From one mother’s day to another

acaciacake1

Mother’s day comes twice a year

One of the privileges of having a melting pot of a family are the frequent occasions to celebrate. More meals to cook, feasts to have and, sometimes, more presents to enjoy. Like everyone else in France we celebrate the New Year but then we also have a little feast some weeks later to celebrate the Chinese New Year. My husband has introduced into our household an Icelandic tradition called “husband’s” day (very clever of him) and since Louise shares a name with a saint she has a special day to celebrate in addition to her birthday. Social media has further accentuated this tendency, how is it possible not to get caught up in other people’s festive moods, displayed on instagram or facebook. So I often find myself having pancakes and barbecues on the 4th of July, my husband speaks with an Irish accent (very bad one) on St Patrick’s day and has a Guinness. We go ghouly on Halloween, romantic on Valentine’s day and reflective and thankful for peace on Armistice day. It seems there is always something to celebrate, somewhere.
My point is, how is it possible not to get caught up in other people’s joyous celebrations, how can a food lover like myself wake up to photos of roast turkeys with cranberry sauce and pecan pies, and act as if it’s just another day? The answer is I can’t, if someone is celebrating mother’s day I will celebrate it too. Mother’s day in America is ahead of ours here in France by two weeks and two whole weeks is a long time to wait. Last year around mother’s day in France the black locust trees of Médoc were in full bloom but this year they went yankee on us and burst out in early May. So I had two great reasons to do something special, the ripeness of the black locust flowers and mother’s day in America.
In a few days we’ll have another mother’s day, the French one, it’s next Sunday, the 25th of May. That is also my official due date. I’ve never been a particularly punctual person but that would be the ultimate mother’s day celebration.

pouleaupotb

The best poule-au-pot I’ve ever had

So I woke up on Sunday the 11th of May determined to celebrate Mother’s day (the first). Black locust (Acacia faux-robinier in French) flowers would somehow be on the menu but something else, something bigger, was on my mind. Months ago our good friends Florence and Fabien Courrian were over for dinner and I served them chicken Marengo. They loved it and it sparked a conversation about chicken dishes. Florence kept raving on about her mother’s poule-au-pot, the best one she’d ever had. Let’s just say it planted a seed in my appetite and that seed soon grew into a full-blown craving. Weeks later we were at Flo’s and Fabien’s for dinner and after apéritifs and delicious starters, Florence put a huge cocotte on the middle of the table. Could it be, was I finally to have the famous poule-au-pot? She lifted the lid and out she scooped the most flavorful, spicy … langoustines. When you are being fed something delicious you couldn’t possibly be disappointed, but that moment of anticipation only served to feed my determination. What had been a lingering thought was now a full-blown obsession. At the end of the meal I praised the langoustines and then kindly asked for the recipe … of the poule-au-pot!

poule2

louiseacacia

acaciadough

poule

On Saturday we had bought the finest chicken (at the Vertessec farm of course), bought crates of vegetables at the market on the way home and when I awoke on Sunday all these goodies were waiting for me like parts on a mechanics table, waiting to be assembled into a masterpiece. Louise was very happy to put on a pretty dress and go look for flowers but Hudson wasn’t really buying the whole mother’s day thing. “I know that mother’s day is not today because we are making things for you at school and they are not ready” he said. After a crustacean lunch I quickly made a stuffing for the chicken and then took Louise with me for some flower hunting. The other girls were under the weather – another good reason to make a luxurious but ultimately comforting chicken dish. It all went according to plan, flowers were picked, a cake, filled with love and petals, was baked. Hudson who was already sceptical about the mother’s day thing was even more sceptical about putting all the flower petals into the dough. He asked “is there another dessert too?” Later that night the chicken came out of the pot and the look on Oddur’s face said it all, this was it, a triumph – after countless other versions of poule- au-pot, in bistros, brasseries and my own kitchen, some of them bland, some of them very good – Florence’s mother’s version is without a doubt the best one. It’s really a winter dish but I think I’ll have to have it every year on Mother’s day, the first one!

acaciaflowers2

woods

acaciaflowers

Should I stay or should I go

One thing you may not know about me is that I’m fairly indecisive, always weighing my options. When I’m planning a menu I change my mind right up to the moment the butcher or grocer takes my order. It’s the same in restaurants, I need to order last, I listen to everybody else’s order, I picture all the dishes and imagine how they will fit on my palate. Then in a split second I make up my mind. I’m having such a dilemma right now. I’m fairly sure that this will be my last pregnancy, and these are my last days with a bump. Meaning that next time I write a post I’ll be back to normal. I can’t wait to give birth to my little girl, I’m dying to meet her. But there is a part of me that won’t mind keeping her in the oven a few days more, so she’ll be well-baked and ready for life.
The good thing is that it’s not really up to me, she’s on some sort of timer, not one that I set, and if she wants to make a big entrance Sunday the 25th is there for the taking – to be a mother on mother’s day!
p.s. Had this baby been a boy his name would have been Marcel. Marcel Reynard, the second name upon my husband’s insistance as he is infatuated with all things fox. I think it’s a good name and it’s yours if you want it.

