San Geraldo went shopping the other day. First stop was Ana Crespillo's produce market. Then he dropped off the goods at home and headed back out to the supermarket.San Geraldo always loads up two large reusable shopping bags at Ana's. This time, he came home with two additional bags, as well. He plans to start baking holiday goodies. We have the benefit here in Spain of extending the holiday through the Day of the Three Kings on January 6 (the traditional Spanish day to exchange gifts), which means San Geraldo isn't officially late with his baking. However he is, as usual, spending (to my mind) a small fortune. Added to the fact that the ingredients for many of his baked goods are expensive, there was Christmas dinner-for-two to prepare.
At the supermarket San Geraldo found a big expensive poularde and brought it home. Who knew poularde was simply a big fat, fatty chicken that had had its ovaries removed so it would never lay an egg? Well, maybe you did (especially you French chefs), but I sure didn't. I didn't know if it was a small turkey, jumbo chicken, or medium goose. San Geraldo prepared it beautifully, but we won't be having it again. Much fattier than we've become used to. I didn't complain because the chicken was truly good and he made a dressing filled with pine nuts. And I never complain about anything with pine nuts.
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| DEE-LICIOUS. |
There was a sauce with the most plump and sweet apricots and prunes, and the unbelievably good dressing was simply bread and two black truffles. San Geraldo had never had black truffles. So he bought a small jar. They did have a spectacularly rich, full flavor. But 9 euros for two truffles that weren't chocolate? I was in shock.
San Geraldo just now returned yet again from the supermarket. He came home with another container of truffles, thankfully not another 9-euro container. Still, an extravagance. But I'm not complaining.
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| TWICE AS LARGE AS THE BLACK TRUFFLES. EIGHT TIMES AS MANY IN THE CONTAINER NOT CHEAP, BUT A MUCH MORE RATIONAL EXPENDITURE, I THINK. |
We don't have a lot of money. And, obviously, we don't wisely spend what we do have. I can't say we'll never be able to afford to retire, because we already have. But I'm thinking one of us (San Geraldo) may have to go back to work. However, as long as I'm being honest with you (and I'm always honest with you), the only reason I even wrote this post was because I wanted you to see the below informative video about Australian investment opportunities. This could be money well spent.
Fun video. I think Mrs. C. enjoyed it more than I did.
ReplyDeleteAw, Stephen, wouldn't you like to have fun? (Fun... fun...)
DeleteYUMMY! The food...the food!!
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteIsn't Australia famous for its ribs?
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____ (████)_(████)▓▓▓▓▓)------¡Felices Fiestas!.... ★MaRiBeL★
MaRiBel:
DeleteMuy creativo... Le deseamos lo mismo.
Will check out the video later. Nick is enjoying Vince Gill at the moment (not literally but musically of course) so additional noise may not be politically correct.
ReplyDeleteWe once had a capon, or giant chicken, from our local butcher, at Christmas. (Because turkeys are always too huge for our family) and it was way over-priced and, frankly, not worth it.
This year we had a six legged chicken. By which I mean two smallish chickens with a couple of extra legs. It fed the six of us perfectly with a leg each (therefore no arguments at the table) and it was delicious.
Your stuffing sounds good though.
Happy belated Christmas and, if I don't get chance to check in beforehand, I wish you and yours a brilliantly fabulous, healthy and prosperous New Year !!!
Jean:
DeleteI think you'd get much more pleasure out of these guys than Nick could ever get from Vince Gill!.
Wishing you (and your six-legged chickens) a very happy Christmas and wonderful New Year, as well.
Gees, I just spent all my money on Boxing Day Specials.....oh I might have a little left!
ReplyDeletewinks!
Ron:
DeleteMaybe they'll give you a New Year's Special.
If we ever get back to Spain I'm going to beg San Geraldo to take me shopping with him.... I'd have a blast buying all that "exotic" food. And... speaking of exotic... oh wait... I think the word's erotic... nevermind.
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteI always get "R" and "X" mixed up, too.
San Geraldo is my kind of shopper, just buy the stuff and enjoy. Who looks at prices anyways? You cannot take it with you and if you have to eat it, it should be the best!
ReplyDeleteI love poularde, truffles the real ones not that Ferrero Rocher stuff, which I have to tell you is all machine made, in my old job I found out all about it, maybe I know too much on that one. Maybe we can direct you to hand made Belgian Chocolates instead.
I say enjoy!
Laurent:
DeleteNo, you can't take it with you... but it would sure be nice if it lasts until you go. You're so right about nothing comparing to real, high-quality, hand-made chocolates (and Belgian, at that). But the way I'm currently inhaling the chocolates, they would be wasted on me.
I started to watch then video and then comment on your post but I forgot what the post was about.
ReplyDeleteSo i watched the video again ...
And again ....
And ....
Yeah, still here..........
Bob:
DeleteI'm sorry... I was distracted... Did you... um... say something?
the chorus boys are quite splendid and I would have a hard time making a choice.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteWho says you have to choose? They're a dime-a-dance.
And now Urspo will sing "Somewhere my love lies sleeping' with an all male chorus.
DeleteSpo:
DeleteWell, if Someone lies sleeping Somewhere, you DO have to find Something to keep you occupied.
Well, I did know those bodies were underneath the clothing when we saw King Kong.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteToo bad about the clothing.
I had poularde once, but I don't remember it being fatty... hmmm. Also had capon a time or two, very tasty. This time we had a capon of guinea fowl. Smaller than the chicken counterpart so very good for four or two with leftovers (we got three meals from it this year). Bon appétit !
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteFatty in a delicious kind of way... Jerry added the left-overs to yesterday's lunch salad. THAT was wonderful.
That's the day I saw him at the supermarket. And yes. He had 4 bags full of stuff. I was wondering how 2 people can go through so much fruit and veg! It looks delicious by the way. Can't wait to meet for dinner. xxx
ReplyDeleteElena:
DeleteWe just returned again from the market. Four more bags! The baking begins today. We are SO looking forward to spending some quality time with you!
Great video. It's remarkable how the lyrics, provocative when sung by girls, become even more highly suggestive when male-delivered.
ReplyDeleteBtw: Are you a Brussels sprouts lover too? I adore 'em - my fave veg after cauli. They're so tasty. Yet they remain unpopular among many here, despised as jokey largely because of, I reckon, their 'after-effect'. though when one lives alone that's no problem - and my pussies haven't voiced any complaint.
Raybeard:
DeleteI always loved that song and I think this version is exceptional.
I go through phases with Brussels sprouts. Right now, I'm enjoying them again. And when I'm not in the mood, I simply mix them with San Geraldo's Swede and carrots. (They don't have any after-effects for me. That would probably put me off them, too!)
I've always wanted to go down under. Ahem...
ReplyDeleteAfter all of the celebrating over the last few weeks, I'm feeling like a poularde, myself. Well, AND a big spender. I have a lot of tightening up to do next month...in at least two ways!
Michelle:
DeleteDid you know nickname for someone from Queensland is Banana Bender?
OH! Oh MY! I mean, the food looks great but those investment advisors... wow!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteWouldn't they like to know what's going on in YOUR mind!?!
Ferrero Rocher were the gift I looked forward to the most at Christmas. Yes, truffles are expensive, but only a little needs to be used and the nutty flavor is just dee-lish. When I visit I'll buy the groceries, San G can cook the feast. :-)
ReplyDeleteNubian:
DeleteSan Geraldo has been baking Christmas breads. They're amazing! I love chocolate with nuts (and without). Every day, I say I've finally OD'd on chocolate. Then I eat another package! Those two black truffles were exceptional, but still...