Red, Green, Blue

green

Red is so hot right now

When I was in New York earlier this month I missed most all those little hands that hug me and hold me, the elbows that sometimes knock me out at night and, of course, the little faces that come with the hands, the ones with mischievous little smiles. These little hands were put to good use this weekend, shelling peas and beans but more about that later. A pair of hands comes with a pair of feet and little feet need little shoes. Gaïa, my youngest (for now), has always had a shoe obsession and changes shoes every hour of the day. Interestingly she hardly ever wears a matching pair, that would be a waste of time (so many shoes, so little time). When we were away she insisted on wearing the same princess dress every day, over her sweater, and a selection of shoes to go with it. My father-in-law was stupefied and asked “Is it normal that the kid dresses like that?” But since we’ve been back in our little corner of the world Gaïa has changed her tune and her outfit. All she wants to wear are red ballerinas. Every morning she wakes up, runs in her red ballerinas to her sister’s room and insists she wears the same. So just in case you had any doubts – Red is THE color right now, even the pears are wearing it!

plenty

aillet&asparagus

cinnamonpancakes

gaiaflowers

Shades of Green

I have to admit that we’re still a long way from the colorful symphonies of summer but nature has taken out its paintbrush and given us a few strokes of green. And what lovely shades they are. The fava beans soup tastes like I’ve never had it before, the asparagus is even better than I remembered. I can’t wait for nature to start dipping into other colors but for now, green does it for me every day (we’re having broccoli pasta for lunch today, just let me finish writing this first). My husband and father-in-law went to the market on Saturday and came back home with crates of the greenest greens. We plunged them on our table and without so much as a human touch they arranged themselves to perfection. “Let the vegetables fall as they may” is our approach to food. All the kids joined in, there were a lot of jobs to be done. Shelling peas and beans, peeling asparagus. Those little hands did most of the vegetable work while I prepared the lamb shanks. I meant to cook them with olives and lemons but in the end I felt the olives weren’t needed so they were introduced to some charcuterie later in the day. Saturdays are market days and family food days, it seems we never stop eating. In the morning we had a huge fry-up, with Irish potato bread, eggs and bacon, then it seems that lunch just lingers on forever and finally changes its name to dinner.

pears&pancakes
Passe-Crassane pears

teamwork

shelling

mimi&asparagus

Blue is the warmest color

If you are a regular reader you will be familiar with a certain blue table that more often than not holds the food I cook. It’s a very ordinary looking table, whose former life was amongst the market stalls. It came with the house when we moved here, stood inconspicuously in a corner. My husband took a liking to it and made it his makeshift desk. It’s by no means in perfect condition, with scratches and splatters of light-blue and yellow paint. It even sways down in the middle, like an old horse, from all the weight it’s carried in all its previous lives.
I would describe the color as a greenish blue but when the light hits the table in a certain way it’s almost indigo (there is a movie quote in here for you clever people). Simply put, it’s a good table and, I must admit, makes my food look good. Why am I talking, at length, about a table? You see, for me, a table is a symbol, an anchor for any family. A table has never been more important. We may not be able to live without our smartphones but we are not able to live decently without our tables. A family that sets a table every night and shares it, is at least doing something right. Food satisfies our hunger, but having it together connects us. People should not forget that. I have lived in France for a long time now and always had roots here, but I never cease to be amazed by the role food plays in our country. We take time to eat, we talk about the food, bien sûr, but the conversation goes further and before we know it stories are flying. A table is also a good place for education, especially for large families. Our kids break the rules all the time but at least they know that there are rules.
Like my mother always says “les bonnes manières commençent à table” (good manners start at the table).

And by the way, the table doesn’t have to be blue.

aillet&asparagus2

miapeas

sorel

lamb2

Here are three recipes to celebrate early spring.

plateofgreen

Asparagus with fresh peas, fava beans and herbs.

This dish is a celebration of spring. It’s all about improvisation, you can add any seasonal greens you like. Here, the portions are light, perfect as a starter dish. The key is to cook the vegetables on a medium to high heat, so the vegetables are just cooked through, everything must be al dente. I love cooking with sorrel leaves, especially with seafood dishes. The lemony sharpness makes any dish stand out. Note: Do not overcook the sorrel leaves, or they will be all soft. Just throw them in, stir for a second or two, and serve immediately.

A bunch of fresh green asparagus, count 3 per person
A bunch of sorrel/oseille leaves
A few sprigs of fresh chives
70 g/ ½ cup chopped ramp/ aillet
2/ 3 sprigs mint, leaves picked
150 g/1 cup fresh peas, shelled
120 g/ 1 cup fresh fava beans, shelled and peeled
1 or 2 tbsp salted butter
2/3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
60 ml/ ¼ cup lukewarm water
Coarse sea-salt & freshly ground black pepper
Freshly grated lemon zest, to serve
Shell the peas and fava beans. Peel the rough skin from the fava beans. Set aside. Thinly slice the ramps. Rinse all the herbs so they are ready for usage (you’ll be using kitchen scissors to cut them directly over the sauté pan).
Rinse asparagus under cold water. Peel the rough skin from the bottom half of the spears with a vegetable peeler. Cut off the rough ends. Slice the asparagus into 4 to 5 pieces. Slice the asparagus tips in half and set aside.
Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large sauté pan on a medium to high heat, add the asparagus, peas, ramps and fava beans, saving the asparagus tips for the end as they are the most tender and cook faster. Stir for one minute then add 60 ml/1/4 cup water in the pan. Continue to gently stir for 2 to 3 minutes, until water has reduced, then add a tablespoon of salted butter. Add the asparagus tips, stir gently. With kitchen scissors, cut a few mint leaves and chives. Add the sorrel leaves. Stir everything gently. Season with salt and pepper, place on a plate and grate some fresh lemon zest on top. Serve immediately. Everything should be al dente.

