When Jade and I were in the Vendee attending a photography class with Roger Stowell http://www.camerahols.com/ in July, I bought a small prime rib roast to thank M. and Mme Parret for watching the dog, cats and just for being good neighbors for over a decade. Although I bought this for their enjoyment, they categorically refused to eat it before my husband arrived and it stayed in their freezer until today.
Because Mme Parret has not been feeling her best, M. Parret undertook the preparation of the feast. A complete novice, with a little advice from Madame, he outdid himself! We began with a decadent salad of gambas, crab, garden tomatoes and hard boiled eggs, sopping up the juices with a fresh baguette from the only boulangerie (bread store) that anyone who is anyone will recognize in Sens. M. Parret carefully chose a bottle of Meursault-Charmes 1999 from his cellar for the entree.
M. Parret decided to barbecue the prime rib on his home made barbecue of 2 bricks, a grill and charcoal. Well done! The meat was accompanied by frites and crunchy garden lettuce with a light mustard dressing. A dusty Chateau Braniare Ducru 1983 sailed us through this perfect course.
Today was the first time that M. Parret had cooked a meal for guests but although a little nervous about it, he did a fantastic job!
Serving the cheese course, he visibly relaxed, back on familiar territory once again.
Although M. Parret attempted to claim the glory for the apple tart, we all knew that Mme Parret, a tart maker par excellence for over 60 years, had insisted on making this herself.
Wow that all looks totally delicious. M. Parret did a great job, and you have caught the meal so well, your photography has been coming on in leaps and bounds, and is a joy to see such wonderful food captured so beautifully.
Cheers
Marcus
Thank you Marcus
The bottle looks ancient! And the beef looks mouthwatering
A joy and beautifully documented and I am hoping that maybe you can talk Mme. into parting with the recipe for the tart! c
She’d be happy to. I’ll ask.
Wow, look at that wine. What a divine meal. Such a nice gesture to hold off on steak too! Those are great friends.
They are great friends Greg!
Elles sont belles les couleurs de la tarte 🙂
Oh my – what lovely friends and neighbours you have. This would probably be, for me, a perfect “last supper”!
Thank you Chica
Isn’t wonderful to have such nice neighbors that are true friends. That meal looked like a real feast.
Yes it was Karen. We always like to eat with them