Memories of a French summer with a red currant almond tart

August 10, 2009

red currant tart almond Lorraine Saulnois

“Vous avez dû attendre pendant longtemps ?” (Did you have to wait for long?) my parents asked. We were standing at one end of terminal E in Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport, hugging and kissing. My parents were as eager to see us as we were to see them. But I knew that, in fact, they were even happier to greet and hold their little grand daughter. Lulu was snuggled cozily against my stomach in her ergo. We could only see the top of her head and hair and eyes which she had wide open. She was smiling and flapping her bare legs against mine, turning her head to the right, then to the left, not to miss anything that was happening around us. We were all tired but so happy to be home in France.

_MG_2482

The thought of traveling back home had filled me with feelings of excitement even if I had worried about our journey to Europe. It was Lulu’s first transatlantic flight. How would she handle it? Would she be fine with the many plane rides, between Boston, Paris, Dublin and Paris again? How would she do with the jet lag? But our little Lulu didn’t mind at all any of it. In fact, she adjusted extremely quickly, much faster than P. and I did.

Summer in rural eastern France, where my parents and brother live, has left me wonderful memories. I realized that it had been years since I had traveled there during summer.

It’s the soft morning light cast on the countryside early in the morning, the colorful wild flowers illuminating the fields, the rich smell of freshly cut grass, the butterflies dancing from flower to flower and the clacking sound of the crickets late at night that I love. It’s the time of year when, I remember, as a young girl, we used to harvest hay at my grandparents’. Sometimes, I was allowed to drive the tractor back from the fields, and proudly did so. Later in the afternoon, my brother and cousins would sneak in the barn to play, jumping on bales of hay neatly stacked high.

Days in the countryside are spent at a slower pace even if summer means it’s a busy time for many who live there. In my family, we like to pick all sorts of fruit to make jams and preserves and bake tarts; we preserve French beans and beets, and make ratatouille. We walk in the grass bare foot and nap under the cherry trees, if we feel like it. We did that very well, I must say, the day after we arrived, then the next, and the day after the next too — and we never seemed to find the activity boring. Would you?

Lulu, too, made the place her own. She and I loved the daily routine we established. There were the usual morning and afternoon naps, the walks to the village to buy baguettes for lunch, and the many hours spent playing on a large blanket spread under the trees, in my parents’ garden. It was delightful to see her enjoy herself so much. She was fascinated by trees and loved to watch the wind move their leaves. She played with the flickering shadows created by the rays of sun filtering through the branches.

I told her about where our food comes from. When I took her to the village, I showed her the cows and sheep and chicken and rooster and rabbits. I pointed at eggs nested at one corner of the hen house. I made her smell red currants and apples and strawberries and plums that my parents grow.

She ate the vegetables — carrots, beans, zucchini, beets and tomatoes — we prepared from my mother’s and brother’s gardens. Every day, it seemed that she was learning something new — her new discovery is to clap her hands (she does that so joyfully, really, it’s cute!) while blowing raspberries at the same time. It’s amazing, actually, how quickly she has changed over the course of these last three weeks away.

Our life is so much richer with her at the center of it.

“Tu veux que je la prenne ? “(Do you want me to take her?) my mum asked me one morning after I had just finished to nurse Lulu. She was wide awake, laughing, talking and kicking her legs above her head. It was also 6 am, the time of day when my mother gets up — it’s brave! I didn’t need to answer. She knew. I felt relieved. Si tu veux! (Sure!)

While falling asleep, I could hear them *converse* with each other in the kitchen at the breakfast table — Lulu sitting in her high chair while my mother was eating her bowl of muesli and yogurt.

It didn’t matter that we did not travel long distances or do much. We did what we had been craving for weeks: we rested.

The food was gorgeous, and I ate a ton. I even wonder where I put it all! Between the fresh vegetables and fruit from the garden, I also indulged in dairy products hungrily, eating yogurts, petits-suisses and fromage blanc as if I was discovering them for the first time again. I devoured cheese greedily, at all times of the day. Oh yes! Everything felt more tasteful and flavorful. My mother cooked — isn’t this the nicest? — and I helped, baking and making fruit tarts.

Every day, Lulu came with me to the garden where I picked more berries and seasonal fruit, carrots, salad and tomatoes for lunch. The mirabelles, prunes de cochon and quetsches were so ripe that we stewed them and made tarts.

Quince tree

One day, my mum and I took Lulu to the local market.

Mirabelles and Herb Risotto

In my brother’s garden, I collected fresh herbs, different types of basil, sage, thyme, chervil, livèche (lovage) — my sister-in-law’s favorite — and mint to make a herb risotto. I’ll have to tell you about it. We enjoyed it so much that I cooked it twice.

Collégiale de Munster (the village where Lorina limonade is made)

We had family lunches and dinners at home that we ate outside and a few times, we drove the scenic winding road, just a few kilometers away, to l’Ecluse 16 — a lovely restaurant nested in the Bonne Fontaine forest, by the canal de la Sarre — where we ate scrumptious modern food.

I thought I wouldn’t find red currants, as suggested by my dad, but I was excited to discover that the bush in my parents’ back garden was still heavy with bright red berries, fully ripe. Every day, my mum used them in fruit salads while I baked them in muffins.

