Happy New Year / Bonne année

Any excuse to eat is a good excuse, and what better excuse than my first New Year's Eve off in three years? While this year's festivities were somewhat low-key (dinner for four) it couldn't have been better. 

Champagne followed by more champagne followed by three sorts of wine means that I forgot to keep taking photos as the evening went on, but at least the beginning of the fun was well documented! 

Cheri and our good friend T got down to the hard graft: opening the 24 oysters that made up part of our starter, an enormous seafood platter. Despite some dubious knife techniques, no fingers were cut in the opening of these Marennes-Oleron oysters.

The platter itself was comprised of massive king prawns, langoustines (tasty but hard to unshell), whelks and the aformentioned oysters. I found the oysters quite delicate and didn't need to drown them in lemon as I normally do, and the prawns were delicious dipped in a homemade mayonaise.

T's girlfriend, N, had also fashioned some impressive looking skewers with three different types of bread. 

The skewers were put to good use while eating through the impressive cheese platter: Epoisses, Comte, goat's cheese and a square-shaped soft cheese. The actual platter and accessories were one of my Christmas presents from Cheri on a culinary theme. 

No photos of the dessert as I was far too full/happy/tipsy to take any but I can assure you it was just as delightful! 

Little fishes / Petits poissons

I have always loved living close to the sea. There is something so calming about going and looking out at the waves and I love the smell of sea air. When I'm feeling homesick (those of you who read this blog will have guessed, that happens a lot!), I drive out to La Tremblade to look out at the Atlantic Ocean and its infinite blueness.

The other good thing about living close to the coast is the fish. I love meat in all its forms but I am also a huge fan of seafood. Oysters, prawns, cockles, clams, mussels: I'd eat them every day!

Cheri is a little more reticent, however, when it comes to our fishy friends. I think being brought up on the bland steamed white haddock that Belle-Maman loves may have put him off a bit! So it's up to this persistant gourmande to get him loving the taste of the sea...

Recette: Smoked salmon served with steamed garden potatoes, crème fraîche and salmon roe. Serves 2 as a main course.

You will need: a small packet of smoked salmon, 3 large potatoes, a tub of crème fraîche, a jar of salmon roe and some sprigs of dill to decorate. 

Scrub the potatoes and steam them until soft. Cut in half and pose 3 halves on each plate. Top with a spoonful of crème fraîche and the salmon roe. Divide the smoked salmon between the plates and add a few sprigs of dill as decoration. Easy!

A light, quick and easy lunch that will conquer even the most ardent fish-haters!