My French grandmother thought that cooking was drudgery, we only ever ate out or had delights from the traiteur for lunch. The only thing I ever remember her making was Mousseline (AKA smash) and ham, cut up with kitchen scissors. She once made hot dogs and boiled eggs in the kettle, like a hopeless divorced man. I really love smash as a result.
This has suddenly reminded me that when she was getting pretty old my granny discovered frozen bolognese in a block, from the Belgian equiv of Findus which was called Iglo. From memory it was incredibly delicious.
Wonderful memories. About school cake stalls - hilarious! My kids always went in with bought produce from somewhere. I was persona non grata at the school fair, for most of their school years 😂 My best memories of cooking are from my grandmother (paternal). She taught me how to cook ‘exotic’ food like bolognese and flapjacks (!) She also showed me how to make my own shrimp net. I remember the excitement of cooking and peeling our catch. Enough to make a sandwich!
This post! The family history, you and your grandmother, the Magritte-as-graphic-designer, oh, my! I was in Belgium only once over 40 years ago, and one of my first stops was Wittamer for chocolate and The Grande Place for lace. We took the train to Bruges for a day and your post has made me want to book a flight back as soon as possible - loved this, India!
Thank you Jolene! I really, really love Bruges, despite the crowds. Like Venice, I find it particularly beautiful in winter when it's drizzly and misty and incredibly evocative. Next time you go, a) let me know and also b) go to Ghent too.
Loved this so much. More memories please!! I have also been eating like this (house renovation - no kitchen) and it bought back lovely memories of holiday lunches on the beach: walking up to the local shop with my dad and buying baguettes, local ham and cheese, tomatoes and fresh peaches (to be eaten on the beach while the juice dribbled down our arms). Heaven!!!
Wonderful post; I LONG for a family memoir from you. Love the Europeanness of this WOA- my French exchange was in an unnervingly grand Chateau. They also shopped like your grandmother even though they had a cook. Whatever the weather, I never make puddings - always buy in, and just blithely announce 'Here is something I did NOT make earlier'. Noone has ever minded...
Fascinating post, India. In no particular order: was one of the great aunts a nun? Also, why would you not eat at Café Vlissinghe? Also, I love the idea of the croquettes aux crevettes. And the Waitrose near me has decent looking rotisserie chickens, but I have never tried one (would have to check into its parentage, age etc). Also, I too want to see a photo of the adonis!
Yes, one of them was briefly a nun. I have a second cousin who I think also became a nun, rather more successfully, but my info is not up to date. I want to say she nunned in Uganda, but that looks improbable written down. Grandfather - I will find a photo!
I ljust love reading everyone’s interesting comments and contributions so I’m rather embarrassed to be asking, how far in advance do you think you could make the obsessively good avocado and cucumber salad going to make it tonight ?
What a fascinating family history you have India - thanks for sharing. It’s great that we share and expand our favourite foods ( recipes or whole foods) across borders - the joys of travel.
I so hope we don’t lose this enthusiastic curiosity for European cuisine and become too isolated on this little island of ours. ( sorry, bit political, but the thought makes me a bit sad 🥲)
Was just talking about this to someone in the context of it being impossible to buy something decent to eat on UK motorways (Tebay and maybe 2 others aside). It's because everything is more and more Americanised rather than Europeanised, which is total madness and also tragic.
Fab. post, India. Thank you! Which of your great aunts do you resemble most, do you think? I wondered if it might be the lady in the centre of that wonderful photo. (Facially, anyway.)
Thank you! None of them in particular, I don't think - I look more like my dad - but yes, if I had to pick then probably that one (Tante Georgette, married a man who smoked enormous cigars. They had their own priest, imagine. As far as I can remember they weren't especially religious but he - the priest - was very nice and came to my father's funeral aged about 105).
Not only is this an enchanting read India but it has evoked everyone’s prandial pasts, even the comments are a joy.
If only I had the time to seek out the best morsels from several shops. That might be something for my retirement plan.
It has made me think that a good future post might be to places that do really delicious foods that can be ordered and bought in online.
My French grandmother thought that cooking was drudgery, we only ever ate out or had delights from the traiteur for lunch. The only thing I ever remember her making was Mousseline (AKA smash) and ham, cut up with kitchen scissors. She once made hot dogs and boiled eggs in the kettle, like a hopeless divorced man. I really love smash as a result.
This has suddenly reminded me that when she was getting pretty old my granny discovered frozen bolognese in a block, from the Belgian equiv of Findus which was called Iglo. From memory it was incredibly delicious.
Dear India love, love, love this post. Now dreaming of a Sally Clarke quiche & impromptu lunch with friends.