I also made a red currant and almond tart.

Red currants are a delicacy in the US, which always surprises me when they are so abundant and easily found where I am from in France. In the city of Bar-le-Duc near by, locals use the fruit to make a special jam. The tradition consists in removing the seeds with a goose feather and dates back to 1344. The jam is extremely delicate.

red currant tart almond

Red currant almond tart

If you’ve eaten the berries before, you know that the fruit is rather acidic, and has small seeds inside. The berries are delicious in tarts when they are prepared with a sugary almond batter, which balances the tartness of the fruit.

“I told you it would be worth it,” I told my dad, with a victorious look on my face, when we all sat down at the table again to have dessert. He had jokingly asked that I stopped stealing the last red currants on the tree. It was hard to! One of his favorite thing is to pick and snack on the fruit while working outside.

“Oui, elle est très bonne ta tarte,” (Your tart is really good) he said, helping himself to a second slice.

What I didn’t tell him is that, a few days later, I grabbed another handful of the red berries to bake muffins. I just couldn’t resist.

muffins red currant gluten free yogurt

Everyone commented on how delicious the muffins were.

And the missing red currants went unnoticed.

It’s wonderful how that works.

Red Currant Almond Tartlets

(For 6 tartlets)

Note:
You’ll notice that I do not give the measurements in cups here simply because I didn’t have them with me. And, as most of you know, we do not use the cup-measurement system in France. Instead, we prefer to weigh ingredients (which I’ll always find a much more precise way, especially to bake)

For the crust:

  • 3.5 oz (100 g) brown rice flour
  • 2.1 oz (60 g) quinoa flour
  • 0.7 oz (20 g) cornstarch
  • 1 egg
  • Pinch of salt
  • 90 g (7 tablespoons) cold butter, diced

For the filling:

  • 10.5 oz (300 g) red currants, washed
  • 2.8 oz (80 g) brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1.5 tablespoons (20 g) cornstarch
  • 2.1 oz (60 g) almond meal
  • 1 vanilla bean, split open and seeds scraped out

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the brown rice and quinoa flour. Add the cornstarch and pinch of salt. Add the butter and work with the tips of your fingers to make coarse crumble.
  • Add the egg and work until combined and the dough forms a ball. Wrap in plastic and place in the fridge for a few hours, or overnight.
  • Preheat the oven at 400 F. Bring the dough to room temperature before rolling. Garnish the molds and make small holes at the bottom. Cover with a piece of parchment paper and dry beans. Prebake the crusts for 15 minutes and remove the parchment paper and beans; let cool.
  • In a bowl, beat the eggs with the sugar until light.
  • Add the almond meal and cornstarch and vanilla seeds and continue to beat. Add the red currants and combine.
  • Divide between the tartlets and bake for 25 minutes to 30 minutes at 375 F, or until the top is golden in color. Let cool and serve with dusted confectioner’s sugar.
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Tagged as: Dessert , Food & Travel , Food Photography , Food Styling , French Inspired , Fruit , Gluten Free , Life and Us
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128 Comments »

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  1. Without a doubt one of the most beautiful posts I have ever seen.
    Lulu is growing so quickly.You look lovely:) The photos..are beautiful.
    Thank you so much.

    Comment by Monique — On August, 10th, 2009 at 6:26 am

  2. La petite Lulu dot etre pressee de pouvoir gouter a toutes ces belles gourmandises… bonnes vacances…

    Comment by veronica — On August, 10th, 2009 at 6:32 am

  3. Vous avez eu des vacances vraiment sympa! Les photos sont comme d’habitude superbes, j’attends chaque nouveau ‘billet’ avec impatience et je relis les anciens avec grand plaisir.
    Sais-tu déjà plus précisement quand paraitra le livre? Je me réjouis de le lire… :)

    Comment by Bea — On August, 10th, 2009 at 6:39 am

  4. Such beautiful images Bea. I wanted to cry it made me miss my hometown and family so much. It’s wonderful that Lulu was able to spend time there and see your family and where food comes from like you said. Just amazing.

    Comment by Aran — On August, 10th, 2009 at 7:01 am

  5. “We walk in the grass bare foot and nap under the cherry trees, if we feel like it.”

    I’m packing my bags now…

    Comment by Michelle @ www.PorktoPurslane.com — On August, 10th, 2009 at 7:01 am

  6. Bonjour,

    C’est la première fois que je laisse un com’ pourtant cela fait quelque temps déjà que je lis votre blog.
    Vos photos sont magnifiques et on sent bien le calme, le repos, les vacances et la vie de famille …c’est tellement doux !
    Lulu, va peut etre vous réclamer toutes ces bonnes choses à votre retour aux US :)
    Thank you,

    Comment by Lamirose — On August, 10th, 2009 at 7:04 am

  7. J’allais te prier de manger quelques mirabelles pour moi…
    Bon séjour dans l’Est.

    Comment by Nathalie (Spacedlaw) — On August, 10th, 2009 at 7:10 am

  8. Wow! What beautiful images, I am inspired :D

    Comment by Catherine — On August, 10th, 2009 at 7:22 am

  9. Oh my goodness – one shot more gorgeous than the next. a great way to start my day.

    Comment by ciaochowlinda — On August, 10th, 2009 at 8:06 am

  10. What a lovely post – it made me quite homesick for France! The food, the land, and the company all look divine! Bonne fin d’été!

