Joie de vivre

How I have enjoyed reading 'My French Affair' which is a story of a kiwi woman who buys two guest houses in the south of France.  She renovates the eighteenth century houses and has people to stay from all over the world introducing them to French cuisine and a different way of life from what they are used to. Sometimes the consequences are hilarious and the author, Amanda Taylor-Ace certainly seems to tell it like it is. Renovating the Bavarian Hut and cottages helps me see some similarities.

I have revelled in cooking some of the recipes from the book and remembering our own European
adventures. Here is one of her best friend's recipes from the book.

Luce's famous Tart

1 sheet pastry
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 courgette-chopped
1 tomato-chopped
1 eggplant,chopped
2 onions,chopped
4 eggs
300 mls cream
cheese to your liking (Luce uses goats cheese but any cheese works well)
parsley, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 180 C
Prepare pastry to fit pie dish (I use store bought puff pastry)
Spread the mustard over the pastry base
Saute' the vegetables for 10 minutes in oil
Beat eggs and cream. Add cooked vegetables and cheese either sliced, grated or crumbled.
Pur into the prepared pastry shell.
Sprinkle a little parsley.
Bake for 30 minutes.

If you want to do what the French do, shop and fill a basket at the local fresh markets daily.  Who says you have to be in France to get this joie de vivre experience?

Bon Appetit!