Thank you very much!
Wonderful.
Thank you very much!
Wonderful memories. About school cake stalls - hilarious! My kids always went in with bought produce from somewhere. I was persona non grata at the school fair, for most of their school years 😂 My best memories of cooking are from my grandmother (paternal). She taught me how to cook ‘exotic’ food like bolognese and flapjacks (!) She also showed me how to make my own shrimp net. I remember the excitement of cooking and peeling our catch. Enough to make a sandwich!
Woah, peeling the catch must have felt insanely exciting!
This post! The family history, you and your grandmother, the Magritte-as-graphic-designer, oh, my! I was in Belgium only once over 40 years ago, and one of my first stops was Wittamer for chocolate and The Grande Place for lace. We took the train to Bruges for a day and your post has made me want to book a flight back as soon as possible - loved this, India!
Thank you Jolene! I really, really love Bruges, despite the crowds. Like Venice, I find it particularly beautiful in winter when it's drizzly and misty and incredibly evocative. Next time you go, a) let me know and also b) go to Ghent too.
Will do!
Loved this so much. More memories please!! I have also been eating like this (house renovation - no kitchen) and it bought back lovely memories of holiday lunches on the beach: walking up to the local shop with my dad and buying baguettes, local ham and cheese, tomatoes and fresh peaches (to be eaten on the beach while the juice dribbled down our arms). Heaven!!!
Nicest way to eat imaginable. Eating peaches in the sun is one of life's great highlights.
India, the deep fried parsley - also non-negotiable with a Wiener Schnitzel here in Vienna! Wonderful post, as always. Love, Anna
I'm glad. There is far too little deep fried parsley in the world for my liking.
Wonderful post; I LONG for a family memoir from you. Love the Europeanness of this WOA- my French exchange was in an unnervingly grand Chateau. They also shopped like your grandmother even though they had a cook. Whatever the weather, I never make puddings - always buy in, and just blithely announce 'Here is something I did NOT make earlier'. Noone has ever minded...
Literally no one minds. It's a pointless thing for people to tie themselves up in knots about.
I have just salivated throughout this entire post. Yum!
Interesting to see your stylish grandmother - I love the summer idea of 'buying in'.
Thank you!
Fascinating post, India. In no particular order: was one of the great aunts a nun? Also, why would you not eat at Café Vlissinghe? Also, I love the idea of the croquettes aux crevettes. And the Waitrose near me has decent looking rotisserie chickens, but I have never tried one (would have to check into its parentage, age etc). Also, I too want to see a photo of the adonis!
Yes, one of them was briefly a nun. I have a second cousin who I think also became a nun, rather more successfully, but my info is not up to date. I want to say she nunned in Uganda, but that looks improbable written down. Grandfather - I will find a photo!
i think this should be the beginning of another book India, it is such a marvelous post. I will re read it later on. Thank you.
Thank you! I'm pleased people liked it - I thought maybe there would be grumbles about not enough recipe content.
I ljust love reading everyone’s interesting comments and contributions so I’m rather embarrassed to be asking, how far in advance do you think you could make the obsessively good avocado and cucumber salad going to make it tonight ?
Oh no, just seen this in extra time of England game - did you make it?
Yes just before extra time!!!! Now a bag of nerves
And not just about the salad 😂
So stressful and I really need a wee
It’s agony
You can go now
I’m here for the family memories. My heritage is in Malaysia, Singapore and India with the aunties knowing where to get the best stall food
That is good heritage (and food). Mine on the other side is Pakistani/Indian.
Would love to hear more about this aspect of you!
What a fascinating family history you have India - thanks for sharing. It’s great that we share and expand our favourite foods ( recipes or whole foods) across borders - the joys of travel.
I so hope we don’t lose this enthusiastic curiosity for European cuisine and become too isolated on this little island of ours. ( sorry, bit political, but the thought makes me a bit sad 🥲)
Was just talking about this to someone in the context of it being impossible to buy something decent to eat on UK motorways (Tebay and maybe 2 others aside). It's because everything is more and more Americanised rather than Europeanised, which is total madness and also tragic.
Fab. post, India. Thank you! Which of your great aunts do you resemble most, do you think? I wondered if it might be the lady in the centre of that wonderful photo. (Facially, anyway.)
Thank you! None of them in particular, I don't think - I look more like my dad - but yes, if I had to pick then probably that one (Tante Georgette, married a man who smoked enormous cigars. They had their own priest, imagine. As far as I can remember they weren't especially religious but he - the priest - was very nice and came to my father's funeral aged about 105).