Blogging by Mail... my parcel has arrived! (2 weeks ago today ;-))

Once upon a time a fellow foodblogger in the US had a great idea. Why keep just writing about food and trying other people's recipes, if you could get a taste of them delivered to your doorstep? Never shy to nick a good idea, Andrew of Spittoon imported this initiative recently and hosted the first ever Euro-version...
I have blooged about my own CARE packet (destination: Edinburgh), recipes for the content (Fragolaceto, almond & pink peppercorn cantucci and the rocket, cashew & chilli pesto that never made it) and the curious events involved in the making earlier... now it's time to reveal what made me so very happy last Saturday.
My secret pal was none other than Clotilde and she was very generous indeed. Now, I find this new initiative althemore interesting given that not only do you get to taste other people's creations (reading a recipe if one thing, tasting the results quite another), but receiving a package reveals so much more about a person. You get to see their handwriting, discover their food loves and lots of other hidden details. So now I know where the sender likes to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, which type of shoes she bought recently and even what size her feet are... Maybe I shouldn't have packaged my goods up in a cookie box from M&S, as Pille must now think I am a 70-year old pensioner ;-) Let me say in my defense that they were a Christmas present from somebody who had no reason to give me one...
The package I received was full of flavours I love, and new ones to discover - a box of fleur de sel, always the first thing I'll buy when I go to France... either from Guérande or, like this particular box, from Camargue. I actually visited Aigues Mortes a few years ago and stayed at a beautifully restored boutique hotel which once used to house knights templar, a place that just oozes history! My first encounter with fleur de sel, though, was actually at Alain Ducasse's Louis XV in Monte Carlo, and I distinctly remember it being one of the reasons for me sobbing over my first course... don't actually remember what exactly I had, but it involved fleur de sel generously sprinkled over some vegetables (artichokes being the protagonist, I believe) and drizzled with the most stunning olive oil I'd ever tasted. Such perfection achieved through a simple dish, which can only shine through using the best ingredients you can find - to some people, salt is just salt, or water just water, but boy, they don't know what they're missing!
The same can be said for the next item in my surprise parcel - marshmallows are not really something I get cravings for, I've had my fair share as a kid, but they're not something I usually buy. But again, after tasting Ducasse's own "guimauve" way back when, I've come to see what a different kind of fish the French version actually is. Coming in the most unusual flavours (lavender, fleur d'oranger, bergamotte etc), they're handmade, melt-in-the-mouth and absolutely gorgeous. Clotilde sent me yet another taste experience from a local artisan - brightly-coloured squares of guimauve, tasting of citrus fruits (I didn't actually get to taste all of them as my Mum arrived the day after and she cannot be left in a room with marshmallows without the cravings getting the better of her...)
Next up a gorgeous fruit infusion, which I adored - they've always been a childhood favourite of mine and I don't drink enough of it now that I own a Jura espresso machine... but today's really hot and I've already brewed some to enjoy with ice and a squeezed orange a bit later!
Now, there's still a lot to go through - I haven't had much time at home lately, but I am already craving the sardines with piment d'espelette, a Basque chilli, (on toast, as Clotilde suggests), the "crème de marron", the salmon spread and the Clotilde's own rhubarbe confipote (a hybrid between a compote and a jam with bits) which I am planning to enjoy lightly warmed and poured over some panna cotta ice cream. And of course I have two lollipops and a bag of the tiniest (handmade) sweets to suck on whenever my sweet-tooth strikes!
So merci bien, Clotilde, I'll be thinking of you for a long time while I savour all the delicacies you sent me!

Comments

[Angelika]

Hi Johanna, next time I will participate, for sure ! Kind regards from "the flying apple"
back "home"...

[AugustusGloop]

Oh wow. What a wonderful package. And I agree. I loved seeing people's handwriting and gaining an insight into their food shopping personality!

[clotilde]

Hello Johanna,
So glad you liked these and report back about the rest when you get a chance! (Note: the sardines are flavored with piment d'espelette, a special hot pepper from the South-West of France.)
Take care!
Clotilde.

[johanna]

Hi Angelika, glad to hear you'll participate! it's such a great initiative.
Clotilde, I will, of course, post about the other delights in due course!