If I were to ask you, “how far would you travel for a plate of delicious food”, what would your answer be? If you asked me, I have a little story down memory lane to tell you.
Years ago my family and I loved making some daytrippers to France. Not by Eurostar, or by plane, but on the ferry and if you want more details: at the crack of dawn we travelled from London by coach to Dover before taking the ferry to Calais, then a little more coach to arrive in Boulogne. ALL that for some seafood, some dedication, eh?
Boulogne is one of the biggest fishing ports in France. Even before you flip open a guidebook, you see lots of restaurants with tanks of crustaceans and other shellfish. You will also see the plastic gingham tablecloths flapping in the seabreeze as if beckoning you to take a seat. You just need to walk around and maybe off the beaten track to find a restaurant that locals gather to enjoy those wonderful and fresh fruits de mer. Admittedly fellow visitors went to the Carrefour to stock up on wines and yes, even laundry detergents at cheap prices, and that’s yonks before the pandemic. But not us, stomach before eyes, we ate first….everytime.
I have to say, looking back we were a bit mad travelling all that distance for a seafood extravaganza lunch. But for me, those trips were precious memories. I moaned about the early start and the long journey, but that was the time when our family of four travelled together. Dad, Mum, my sister and me. I miss that. People talk about their children having flown the nest, families just don’t see much of each other, let alone take a holiday together. There is some truth in that. I’m just really thankful for the family time as we had. Let’s face it, during the last year when we all had the time, families still couldn’t be with each other. That was painful.
I wasn’t expecting this little snippet, and I think it jogs the memory because of the dinner I’m about to make: Moules Mariniere, served with chips and a glass of chilled white wine. This is a quick to cook dinner but it does require fresh mussels and preparation beforehand. Homemade beats the supermarket vacuum packed creamed varieties, hands down. I buy fresh fish and seafood from a fantastic family run fishmonger, Hodges. Indeed I’m very fortunate to have reliable independent shops nearby. I would advocate shopping with them because of their varieties, provenance, knowledge and quality.
Apparently it is the last of the Six Nations rugby tonight and who would be playing but France and Scotland? Both of these nations have a soft spot in my wee heart, it would be a messy one along with eating this dinner! Bon Appetit.
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