I could whisk anybody here who wanted it. I'm sure you'd love it. I just got some artisan lemonade flavoured with mirabelles today at the supermarket. No mirabelles themselves yet, though.

michelle: Yes, dear. All in one place :D
Today I got a jar of that expensive currant jam at last and some Verdun dragée. Hopefully will post the pictures of the jars soon, 'k?

sher: I don't how I'll survive. Alack and alas! Whatever shall I do? LOL ;-p

moderator said...

Wow! Is this like a preview of culinary heaven? I am soooo jealous!

hello jamie: said...

I've never had a mirabelle... but I LOVE currants. I saw that they were fresh in the produce section now; I shall pick some up on Monday when I get back in town.

Deetsa said...

LOL, leigh: sit back and enjoy ;-)

jamie: Mirabelle taste very much like the bigger yellow plums you can get in North America. The French use it much more in their flavourings than we use yellow plums.
Have fun with the currants.

Anonymous said...

Yum! I am so jealous!