Loire Valley Castle and Cuisine

Cooking with the Kids, by Christel de Noble

In the evening we headed back to Château de la Caillotière after stopping by the Treilles Gourmandes to purchase homemade foie gras that we then savoured, al fresco by the pool with some fresh traditional bread and a glass of our recent acquisition.

Day four was spent in the kitchen with the children. It seemed that being around so much food had aroused their interest. I took them to the vegetable garden where we helped Paul, the gardener, dig up some small potatoes, les charlottes, known for their delicious taste. The tomatoes where almost perfect, so we decided to beat the slugs and bring several home to let ripen on the kitchen window sill.

We found an enormous laurel topiary and cut some of its leaves to complement bacon in flavouring the baked potatoes for lunch. We made a feat of charcuterie, smoked ham from nearby Vendée, rosette de Lyon, the famous saucisson , and the rillettes of Le Man. The apotheosis was a dish of fresh strawberries with home made whipped cream!

We lost, or tried to lose, most of the calories gained on the tennis court and quietly finished the afternoon beside the pond, fishing for tiny fish that we immediately put back into the water.

We spent the fifth day visiting the famous city of Angers. It is well known for its medieval castle, its seventeen towers and its tapestries, both ancient (dating back the XIVth century) and modern (one by Jean Lurçat).

But the real discovery for us was the shop of Pascal Beillevaine, cheesemonger par exellence and the variety he had to offer: langres, livarot, selle sur cher, valencay, epoisse, tome… names we couldn’t even pronounce but that we certainly could smell. Half of the evening menu was purchases in his shop: appetizer cheese, main course cheese and even dessert cheese!

Food, wine, history, art, elegance and calm, we had found them all at the Château de la Caillotière, and best of all—according to my wife—we did not put on a pound. Have you noticed the slim silhouettes of the French people? It seems not only that their food delicious, but it is extremely well balanced.

And that was the argument which convinced us to come back… Bon Appetit.

Resources:

Château de La Caillotière
www.chateaudelacaillotiere.com
La Cornuaille, 49440
+44 (0) 207 584 9626

Guisabel
rue du Maine,Angrie
02 41 92 74 11

Mr Bloin’s Domain
02 41 78 33 53

Treilles Gourmandes
49220 Le Lion d’Angers
02 41 95 82 82

Pascal Beillevaire
Place de la visitation, Angers