pouleaupot2

Poule-au-pot

This dish is such a national treasure of France that one of its kings, Henry IV, is reported to have said that even the simplest of peasants should be able to have it every Sunday. Of course this says a lot about France, a place where the quality of life is measured in food. Poule-au-pot has long been a staple in French homes and bistros, it exists in countless yet similar versions and can be, at its best, pure heaven. For me the most important thing is, as always, to start with a quality chicken and a delicious stuffing. This recipe comes from a mother of my good friend Florence who is more than an excellent cook. She slides the stuffing under the skin as well as in the cavity, giving the chicken an extra special flavor and texture. Traditionally, the broth was served as a starter with garlic croûtons, followed by the chicken, slices of stuffing and vegetables, as well as rice (boiled in the broth) and a mushroom sauce on the side. As a little bonus, I used the leftover chicken, broth and vegetables the next day to make a very comforting chicken noodle soup with angel hair pasta. The kids loved it!

(serves 6)

1 chicken, approx. 3.3 pounds/1.5 kilos

For the stuffing/farce
4 ounces/110 g stale bread
1/3 pound/ 150 g Bayonne ham
1/3 pound/ 150 g bacon
Gizzards & liver of chicken
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely sliced
2 eggs
1/3 cup/ 80 ml milk
Salt & pepper
A small bunch of parsley, leaves

Soak the bread in the milk. Squeeze out the excess milk. Chop all the ingredients finely, add the eggs and combine together in a bowl. You can also place these ingredients in a food processor and blitz for a few seconds. Season with salt and pepper.
Prepare the chicken. Gently lift the skin away from the breast meat on each side, gradually lifting as much skin as you canall over the chicken. Be extra careful not to tear the skin. Gently place stuffing, with the help of a small spoon or your fingers, under the skin. Place leftover inside the chicken’s cavity and tie the chicken legs together with kitchen twine. Set aside.

For the stock
2 leeks, white part only
2 carrots, peeled
1 celery stalk
1 onion and 8 sticks clove (prick the cloves in the peeled whole onion)
3 garlic cloves, peeled

Prepare the bouillon/broth. In a large dutch-oven pot, pour 3 to 4 litres of water (enough to cover the chicken) and place the leeks, carrots, onion with the clove sticks, the bouquet garni, the garlic cloves, coarse sea-salt and black pepper. Bring to a boil and place the chicken in the broth so it’s entirely covered. Cover with a lid. Depending on the size of the chicken, cook for 1h 15 minutes to 1h 30 minutes on a low heat.

For the rice
1 pound/ 450 g basmati rice
About 30 minutes before serving, pour some of the chicken broth on the rice (about 1 inch above the rice/ 2.5cm), cover with a lid and steam on a medium to low heat for about 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is al dente.

For the mushroom sauce
2/3 pounds/ 300 g mushrooms
1 onion, sliced finely
2 tablespoons of unsalted butter
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
For the roux sauce
6 tablespoons/ 90 g unsalted butter
¾ cup / 90 g plain flour

In a large sauté pan, sauté the mushrooms and onion on a medium to high heat with 2 tablespoons of butter for 4 to 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Set the pan aside.
On a medium heat, melt 90 g/ 6 tablespoons unsalted butter in a saucepan. Add 90 g/ ¾ cup plain flour off the heat in one go, mix well with a whisk, and return to the heat (medium to low heat) until the color turns golden. Add a ladle or twoof chicken stock to thicken the sauce and mix well.
Return the mushroom pan to the heat, add the roux sauce to the mushrooms adding a little chicken stock until desired thickness. Check seasoning.

Remove the chicken from the broth and set aside to cool for 3 minutes. Cut into serving portions, remove the stuffing from the cavity and slice into rounds. Arrange chicken pieces, stuffing slices and vegetable on a serving platter. Serve with the rice and mushroom sauce on the side, and generously drizzle the chicken broth.

acaciacake2

Black locust flower cake

12-15 locust flowers clusters, pluck the petals only
3 eggs
¾ cup/ 150 g plain sugar
1 tablespoon honey
6 tablespoons/ 90 g unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp  baking powder
1 &1/4 cup /150 g plain flour, sifted
¼ cup/ 30 g corn starch (maïzana), sifted
¼ tsp salt
1 tablespoon orange flower water

Preheat oven to 180°C/ 350 F
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together until light and fluffy. Mix the flour, corn starch, salt and baking powder together in another bowl and add into the eggs & sugar mixture. Add the butter, orange water and honey – mix well. Fold in the flower petals and gently mix.
Butter a cake mould and pour in the batter.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Leave to cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes and unmould. Decorate with flowers all over.

acaciaflowers3

151 thoughts on “From one mother’s day to another

  1. Oh I can’t wait for your little girl either. I’ve been on high baby alert because my middle daughter was expecting her third child by the 11th of May and had Zoe on the 13th. (little sister to Ever, 4 and Isla 2) So it’s lovely for me to have the baby alert/anticipation a little longer. 🙂 Best of luck and I hope everything goes smoothly and I’m looking forward to seeing photos of the new little one eventually. (By the way, had I been a boy, my mother always said she would have named me Marcus…close, and for Prague, it would have been a good name.) Much love to you and the new baby. 🙂

      1. Bonjour Mimi,

        Très heureuse de t’avoir croisé “en vrai” dans une de nos grandes enseignes locales…

        Tu es une future maman rayonnante…

        Je te souhaite à nouveau un très bonne suite pour l’arrivée de ce nouveau bébé.

