Inspiration at the vide-grenier
And a sneak peek of Friday's video recipe!
One of the joys of being in France is strolling through a vide-grenier market in search of everything from beautiful crockery and age-old silverware to paintings and old French books or records. Literally meaning ‘empty the attic,’ these markets offer a treasure trove of items (often with a lovely history) for those who like to give their homes a touch of shabby chic or French retro style. It’s not unusual to find stunning plates that are more than a century old for only a few euros. In fact, this past Saturday, I visited the vide-grenier in Dracy Saint-Loup and returned home with two exquisite Terre de Fer Sainte Amandinoise breakfast plates from the turn of the last century for the tiny price of one euro each!
It isn’t just the design that makes them so special, but that rustic weathered look left by the hands of time. I will be using them to serve cheese, pastries and starters. I also found an elegant compotier that will make serving seasonal summer fruits a thing of beauty.
Back in my house in the Netherlands, I have a tall, white cabinet in the dining room filled with French antiques, and though I must admit it’s getting quite full, I have very little self control when it comes to these French garage sales. Setting the table for dinner is always such a joy when you know the items you’re using have a past. I often fantasize about who used them and what kind of food was served on them.
Seeing that we’ll soon be moving to France, however, I realize I have to be very selective. I’m trying to console myself with the thought that once we’re here for good, my house will be a white canvas full of endless possibilities. I am already dreaming of taking my time to decorate each room – from the wallpaper and lighting to the antiques I will bring back to life and love once again.
While wandering through the market, my husband spotted a small vintage cookbook titled La Cuisine de Marie-Claire: 1200 recettes classées suivant les 4 saisons. The cover alone was endearing, but I was surprised to see just how approachable the recipes are (even though the book dates to 1949). Each chapter starts with an introduction about the season and includes recipes for hors-d’oeuvres, soups, salads, eggs, meat, fish and poultry, and desserts.
In the introduction to the summer season, the author (Jeanne Grillet) writes that: “We should give preference to vegetarian meals and avoid pastas and starches as they naturally increase heat and are difficult to digest in summer.” Proof once again that French cuisine isn’t as heavy on meat as you might think – especially during this season.
This Friday, I will share my third recipe in the ‘Cooking with Vegetables’ series: a rustic soupe au chou (cabbage soup) which I learned to make from Bernadette, my friend Marie-Louise’s grandmother. Bernadette is 89 years old and widowed, but still makes time to cook real food every day and shudders at the thought of popping a plastic tray into the microwave. She even has her own vegetable garden where she successfully grows beautiful produce year-round. A truly inspiring woman and a recipe you will love!
Here’s a sneak peek of the video: Soupe au chou
Additionally, subscribers will receive a bonus fruit recipe inspired by both the Saturday market in Saulieu and La Cuisine de Marie-Claire. Without giving too much away, this recipe isn’t a dessert or jam. It combines cheese and charcuterie (so not vegetarian) and is packed with bright summer flavors. That, and it looks especially tempting on a pretty plate. Good reason to make sure you visit a vide-grenier the next time you’re in France!
À bientôt!
