The other thing is ... "lapin". Known as "Chinese Chicken" in our family. It has legs, breasts and other chicken-like cuts. Just cook them the way you'd cook the equivalent chicken parts. Our picky eater thought it was so good he wasn't dismayed when he found out it was ... rabbit.
Liz
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
I look at food as fuel for the body, if it has a interesting taste then that is a bonus, does not matter if I am in France or UK, no wonder the French struggle with the fact that McDonalds are doing a roaring trade in France, who would have thought that, my favourite places to eat in France are the supermarkets, the restaraunts/cafe's they have are superb, and good value, and put our supermarket cafe's to shame.
The other half really rates merguez (Spelling?) sausages- a spicy bright red long thin banger! We buy a huge box on the way home and keep in the cool box while driving hell for leather home to put them in the freezer when we get home.
( I aint bothered being veggie)
Tins of asparagus and artichokes are a bargain compared to over here and I always find a couple of nooks and crannies to put them in to bring back.
Last year I flew to France so was very limited as to what I could bring back. So I chose some packets of soup, French Onion and Minestrone - for some reason much better than ours - packets of ground coffee, some big packets of soft chewy fruit sweets and a load of their writing books with grid lines.
------------- Tessa
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
When we flew back from France last year we brought back 15 packs of Nestle chocolat with cocoa bean bits in it (we love it so much) in our cabin luggage. The lady on 'bag duty' at the airport scanned the bag and then asked us to open it and unwrap the bars. She was incredulous and said 'Don't they sell chocolate in England, then?' She then told us that it showed up looking like plastic explosive in the scanner! However, she did let us through with a smile!
Fresh fruit and vegetables are excellent in supermarkets. Much of it will be locally grown and most of it will be unpackaged so not only are you reducing pollution but you can choose degrees of ripeness - get some juicy ripe tomatoes for lunch and some to ripen for later.
Roadside sellers are often very good especially when they are at the gates of the farm/orchard/vineyard but beware ones where the fruit &c has been trasnported miles by lorry and is getting covered by car fumes - they're not always cheaper than supermarket stuff anyway! Either way, make sure that you rinse everything well before eating - clean running water is not a problem in France.
What I stock up on in a big way are tins of Cassoulet. Absolutely delicious. Large tins enough for two. great on camping expeditions.Not cheap but then I wouldn't expect them to be cheap. Get a selection of different types. Also the one with lentils
Cassoulet au porc (pork) or canard (duck). Or Toulouse.
Basically tins of haricot beans with lumps of pork or confit of duck legs with a couple of toulouse sausages also.
You can also buy just the confit duck legs and use the fat for roasing potatoes.
Country pates (pate de campagne) are great. In supermarkets often sold whole in small aluminiun foil containers.
I also always bring lots of mustard and coffee.
Last year I also discovered fantastic candied peel (Fruits Confits Assortis) Big chucks. Also small chopped candied fruit (macedoine de Fruits Confits)
In household cleaning section you can get dry cleaning fluid. Used to be able to get it here but I suppose our health and safety rules won't now allow it. (detacheur a sec). Will shift all sorts of stuff. ink, glue wax chewing gum grease oil etc.
Salamis
French sausages are fab usually stuff the fridge full and freeze on return. !00% meat not like our bready things.
Try the chicken also. It's lovely usually cornfed, therefore v yellow, and look free range. Delicious.
Obviously wine and the syrups are very good too usually around 18%volume. Look for peach(peche), pear (poire) etc. Very nice dribbled on dollop of vanilla icecream or in plain yoghurt.
I spend ages in shops looking and buying. Can't wait till summer.
I could go on and on and on...........
so I'll stop now.
Ask if you want any more info.
I suggest you invest in a food dictionary. I suggest 'Eating out en francais' isbn 0-7475-6975-4. very comprehensive handbag sized softback book
All the fruit and veg are brilliant.
Hi, me again. HOW could I forget.
From the meat counter buy paupiettes. This is minced meat (Turkey?) wrapped in thin slice chicken(?) tied up with string usually with a thin slice of fat. These are delicious. Gently pan fry. Takes quite a while as they are thick so don't use too much heat.
They are beautifully put together and the shape resmbles a pumpkin. A little parcel. Cost a couple of quid each if I remember.One supermarket didn't have them so the butcher made them while we waited!! How about that for service?
Alex
I am trying to find out how to put a pic of some things on here for you. Can't copy and paste.
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
The paupiettes can be made from any meat. There are paupiettes de dinde (turkey), paupiettes de porc (pork, obviously) and paupiettes de viande (meat in general).
There's also a frozen type you can buy from Netto over here - check if they have them in the UK. These are paupiettes de porc and are great done on a BBQ. They're a bit like luncheon meat, but tastier! Cook them whole, then slice to serve. Great meat and herb stuffing!
Thanks for that Stu. I always wondered.
ps. It took the whole of our 3 week hol to heal the bite I got at your place last year. A hideous thing. Huge blister about 3/4 inch high and 1 inch across. What insects do you have that do that damage? Sorry, not your fault I know.
You have a great place there. Really loved it.
Alex and Dave