        Excellente semaine,
        bien cordialement
        Véronique

  2. Mimi,
    Best wishes on welcoming your new young one. Here’s hoping the arrival is as smooth as possible.

    Joachim

  3. More tantalising recipes thank you Mimi. I’m particularly intrigued by the addition of fresh petals into the cake batter. It’s late autumn here in Jervis Bay, which allows me approx 3 months to search for an Australian equivalent for the Black Locust Tree. I have some thoughts, but I will need to take advice – I’ll need edible petals! Very best wishes for both the French Mothers’ Day and the arrival of your next daughter.

    1. Bonsoir Jude! Wishing you all the best for a lovely cake! It was pure pleasure baking with these delighful petals – they taste like honey and smell divine! Thank you for your kind wishes! Best, Mimi x

      1. ‘they taste like honey and smell divine’ – more information for my search. Robina trees are grown in Australia, so I’ll be ‘following my nose’ in early spring! We are very fortunate to have a French bee keeper close by. The honey is particularly special, so I may add a little extra until I find flowers. I use it for ‘your’ Sables Breton, sometimes adding dried lavender flower for variation. Mimi, each post has a ‘must try’ thank you, and evokes many fond memories of France.

  4. I was holding my breath thinking this must be about the new baby but I suppose I can wait another few days!!! So excited for you and your family as you await the arrival of this special little girl. The chicken looks absolutely delicious and the cake is so beautiful. I’ve never made a cake where you included flower petals but I’m sure it was amazing. Mimi, when I come to your blog it’s like stepping into a fairytale. I love it and it makes my day so special when I see your updates. Praying for you as you await your special Mother’s Day. Blessings Mimi.

  5. Wishing you the very best in welcoming your new daughter. Beautiful meal. Hope you can take a small blogging break, but we will all be waiting with news when you are ready. My best.

  6. Oh Mimi….I do hope you have her on the 25th. My son was born on Mother’s Day and it’s a bond that I can’t really describe, except to say . . . could there be a more beautiful day to bring a baby into the world than one that celebrates mothers. But whenever she chooses to arrive, I wish you and your family a blessed birth.

    The cake is beautiful. Honestly, everyone should be served a flower cake.

    Happy Mother’s Day! ♥

    1. Thank you so much Sarah for your kind wishes – I am so touched! 25th would be perfect! When Gaïa was born (3 years ago), she was 2 weeks overdue! Oh dear! Wishing you a lovely week-end, Mimi x

  7. Another glorious post accompanied by the most wonderful photographs. All the best for a special delivery on Mother’s Day and I eagerly await delivery of your cookbook later in the year.

    1. Merci beaucoup Kristiina! I am so happy you enjoyed the post – this is always a special time for me as I have a particular fondness for Acacia trees – they remind me of my childhood fascination for my grandmother’s acacia fritters! Wishing you a lovely fin de semaine! Mimi x

  8. You have such beautiful photos. And you fly love in everything you do. You are like a butterfly. I don’t what else to say! Love everything!
    I hope your princess arrivres in peace
    I will be around.
    Kisses
    Cláudia

    1. Merci Claudia for such a poetic response – you are lovely! I am always so grateful for Oddur’s photography, you should see him running around with his camera when we are off in our little adventures 🙂 Bon week-end, Mimi x

    1. Merci Elodie! I think I have never been so busy then now! I am running around everywhere, so many projects and so litte time! But I am truly enjoying every single moment, this is one of the most exciting chapters of my life! Bon week-end! Mimi x

  9. Those last few days of a pregnancy are bittersweet, aren’t they, Mimi? You’re excited to meet the little angel, but there is nothing like feeling a baby move inside of you.

    I must say, you look absolutely radiant pregnant. Here’s hoping for a smooth delivery. Happy Mother’s Day!

    1. Aimee, thank you so much for your sweet words – how uplifting! 🙂 I so agree with you – bittersweet is the right word! Not so easy to walk all day long – my back is taking a big toll… but this is all so exciting, my heart is pounding with joy! I love seeing parts of your life on IG – your family is so lovely Aimee! Wishing you a lovely week-end, Mimix

  10. Thank you, Mimi, for helping me determine my Mother’s Day meal for next year, although, I doubt I can wait that long to make it. Just reading your post makes me long for this dish!