    Comment by Darcie — On August, 10th, 2009 at 8:16 am

  11. Simply breathtaking!

    Comment by Erin — On August, 10th, 2009 at 8:28 am

  12. What a gorgeous post! I’ve never seen currants anywhere around here, though I imagine they have to be somewhere. I wonder if I can use raspberries instead?

    Comment by arugulove — On August, 10th, 2009 at 8:41 am

  13. thank you for taking me to france once again. Many years ago i´ve been to “Les Corbieres”. I felt in love with the lifestyle. greetings from austria

    Comment by Ellja — On August, 10th, 2009 at 8:42 am

  14. what a wonderful journey! thank you for sharing!

    Comment by kat — On August, 10th, 2009 at 8:44 am

  15. I so feel as if I’ve just witnessed something of significant beauty in viewing your photos as well as reading your journaling. How exquisitely lovely! Home always feels really good when we are not afforded the luxury of being there often. Thank you for sharing this post!

    Comment by Christine — On August, 10th, 2009 at 8:48 am

  16. What stunning pictures! Dreamlike!

    I love berries, so all those treats make me drool…

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Comment by Rosa — On August, 10th, 2009 at 8:48 am

  17. I absolutely love your posts from “home”. After reading them, I feel I’ve been there too! So glad you had a lovely visit. Oh, the food you tasted! Lulu’s toes have touched French soil. And Ireland? Looking forward to seeing those photos too. As always, thanks for sharing.

    Comment by valérie-jeanne — On August, 10th, 2009 at 8:52 am

  18. What a wonderful and inspiring post! I am a long time reader of your beautiful and delicious blog, and am always happy to stop here to visit. I will be traveling to France in September for the first time–spending a week in Paris. I hope one day to visit the French countryside. It’s beautiful! How lucky you are to be French!

    Comment by Marie-Jolie — On August, 10th, 2009 at 9:19 am

  19. My favorite post to date on your blog.

    My desire to move to France and open my GF B&B has now moved into a new category. Now it is a MUST DO.

    Your pictures are gorgeous. The recipe for the Red Current Tartlets is fantastic.

    Victoria

    Comment by GF PATISSERIE — On August, 10th, 2009 at 9:24 am

  20. This was an enchanting post, and I am overwhelmed by all your gorgeous pictures. I can’t wait to go back to Europe in the fall!

    Comment by Valérie — On August, 10th, 2009 at 9:32 am

  21. Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories :) As I read, I can almost imagine myself inside your photographs experiencing each flavor and vivid image.

    Comment by Pamela — On August, 10th, 2009 at 9:41 am

  22. beautiful place and cute foods~

    Comment by YOYO love cooking — On August, 10th, 2009 at 9:49 am

  23. Glad to see you had a lovely holiday! Your photos are beautiful and little Lulu is growing up to be a pretty little girl! Love the stories of your family’s vegetables and fruits…sounds like a dream! Abd the tart looks delicious!

    Comment by joey — On August, 10th, 2009 at 10:03 am

  24. un billet qui fleure bon la campagne et l’amour… j’adore!

    Comment by auntie jo — On August, 10th, 2009 at 10:11 am

  25. Your pictures are amazing and the food looks even more amazing. It looks like you had such a great time with your family.

    Comment by Nutmeg Nanny — On August, 10th, 2009 at 10:12 am

  26. Ca sent bon l’Est, la campagne, mon chez moi!
    Magnifiques photos, vraiment! Bravo

    Mel

    Comment by Mel — On August, 10th, 2009 at 10:55 am

  27. Dear Bea,
    Thank you for the intimate loving and peaceful window into your world. I was mezmorized, and for more than a moment, your eye for beauty in the every day refreshed me. Our world is so compelling and beautiful when we take the time to see. Your parents must be very proud of you and particularly thankful that you have grown through their nurturing to the understandings that you have. …my grandmother also always had currants… red, white, and black… Thank you for sharing this place in your heart with me this morning, Bea.
    XO
    Valerie

    Comment by A Canadian Foodie — On August, 10th, 2009 at 11:04 am

  28. What a great opportunity fr your little one to see the place of your birth. You’ve really captured the feel of the places…as usual, absolutely amazing Bea!

    Comment by Peter G — On August, 10th, 2009 at 11:16 am

  29. Your pictures and desserts are lovely! Thank you very much for sharing all these amazing moments with us!

    Comment by Dimitra — On August, 10th, 2009 at 11:23 am

  30. The almond tart (along with allll the other pictures) looks fabulous. Your pics remind me of my childhood and all the good years picking up mirabelles in Lorraine :)

    Comment by Dolce — On August, 10th, 2009 at 11:31 am

  31. I have never *really* been to France (yet!), but I just have in my imagination with your breathtaking photos and wonderful accounts of your time there. And now begins a tireless search for redcurrants in the Southeast US! Thank you for the beautiful post.

