Visiting my French boyfriend and my new love (la boulanger) are not the only reasons I visit Clermont Ferrand each year.
I love Claudine’s French kitchen and the weekly deliveries of freshly prepared food from her mother-in-law Mamie Nicole (Grandma Nicole).
Mamie Nicole is a rock star! She will be turning 80 this year and she still prepares home cooked meals daily with fresh ingredients from her garden.
Her carrots, peas, and baby potatoes are amazing. They are sweet yet savory and are probably prepared in best quality lard and butter Auvergne has to offer. Julia Child would be proud.
I like to think Mamie Nicole likes me too because when Claud and I return from the girls weekend I verify with Richard the size of the weeks delivery. Extra-large!
For le petit déjeuner et le goûter (breakfast and afternoon snacks) Mamie Nicole sends delicious buttery Madeleines from her local boulanger but Mamie Morissette (Grandma Morissette), who is also a rock star, has these meals covered with fresh baked cookies that Claudine stores by the truckload in her freezer.
I don’t know what’s in those cookies (possibly something from the local pharmacy) but there is no stopping at one. And although I couldn’t tell you how many I eat, I will admit that the tin is usually empty the day Claudine brings me back to the airport.
I’ve been lobby for overnight delivery to NY for a while. Mamie Nicole and Mamie Morissette would make a killing (who wouldn’t want Grandma Direct?!?!). But even with overnight delivery of the Grandma’s’ goodies I can’t imagine a year that I don’t visit Clermont.
It’s not the place or the food it’s the people. See you next year Claud!
Leslie






