    1. Bonjour Erica! Oh, I do hope you will try this recipe before next year 🙂 I just love these old-fashioned dishes – so nourishing, delicate and wholesome. It’s a pleasure to make! Bon week-end! Mimix

  11. Bonjour Mimi!
    Another excellent and delicious post. I thought for sure when I got the alert that there was a new post it would be news of your child’s arrival. Soon. You must be over the moon. Love the idea of adding petals! Be well. Merci
    Patrick
    ps I sent a email three weeks back as you asked. Did you receive it? Maybe it went in your spam file.
    xoxoxox

    1. Bonjour Patrick! Thanks for reminding me – I must apologize for not getting back sooner, you can’t imagine how late I am with my emails, it’s terrible! I was very touched my your words, how you started cooking… 🙂 Will respond soon 🙂 Mimi x

  12. Hudson’s “is there another dessert?” Reminds me so much of my 7 year old son Liam. He often says such things when I’m cooking or baking a new dish, but rest assured he’s usually pleased with the results when he gets his taste! My three year old daughter Elsa however is quite possibly the most difficult person to please! The best of luck to you with your lovely little one Mimi, whenever she happens to come. Mothers Day would be perfect timing! And if Mothers Day happens to come before your next post then Happy Mothers Day to you in advance!!

    1. Thank you Kimberly! Kids are the best food critics, usually! Well, at least they are direct with their feelings 🙂 Thank you for your kind wishes – bon week-end, Mimix

  13. What a lovely time to be giving birth! We will be thinking of you, wishing the very best for you, your new baby and the rest of your family.

  14. oh my – u look soooo dainty to be almost due!!! what a beautiful momma. and how mothering you look out in the forest with your little girl – like a mother spirit awakening the flowers of the black locust 🙂
    best wishes & happy mothers day!!
    here’s to wishing you a fast and pain-free delivery!

    1. Thank you so so much Jo! You are too kind! I love these forest walks, and it’s a little dream to pick edible flowers – they smell like honey and jasmine. Wishing you a beautiful week-end! Mimi x

  15. You out did yourself with this meal! Looks so good that I will try it for my husband. Hoping your beautiful daughter arrives on Mother’s Day too!
    Love to you!

    1. Merci beaucoup Patti! Thepoule-au-pot takes a bit of time to prepare, but then it’s so simple to cook – I hope you too will enjoy this recipe. My friend’s mother (who shared this recipe) is a superb cook, a real mama chef! Bon week-end! Mimi x

  16. Oh I thought this would be the baby announcement as well! She must feel cozy and safe where she is–we will all have to wait for her best timing!

    I laughed at your description of the Bon Vivant gentleman–I met two on my last two visits to Paris. One offered me (not my husband or daughters) a glass from his and his companion’s bottle as we all sat close enough to be family. The other happily offered my sister and I a seat at his table as we passed by! And the clothes they sported–well, you know there are few men as well dressed as Frenchmen!

    Congratulations on your beautiful new home! If I could make one suggestion–as a designer–keep all the lovely wallpaper if you can!

    Looking forward to hearing news of the little one!

    1. Thank you Danielle! I am pretty sure that the next post will be an announcement, at least I hope so! Gaïa was 2 weeks overdue, so I am wondering… will I be so patient? 🙂 I will gladly take your advice and keep as much wallpaper as possible – I am growing very fond of them. All best, Mimi x

  17. Mimi,

    the flower petal cake is a fabulous way to make a simple cake into extraordinary. What lovely words about your soon to be born baby girl, how lucky she is to have a family all ready to spoil her.

    The lovely chicken I have to try with the great history of the recipe!

  18. Sounds yummy and looks delicious! Hope all goes smoothly with the birth of your daughter! Will look forward to your next post!

  19. Dear Mimi,

    I am new to your blog and have enjoyed your infatuating photos, prose and recipes all week. I, too, thought this may be a birth announcement and am thrilled to hear you are having a daughter. I am the mother of four sons and have given my girl’s name to our new girl dog, Beatriz, “Trixie”. I was born on May 10th which was Mother’s Day that year, many moons ago, but I often get to celebrate my birthday on Mother’s Day still. It is a good thing to have a day where I feel that much more blessed. I love your need to celebrate any holiday so I do hope that sweet baby arrives on Mother’s Day, but if she should arrive a day later, on the 26th, here in Chicago and the US we will be celebrating not only the birth of my youngest son who will turn 10 that day but Memorial Day – a national holiday in the US. Mostly, Americans head to their grills so perhaps you might choose to add something fabulous from your repertoire to Monday’s menu for the grill in celebration of Memorial Day – if not busy with the important business of birthing. I too always longed for a few more days or even weeks to cook my little ones inside of me. Oh what joyful memories, Enjoy every last moment of your pregnancy!

    1. Welcome to ‘Manger’! Oh I loved your stories! Thank you so much for sharing Elizabeth! How lovely to have four sons – it’s so iconic! I will have to be patient and, as you said, enjoy the last days! I am more energetic than ever, I should really have more naps 🙂 Wishing you a lovely week-end! Mimix

    1. Merci! I hope you will try the recipes – do you have black locust trees in your region? The cake reminds me of a scene in one of my favorite childhood movies calle ‘Peau d’Ane’ – it’s about a princess running away from home and hides under the skin of a donkey. She bakes a cake d’amour (love cake) – really simple with eggs sugar & butter and a ring inside 🙂 I love simple buttery cake, and when they are perfumed with the sweetest edible flowers, well that’s a dream come true! Bon week-end! Mimi x

  20. Bonjour Mimi,

    Just wanted to let you know that your blog is really wonderful and I look forward to your blog posts a lot. 🙂 I wish I could move to Medoc and stay in the countryside too even though I’m actually a city girl at heart.

