　おいしい！

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Hi Dudes and Dudettes, it's been some time yet again. Days are getting awfully wet and rainy here with frost and fog all around. Where is my "sunny island, set in the sea"? Heh, but there's nothing better to warm this rainy season up with a LONGGGG french dinner yet again. This time, I'm no longer floating in outer space. 5 months in France did something for me after all! And you may ask, who's that xiao shuai ge up there? That's the son of my theatre teacher Alex! You may not see it in this pic, but he's really blonde blonde! So without further ado, let me introduce you one of the most important element in French culture - LONG dinners.

Little éliot is the first little guest to arrive!

Santa is trying to steal my star!

élise and the xmas tree! (Urs truly decorated it!) Not a bad job considering that I had to decorate the tree in record time just before the guests arrived! With the decorations up, it does seem a bit more christmassy after all! We have to elevate the tree due to the naughty dogs in the house. If not, all the beautiful decorations hanging from the tree would probably be ripped down in no time!

Taking a shot by the xmas tree before the dinner starts. Not to be a whiny cannot make it youth of the female species, but somehow I look fat. Too much xmas candies and chocolates with liquor in them. Don't know why but my face seems to reflect that of the moon around the xmas season. Well, life is short, eat now and heck!

Let's start with the aperitif! Yesh, in Singapore, this is exactly what our mothers warn us not to do! No snacks before meal times! In France, it is the exact opposite. French dinners start with aperitif! The french eat potato chips, titbits and little pieces of sausages to "start their engine". Wine, cocktails and special aperitif beverages are served to all. There would be a good selection and guests take their pick. Hosts are particularly generous with regards to liquor and you really can drink whatever you want and how much you want. However, aperitif is usually one glass of wine, cocktail or special aperitif beverage. After our stomach is warmed up, we proceed.

The chef's carving the ham. Guess what it's for?

Just look at the size of this ham would you!

Everyone's plates are empty, waiting for the raclette session to start.Raclette is a french traditional dish which consists of potatoes, ham, bacon and cheese. We each have cute little spades to ourselves where we deposit the cheese to melt. We then place the little spade between the two hot plates to melt the cheese. Ham or bacon can be placed on the upper hot plate to be grilled. Potatoes are served to each and everyone and you peel and mash them on your plate. By this time, the cheese would have metled, ham/bacon grilled, and you place the bacon with your potatoes and pour the cheese over! Yum yum! Sizzling hot yellow lava will then pour over your mash potatoes and grilled bacon and you may thus start your meal. Salad is often served on the side. It's a very interesting and fun dining experience and kind of fuss free too. Except.. that.. it's kinda fattening eh.. considering that it's potatoes and ham, bacon and cheese.

Ham and Cheese Platter

Then comes the dessert. Charlotte au chocolate! My favourite! Three desserts for 11 people. (inclusive of two kids) No, that is not a lot for french people. It's normal.

Apple Pie

Chocolate cake from Alex

Nothing beats a good bottle of champagne to finish the meal, courtesy of Marie

Bon appetit à tous!

Labels: pre xmas dinner

12:13 pm　うまい！Y