lamb&lemon1

lamb

Lamb confit with spices and lemon

This comforting dish is my idea for a perfect Saturday family lunch. There’s nothing more pleasurable than a cocotte slow-cooking in your oven, filling up the kitchen with the most inviting aromas. The lamb shanks are juicy and layered in flavors, the sauce is filled with lemon goodness, perfect to drizzle on a side serving of couscous. If you wish, add golden raisins and toasted almonds to the couscous to add a little extra sweetness. Make sure to pre-order the lamb shanks at your butcher’s (in France we call it ‘souris d’agneau’) as they are not always available.

6 small lamb shanks/ souris d’agneau
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1 tablespoon fennel seed
300 ml/ 1 & ¼ cup chicken or vegetable stock
6 cloves garlic for the paste + 8 garlic cloves for the lamb
A chunk of ginger (about 3 inches long)
4-5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 lemons, thickly sliced
Coarse sea-salt & freshly ground black pepper
For the meat paste
A small bunch of thyme
A few sprigs of rosemary
4 tablespoons liquid honey
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground nutmeg
Mix the peeled garlic cloves and ginger in a food processor until you get a smooth paste. Set aside.
In a small bowl, mix the thyme leaves, chopped rosemary leaves, nutmeg and cinnamon with the honey. Set aside.
Season the lamb shanks with salt and pepper, and rub them all over with the herb and honey mixture.
In a large cocotte/ cast-iron dutch oven, heat the olive oil and brown the meat on all sides on a medium to high heat. Transfer meat to a plate. Add the fennel seeds and ground coriander in the olive oil, add the ginger and garlic paste and continue to cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Return the meat to the pot, stir for a few minutes to mix all the ingredients together, then add the chicken/ or vegetable stock. Bring to a soft boil, lower the heat and cover with a lid. Transfer pot to a preheated oven 160°C/ 320 F and cook lamb for 3 hours. Halfway through, add the unpeeled garlic cloves and sliced lemon and continue to cook covered. Serve with semolina (couscous) or steamed potatoes and drizzle sauce all over.

pancakes

Cinnamon pancakes with Chantilly cream and pear

This recipe was kindly lent to me by my lovely Icelandic mother-in-law, Jóhanna, famous for her cinnamon pancakes. All our family members and friends rave on about her delicious pancakes, a staple dish in her household. They are extra special, not only because of the cinnamon flavor, but also for their light texture. A tip I found very useful was to cover them with a plate, then wrapping the plates in a kitchen cloth followed by a plastic bag – they keep their softness and retain all the great flavors. Here I served them with whipped cream and diced pears. Pears are subtle, so sweet and delicious, but I can’t wait for strawberry season, they will be perfect for these pancakes!

Makes about 20-25 pancakes

35 g/ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
65 g/1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
500 ml/ 2 ½ cups full-cream milk
180 g/ 1 &1/2 cup plain flour
¼ tsp fine salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
To serve
1 to 2 pears, depending on size
250ml/ 1 cup heavy cream, for whipping
In a pancake pan, melt the butter, take off the heat and leave to cool. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine sugar and eggs. Whisk briskly for a minute, then gradually add the milk and flour, salt and vanilla extract, until you get a smooth, yet fluid batter. Add the cinnamon, mix well, then finally add the all butter that was in the pancake pan.
Heat the pancake pan on a medium to high heat. When the pan is very hot, spoon ¾ of a ladle of batter and pour on pan, swirling the pan to evenly cover the surface. Cook for a minute or so, until the edges start browning. Lift the edges slightly with a palette knife and turn the pancake to cook on the other side. For 30 seconds. The pancakes are best golden brown. Place on a plate and continue with the rest of the batter. When finished, cover with a plate, wrap with a clean tea-towel and cover with cling film (or a ziplock/ plastic bag) to keep the pancakes moist and soft. Leave to cool 10 minutes while you prepare the whipped cream and peel/ dice the pears.
To serve
Place 1 tablespoon of whipped cream in the centre of the pancake, add 2 teaspoons of diced pears. Fold in half and fold again to form a triangle. Serve immediately.

gaiatrees

170 thoughts on “Red, Green, Blue

  1. As spring has already came in Greece I am exactly in the same mood that your photos reflect. Just perfect! Your blog makes me feel so good!