    Have a smooth delivery and congratulations on your little girl 🙂

  21. My mouth is watering……it’s dinner time!I wish I had your chicken.Sounds delicious……
    What a gift your little one will be when she does pop out of your oven!PLEASE tell ODDUR to INSTAGRAM so we will all know!Can’t wait to hear what you name this one!
    XOXO

  22. Delightful as always Mimi!!
    Your blog is the only one, out of all the others I peruse, that draws me in so much that I feel that I am there with you walking the forests and sitting at your kitchen table.
    My mouth watered today with your description of the chicken dish and I have been a vegetarian for 25yrs!!!
    All the best with the arrival of your precious addition to your family, can’t wait to hear the happy news.
    Christiana xx

    1. Thank you so much Christiana for such a lovely comment – I am so touched to hear you enjoy the blog! It’s wonderful to feel so close to my readers 🙂 Can’t wait to share the good news soon! Best, Mimix

  23. Hello Mimi,
    What a lovely post. I’m going to make your Poule-au-pot for my Sunday dinner. I will let you know how it comes out! What a lovely place you and your daughter walked.

  24. May the emerging spirit of your child be blessed with joy and encouragement from the continuous music of your heart, expectant of warmth and wonder and settle at last relieved, and glad in your arms.
    May your heart rest in the grace of the gift and you share with us the sense of how you have been called inside the dream of this new destiny.

  25. Happy Mother’s Day, Mimi!

    Your energy level even at this last few days of pregnancy is enviable and you glow beautifully!

    You poule-au-pot looks fabulous and comforting!

    We can’t wait meet your beautiful princess and have a smooth delivery!

  26. This looks like such a delightful, but comfort-food meal!

    I’m just as indecisive as you are in restaurants. It’s good to know I’m not the only one!

    I think Marcel Reynard is a good name, too! Can’t wait to hear about your little girl. Best wishes!

    1. Thank you so much Myriam! Glad to hear am not the only weird one out there 🙂 I am so indecisive with food choices, that’s because I want everything! 🙂 Bon week-end! Mimix

  27. Bonjour Mimi,
    You are expecting your baby fantastic. That precious photos Oddur and have beautiful children.
    That post with this very delicious floral menu! Looks like the smells and flavors cross the screen.
    I wish you a peaceful and happy welcome your baby. Hugs with much love to all of you and Happy Mother’s Day in France (in Spain is celebrated on the first Sunday of May).

  28. Hello Mimi,
    Plus que deux jours à patienter avec ton magnifique joyau. Continue à nous charmer avec ta bonne nature et ton humour. Je te souhaite la meilleure fête des mères du monde entourée de ta charmante tribu. Bis

  29. Oh Mimi, you post brought memories from a year ago pouring back in a rush. My due date for our Hugo was the last day of May. Towards the end of May I made long walks and photographed the blooms of the apple trees and dandelions. (I suppose you apple trees bloom earlier). We were going to have a spring baby. But he decided that he needed more time and he was not born until the middle of June at a brawny just a few grams under 4.5 kg! And so we had a summer baby. But he has been the easiest baby. I’m hoping your little princess does not wait quite as long! So many wishes of good luck, can’t wait to see photos of the beautiful little one. And as usual your menu is stunning. The chicken poule-au-pot looks very delicious as does the cake. Perfect for Mother’s Day.

    1. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story! I am amazed – 4.5 kg – now that’s a beau bébé as we would say 🙂 Gaïa was 2 weekes overdue, so I have absolutely no idea when I will give birth 🙂 I hope you will enjoy the poule-au-pot recipe – it’s th eperfect family meal! Mimix

  30. the flowers are so dreamy and the cake utterly divine. longing for a slice of that delicious looking cake…i can smell the orange blossom water from here…yumminess at its finest…merci

  31. It was so nice to read your post while having breakfast this morning !

    I’ve got to try the acacia flower cake (spotted it on your IG account a while ago and couldn’t wait to see the recipe !).

    I wish you the smoothest delivery in the world ! xx

    1. Merci Alice – hurry hurry for the acacia recipe, the flowers are starting to disappear 🙁 They are so éphémère, like little butterflies. Thanks for your wishes. Can’t wait to share the news 🙂 Mimi x

  32. Hi Mimi, another fab post. You look beautiful and blooming. Pregnancy suits you. Wishing you all the best with a safe and ‘swift’ delivery. By the way I dropped you an emial (about the house) did you receive it?
    Thanks Mimi,
    Kind Regards, Tanya

    1. Thank you so much Tanya! I can’t wait to meet my little baby girl! Just hope it will be sooner than later 🙂 You’ll have to forgive me for not responding sooner – I am so caught up with all the projects around me, it’s been quite impossible to keep up with my mail! Will try and respond soon. Mimi x