    Comment by Elizabeth — On August, 10th, 2009 at 11:43 am

  32. J’habite pas loin de ta région natale (en Alsace) et je reconnais bien là tous les paysages, scènes et produits typiques de la région nord-est de la France à cette période de l’année. Tes photos en retransmettent parfaitement la réalité! Et que dire de toutes ces recettes! Alléchantes et avec produits de saison, c’est parfait! Les photos des tartes sont tout particulièrement superbes!

    Comment by Botacook — On August, 10th, 2009 at 12:00 pm

  33. gorgeous photo array and lovely stories, as always. looks like you’ve given your daughter a really beautiful first visit to france.
    cheers!

    Comment by Reva — On August, 10th, 2009 at 12:15 pm

  34. Your photos are breathtaking and your life, well, enviable! I can’t wait for your book to come out!

    Comment by M — On August, 10th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

  35. I always look forward to your accounts of your travels. They are so full of life and impressions, I can almost feel the sun on my face and the wind blowing the fresh hay smell. Thank you so much for sharing this with us!!!

    Comment by Irene — On August, 10th, 2009 at 12:31 pm

  36. you realize how lucky you are, don’t you bea??!
    and we’re so lucky too..
    thank you for sharing your gorgeous life.
    xox

    Comment by jennifer m — On August, 10th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

  37. Your photos are absolutely stunning, and it is not even remotely difficult to see why you enjoy being at home so much! I’ve had my eye on the red currants at the farmers market the past couple of weeks, you’ve inspired me to give them a try with this amazing tart.

    Comment by Laura — On August, 10th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

  38. If only one could escape into a blog post. Simply magnificent.

    Comment by Laura — On August, 10th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

  39. Ces photos c’est comme si on voyait la France des Etats unis. ça fait rêver !

    Comment by Amalia — On August, 10th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

  40. What a delightful post — one of the best posts I’ve read in a long, long time! Loved the words and the photos are just wonderful, inspiring.

    Comment by olivia — On August, 10th, 2009 at 2:36 pm

  41. Love it,love it,love it…..
    Makes me want to go to France right now ;-)
    Brilliant pics and a recipe I will definitely going to try….

    Comment by Katja Soehngen — On August, 10th, 2009 at 2:55 pm

  42. Beautiful, beautiful shots. You truly have a gift.

    Makes me miss France sooooo much. Good work!

    Comment by Taylor Young — On August, 10th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

  43. Your post brought tears to my eyes, this is such a moving post..wonderful photos too! How lucky Lulu is , to be amongst this wonderful family. Thank you for sharing with us!

    Comment by Anne — On August, 10th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

  44. How beautiful Bea! You have a rare and amazing ability to provide nourishment for the stomach, the eyes, and the soul all in one fell swoop! What a blessed child Lulu is to have such a wonderful introduction to the world around her.

    I love all the images but the little snail is especially adorable. Love the attentive eye.

    Comment by Kristine — On August, 10th, 2009 at 4:44 pm

  45. All those stunning photos deserve to be in a book. I could imagine myself flicking through it endlessly, dreaming of a French summer of my own. Just beautiful. Just wonderful. What an eye you have. Spectacular. Thank you for sharing!

    Comment by Julia @ Mélanger — On August, 10th, 2009 at 5:09 pm

  46. What a beautiful post with such gorgeous photos! It’s making me crave Europe; and risotto! Will you share your recipe?

    Comment by Tracey — On August, 10th, 2009 at 5:21 pm

  47. Now this is what I call a VACATION! I wish I was there =)

    Comment by Claire — On August, 10th, 2009 at 5:37 pm

  48. Do you have any recipes for mirabelle jam? A friend of mine has a tree that has been dropping its fruit, and my husband and I gathered a whole bag full of them yesterday! I am not sure what to do with them all.

    Thanks for sharing your beautiful photos… it makes me miss the fields around Taize and Cluny from when I visited!

    Comment by Tora — On August, 10th, 2009 at 6:21 pm

  49. I love, love, love, love, love your pictures; they are magestic; I can watch them over and over and over. And Lulu is getting so big!
    Looks like you had a great time back home.

    Comment by Laurie — On August, 10th, 2009 at 9:29 pm

  50. fantastically beautiful! i think everyone who reads this post may want to move to france and live that life!

    Comment by Duncan Shannon — On August, 10th, 2009 at 9:49 pm

  51. Such incredibly beautiful sentiments and photos. How lucky your daughter is to able to visit such an incredible place and know she has a loving family there. I don’t know about the other readers, but I, for one, would like to board a jet plane tomorrow.

    Comment by El — On August, 10th, 2009 at 10:36 pm

  52. Merci de nous montrer ces photos de chez vous. Le paysage, les fruits, les tartes: quelles merveilles!

    Comment by Patricia H — On August, 10th, 2009 at 10:45 pm

  53. Such a beautiful post and sounds like a wonderful trip – thank you!

    Comment by Helen — On August, 10th, 2009 at 11:04 pm

  54. this is by far the best blog i know of it’s kind. amazing pics. this post is truely breathtaking. wow, i love the summer in france. it’s so pcturesque.
    thanks so much.
    as an israeli blogger dealing mostly in food and wine, i can recommend this one to all. great stuff.!

