If there is one thing I really do enjoy, it would have to be cooking a good meal. Thankfully, for someone who enjoys cooking meals and whose business depends on it, I get great feedback from guests for the meals I serve. But, I am all to aware there is room for improvement. One aspect of my meals that can be improved upon is the wine, particularly so given I live in France. I have never had terrible comments on the wine I serve, and after 5 years I have a feel for which wines work with which dish. But when it comes to my 5 course gourmet meals, which really are greatly enjoyed, I have always thought the meal could be enhanced by having carefully chosen wines for the different courses. This came home to me recently when I was lucky to be treated to such a meal – six courses and a different wine with each. Such a dining experience would be appropriate for guests staying in luxury gites and B&B. Continue reading →

This morning at the market I just could not resist the artichokes. And a perfect start to a lingering Sunday lunch is fresh, stuffed artichokes. I have been using the following recipe since the early 80s when I bought a recipe book called ‘A Taste of France’. But I have seen variations of this recipe in a number of good recipe books. And I do not think I have ever used the same ingredients twice, its a wonderfully versatile dish that can be adapted to suit most tastes. Strictly speaking this is not a French dish – apparently it was Catherine Medici who brought it to France from Italy. But, no Normandy garden is without artichoke plants. And, this year I have planted my own artichokes. I can not wait until May when I can plant them out, and then August when I can eat my first home grown artichoke. What other reason do you need to visit Basse Copette? Continue reading →

Normandy is well known for for fresh seafood, particularly the plateau fruits de mer - or shellfish platters. And for those who enjoy shellfish platters a stay at Basse Copette, either in luxury B&B accommodation or in the self catering gite, there are a number of options to ensure you get to have at least one! Continue reading →

When it comes to traditional cheeses in France, it is said that there is a different cheese for each day of the year. Many regions are known for the cheese made there. Normandy is well known for its camembert, but there are in fact many cheeses that originate in Normandy. Basse Copette is located in the Pays de Bray area of Upper Normandy, and while the cheese from this area is not as well known as camembert, le neufchâtel is said to be the oldest of the Normandy cheeses. This cheese takes it name from the nearby town of Neufchâtel-en-Bray. Continue reading →

Given the number of apple trees I have at Basse Copette, and that I really do not like letting the apples go to waste, I am always looking for things to do with apples. I feel I am now collecting recipes that use apples. I am forever making Normandy apple tarts for B&B and self catering cottage guests … and just recently the ‘New Year’ guests in the self catering cottage gave me a recipe in return for the Normandy apple tart recipe – an apple sponge tart. I love it, and thought I would post it here, even though there is nothing particularly French about it, let alone Normandy. But, I suppose you could always make it here for yourselves, using fresh Basse Copette apples! Continue reading →