  33. Bonjour Mimi, c’est toujours un plaisir te lire et regardé les jolis photos qui réalise ton mari. D’ailleurs, très intelligent, c’est ne pas mal la fête du mari…
    J’ai fête aussi deux fois la fête de mère. Je suis espagnole, donc la bas il est le premier dimanche du mois de mai. Cette date j’ai la laisse pour ma maman. J’attends avec impatiente dimanche prochaine pour avoir les petits cadeaux que m’on fait les enfants à l’école!
    J’adore tes recettes, toujours très juste dans les proportions, à chaque fois que j’ai les fait il n’ai jamais de mauvaise surprise.
    J’ai réalisé un petit dessert en m’inspirant des deux recettes à toi
    http://evaetsandra.com/delice-aux-fraises/
    Si tu as le temps, ça me fera très plaisir que tu regards.
    Je te souhaite une très belle fête de maman et qui sait peut être ta petite fille à choisis le dimanche pour t’offrir le meilleur de cadeaux au monde!!

    1. Mmmmm Eva, merci pour la petite référence! C’est trop joli ton desssert! Tu me donnes vraiment l’eau à la bouche. Je t’embrasse et te souhaite une très belle fête des mères! Mimi x

  34. Bonjour Miss Mimi,

    a delightful recipe and so very approachable. It’s certainly on my list to try.What really caught my eye was that beautiful basket that you gathered the flowers in – love!

    1. Thank you Kim – this is my favorite time of the year! The flowers only last about 2 weeks, as the petals are quite delicate! They are like little white feathers! Best, Mimi x

  35. Bonjour Mimi!
    Je viens de te voir sur la télé – mon petit plaisir de matin 🙂
    J’aurai des pensées tout douces pour toi cette dimanche… Bonne fete de maman!

    Et à l’automne j’espère!
    Bisous, jasmine xx

  36. Mimi,
    Thank you for celebrating what is good, true and beautiful. Your posts are so refreshing to my soul. Praying for the safe arrival of your little one. May you know God’s grace in an extra special way over these next few days. Love to your whole family.
    Heather

  37. Just sending you lots of Good Energy for the delivery, Mimi. It has been such a gift that you have been posting up until now. Like everyone else here, I will look forward to meeting your newest little girl.
    With my Best from Provence,
    Heather

  38. Now, now… you just made me crave for that delicious chicken. Luckily, the weather in Porto has been quite miserable (it’s actually snowing in Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s highest peak, a real unusual event for this time of the year!).
    So, if I manage to find a great chicken, I’m might give it a go at the recipe, over the weekend 🙂
    Mimi, I wish you the very best for the next few days. As portuguese old ladies still say “wish you a very short hour”, meaning you will give birth quickly and painlessly!

    1. Thank you – I need that very short hour! I promised myself to spend as much time as possible at home during labor, so I don’t have to spend time waiting in the hospital 🙂 Enjoy the poule-au-pot – it’s a wonderful recipe, and we all loved the leftover noodle soup the next day 🙂 Much love, Mimix

  39. Happy Mother’s Day, Mimi! The Vertessec chicken looks so good, I miss French poultry the most when I’m here in the UK. There’s nothing like a comforting chicken dish (Nigella’s ‘praised chicken’ and Hainanese chicken rice are favourites), and your poule au pot looks absolutely delicious! It’s a funny thing, awaiting a baby’s arrival. Eagerness to meet him/her is tempered with thoughts of getting things done, last minute preparations before the big day. My eldest was almost 2 weeks late, and my other 2 arrived on their due dates, so one never knows. Wishing you all the best – hope you are getting lots of help and support from the rest of the family!

    1. Thanks Zelda! And now you made me want to make a Hainan Chicken rice – it’s my favorite! In Singapore, I love going to a coffee shop called Chatterbox a the Mandarin hotel – their Hainan chicken rice was so delicious 🙂 I would always ask for an extra bowl of broth 🙂 I will definitely make it very soon!! Gaïa was also 2 weeks overdue, like your eldest. I think there are no rules, each pregnancy is different! Can’t wait to share the news! Mimi x

      1. Zelda took the words right out of my mouth, this totally also reminded me of Hainan chicken! Can’t wait to try this recipe – Mimi, if you post a Hainan chicken recipe, I will be forever yours (who am I kidding, I already am)!

  40. Your blog is a delight to the senses. You are an artist in words and pictures and you make me hungry reading your recipes 🙂 I wish you much happiness on the birth of your daughter. Your family is very blessed to have you.

  41. Hi Mimi!
    So nice to read your post. I really like the idea of having fresh flowers in a cake. It is so dreamy. A fairy tale cake! Wondering how it will taste like…
    The chicken looks delicious with the rice. I love to have chicken with ginger garlic paste!

    Can’t wait to try out your recipes! Take care. Hope you have a smooth delivery 🙂 Happy for you!

