The moment I arrived at 14 Rue Panaget, it was lunch time. Madame d'Aprigny brings me to the kitchen where rests a bowl of beets (les bettraves) on the table. 'Beets for lunch?' I wonder. When in Rome, I guess. We sit down. I am poured a TINY glass of water- a glass the size of a short cocktail filled half way. Mme. d'Aprigny passes the bowl around and I take a modest portion, with bread I figure this can manage to satiate my ravaging appetite until I can get up to my room to devour the snickers bar and bag of chips I have in my carry on.
Everyone at the table seems to have finished with their beets- I put my fork down and wipe my mouth with a napkin as Mme. d'Aprigny takes the bowl to the kitchen- only to return with a large bowl of chicken and mushrooms! Happily I devour this- understanding now the beets were an 'amuse goute' and I am finally full. She returns to the kitchen once again and brings to the table green beans and rice, and this course followed by an apple tart! Needless to say I was stuffed and the phrase "the french eat very large lunches" illuminated in my memory...
All of these things were made that day. Dinner was just the same. It is truely an honor to eat with this family.
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