Officially, almost 3 weeks into my new job, yes- there was I reason I came to Europe, and no- it was NOT to eat lots of food, or to get fat(although it seems like this may come with the territory).
I am now at Chateau Gaby in beautiful Fronsac, near Libourne, about 30 minutes outside of Bordeaux, happily cooking my heart out with some of the most amazing ingredients I have ever seen.
Although the work is tough, and the hours are long, the experience and the results are so worth it.
I have been able to cook some really yummy things, and given lots of creative freedom, and I promise as soon as I can get my act together for long enough to write them, I will share all of the recipes!
For now though, here are some pictures of my journey so far...Unfortunately, despite my annoying photo habit, I have forgotten to take photo's 9 times out of 10, but here are a few just to give an idea of what I've been up to.
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| Confit Vine Tomatoes |
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| 'Fish n Chips' with pea puree, herbed aioli, confit vine toms and polenta chips |
This one I have written a recipe for-
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| Chilli and Coriander Fish cakes with lime mayo and garden salad |
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| Beetroot and orange salad with feta and crystallized hazelnuts |
There is also a recipe or this one:
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| Creamy white wine and garlic mussels |
The day after Damien made those amazing smoked mussels, I won over the hearts of some of the staff here by cooking them the last 7kgs of mussels like this...
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| Strawberry bavois with vanilla shortbread and strawberry and lime salsa |
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| Honey and cumin roasted aubergine bruschetta with pomegranate and rocket |
ANOTHER RECIPE! I'm not doing to badly here.
Of course it hasn't all been work and no fun... I have met some incredible people, and been bunked up with the nicest roomies I could possibly have asked for. We spend a lot of time laughing together, eating yummy stuff, and of course drinking...
On Monday was Bastille day and we took ourselves for drinks in Saint Emillion, about 20 minutes away from here. Don't think we could have chosen a more beautiful spot if we tried...
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| This is Beautiful Saint Emillion, where the macaroon was invented |
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| A bottle of Les Domeniers Rose |
And the other day, much to Tiphaine,our French roomies, disapproval we went for beers in Libourne... Right out side her high school. Oops.
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| After work beer and crisps in Libourne |
Seeing as we live in such a beautiful spot, and the weather is so gorgeous at the moment, it's also rather nice to just kick back and watch the sunset from our stoep... I bring over the left overs from that days lunch or dinner, someone else whips out a cold beer and we just enjoy the scenery and each others company.
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| An ice cold beer and a beautiful sunset... Doesn't get much better |
I've even been lucky enough to try some really good wine. A couple of nights ago, my bosses treated me to a glass of one of the best wines in the world- Chateau d' Yquem. What a lucky girl I am!
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| Chateau d' Yquem |
This was literally the first time I've tasted a dessert wine and really liked it. Though 'like' may be an understatement. I loved it!! Especially paired with the summer fruit pavlovas I made, with fresh figs, nectarines, strawberries, granadilla, and Chantilly cream. YUM!
On that note, I've just heard someone come home, the weather is gorgeous outside, and I'm sure we have some wine downstairs...
Happy Thursday and Happy cooking :)