    1. Thank you for your kind words! Enjoy the cake recipe – black locust flowers taste like a mixture of honey, soft jasmine and orange blossom – it’s so lovely! Mimix

  42. Bonjour Mimi! You are such a beauty! This chicken sounds absolutely delicious! Although I do not eat meat, I will definitely make it for my boyfriend. I love so much reading your posts and I cannot wait to meet you in person! 🙂 Happy Mother’s Day and may your little bébé be born with lots of festive joy surrounding her. xoxo, dana

    1. Merci my dear Dana! I love how you show such enthusiasm with the recipes, even if you are a vegetarian – you are a truly passionate soul! Wishing you a beautiful week-end! Mimi x

  43. This cake is so beautiful! We have some black locust trees in our backyard. The blooms have already come and gone this year, but I will bookmark this recipe for next spring!

    1. Bonjour Emily! Yes, black locust tree flowers have a very short life, so I always start early to enjoy them while they last. Such little beauties! Mimi x

      1. Best wishes for the arrival of your sweet baby girl. I have a 10 month old daughter, and unbiasedly believe baby girls are the best!

  44. Another gorgeous offering from a talented and inspirational woman. Thank you for shining your light! From one Mother of Many (5 for me and another on the way) to Another, sending much love and insight for your next chapter. Just a couple thoughts to encourage you for delivery–they helped me immensely in my deliveries. First, really rest between contractions…fully surrender to the interval of rest. Also (an epiphany!), Up until pushing, it’s all about surrendering and allowing. There is actually no effort involved (but softening into the intensity:) until the ultimate resolve is required. Isn’t that a great summary of life’s journey? Surrender to the unknown timetables of resolution. Truly enjoy the intervals of rest. Fully commit to birthing the miracles inside you. And enjoy the transformative journey. Thank you for inspiring so many with your choice to create a unique lifestyle and family…and model a joyful celebration of life’s simple and deeper pleasures. Blessings from my heart to yours!

    1. Bonjour Rachel! Thank you for such inspiring advice! In the past, I would get so anxious when I felt contractions, and you are right, it’s all about letting go, surrendering and feeling the natural path. This time (it’s my fifth child), I feel ready to embrace this delivery. Many blessings to you & your family! Mimi x

  45. I hope your girl will be pretty much on time and arrive this sunday, as you wish. Too good a date to be true…Waiting for delivery myself, your words of waiting and anticipation really made me smile as I used pretty much the same ones on my last post. Wishing you all the best for these next days. Sabine

    1. Bonjour Sabine,
      I hope you are doing well! When is your delivery for? Well, for me it’s Sunday, baby hasn’t arrived yet. The time will come soon! Wishing you all the best! Mimi x

      1. Bonjour Mimi, hope you´re doing well as I write this. I´m doing great, but no baby in sight so far :-). Still I have some days to go (due date is june 6th ). Maybe, or probably, you can hold your girl in your arms already….all the best wishes, Sabine

  46. The place looks like heaven to me and enjoy the fresh produce I feel I am with you walking and looking around .all the best for the arrival of your child ,enjoy the last few days .

    1. Thank you Preeti! It is a bit like heaven indeed, picking edible flowers! Sadly they have all flown away now, their life-sapn is rather short. Best, Mimi x

  47. I wish there were a way of ‘liking’ comments – there are always so many comments on here that are lovely and so well said.

    This post, and the comments, in particular, has got me wishing that I too had a bun in the oven to add to my ever increasing brood. At least one of my two has returned back from university today.

    I’ve never really fancied poule-au-pot but every recipe of yours that I have tried has been such a success, and the description and photos make it seem mouth-watering so, I think that it’s got to be added to my list.

    Susie
    xx

    1. Hi Susie! It made me so happy to hear you enjoyed my previous recipes 🙂 I do hope you will enjoy this one! Simple and old-fashioned (takes a little bit of extra time to prepare) but so comforting! I know what you mean about ‘wishing for a bun in the oven’, whenever I see I baby bump or newborn, I literaly melt! Have a lovely Sunday with your family, Mimi x

  48. Bonjour Mimi. Ce billet est tellement émouvant… Je comprends votre sentiment d’impatience à la perspective de rencontrer votre petit amour, et le petit serrement de coeur, malgré tout, lorsque l’on sait (en théorie du moins!) qu’il n’y aura pas d’autre grossesse, ce moment unique de plénitude absolue, littéralement… Et offrir le prénom du bébé qui aurait pu être un garçon, c’est très joli de votre part. Oui, c’est un beau prénom…
    Quelle joyeuse idée de célébrer les fêtes d’ici et d’ailleurs! Je trouve ça génial, c’est une ode à la vie et un magnifique esprit d’ouverture sur les autres cultures! Et quelles occasions de se régaler! Ici, en Suisse, nous avons fêté les mamans le 11 mai. Je vous ferai un petit clin d’oeil l’année prochaine, si cela peut être un prétexte pour une douceur en avance!… Du fond du coeur, je vous souhaite une merveilleuse fête des Mères et surtout une belle naissance pour votre petite. A bientôt.