  2. I love how your family gets together and celebrates the magic of food and all that it does for the heart and soul:) All of those spring vegetables have, especially the fava beans have me counting down the days until they arrive here in NYC.

  3. The children are so beautiful. I love the story of the red shoes. My oldest used to sleep with his new Nikes on his pillow. Yes, you are right, a table anchors the family–hadn’t thought about tables in quite this way before. Be well.
    Mary

  4. Do you peel asparagas sometimes? If so, how do you cook it then, like pasta? Love your blog. I lived in Arcachon for a summer and seeing the Medoc area through your husband’s lens and your words brightens my day!

    1. Bonjour Leslie – yes, I peel them when needed, which is most of the time, then I chop off the rough ends. For this recipe on the blog, I simply sautéed them in a pan – they are so tender and cook fast. Otherwise, if I also enjoy them witha vinaigrette – in that case I plunge them in a pot of boling salted water for about 5 to 8 minutes (depending on thickness of asparagus) – make sure to tie them with kitchen twine so they don’t swimm all over the pot :)Enjoy, Mimi x

  5. Mmmmm I can’t wait to go to our local market on Thursday to find the ingredients for these recipes. I particularly have my eye on the pancake recipe, my mother-in-law makes apples caramelised in cinnamon and butter with her crêpes but I’m keen to try the pears. I hope your pregnancy is going well Mimi, you’re so brave! And the red shoes, Gaia is so sweet. My daughter too adores her ballerinas. We buy them from La Coqueta Kids, a brand I’m sure you’d love, Elizabeth xx

    1. Bonjour Elizabeth! Can’t wait for you to try the recipes! I just posted the pics on instagram and I am hungry all over again, I certainly wouldn’t mind a batch of cinnamon pancakes – they are simply divine! Will check out the ballerinas brand – we always need new pairs in this family – here in France we love a French brand called Hirica – they are my new fave ballerinas (for adult & kids) 🙂 Mimi x

  6. très joli post. Apparemment, il n’y a pas que les ballerines qui sont rouges. Les bottes de pluie aussi ! Nous avons aussi entamé une orgie de fèves et d’asperges. Vive le Printemps !

  7. There’s also a film title in there, of course.

    Ahh, such a lovely post – in so many ways.

    What you said about rules being broken made me smile, my children are big now – both of them are away at university – but that’s how we brought them up. They always knew what the rules were and the rules didn’t really change which made things simple for them and of course, they weren’t always obeyed.

    Anyway, I’ve been cooking lots of your stuff recently, I adore you blog and it is inspiring me to live a life more beautiful (I don’t mean by wearing more makeup) and also, after reading your tarte au citron post I went off and started working on my own tarte (writing down the recipe and tweaking it and developing it) and that is making me so very happy and pleased.

    So, thank you Mimi.
    Susie
    xx

    1. Bonjour Susie! Thank you for such a lovely message. I agree – rules are rules, obeyed or not, but at least they are there. We certainly try our very best 🙂 I am so happy to hear you enjoy the blog, and most of all that it has inspired you to write your own recipes! All recipes are to be treasured and passed on! Have a lovely day. Mimi x

  8. Hi Mimi, just wanted to say this was a lovely post. I especially liked the part about the table – have you ever heard of or read The Tables Comes First by Adam Gopnick? It is exactly what you’re talking about – and he bases his food culture off of France.

    Now that I have been living here for 8 months (even if it’s just Paris and not true French countryside), I understand what you and he are talking about more than ever – everything seems to begin and end at the table here. It makes me so happy how meals and food is such a central part of culture, family, manners, and every day life, and it makes me think that perhaps I was meant to be born in raised in France rather than America… oh well, maybe I can choose my “home.” x

    1. Bonjour Amy! Thank you so much for your kind words 🙂 And yes, we love Adam Gopnik – he is such an entertaining writer and we can certainly relate to his books and essays about France and food culture. Bonne journée, Mimi x

  9. Mimi, I have to say how much I enjoy your weekly posts! They really brighten my day. I love food, both cooking and eating it and your passion for life and its pleasures just makes me feel more part of the world. You’re a much better cook of course but I appreciate the changing seasons, the colours of the flowers, family and friends and whatever other beautiful things life has to offer too as well as food so for me it’s hugely inspiring to read your words and see your husband’s fab pictures. Thank you! I’m gonna make the lamb casserole I think or a version of it tonight! Have a great week and a belated happy birthday to your lovely son! x

      1. Ah yes, confit. Apologies, just noticed there is no stock involved. It seemed more like a tagine to me on first reading.

  10. Mimi…

    Of course the recipes are wonderful and I can’t wait to try them later this week…

    but… those little girls in their red ballerinas…

    heavenly…

    I am reminded of my own daughters and their love for shoes (mine too)… they would always want to wear something pretty…and oftentimes red… of course these days nothing has changed…

    except the 10cm heel and a desire for a red sole… 🙂

    Lovely as ever… xv

    1. Bonjour Vicki! I was just thinking about you and about to write an email 🙂 I love your ‘allusion’ to the red sole – all roads lead to the red sole! Oh no – I will be in trouble 🙂 A très vite, Mimix

  11. It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that these photos come from real life. They are truly magical. Your blog is absolutely inspiring. Iit’s hard to forget the romanticized beauty that you capture, and it haunts me when I try to write my own content. It’s all very good.

