Repas CG: The Aftermath... July 19

 It's a bad news-good news situation. The bad: The foie gras has all been eaten. The good: Octopus will soon hit an open fire. More about that later, for  now a few words on the pots-o-foie that followed us home form France. Not buyin' it? Yeah, probably the biggest reach since that puppy trailed my path homeward from a school carnival at 10 years old. (Sorry Mom and Dad.) However it came to being, plated with shallot jam and fresh apricots, the aforementioned duck(from Maison de Charente in neighboring Tusson)was... good. Really good. Throwing caution to the vascular wind, Katie included toast slathered with a creamy smear of rillette that she'd rendered all day in herbs. Answering the call of duty, a 1er cru Sauturnes from Bommes was called on. Rich, thick, and sweet meet fatty, luscious, and salty. Buddies from the go! (Disclaimer: This course was designated as "gift". No money changed hands in the consuming of this dish.)

 Crêpes of confit of hen legs and local grown shiitakes(too beautiful to pass up) kept pace, deep in flavor and texture, just a bit easier on the pump. Jumped into the red zone here with a mostly Grenache(a hint of Syrah) from the three sisters of Mas de Libian(Rhône). Very tender was the pork, white wine braised,  plump pieces set beside a gratin of sweet corn and summer squash, little roasted tomatoes of various shapes and types littered  about. (Kate has turned to this dish a couple of times lately, for good reason; the markets bursting with all elements.) Stayed in the Rhône for 100 year vine Grenache, with a splash of Syrah and Mourvedre. A great glass in of itself, each grape clear in its role, but even better when considering it comes from a reluctant vintner; only leaving his psychiatrist profession when the property fell to his wife in family succession. (We should all have this burden/good fortune!)
 Dessert was simple, rustic, and true: a plum tart, done with deep purple fruit with no added sugar. Didn't need it. Well, didn't need the whipped cream either, but that didn't stop me. Coffee and cognac had no sooner hit the table before talk turned to next week's meal, all seafood done in a friends backyard, wood fired oven. Always amazes me how full bellies allow for such conversation. But, on it went, and on it will be... To the fire, the octopus, roasted peaches...

Recipes and Wine Notes available on request.
Chez Gautier Cooking Scool: http://www.chez-gautier.com