In France,
Sunday lunches are sacred. They are a
time for family and friends to gather together, put the work week on hold, and
come back to the table to the things that inspire. We participate in this ritual that allows us
to spend time together and reflect upon our good fortune. Growing up, my family also had our Sunday
brunches, so coming back to this tradition is a welcomed addition to my
weekend. Monday’s Leftovers is a periodical series that recaps those
moments, the lunches, and the memories that are left long after the dishes are
done.
Monday’s Leftovers: Boeuf Bourguignon
For all the complaining we’ve done doing about lacking rain,
it’s ironic we would find a problem with the weekend showers. But, after all, it did fall on the weekend, and that did change our
plans. Instead of autumnal preparations
of making preserves and cutting wood, we found ourselves huddled inside behind
fogged up windows that hid grey skies. The
wood heater was light for the first time of the season to chase away the wet
chill, and we cursed as we placed buckets across the living room floor to catch
the drips from the leaking roof. The clay
roofing tiles, which were once repaired, apparently split anew under the
unforgiving summer sun and heat. We
needed something to turn our spirits around, fast.
The uber-French dish of Boeuf Bourguignon is no stranger to
Christophe, but he took our indoor confinement as a chance to try out a new
recipe – one by Chef Florian V. Hugo, a descendant of writer Victor Hugo. Besides his epic storytelling, Victor Hugo
was known for being a lover of great food and opening his door to underprivileged
children to eat at his table so they could, “manger de la viande et boire du vin…. deux grandes nécessités pour l’enfance”
(eat meat and drink wine…. two great necessities for childhood).
We partook in both, and happily cheered a glass to both
Hugos, who lightened our hearts, heated our hearth, and feed us well.
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