    1. Thank you Jessica for such a heartfelt comment 🙂 We try our best to share our lives, and perhaps this is why our blog posts are mostly (not all!) shot on a week-end when all the kids are off school and can help me with the cooking. Thanks for saying hi! Mimi x

  12. Lovely as always ! I’m gonna have to try those pancakes very soon 🙂

    I love how your belly bump distorts the stripes of your shirt on one of the last black and white pictures. So cute !

    And oh ! Happy birthday (it’s coming soon right?) !

    Alice

    1. Bonjour Alice! Oh, I think you will enjoy the pancakes, especially if you are a whipped cream lover like me 🙂 They are so simple to make – there’s something about Icelandic desserts – a certain je ne sais quoi, that always makes me happy 🙂 And yes, it is soon my birthday – you are incredibly sweet for remembering! Merci – I am a little bit excited! Bonne journée! Mimi x

  13. Hello Mimi,
    Your recipes look so great I’m
    going to end up not being a vegetarian!
    Just joking but you never know!!!
    I love the green vegetables!
    Can’t wait to receive all the spring and summer products!!!
    Love Haydé

  14. It´s nice to be introduced to that table that gives such a wonderful shabby-chic (if you don´t mind) background to the food, letting it all shine! And of course, the table as a symbol for family life can´t be praised enough…. and the breaking of the rules when sitting at it is also a reflection of life itself, isn´t it? has to be that way, I guess!

    1. Merci Sini – these pancakes are a recipe from my beloved mother-in-law – they are so delicious. I usually don’t make pancakes on such a high heat, but she taught me her way and it worked out perfectly. So the secret – a really hot pan, golden brown pancakes and keep them well covered so they stay moist! Enjoy! Mimi x

  15. Bonjour, j’adore tous vos articles mais comme je ne parle pas courrament anglais c’est assez dur de suivre tout. Est il possible d’avoir une traduction en français. Je viens régulièrementà Saint vivien de Médoc et Pauillac. Merci et à bientôt.

    1. Bonjour Sandra! Un jour, quand je serai plus organisée (oui, un jour!), j’ajouterai l’option en Français. En attendant, je vous propose une solution sur google .fr – en effet, il suffit de rechercher mon site sur google.fr (vous tapez Mimi Thorisson) et ensuite on vous propose ‘traduire cette page’ – et hop, vous avez mon site en Français. Hélas, le Français est traduit éléctroniquement (il manque un peu de style!), mais au moins vous pouvez avoir les recettes etc. Merci, Mimix

  16. Bonjour Mimi! Les filles sont ravissantes avec ses ballerines rouges! J’aime beaucoup aussi votre grand table bleu et vous avez raison! Une table c’est très important dans la vie d’une famille. Mes enfants aussi adorent cuisiner. Je pense que c’est très valorisant pour eux apprendre à faire de petits plats, ils s’amusent et au même temps ils apprendraient !
    Vous avez la chance d’avoir trouvé des asperges, dans mon magasin bio n’ont pas encore arrivée. J’attends.
    J’ai fait vos pains au lait! Deux fois déjà ! On adore, je pense que vendredi ils seront dans le blog!
    Merci pour la recette!
    Bonne printemps à toute la famille 🙂

    1. Bonjour Eva! Trop heureuse de savoir que vous avez aimé les petits pains au lait – j’irai voir votre blog ce week-end! Ici, on a beaucoup d’asperges, je vis près de 2 producteurs donc nous sommes bien servis! A bientôt, Mimi x

  17. When I was 14 years old and visiting Florence with my older sister. She was trying to rush us out of a restaurant. It was a family style place with one big table and the owner shook his had and said, “The best times you are going to have it life are at the dinner table and in bed, so relax… enjoy your meal.” This quote has always stuck with me and is the motto of my blog. It is ALL about the table.

  18. A really lovely post! It is so true, what you wrote about the table. I’m going to try the panecakes soon and I will look for my red shoes now 🙂

  19. That asparagus dish looks delicious! I have already added its ingredients to my market list. And your blue table is beautiful, only made more so by the story!

  20. I love the table and the crepes. It is still frozen where I live, but your post has made me excited for spring!

  21. Little Gaia, you are so right- … i would wear the same! Mimi, wish you & your family a fresh, healthy and inspired spring. Baci, Aileen

  22. Recipes sound fab! I love the photo with the abundance of the produce- it’s so spring! Can’t wait till our country gets ino that mood soon. I remember my daughter wearing strange outfits when she was little- I always found it adorable and was sure she will grow to become someone creative. She’s almost a teenager now, writing her own books and drawing beautifully so I guess somehow I was right. Wonder how about your Gaia in the future? Hugs! Marta

    1. Thank you Marta! I love observing how our children behave, their choices, their creativity. All our kids have completely different personalities, and it amuses us so much 🙂 What will Gaïa become? Well, she’s spent most of her life with me in the kitchen, so dare I say she could be interested in cooking? 🙂 Wishful thinking! Bonne soirée, mimi x

  23. This whole time I’ve admired your recipes and cooking and family and stories and your table too, but I never noticed that the table is blue. It does wonders for your food photography, and reflects the light beautifully off of your families faces. What a lucky table.