    Comment by gal — On August, 11th, 2009 at 2:29 am

  55. beautiful! i’m bookmarking these currant ideas for next year because my boyfriend’s mother (who lives in Orléans) had so many red, pink, and black currants this year we ran out of ideas before we ran out of currants!

    Comment by Abigail — On August, 11th, 2009 at 3:29 am

  56. La France me manque!!!

    Comment by vonwotan — On August, 11th, 2009 at 4:20 am

  57. Je déroule, je déroule, affamée par les photos toujours aussi parfaites, les couleurs, les fruits, la main ridée, la frimousse, tout.
    C’est beau la France oui, c’est beau cette façon aussi d’en profiter!
    Merci de ce bonheur de te lire (même en anglais ;-) )

    Comment by tifenn — On August, 11th, 2009 at 5:15 am

  58. I think I would die of happiness if I could live inside one of these images…

    Comment by Koek! — On August, 11th, 2009 at 5:22 am

  59. Tes photos sont réellement magnifiques… que d’odeurs et de souvenirs s’en dégagent!
    Et toutes mes félicitations à tes parents, les photos de leurs fruits, jardins sont parfaites :)
    Bon retour!

    Comment by L'Atelier Océane — On August, 11th, 2009 at 5:41 am

  60. Merci d’avoir si joliment representé notre beau pays, plein de sérenité et de luminosité !

    Comment by Griottes — On August, 11th, 2009 at 6:04 am

  61. Oh my…I love France with all my heart and your photos have just reminded me why. I lived there for a year and thought it was the most delightful place. It looks like a trip well enjoyed….

    Comment by Mixing Bowl Mama — On August, 11th, 2009 at 6:34 am

  62. Merci…

    Comment by Gen — On August, 11th, 2009 at 6:36 am

  63. your blog is always full of wonderfull photos and recipes, bur this time you outdone it ith those picas and history. Oh. how I miss France.There is a long time I travelled through France, but it will bealways in my mind.
    merci beaoucup for sharing your awesome summer there.

    Comment by regina celia — On August, 11th, 2009 at 7:31 am

  64. Quelles magnifiques photos de cette belle France, pays de nos ancêtres!

    J’ai bien l’intention de faire ces tartelettes aux groseilles rouges, il y en a encore chez ma fille.

    Comment by Miss Diane — On August, 11th, 2009 at 8:19 am

  65. Bea, Thank you for sharing these magnificent photos with us. I feel as if I’ve gone on the trip with you! What a beautiful memory.
    Also, it was a pleasure to make your acquaintance at the styling conference in Boston. I was so happy for you and loved seeing your presentation. Your work was some of the most inspiring that I saw all weekend and I love your recipes.
    Thanks again for sharing your joys with us. It is a wonderful gift.

    Comment by Terri Schmitt — On August, 11th, 2009 at 8:41 am

  66. Your pictures and your stories are so wonderful!!! I think I want to move to France – will your parents adopt me for the summer!??! :)

    Comment by Lily — On August, 11th, 2009 at 8:46 am

  67. I love looking at your photos! They are amazing each time!

    Comment by peachkins — On August, 11th, 2009 at 9:08 am

  68. Dear Bea,

    Your website is awesome and i m hooked on it checking it out every single day! Thank you for sharing your beautiful photography skills! May i asked what camera you use for your pictures?

    Thank you once again and for getting me hooked! Lulu will definitely indeed be one of the happiest and lucky child ever to have such a wonderful childhood!

    With great big love,
    Lylabeth:D

    Comment by Lylabeth — On August, 11th, 2009 at 9:14 am

  69. bonjour Bea ,

    J’habite a l’exterieur d’un village qui s’appelle Whitehouse dans l’ohio,mes enfants 25,22 et 20 sont bilingues vu qu’a la naissance je leur parlais en francais et mon mari en anglais,pour les 2 derniers il faut que je me batte constamment !

    quel est l’equivalent de mirabelles,quetsches en anglais?je suppose que les prunes de cochon sont violettes et ovales et on peut en faire de l’alcool ?ou puis-je trouver de l’ail rose ici ?et le melon de cavaillon,j’ai trouve ici le tuscan melon,as-tu une autre idee ?

    Tes photos sont splendides,quel appareil de photo utilises-tu?l’escargot me rappelle quand j’etais chez mes grand-parents dans l’aube,on allait ramasser les escargots de bourgogne au petit matin apres la pluie et ma grand-mere les preparait apres les avoir fait degorger sous des pots pendant 15 jours,c’est un procede tres long dont je ne me rappelle pas tous les details,j’avais peut-etre 14 ans et les coquelicots sauvages,j’en ai trouve dans le michigan au siege social de toyota,il y en avait des tonnes mais impossible de s’arreter pour en cueillir mais j’ai pris des photos!

    la photo avec les oeufs ,les fleurs et est-ce que c’est de la creme fraiche dans le pot noir ?

    J’ai eu la chance de parcourir beaucoup de pays quand mon fils aine avait 3 mois,je suivais mon mari pour son travail,2 ans en asie,la nouvelle zelande,l,australie et j’en passe !

