The Fish of France: Weever (Trachinus draco Linnaeus )

A bouillabaisse fish, the weever is. Mentioned in William Verral’s A Complete System of Cookery (1759) as “weaver,” the weever fish’s spines emit poison. According to Clifford Wright, a restaurateur in Marseille likely invented bouillabaisse, an expensive version of fish stew and not really the traditional fisherman’s fish boil.  So much for romantic nostalgia and visions of … More The Fish of France: Weever (Trachinus draco Linnaeus )

Cooking in French: Soup – Cuisine’s Kindest Course*

“The French peasant cuisine is at the basis of the culinary art. By this I mean it is composed of honest elements that la grande cuisine only embellishes.” ~ Alexandre Dumaine A succulent soup provides a glistening gem of daily nourishment during all the seasons of the year, but especially during autumn, that narrow doorway … More Cooking in French: Soup – Cuisine’s Kindest Course*