Picture this: Our WWII vet neighbor had brought us a big box of potatoes and green beans from his garden. What to do with them? Invite Patrick's Mom to come have lunch with us on Sunday. So we call the butcher and ask him to set aside a roast chicken for us for Sunday. Done.
Sunday morning comes, and I think, "It would be nice, since it is Sunday lunch and that is traditionally a nicer meal in France, to have an 'entree' before the main meal." (An "entree" in France is the course between the appetizer and the main meal.) I look in the pantry and realize I have all the ingredients for Dotties 4-ingredient chicken salad as long as I use tuna and almonds instead of chicken and pecans. (It was good, Dottie!) Stuff some smallish tomatoes, and you have an entree.
But then we realize that my bro-in-law and his youngest daughter Lea are on their own because Christine had to work, so... let's invite them!
First, though--Ida, do you have any extra tomotoes? Yes, no problem!
Butcher, can you put aside another chicken for us? Yes, no problem!
What about dessert? Quick stop at the patisserie/boulangerie, and voila! A delicious, relatively easy meal fit for the in-laws! (We already had fresh bread from that morning and delicious cheese on hand.)
The meal: appero (nuts, olives, cheese straws, etc. while sipping a glass of port or other such aperitif), followed by tomatoes stuffed with tuna salad, then roast chicken and a side of green beans and potatoes, then a selection of cheeses with fresh bread, then dessert, then coffee. Mmmmmmm!
I love this country! (Pictures below)
An assortment of desserts to share...
Stuffing the tomatoes with the tuna salad in our little kitchen...
Patrick, Philippe, Ida, Lea sitting outside for lunch al fresco (but under the umbrella to keep the temperature down!)
Je veux de la tarte aux mirtilles !!!
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