    Comment by christine Wilson — On August, 11th, 2009 at 9:43 am

  70. how breathtaking! I just had to stop pretending to work so I could show my co-workers your beautiful post!!!

    you captured the magical quality of life in france!! makes me want to go back for a visit! (or stay…)

    Comment by jen — On August, 11th, 2009 at 10:12 am

  71. Thanks so much everyone for your kind words. Merci beaucoup à tous pour vos commentaires très sympathiques. Cela me touche !

    For the mirabelle jam, I would use 1 kilo of fruit (without pits) and 80% weight sugar. Cook for about 30 minutes. Then mix and place in jars. You can sterilize it then (if you like, I typically don’t), or preserve as you would any other types of jam.

    Christine, dans le pot noir, c’est du beurre. Les mirabelles, il n’y a pas d’équivalent car c’est un fruit local, typique de la Lorraine. Pareil pour les quetsches, bien qu’en fait, en anglais, on dit souvent Damson, mais je trouve que c’est encore différent. Bravo pour les voyages et les langues.

    L’ai rose, au marché, ou chez Whole Foods, parfois. Quant au melon, j’en ai aussi déjà trouvé à Whole Foods.

    L’appareil, c’est un Canon 30 D.

    Thanks again everyone. Going back to Boston soon!

    Comment by Béa — On August, 11th, 2009 at 10:13 am

  72. Seeing your photos almost makes me cry. I love France so much and have not been back in 5 years. Next summer I turn 40 and I have long told my husband that what I wanted to do for that big birthday was to fly to Paris and buy copper pots. He did some work in Cannes this past June and thought I would love it, so we are tacking that on too. Only one more year until I can practice my French again. Thanks for the reverie.

    Comment by Dana — On August, 11th, 2009 at 10:18 am

  73. It’s always a delight to see your photos, they are so beautiful that make me wonder to visit France once more.
    Moira

    Comment by Moira — On August, 11th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

  74. Une balade que l’on ne se lasse pas de regarder, un grand bol d’air, de sérénité, de chaleur humaine, merci

    Comment by chapot — On August, 11th, 2009 at 12:56 pm

  75. Gorgeous work! The photogrpahy is stunning- I feel as though I have been transported to France.

    Comment by fresh365 — On August, 11th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

  76. I agree, the photos are wonderful, makes me want to run back to the French countryside.

    Comment by GB — On August, 11th, 2009 at 2:01 pm

  77. The photos are absolutely beautiful… well deserved break for you!

    I miss plenty of things from living in France, but “fromage blanc” is way at the top of the list. Just reading your post made me shed a little tear… :-)

    Comment by SallyBR — On August, 11th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

  78. Thank you Bea-I feel like I was there too!

    Comment by janie — On August, 12th, 2009 at 8:38 am

  79. You bring such simplicity and joy into your posts and often remind us of the beauty in nature and food. I just picked up some red currants and was looking for a recipe….I will have to try this one. Thank you so much for sharing such beauty!

    Comment by Erin — On August, 12th, 2009 at 12:17 pm

  80. Beautiful post! Your pictures are gorgeous as usual and it sounds like you had a wonderful, relaxing trip!

    Comment by Kristin — On August, 12th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

  81. Vous me benez!

    Comment by amylu weas — On August, 12th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

  82. [...] at the cafe… and all I want to do is jump on an airplane and head home. Just reading about Bea’s trip to her hometown brought tears to my eyes. So beautiful and so similar to my [...]

    Pingback by Coconut and Lemon Cream Balls for Project Wedding | Recipes for motivation — On August, 12th, 2009 at 1:00 pm

  83. Absolutely stunning! I always enjoy your posts so much and relish in the wonder of your pictures and travels. Oh how I would love to go to Europe someday and take hundreds of pictures. My grandma made currant jelly one time and it was absolutely the best. I love the sweet/tart taste of it. I wish I could find them here in Las Vegas. What kind of lens do you use for your wide landscape pictures? Is there one you would recommend for a canon rebel xsi for a beginner? Thank you for such a wonderful post, so pure and true, brings me back to the essence of life.
    -kristen

    Comment by EatingRD — On August, 12th, 2009 at 1:51 pm

  84. Your photographs are so breathtaking. Thank you for sharing all you travels and great food.

    Comment by Nicole — On August, 12th, 2009 at 10:10 pm

  85. Glorious french summer!. I understand you Aran… and thanks to Bea for this sensitivity. It’s really as a fresh classic picture as a Renoir, or a Van Gogh…

    Comment by Inés — On August, 13th, 2009 at 3:35 am

  86. What a wonderful post! :D Thank You for sharing!!

    Comment by Ewa — On August, 13th, 2009 at 7:29 am

  87. You’re lucky to have such a beautiful home town with gorgeous fruits and veggies.. such a breathtaking place.Thanks for sharing with us.

    Comment by Jescel — On August, 13th, 2009 at 8:47 am

  88. your tartlets sound delicious, of course. i’ve been a reader for a while, but i just wanted to say that i think i love your travel photos the best of all your work!!

