Contrasts

[Christian Miller (CMM)]

originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:

originally posted by Christian Miller (CMM):

But green veg? C'mon.

But something has to be done with all those yummy things growing in the potager. Another course? I do recall a really nice first course of warm green beans topped with a little olive oil, cracked pepper and salt and a slice of foie gras somewhere in the past.

I believe Sharon's original point was that one veg was served with the main course commonly in France and potato could count as that. I must say that this isn't my experience. Both in restaurants and in homes, the number varies from one to three or even four, depending on the state of the market. And at the dinner at which I was served only duck breast and potatoes, the hostess joked that her husband, who did the cooking, didn't like green vegetables much and didn't cook them. She seemed to consider the situation anomalous, if charmingly so.

Different circles, different practices. My experience with family and friends in France has been more like Sharon's. With good veggies in season or from the garden often arriving as their own course, i.e. asparagus vinaigrette, little green beans drenched in butter, tomatoes sliced with vinaigrette or stuffed and roasted.

 

[Levi Dalton]

Perhaps there are regional differences within France as regards the norm for the number of sides.

Perhaps there are differences in the preferences of divergent age groups.

Perhaps it is a class thing.

Fairly big country, lots of people, different regional cuisines, etc.

Where is pab to help us out?

 

[Jonathan Loesberg]

originally posted by Christian Miller (CMM):

originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg:

originally posted by Christian Miller (CMM):

But green veg? C'mon.

But something has to be done with all those yummy things growing in the potager. Another course? I do recall a really nice first course of warm green beans topped with a little olive oil, cracked pepper and salt and a slice of foie gras somewhere in the past.

I believe Sharon's original point was that one veg was served with the main course commonly in France and potato could count as that. I must say that this isn't my experience. Both in restaurants and in homes, the number varies from one to three or even four, depending on the state of the market. And at the dinner at which I was served only duck breast and potatoes, the hostess joked that her husband, who did the cooking, didn't like green vegetables much and didn't cook them. She seemed to consider the situation anomalous, if charmingly so.

Different circles, different practices. My experience with family and friends in France has been more like Sharon's. With good veggies in season or from the garden often arriving as their own course, i.e. asparagus vinaigrette, little green beans drenched in butter, tomatoes sliced with vinaigrette or stuffed and roasted.

I've also had dinners that were a series of small courses, sometimes without any meats at all, if that's what you're describing. Sharon's main point, that the French are much less rigid about a main course of meat, green and starch is right. But I don't think that extends to never more than two things on a plate or dinners with no green vegetables being a norm.

By the way, the family I lived with was in Nantes, and that was over 40 years ago. My more recent experience is with neighbors in Provence. So while I don't have family or live there permanently, I cover territory and time.

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg: By the way, the family I lived with was in Nantes, and that was over 40 years ago. My more recent experience is with neighbors in Provence. So while I don't have family or live there permanently, I cover territory and time.

But the sample size is still very very small.

 

[Jonathan Loesberg]

originally posted by Rahsaan:

originally posted by Jonathan Loesberg: By the way, the family I lived with was in Nantes, and that was over 40 years ago. My more recent experience is with neighbors in Provence. So while I don't have family or live there permanently, I cover territory and time.

But the sample size is still very very small.

Always the case with anecdotal evidence, which is all the evidence recounted on this thread.