Rodez, the mid-sized French town where I do my food shopping, used to have two épiceries fines, or gourmet food shops. Unfortunately both have shut down, and I miss being able to find any spice, oil, salt or vinegar that I want. Internet shopping is a solution, of course, but it's somehow not the same as seeing and smelling spices.
So I was in heaven when I went on a weekend trip to Tours and was able to stock up on spices and seasoned salts in this colorful shop located in Les Halles, the city's covered market.
Immediately after coming home, my everyday cooking started to take a more international twist. Asian-style stirfry on Saturday; an Italian recipe for baked fish from The Silver Spoon cookbook on Sunday. A new stock of spices definitely inspired me to get away from French classics, which are generally not spicy, and perk things up in the kitchen.
(This post was based on the Sunday Scribblings writing prompt for the week -- "spicy" -- and adapted from a previous post on my cooking blog, Cuisine Quotidienne.
My time and inspiration was lacking a bit this weekend, so take a look at some spicier posts.)
7 comments:
I'ce been wanting to go to Tours - just because I haven't been. Now I really have a good reason to go. I wonder if it's open everyday...
That is really ashame the shops are closing down. I'm glad it does not stop you. :)
you sound like an amazing cook! And your right, as convenient as internet shopping is it is just not the same. ( btw, your post wasn't lacking at all!)
thanks for your nice comment today :))
I LOVE spice markets so much!
beautiful spicy photo!
Thanks for the tip, betty. Next time I'm in Tours, we'll head to les Halles and check it out.
Did you happen to notice if they had any smoked Spanish paprika ?
To Walt -- I didn't notice -- and have never heard of for that matter -- smoked Spanish paprika at this spice shop. But there were many wonderful things...
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