    Comment by mimi — On August, 13th, 2009 at 10:47 am

  89. C’est définitivement superbe ! bravo…que veux tu dire d’autre devant ces photos qui font rêver !

    Comment by Mercotte — On August, 13th, 2009 at 10:31 pm

  90. So lovely I just want to jump into the web page.

    Comment by Natasha — On August, 14th, 2009 at 5:14 am

  91. I love your blog and just signed up to receive it by email so I don’t miss anything. I’m crazy about anything French since we visited a couple of years ago. I’m looking forward to your posts.
    A bientot,
    Sam

    Comment by My Carolina Kitchen — On August, 14th, 2009 at 3:09 pm

  92. I love your photos… they inspires a lot of poetry.

    Comment by Mammafelice — On August, 14th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

  93. the beautiful writing, photos, recipe, food made up for the long wait for your update. Definitely one of the to-die-for posts! so wonderful :) makes me wonder can life get anymore delicious than this?

    Comment by Jean — On August, 14th, 2009 at 6:15 pm

  94. so beautiful! Just nurtures the spirit to look at it – Thanks!

    Comment by avey — On August, 15th, 2009 at 12:54 am

  95. Ah que oui, elle est belle notre jolie France….

    Comment by Eléonora — On August, 16th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

  96. Gorgeous, gorgeous post! It was a joy to go through all the photos one by one and back again. I love how you manage to capture the spirit of the place!
    I didn’t know that red currants where not so common on the US. In Holland they are also very normal, so I am used to having them around.

    Comment by Simone van den Berg — On August, 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

  97. Sigh…beautiful, beautiful, as always! Thanks for the virtual trip.

    Comment by Rebecca — On August, 16th, 2009 at 4:40 pm

  98. i’ve been coming to this blog for the past year and i have yet to comment. better late than never, but it’s only fitting that i comment on this particular post because it is absolutely breathtaking! keep up the good (and obviously very hard) work!

    Comment by boogie — On August, 17th, 2009 at 3:59 am

  99. oh, Mes belles Madame Tartine et tartinette (aka, Lulu), je suis presque en *tears*!. It made feel homesick, Mon amour, il est d’Aix and that’s the way we spend our summers over there except for the Lulu part which we haven’t enjoyed yet.

    I just love the joie de vivre that French people from countryside know very well to enjoy. Merci, je garde ta recette pour la faire, le prochaine ete a la France :-)

    Comment by heidileon — On August, 17th, 2009 at 5:15 am

  100. Superbes photos, merci de partager ces douceurs au goût nostalgiques. J’ai repensé à ces groseilles volées et ces conduites de tracteur à la nuit tombée. Peut être que Lulu appréciera de “faire le miel” dans quelques années !
    continue comme ça

    Comment by Laetue — On August, 17th, 2009 at 8:31 am

  101. Great photos. It looks so beautiful. Plus the food looks very delicious. You’ve got a wonderful blog. Have a good week.

    Comment by Keith — On August, 17th, 2009 at 10:59 am

  102. Des photos absolument superbes qui me mettent l’eau a la bouche…

    Comment by nath — On August, 17th, 2009 at 11:13 am

  103. All I can say is it took my breathaway looking at those beautiful pictures. You brought me back to Turkey and how I grew up. Truely the pictures looks amazing and the food even more delicious. Good to hear you rested, ate and had amazing time…Beautiful!!!

    Comment by Aysegul - Nysdelight — On August, 17th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

  104. i love france. it’s one of my fav places in the world to visit. and you take such gorgeous pictures I felt so at peace looking at them! x

    Comment by diva — On August, 17th, 2009 at 9:52 pm

  105. oh my goodness! your pictures are stunning!

    Comment by veggiebelly — On August, 18th, 2009 at 12:36 am

  106. How could you possibly stand to move away from such a beautiful home? I think if I were from a place like that, I’d never want to leave!

    Comment by Jessie — On August, 18th, 2009 at 4:29 am

  107. How I love your pictures! Are you near Strasbourg? My best friend lives there (though I’ve never been to Strasbourg) and I keep promising to visit. . .

    Glad to hear that you spent time with family, eating, drinking, resting, and enjoying the best things life has to offer :)

    Comment by Angela — On August, 18th, 2009 at 9:20 am

  108. Why, oh why….do you do this to me? Beautiful

    Comment by Ozoz — On August, 18th, 2009 at 4:30 pm

  109. Many many thanks everyone. As all things good, the vacation is now over….until next year. Same place, same time…routines like this are a must, no?

    Comment by Béa — On August, 19th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

  110. [...] been so hot since I’ve returned from France that the oven has remained unusually quiet. Almost untouched — beside the berry sabayon au [...]

    Pingback by Verrine fraicheur: cucumber, yogurt and smoked salmon | La Tartine Gourmande — On August, 19th, 2009 at 10:03 pm

  111. I was completely transported by your words and photos. Thank you for my five minutes in the French countryside.

    Comment by Tina Lane — On August, 20th, 2009 at 8:39 am

  112. i can’t believe how beautiful each and every photo is. i could sit here for days staring. please start your food and travel magazine soon so i can curl up with a hardcopy and thumb through it all day long.

    Comment by rick @ à la mode — On August, 24th, 2009 at 1:47 am

  113. Beautiful photos! Especially that first one with the hay rolls.

    I didn’t realise you couldn’t easily get red currants over here. What about white and black currants?

