Something came to me the other day: a flashback to one crazy dinner party I will never forget.
You probably know that in France, many French people love to eat:
Frog legs (cuisses de grenouilles)
Snails (escargots)
and tripe (tripe, pronounced « treep »).
These are traditional recipes that are still very popular
in many French kitchens and restaurants today.
In the world of cuisine and gastronomy, presentation is everything since your appétit begins with:
- what your eyes see (colors, textures, dimension...),
- your nose smells (a blend of herbs and spices, for example),
- and then and only then, your taste buds will taste!
The French also have a saying that:
Literal Translation:
'In the pig, all is good.'
Correct Translation:
"Everything is good (to eat) on a pig!"
Yes, that is everything: from feet to ears and tails?!
(Perhaps you didn't know this?)
Seriously, there's even a famous song and animated video on this very fact:
I just love that video and song - hilarious and oh SO FRENCH!
Okay, where was I? So this finally brings me to the dinner party memory:
Imagine my surprise when the following dish:
...which appeared to be harmless enough, right?
Well, hold on to your socks - it turned out to be, the following:
Looks like a roast or lobe of something, right?
Well, in fact, if you haven't already guessed,
it is
"Langue de Boeuf"
Translation:
Cow Tongue!
Imagine my surprise as I chewed and smiled politely at the others.
Since everyone was so attentive at the dinner party and literally thrilled to see me trying it,
there was absolutely no chance of me discreetly spitting the mushy mouthful into a paper napkin.
I was living my personal 'Survivor' and 'Kohlanta' moment!
With all due respect to French gastronomy,
I prefer to see the "Cow's Tongue" exactly where it belongs:
And not on my dinner plate, merci beaucoup!
Well, that was one of my many culinary adventures in France....
Come to think of it:
I guess that experience was no different from the Coq au vin dinner party I once attended.
That was one gristly, dry and stiff rooster, nevertheless,
it was a opportunity for so many more
funny SO FRENCH memories!
"Bon appétit!"
Inspiration
Like can we talk? 
I just had to start this page.
There are SO many things about France that fascinate me.
Some things perturb me profoundly.
Others make me split my side laughing.
Still others piss me off royally.
I simply take it all in and write it off as culture clash.
After all, I'm a North American Canadian, Canuck with Italian heritage.
And damn proud than I'm not....you fill in the blank....
Here is what inspired me to create this page:
With a new President at the helm - grab your life jackets (no more "bling bling")!
FRANCE 2012 - what DOES the future hold?!
You can count on me to keep you posted!