Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The True Face of Jealousy


Things are pretty good in the House of Brian these days.  Great job, a new dog, and it's almost football season.

Still, all is not well, for the lovely and talented Olivia has been gone for the better part of a month, gallivanting around Europe without me.  Right now she's hopping from hostel to hostel in Ireland, but before that?  Before that she was livin' the dream, man.  Olivia and her mother spent a week on a biking and wine tour in Provence.  I'd say more, but what more really needs to be said?  They ate, they drank, they biked.  Sounds like a perfect holiday to me.


They were kind enough to pass along some pictures, I imagine chosen specifically to make me frothy with jealousy.  They chose wisely, assuming that was their goal.

This was our first meal in Provence - all of the meals have about 5 courses. This one had quite a lot.


First picture is the Amuse-bouche, literally meaning to amuse the mouth - in this case, a salmon sashimi with a garlic cream and seasonal veggies and a cold melon soup.


Second picture is the appetizer - again, sushi-related, with rice, seaweed, avocado, with a tomato jelly below and tomato sorbet on top.


The third is the main course - lamb with seasonal vegetables, cooked to perfection and delicious


The fourth is a collection of pre-desserts - meringue cookies, nougat cookies, mini fruit tarts and violet lolly pops (not shown)



The fifth is the real dessert - custard with graham cracker and chocolate, plus strawberry sorbet on top.

Looks tasty.  How about another entire meal?


Appetizer of sea scallops uncooked except for some citrus juice, atop seasonal vegetables.


Fois gras with tomatoes stuffed with tomato jelly (my mom's appetizer).



Cod fillet with sauteed fava beans, topped with peppers and a wonderful candied lemon slice (I ate the entire slice). On the side is a tomato sorbet.



Mint-infused chocolate mousse with dark chocolate pieces, topped with an unbelievable fresh candied mint leaf.


Fresh raspberries atop custard and cookie with ice cream (my mom's dessert, also superb, but not quite beating mine).

The jealousy runs deep, I tell 'ya.

1 comment:

justin said...

Wow, that was tough for ME to look at. You must be a saint.