Spring has almost sprung!
What a difference 2 weeks makes, from minus10 degrees daytime temperatures,  to today's glorious 25 degrees full sunshine. 


Its been a very busy week at Chateau Perroterie, we open for business in 5 weeks time & I have made a start with my "spring cleaning". John my amazing DIY husband has been very busy fitting panelling & boxing pipes, & meter boxes. I love living in a large old property, but boy does it  require a huge commitment keeping up with all the day to day running repairs. The property looks even more beautiful this year than last, it just keeps maturing & blossoming. 

Dwarf Hyacinth

In amongst the work we still make time to enjoy ourselves. I had my neighbour down for lunch on Friday, I decided I would make a chocolate mousse, I read recently that because chocolate melts at body temperature, it has been one of the deciding factors in chocolates success, we love the moment that it melts in our mouth releasing its seductive flavours. Chocolate mousse can be a tricky thing to make, but if you follow a few little rules I think its very easy.

Chocolate Mousse

Start with a pan of simmering water, place a bowl over the pan ensuring the bowl doesn't touch the water, break 100g chocolate into cubes & allow it to slowly melt, stirring from time to time. Meanwhile whisk 4 egg whites till stiff, add 2 tbsp castor sugar, continue to whisk till stiff & glossy. In a small pan slowly bring 6tbsp of heavy cream to the boil then remove from the heat. remove the bowl of chocolate & pour hot cream on top with a dash of rum if you like, now don't touch the mixture for 15 seconds, then swiftly stir the chocolate & cream together achieving a smooth glossy consistency. Then add a spoonful to the egg whites with a gentle turning action then add all the rest of the chocolate mix, never add the egg whites to the chocolate. Then simply spoon the mixture into 3 large glasses or 4 medium size, depending on how greedy you are feeling. Pop in the fridge immediately leave to chill for at least 2 hours. Naughty but nice.

Today has many different names, Shrove Tuesday, Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, a day we traditionally make pancakes for our family & friends. I have fond memories of one particular Year.

 I had just started working as a classroom assistant at a special needs school in Petersham Surrey. I was the new member of staff & more than a little nervous of my abilities to work with mentally ill & disabled children. At the morning staff meeting there was a very distressed head teacher, she had forgotten the packets of pancake mix, and the children were expecting to make pancakes & eat them at lunchtime. Much to my surprise non of the teachers knew how to make pancake batter from scratch. I said how easy they were to make and if they liked I was happy to make a batch for them. Before I knew what had hit me I was whisked (pardon the pun) off to the kitchen & presented with an apron, and asked what I required, I said it was simple a bag of flour, salt, eggs, & milk. 10 minutes later the first class arrived & we had a great time making & tossing about 12 pancakes, the children had a great time, in fact so much so the other 6 classes asked if they could make them too. I spent the entire day in the kitchen working with every class, I made over a hundred, & yes one did end up on the ceiling much to the delight of the kids.

 I walked home tired & smelling of sugar & treacle but elated, I had bonded with the kids & I loved this new job.

When my children & husband arrived home there were  cries of you are making pancakes tonight. So once again I found myself in the kitchen making stacks of pancakes, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup, caster sugar & bananas, what a day, and one I will never forget. 

Valentine's day is one of my favourite days of the year. Its a day where you make a special effort & tell the one you love how much they mean to you. Our 12 day of Arctic weather decided to thaw this morning, so I called one of my favourite restaurants Aux Fountaines in La Reole, they said they could fit us in. So booted & suited  we ventured out & fortunately the roads were much better. 

The Restaurant specialises in South West France cuisine, its delicacies are seasonal & hearty. I started with a Coupe of Champagne,  while trying to decide what to choose from the fabulous menu. We were in for a very special lunch. My starter was a Seafood Bouillabaisse with a cognac & cream foam, a delicate little salad of seafood & rocket, absolutely yummy full of big flavours. To follow a Cabbage parcel stuffed with fresh salmon & a smoked salmon mousse poached in a white wine & stock broth which was made into a cream sauce, this was sitting on a bed of sautéed mixed vegetables. Light delicate & full of flavour but not heavy in any way. To finish a chocolate mousse with white chocolate ice cream, very rich but hey chocolate & Valentine Day go hand in hand. Espresso coffee with handmade macaroons & little chocolate cakes. Feeling full, thoroughly spoilt & full of love.