  24. Hi Mimi,

    My first time commenting on your blog post here today even though I’ve been reading your blog for a long time. Your recipes and stories along with the beautiful photos of your family makes my heart smile every time I read.. To me, you are delivering a beautiful magic with your recipes and the little tales of your family. What a beautiful family you have.. , you are such a gifted woman and I wonder how you find all that energy and the spirits to manage all the things that you do for your work and your family. I wish I could learn some from you. 😉
    Moreover, Congratulations on your first publication and I am looking forward to have in my hand.
    Alex from US

    1. Merci Alex for such a lovely comment – I am very touched to hear from you! It’s such a pleasure to share our daily lives with you – whether it’s the best of our recipes or sweet stolen moments. I often get asked how I manage such a big family, food, writing, kids etc…I don’t really know what the secret is, but I do know I live my life filled with love and passion, and that gives me all the energy in the world! 🙂 Best, Mimi x

  25. We are traveling in Colorado and Wyoming. The weather is alternately sunny and cold or snowy. Your pictures make me want to go home where we will have local fresh asparagus and morels from the woods. Spring is special and you blue table is magnificently covered with Spring!

    1. Oh Monique! I hope you will get the time and chance to try some of these recipes – they are simple and delightful to make! Thank you for your kind words 🙂 Best, Mimi x

  26. It’s funny how the bit of yellow paint next to the pancakes looks like one of the birds on the plate flew away, like a shadow.

    1. Ha ha! Thank you for pointing that out, Oddur and I didn’t even notice – what a coincidence 🙂 That is so funny! Merci! I hope you will enjoy the recipes – I just can’t wait to make those pancakes again! Mimi x

  27. Mimi, I absolutely love your blog. I have been following you for awhile and can’t get enough of beautiful pictures and delicious recipes. I love to cook and I love that your recipes contain real food and real cream and butter. I can’t wait for your cookbook to hit the shelves. Thx!

    1. Merci Aubrey, I am so touched by your comment. It is a joy to share all my favorite recipes, and I am so happy to hear you love cream and butter! Cooking and eating is all about extreme pleasure, so why limit all the best ingredients 🙂 Enjoy the recipes and yes, I can’t wait for the book to hit the shelves! Merci! Mimix

  28. Bonjour Mimi
    It was lovely to see spring on your pages, just as we disappear into autumn here in New Zealand. But I will be in France for most of May, and am very much looking forward to shopping in the markets of Montagu de Quercy (where we will live for a month) and surrounding areas. Your site will be a perfect source of recipes and inspiration while I’m there. Thank you so much!

    1. Bonsoir Sue! Oh I can’t believe you are already entering Autumn, time really flies! Lucky you to start a whole new summer chapter again, ‘chasing summers’, this time in France! Enjoy the recipes! Mimi x

  29. Hello Mimi,
    This is one of your best posts! You truly spoke to my heart. Everyday I insist that my family sit together for our evening meal- it is so special to me. In fact this past Sunday I looked at my children- Mimi they are so perfect to me- I love them so much they bring tears of joy to my eyes. The food we share, the conversations pure bless! We also eat our meals at an old table thats about 80 years old- I think about all the meals that were served on them and it makes me smile. Mimi I want you to know that I love your posts. They warm my heart!

    1. Rose Marie – you are wonderful!!! Thank you for being so lovely, so pure and light. I can just understand how in love you are with your children, and it brings me joy to feel that in your words. So happy to share our lives with you. Enjoy the recipes and wishing you an eternity of wonderful family meals 🙂 Mimi x

  30. Ah your girls in their ballerinas – adorable! My little girl also loved mismatching shoes and is now in love with her new red mary janes, funnily from La Coqueta – I saw another comment mentioning them. I love love love the recipes this week thank you! You look just wonderful Mimi – here’s to your happy last weeks before your new girl arrives.

  31. Thanks for your sweet words Phillipa! Oh dear, I just checked out La Coqueta (also mentioned previously by Elizabeth) – I love it! What good timing as we approach summer – the girls will love everything here 🙂 I am very excited (and nervous) for these next weeks to come – I just can’t wait to hold our little baby safe and sound! Thank you – Mimi x

  32. Aah chère Mimi, quel ravissement! Chaque fois que je découvre un nouveau post sur votre blog, je me prends à m’exclamer à haute voix “Oh, mon bonheur du jour!”, tant vous m’emmenez en des contrées enchantées grâce à vos mots, vos saveurs et aux magnifiques photos de votre époux. Cette fois-ci, les souliers rouges de votre petite Gaia m’ont en plus fait renouer avec ma propre enfance, quand moi aussi je me ruais à peine réveillée sur mes ballerines écarlates… Merci! Et merveilleux printemps à vous!