    They are certainly readily available in England, where I lived the past five years before coming here. I made black currant jam last summer.

    I like white currants the best – a bit more unusual but so delicately flavoured. Great with poached salmon.

    Comment by Caitlin - Roaming Tales — On August, 25th, 2009 at 11:53 pm

  114. Ces photos, tes textes sont incroyablement beaux et sinceres. Qualite des photos exeptionelles sans doute parce que tu es heureuse! Je t’envie tellement cela fait 4 ans que nous ne sommes pas retourne en France voir nos parents.. j’adorerai passer une ete avec eux, mon mari et mes enfants… En tout cas la France est toujours aussi belle

    Comment by Celine's Cuisine — On August, 26th, 2009 at 10:37 pm

  115. [...] Memories of a French summer with a red currant almond tart | La … [...]

    Pingback by FOODSCIENCE OF VERMONT, Black Currant Seed Oil – 180 caps | Super Foods and Super Fruits — On August, 26th, 2009 at 10:47 pm

  116. Gorgeous. I have subscribed to your blog, long ago, but all too often I don’t get notification. I hate to miss anything.

    Comment by Spinach Tiger — On August, 30th, 2009 at 10:47 am

  117. [...] if I could use them as references to paint from – she gave me the go ahead – YIPPY!!!!! This post is where I painted the sheep from (see if you can find him) - I also painted the rooster and goose [...]

    Pingback by Getting Ready For The Zoo « Sandi Hester — On August, 31st, 2009 at 1:46 pm

  118. When i saw the photos, i thought my village in Turkey. All village same :) Thanks for photos and tartlet recipe.

    Comment by Ugur Samsa — On September, 4th, 2009 at 5:25 pm

  119. [...] “What kind of chickens lay these eggs?” I had felt curious to ask the young pretty woman selling them. “They’re called Araucanas, ” she had responded. Her smile stretching her mouth wide open revealed perfectly aligned white teeth that contrasted with her tanned face and long dark curly hair. She’s got the healthy look of someone who spends a lot of time outside, I had thought watching her pack my eggs carefully. I liked it. It had me dream again of the life in the countryside. [...]

    Pingback by The walk to the farmer’s market | La Tartine Gourmande — On September, 15th, 2009 at 8:29 pm

  120. [...] is another painting I did from Bea’s blog – you can find this little guy in this post  - I loved him as soon as I saw him and couldn’t wait to get to my paints. I also painted the [...]

    Pingback by Loosey Goosey « Sandi Hester — On September, 17th, 2009 at 8:01 am

  121. [...] at the cafe… and all I want to do is jump on an airplane and head home. Just reading about Bea’s trip to her hometown brought tears to my eyes. So beautiful and so similar to my [...]

    Pingback by errazetak — On September, 24th, 2009 at 10:16 am

  122. [...] at the cafe… and all I want to do is jump on an airplane and head home. Just reading about Bea’s trip to her hometown brought tears to my eyes. So beautiful and so similar to my [...]

    Pingback by Coconut and Lemon Cream Balls for Project Wedding « My Blog — On September, 27th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

  123. [...] been so hot since I’ve returned from France that the oven has remained unusually quiet. Almost untouched — beside the berry sabayon au [...]

    Pingback by Verrine fraicheur: cucumber, yogurt and smoked salmon « My Blog — On September, 27th, 2009 at 7:44 pm

  124. This is the most beautiful post (and the blog) I’ve ever seen! No more words.

    Comment by Emma — On October, 13th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

  125. [...] about spending a long weekend on Martha’s Vineyard island for a while. Ever since we’d returned from France in late August. I knew we would wait until the summer crowds were gone and the place would become tranquil, with [...]

    Pingback by Weekend getaway to Martha’s Vineyard — Weekend à Martha’s Vineyard | La Tartine Gourmande — On October, 26th, 2009 at 10:32 am

  126. [...] I traveled to France this summer, my family and I had lunch a few times at the restaurant l’écluse 16, only ten kilometers [...]

    Pingback by Restaurant l’écluse 16 in Altwiller, in Alsace | La Tartine Gourmande — On November, 3rd, 2009 at 7:57 am

  127. [...] Memories of a French Summer by Béa Peltre, La Tartine Gourmande (August) I told her about where our food comes from. When I took her to the village, I showed her the cows and sheep and chicken and rooster and rabbits. I pointed at eggs nested at one corner of the hen house. [...]

    Pingback by 2009 « anthimeria — On December, 22nd, 2009 at 11:15 pm

  128. Hello – I hope you are well. I found your post and pictures so inspiring that i have named an upcoming fragrance in my collection “Lulu in Provence” after your exquisite post. The fragrance is totally inspired by your redcurrant tarts! Although i have designed it with a sandalwood base. i take inspiration from travels and from my childhood trips for my collection and when i saw this post I simply had to remove one of the fragrances in my Rouge line and replace with this beautiful story.
    There is already a high profile British Magazine writing about it in their May issue although i am forbidden to say which!

    Anyway, i have now followed you on Twitter and thank you for the inspirational post.

    Comment by Jonathan Ward — On January, 29th, 2010 at 9:15 am

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