I'm sooo cold in this photo, jamies and a coat.
 |
| Our bonhomme de neige is getting a little snowed in! And he looks like he needs therepy. Oops! |
 |
I've said it before but ... our barn is a beauty |
 |
I'm trying to thumbs up, but it's cold!!! |
|
And I'm trying again but it's still really really cold!!! |
 |
Yup that's me in my PJ's and my cosy coat looking like a wierdo! |
We went to Chaumont on the 23rd and bought oysters (Fines de Claires Vertes Label Rouge) which Andy shucked, an aged cote du boeuf. We had bone marrow in the freezer, used a fantastic Josh Emmet recipe which was incredibly simple but carried so much flavour.
As we did last year, we reversed cooked it taking it to around 45 deg, then hard seared it, added the crumb then blasted it under the grill. I think for an aged piece next time I'd skip the reverse cook method, just cook it on the double induction part of the hob. The centuries old cast iron pan we were given by our neighbour Philippe a few years ago does an incredible job. It's so well seasoned, it doesn't spit or stick and can get to a very high heat.
 |
Our barn is so beautiful |
 |
Our section is filled with fairy lights |
 |
| And that beef rib with bone marrow crust.... we used a Jost Emmet recipe with Philippe's centuries old cast iron pan which is seasoned and as heavy as a MF. Sooo delicious. |
We had stuffed spachcock. It was a real delight. Stuffed with chorizo, breadcrumbs, confit lemon, sage and served it with a mushroom sauce which we added rabbit livers to at the last minute. It was really extremely delicious and decadent.
For boxing day we were invited to Anneke and Caas's for lunch down in Montot. We felt like kings. Anneke and Caas had made us individual presents. Caas has a 3-d printer which cost an arm and a leg so he makes all sorts of things including the gifts for each guest at lunch.
Our neighbours, Philippe et Francoişe sent us a Christmas photo of little Adelaide.
 |
| Christmas stuffed baby Chicken |
 |
| Anneke et Caas's attention to detail |
 |
Each guest at Anneke and Caas's had an individual present at lunch. |
 |
Little Adelaide, the pride of our neighbours. |
A beautiful white start to 2026. New years eve itself was a bit of a disaster though! The entree I made with salmon didn't quite work, I should have stuck with making blinis like I usually do and the confit duck for main was salty. I cooked it perfectly, skin side down rendering the fat so that side of things were good but the actual cure was very salty. We've had the brand lots of times and this is the first time. I couldn't eat it and I like salt.
 |
Philippe and Françoise's house, the church and chateau.      |
 |
Looking towards Montot |
 |
Little cat, he spends the majority of his time this winter in Andy's bottom drawer |
 |
| La cave |