    1. Merci Kenza! Je vous souhaite une très joyeuse fête des mères (française) – j’ai reçu de jolis petits cadeaux de la part de mes enfants ainsi qu’un bon petit déjeuner au lit! Des moments inoubliables de la vie.C’est vraiment un des plus beaux cadeaux d’être une maman. Mon terme est prévu pour aujourd’hui, mais bébé a l’air d’être très heureux et ne montre aucune envie de pointer son petit nez 🙂 Je vous embrasse, Mimi x

  49. May I just say that you have the most beautiful and delicious blog in the world!
    I love all your recipes.
    Please come by and visit us if you are ever in South Florida!
    We will cook a meal to you and your family!
    Juliana

  50. Once again such a delight reading your blog and wishing you the very best with your new baby and nothing like a good roast chicken to soothe the soul. Can’t wait to get my hands on your book. xo

    1. Thank you so much Mel! We are celebrating French mother’s day today – it’s been a blissful day so far, no signs of baby’s arrival but I am always on alert 🙂 Wishing you a lovely sunday! Mimi x

  51. Dear Mimi, Thank you si much for sharing your recipes, your enthousiasm and these beautiful photos of your family Life. I’m getting addicted to your blog and as WE recently bought a charming country house surrounded by trees and a wood néar Barbizon I feel free and Cook à lot! I Will try your acacia cake for mother’s day tomorrow!
    And am looking forward to hear the great new of your 5th Child birth. I felt the Same with my 4th ( Églantine) Happy to be prégnant for the last Time and enjoying these precious moments that Will never happen again ( not planned at least…). Take care. Bisou Cecile

    1. Bonjour Cécile! Bonne fête des mères! Thank you so much for your kind and lovely words – I must say I love the prénom Eglantine – so old-fashioned and elegant 🙂 Bon week-end, Mimi x

  52. Thank you for such a beautiful (as always) post, so close to your due date!
    Happy Mother’s Day to you! I love all our holidays here in America, but Mother’s Day is particularly special when one has little ones to celebrate you. You should also know that you look amazing, glowing, and gorgeous.

    Hoping you have a beautiful birth and wishing you a very serene and the very, very best babymoon!

    1. Thank you so much Pricilla for such lovely words! We are celebrating mother’s day today, it’s also my due date, but no signs yet… but who knows? Can’t wait to share the news! Bon week-end, Mimix

  53. My thoughts are with you for the coming big event Mimi.

    It is a wonderful feeling to give birth on a jour de fete! The celebration in the following years is always extremely poignant!

    1. Thank you! Well, today is D day, but no signs yet! I am enjoying a lovely mother’s day though, filled with love and lots of creative presents from the kiddies 🙂 Bon week-end, Mimi x

  54. Aww Mimi your blog is one of my favorites, really beautiful. Amazing shots an nice recipes:)
    Congrats by your newborn hope all goes wonderful.
    And you are awesome mom♥♡

  55. Dear Ms. Mimi,
    The poule-au-pot was amazing. I find myself wondering what the filling tastes like when you make it, since our bacon and ham is probably very different from yours. (California).
    Best wishes to all of you when the new one arrives.

    Joachim

  56. fascinantes photos toujours,bravo à mr
    merci mimi pour vos succulentes recettes, je fais des progrès en cuisine et en anglais grace à vous en essayant vos recettes sans les traduire en français!!
    prenez soin de vous, une “voisine” de gaillan en medoc. mph

  57. We are all with you and will be here when you get back many blessings and warm positive thoughts sent your way for a smooth, safe, and healthy delivery and thank you for these beautiful dishes. Happy mothers Day to an awesome and talented mom. Baby girl is going to be sooooo lucky

  58. I just saw on your Instagram feed that you had your little girl last night! What a drama but wow I bet you all handled it with aplomb! Congrats to you all and well well done. May your life be blessed sweet Audrey May! Lovely name too. Take care beautiful Mimi and i do hope someone else will be doing the cooking for a while! I am so happy for you xxx

  59. Welcome Audrey May! I am sure she will be as beautiful and exceptional as her mother. Congratulations to your husband on his helping you deliver:) What a gorgeous name you have chosen.Our thoughts and prayers will be with you all for a gentle beginning to this new life. So happy for you!

  60. Felicitations on the birth of your baby!
    With your usual panache!
    Would we expect anything less from la merveilleuse Mimi and your gang? ; -)
    Wishing you & family light, love, and many blessings!

  61. What a delicious feast. That chicken looks absolutely divine. We just returned from our honeymoon in France, Paris and Arles and I couldn’t not get enough of the market in Arles. The market was over flowing with artichokes, fava beans, fleur de sel, just spectacular! Have you been? Congratulations to ou and our family on your new baby, such a special time:)

  62. Congratulations as I assume you have had your little girl by now. So exciting. And I am absolutely dying to try these dishes. Best wishes to you and your family from Cape Cod.

  63. I am so excited to have just discovered your blog- it is absolutely beautiful and the food looks incredible. I cannot wait to start trying out some recipes.

  64. I have been following your blog for one year, I absolutely love it. Have you ever thought of doing a tv show? I thought that it would be great to do a show filmed by your husband, He has such a wonderful eye for beauty and with the start of your new house, it could be a cooking show/lifestyle program.

Leave a Reply to mimithorisson Cancel reply