Bonjour French Market Friends,
The Paralympics opening ceremony in Paris this week was spectacular, with the ceremony taking place along the magnificent Champs Elysees and culminating at the Place de la Concorde. The historic buildings and spaces of the French capital will again be used to hold 22 para events including blind football, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby, track cycling, triathlon, equestrian, taekwondo, archery, rowing, canoeing, badminton events. There has been strong support for these special games with over 2 million tickets sold, mainly to French fans who are enthusiastically supporting the Paralympics Games.
I was very envious of the 30C degrees plus temperature in Paris this week, as snow fell on Table Mountain on Wednesday. Despite this chilly snap, Sunday is the 1st of September and Spring is definitely on its way, with the arrival of the first violet artichokes from Slent Farm, up in the hills of the Voor Paardeberg. Planted by the Italian owners, these artichokes are more tender than globe artichokes which are more common in this region. Most of the violet artichoke is edible however care needs to be taken to remove the “choke” which is the thistle like substance inside the artichoke, at the base of the heart. The first batch arrived early this week and sold out almost immediately. We will have more in the shop next week so if you would like some, please contact me and I will reserve for you.
Our new stock of cheese flew in this week. We are full to the brim with over 150 kilos of French cheese. Back in stock are all the favourites, from washed rind (pungent) Epoisses, Munster and Pont l’Eveque. White bloomy rind cheeses such as the award-winning Brie de Meaux, Camembert from Normandie, Brie with truffle cream filling and Vacherousse. Unique raw milk cheeses from the Alps including Reblochon, Tomme de Savoie, Morbier, Emmental and 16 month aged Comte from Fort Antoine. From across the border in Switzerland we have received aged Appenzeller and Gruyere and unique Tete de Moine. There is plenty of cheese to tempt you. Come in and taste something new.
Back in stock are the range of vinegars and mustards from Edmond Fallot, the last mustard producer in Burgundy to use a traditional stone mill, which gives the best texture and flavour to the mustard.
We have received a new stock of Pere Magloire Calvados, apple brandy made in the Pays d’Auge, Normandie. We have the VS which is aged for a minimum of 2 years and the VSOP which is aged for a minimum of 4 years.
I hunted around for a recipe for the artichokes and found the following one on the French website Marmiton.org a really great
website for interesting French dishes. Note once you cut the raw artichoke you need to immerse in water with lemon juice to stop it discolouring and going dark brown. This dish can be served as a starter or as a side vegetable dish to a roast meat. I suggest pairing the artichokes with a local Everson cider from Elgin.
The All Blacks have arrived in the Johannesburg for a very exciting match today. Several clients have already been in to select platters of cheese to serve their friends while they watch the match. I hope you have a great weekend and enjoy the rugby…Go Bokke!
Regards
Suzanne and The French Market Team