    1. Merci Isabelle! Oddur et moi sommes très flattés par vos propos élogieux sur notre travail. Les souliers rouges me rappellent de bons souvenirs d’enfance aussi, ainsi que le joli film ‘le ballon rouge’. Je vous souhaite un beau printemps! Mimi x

  33. Bonjour, Mimi! Your food makes my mouth water, such and inspiration!

    I was wondering if you knew of any retailers who ship the Hirica ballet flats to the United States? I wanted to buy a pair for myself and my young daughter, but am having no luck!

    I was also wondering if you television show would be airing in the US or online somewhere?

    xoxo

    1. Bonjour Samantha! I just checked the Hirica website and couldn’t find any links to foreign retailers, however there is a contact email on their site http://www.hirica.fr I am sure they will know where to direct you. They are lovely ballerinas, and I own quite a few pairs – so happy with them (the red ones!) – the quality is outstanding. Regarding the TV show, ‘La table de Mimi’ is currently only aired in France on Cuisine+ (it’s France cooking channel on cable) or for those who have Canalsat cable, for now. I also have a new show called ‘Les desserts de Mimi’ to be aired this Fall on the same channel. But as soon as I have new updates, I will let you know! Mimi x

  34. I love your beautiful blog Mimi. I once had three little girls who loved to dress up and play under my feet in the kitchen. Sadly those days are now gone and other pleasures have taken their place…but I miss those little hands clutching mine and feet in pretty shoes… Thank you for the reminder <3

  35. Bonsoir dear Mimi.
    What an abundant table you have for us this post. It’s lovely to hear you talk, with excitement, about the delight of tasting the new seasons vegetables. Yesterday, shopping at Woolworths, I was angered by Kiwi fruit….imported from Italy and Asparagus……imported from Mexico. There’s so many seasonal fruits and vegetables to enjoy now.. Like I do, I make a mental note of your recipes now and return to them a season later and it will be your asparagus and fava bean dish with lamb. One thing that has to be made now is your Mother-in-Law’s pancakes. Thank you for sharing your tip on keeping them soft and light. Cinnamon and pear…..just lovely. Merci Mimi xx Anita

    1. Bonjour Anita! It’s such pleasure to celebrate spring, especially with beautiful asparagus. I hope you will enjoy the pancakes – we all love them here! Johanna even brought me her aunt’s Icelandic old pancake pan – they are very sturdy. I always make a double batter because the pancakes disappear at an incredible speed… 🙂 Enjoy! Mimi x

  36. Beautiful photos as always ! The pancake recipe made me smile, lemon and sugar or home- made jam and cream pancakes ready for the my sons after school was always a favourite.. Hope they will continue the idea for their own families one day!

  37. Mimi, your writing is so joyful. You make me feel like I am really in France living the life. Thank you for your posts and recipes. You bring joy to do many I am sure.

    1. Thank you Judy for your kind words – it’s such a pleasure to share our lives through words, food and photography. I am always so touched by everyone’s kindness. Merci! Mimi x

  38. Un enchantement !
    Je régale mes yeux , je titille mes papilles gustatives et mon coeur fond avec les enfants .
    “M a n g er “quel style !

    .

  39. I adore the posts about your family! I do wish my American culture would slow down and savour the moment more like your french culture. Do you have any tips that would help my busy little life with my growing family to be more beautiful, balancee, snd delicious like yours? I look to you so much for inspiration. Thank you for the lovely post!

    1. Merci Amanda for saying hi! I think the most important part is to live life with passion, take the time to enjoy life’s little special moments, such as a family meal, especially during the week-ends where we are more relaxed 🙂 I love to involve my children when I am cooking – it’s always a tender moment. Have a lovely day! Mimix

  40. Bonjour Mimi, I cannot get enough of your blog and so lucky you are having an early spring with the beautiful vegetables and local produces. Once again, you’re delightful and cannot wait for more. x

  41. I love your discussion about the importance of a family table. It is so true! Your daughters red ballerina shoes are adorable as are they. Your last recipe of Pancakes sounds to die for. My mouth was watering just seeing and reading the recipe.

    1. Merci Liz – it’s always a great reminder to spend more time enjoying ourselves at the table with friends and family! Enjoy the pancake recipe – so simple and extremely delicious! Mimi x

  42. Dear Mimi- what a lovely post – I made an asparagus and lemon pasta tonight with mascarpone – yay asparagus and lemon zest! Yay Spring!

  43. Bonjour Mimi! I’m so happy that you included a veggie recipe as well. I’m definitely going to try those flavors together! I also like “Blue is the Warmest Color” I just recently watched the movie… not sure if that’s the movie you were referencing, but that title made me think of the movie because it was absolutely phenomenal! xoxo, dana

    1. Bonjour Dana! I love the Three Colors Trilogy, they are such touching and beautiful movies. The movie I was referring to with the line ‘…but when the light hits the table in a certain way it’s almost indigo ‘ is from ‘What’s new pussy cat’ with Peter Sellers/ Peter o’Toole – there’s a line that always pops up in the movie ‘When the light hits him a certain way, he’s almost handsome.’ We love that movie! I guess it was an insider’s joke! 🙂 Enjoy the recipes Dana! Mimix

  44. Oh my dear!!!!
    What a georeous blog!!!! So very tastey! Love your pictures!!! Amazing!
    Thank you for sharing all the beauty and all the best from Austria
    Elisabeth

  45. Bonjour and happy Spring Mimi, back to Kuwait from London, it was a great joy spending a month and a half with our kids, enjoying special meals together. Spring came very early this year in London it was so beautiful. Now in Kuwait between spring and summer amazing weather. Kids will be with us in April for their Easter holiday, I can’t wait to be together again. This post is amazing Mimi, and the Lamb confit with spices and lemon recipe is just perfect I love the ingredients, sweet, sour and spices. Definitely on my list. Merci
    Rowaida xoxo

    1. Bonjour Rowaida! Thanks so much for sharing the mother’s day card – your daughter is so talented with her illustrations! So so sweet! Happy you are back home – glad to hear your children will be back soon 🙂 Happy spring! Mimi x

  46. Ah, yes! The shoes! Such a lovely stage they go through. Always makes me smile a little as they look up with their bright shining eyes…there is nothing funny about a mismatched pair in their world is there. Once our two year-old decided that any toothbrush would do since her’s could not be found (no use making simple things oh-so-complicated!) 😉 You are quite lucky to be enjoying the spring greens and fresh asparagus! Our landscape is still brown…but I’m sure the greens will be on their way before long. And the lamb looks like it would melt in your mouth–Lovely!

  47. merci pour votre super blog remplie de poésie et de superbes photos.
    j’ai réaliser plusieurs de vos recettes et c’etait divin.
    vivant également à la campagne , je comprend vos longues balades dans la nature je suis aussi une grande marcheuse à la recherche du petit chemin qui mène a un nouveau paysage.

    encore merci et tous le bonheur du monde

    1. Merci Karina, je suis très touchée! C’est toujours un bonheur de savoir que mes recettes ont été appréciées, merci pour ce beau partage! Je vous souhaite un merveilleux printemps! Mimi x

  48. Still not much sign of spring here, so haven’t taken out the red Goyard, but I will! Can’t wait to try your spring green veg melange, however, no fresh asparagus here for another month at least (local).
    Enjoy spring!

  49. I am new to the blog. It is so stunning and visually pleasing, it startles the senses.

    Are the stems of the pears dipped in red wax? If so, why?

    Greeting from Pennsylvania, USA.

    1. Merci Heather, and welcome to Manger! I hope it will inspire to to come and visit Médoc 🙂 Regarding your questions, it was a tradition in the old days to dip the end of the stems with red wax to slow down the ripening process. These days, the practicality of this technique is very much in question, but they keep doing it for aesthetic and traditional reasons – I think it’s so pretty! Mimi x

  50. Dear Mimi – I have been living vicariously in your beautiful world for a while now and just had to thank you for the many hours of pleasure that you have given me. It is wonderful to follow your oh so charming family and get a glimpse of life in France. So merci Mimi, and happy spring!

  51. Wow, I made the cinnamon pancakes tonight and oh my goodness, addictive-my new crack! I host a dinner every third month and this will be the dessert for April. Thank you so much for posting it and having such a stunning blog. I am looking so forward to your book as well. Keep up the fabulous work you and your husband do and stay well. All the best to you and your family and the impending new arrival 🙂

    Cheers,
    Barbara
    The Rhubarb Studio

  52. Maravilloso mensaje Mimi, es tan dulce y tan lleno de amor..Creo que proximamente es tu aniversario ,te deseo un dia muy feliz rodeada de tu hermosa familia . Un beso y un gran abrazo.Rosa

  53. I LOVE LOVE LOVE all your gorgeous posts–stunning photos and inspirational writing, as always. And your personal replies to all the comments? You are a true gem!

    The crepe recipe literally makes me drool in front of my computer screen. Can’t wait to make them because pears are my absolute favorite and I can live on whipped cream. ALONE.

    Enjoy your pregnancy and have a smooth delivery, you glow beautifully and it shows.

    1. Bonjour Yvonne! A HUGE MERCI for such a lovely message 🙂 So happy to share this wonderful recipe – I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did, and I agree, I could also ‘just’ live on whipped cream! Have a beautiful day. Mimi x

  54. Three beautiful colors associated with wonderful scenes and delicious food. I look forward to trying this spring menu. Thanks for these very fascinating, Mimi stories. A big hug for you and your family (and thanks to Johanna for her recipe so good for dessert).

  55. We are waiting patiently for Spring here in Scotland Mimi, and in Scotland, we HAVE to be patient :-). Thank you again for sharing your fabulous recipes, your girls are adorable! xx

  56. In one of your recent posts there was a plain wooden table and I thought oh no I hope they didn’t strip that beautiful blue paint away – I love that blue table and was happy to see it again. It appears on my screen as indigo, sometimes a little more teal shows up, but mostly indigo, and it influenced me to pull a palette together for the furnishings of a little beach house I’m building. A friend recently admired my color plan and when she saw the fabrics I chose she asked me for my design sources – I had to confess my source was a food blog, Manger. Centered on the indigo of an old blue table and rounded out with the neutrals of stone walls, dried hay, a pine nut tart, the white & black of the doggies, and the hunt at Anne’s brocante in St Christoly that brought home plates with irresistible patterns and patina. My fabric for chair & sofa slipcovers is being cut right now – there will be shades of Manger in a beach cottage on Cape Cod Bay. My thanks to you, Mimi !

    1. Bonjour Linny,
      Your house and decorationg style sounds so inviting, and I am so happy to hear you were inspired from the blog! Now, you’ll have to come to Médoc and get more inspiration in our local brocantes stores 🙂 Thank you for sharing! Bonne journée, Mimix

  57. Hi Mimi, I love your beautiful blog and spring recipes. This spring, I’ll go to Venice. Thanks to you, when I was in Rome we had dinner in Piperno and it was such a magical place and I,too, keep the beautiful card of theirs. Thank you for these beautiful details and memories. Do you have any favourite restaurants in Venice?

    1. Bonjour Betul! Venice is still on my to-do list! I can’t wait to go, soon I hope 🙂 So I can’t help you with that destination, sorry! However, if you need anymore recommendation for Rome or Milan, feel free to ask! Mimi x

  58. Coming over a few days late but so pleased not to have missed this beautiful post! You have something so special Mimi, the stunning pictures of course, but your way with words is simply enchanting. No wonder we keep coming back for more! 🙂
    xx

  59. Hello Mimi
    I have been following your blog for some time. I have always enjoyed and envied your seemingly idyllic lifestyle. I am a chef in Vancouver Canada and have never made it to Europe, so sad I know. At any rate, finally we have booked a trip for this summer and as luck would have it, I realized that the areas I was researching and planning for were the very areas you live in and show so beautifully in your blog. I am looking forward to actually seeing and breathing the places you bring to life for me on the other side of the world.

      1. Can I just say that your commitment to responding to each and every person who comments on your blog is inspiring and lovely. We are staying at http://www.chateaularoque.fr/pages/chateau.html
        It looks like a great place. We are staying in Paris for a week and then on to your area. I cannot wait to soak it all up. Would love to hear any and every tip you might have to enjoy our experience. I have been regularly checking into your blog to read any new bit of information I can get. Thank you.

  60. I made these pancakes with a friend recently. We doubled the reciple for a party, and everyone loved them! xx

  61. I love little girls’ quirky style – my daughter used to insist on wearing her faux leopard fur coat and a turquoise balaclava at all times (very Little Edie). Gaia looks beautiful in her red ballerina pumps. Thank you for the lovely stories and inspiration, as always.

    1. Merci to you Zelda! You should see how they are dressed today – a mix between Brazilian club tropicana and Disney princess/ preppy look! At least Little Edie was chic 🙂 Happy spring! Mimi x

  62. Mimi you are just amazing, I’m truly in Love with your blog. I find myself coming to your site almost everyday if i have time. Its magical, and I’ve fallen love with your growing family. Never stop posting 🙂

  63. Love the story behind the table but the red ballerina shoes story is the sweetest thing! I can’t wait to make the lamb shanks since we are a small family, it will be the Easter feast in our nest. Happy Nesting!

  64. Can’t wait to try your Mother-in-law’s recipe for Cinnamon pancakes. Lucky for me in CA strawberries are in season now so I will use them. Love your girls, so cute. Happy Birthday soon!

    1. Thank you Patti! I hope you have tried teh pancakes – and enjoyed them! Lucky you, I am so envious that you already have strawberries, I am counting the days until I can go to my friend’s strawberry fields (the Arnould family in St Vivien) to eat them freshly picked! Have a lovely spring, and thank you for your birthday wishes! Mimi x

  65. I have this bookmarked as my children are pancake fiends. We can’t wait to try your version.

    My little Clara is just 2, but she is already starting to be particular about what she wears. She has a little dress with a tuile skirt that she would wear every day if allowed. 😉 Love the red shoes!

  66. Oh, ces petite filles chaussées de rouge! Et ces poires qui se sont parées de rouge, elles aussi! Ce post est une somptueuse ode au printemps, j’adore ce rayon de soleil et de douceur! Les crêpes de votre belle-maman vont devoir être testées très rapidement, mais nous devons patienter encore un peu avant d’aller cueillir des fraises. Nous avons fait vos petits pains au lait dimanche, et il nous a été très difficile d’attendre qu’ils aient au moins tiédi avant de les déguster… Et je dois impérativement faire le “Heimsins Besta”, il a l’air divin! Portez-vous bien, Mimi.

  67. I am a new visitor, I think I am in
    Heaven, this must be my lucky day I found you. Please come by and be a follower and I will do the same. yvonne

  68. Hi Mimi. The English asparagus is here finally, and I made this dish (added some long stemmed broccoli and haricots verts as we don’t have ramps) to accompany slow roasted chicken with lemon, garlic and thyme (a favourite Nigella recipe). It was delicious and beautiful, like Spring on a plate.

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