StuDudley

Sheila
I thought celeriac is celery root?. Not so ???? It tastes like celery root. I have it all the time for lunch in France.

Stu Dudley

Ella

Thanks everyone, this is just the kind of information I was looking for!

astein12

Celeriac is a member of the celery family that has been developed over the years to produce a large root (sort of like a turnip or parsnip).

It's not just the root of the celery that you get at the grocery store.

DAX

Of course the SW is the region of cheap value wines, so you can enhance all your picnics with it. It is the home of Cahor wine but they really grow all kinds of wines these days and selling them at bargain low prices.

Ella

I wouldn't mind trying some of the 'cheap value wines' from the grocery,but they have so many there,how do you know which ones are worth trying? Do some of you really take along wine glasses or do you use plastic cups? Do the groceries there stay open all day or do they close at lunchtime like they do some places?

StuDudley

>> Do the groceries there stay open all day or do they close at lunchtime like they do some places?<<

It varies - some close at lunch & some don't. Plan on the one you want to stop in to be closed at lunch. Also, most (but not all) are closed on Sunday. The grocery in St Cyprien (Dordogne) is open Sunday morning (to coinside with the Sunday farmers market). Many "mom & pop" groceries (ie - "Petite Casino&quot are open on Sunday mornings. Make sure you gas up the car on Sat, because many gas stations are closed on Sunday (ones on the freeway are always open).

Stu Dudley

blackduff

Everybody is mentioning about getting their food at the supermarket. We have so much great food but please, it's not serving this at the supermarket.

Get your baguette at your bakery. Give a try to some of the special treats, while you're ordering your bread. To my taste, I like bread which was baked in an gas oven. There are others who think that electric ovens give the best taste. Check this and find out the difference.

The small traiteurs have lots of "already" dishes and they're a lot more tasty than what's found at Carrefour.

Fruits should be bought at, of course,a fruit stand. Make sure it's fresh and don't buy anything which is covered with plastic.

The butchers have home made pates, sausages, and many other treats for a picnic.

The local cheese shops have great cheeses which are not available in the supermarkets.

Buying at these sources will cost a few more euros but the quality is must better tasting.

And, don't buy your wines from Auchan, Le Clerc, Carrefour, etc.. We can find good wine shops which give good information and which type of wine would be in the region.

Have a good picnic.

Blackduff

StuDudley

>>And, don't buy your wines from Auchan, Le Clerc, Carrefour, etc.. We can find good wine shops which give good information and which type of wine would be in the region<<

I agree - I've had some awfull wine I've purchased at the big groceries. I've had much better luck at wine shops where I pay about 5-7 Euros more - but much better stuff. I don't buy wine at "produits regional" places either (touristy).

Stu Dudley

StuDudley

Almost forgot - one of the best wine shops I've discovered in southwest France is in La Bugue. If anyone's interested, I'll try to dig up the name - I know where it is, but don't remember the name. It's not in the center of town.

Stu Dudley

blackduff

Here's a nice place to get your wine. This is in St.Andre, near Perpignan.
http://www.pyreneesmediterraneanlivi...CN0991_JPG.htm

Another photo shows a great picnic foods. There is figs,goat cheese, and marmelade. Of course there's some red wine.
http://www.pyreneesmediterraneanlivi...CN0991_JPG.htm

Blackduff

blackduff

The second link didn't work correctly. Try this photo.

http://www.pyreneesmediterraneanlivi...CN0991_JPG.htm

Blackduff

blackduff

For some reason, I cannot post this photo. Sorry! Maybe it was too early for the morning.

Blackduff

kerouac

Saying that every small merchant automatically makes better products than a supermarket chain, especially in France, is outrageous.

I am totally in favor of buying from small places when I know that the quality is good, but people on the road will be going to different places every day, so the quality will be completely hit-and-miss for some of the locally prepared items.

As for wine, I will extend the heresy to recommending what French vacationers do when they are going to be picknicking everywhere -- they buy the vacuum boxes of wine-in-bag, some of which are of excellent quality. This also allows to drink just as much as you want without opening another bottle, or allows those who prefer white to drink white and the others to drink red with no problems.

Since the whole point of Ella's post was to save money, I don't think that money-saving ideas are out of place.

analogue

There is a hypermarket chain that is reputed for its deli & pastry section - Géant Casino. People even cater their weddings through Géant.

On the other hand, I would never go to E. Leclerc or Intermarché for such things. Carrefour and Auchan are okay.

Pvoyageuse

Analogue
I would say it depends more on the pastry chef rather than the name of the supermarket.

I would also say : buy food when you see a store open. You are not going to make a detour of several miles to find a supermarket especially if you are driving on small country roads. Besides most small ones close down at lunch time.

Try the local specialties : Petits pâtés in Pezenas (meat pies), tielles in Séte (seafood pies), dry sausages (fouet and saucisses sèches) and cured ham when you are near Perpignan, etc.

kerouac

It's very true that in the Southwest, it is better to make sure you have enough food by noon or 12:30 at the latest. Some areas will shut down completely until 2 pm or even later.

blackduff

Although many posters have mentioned buying some carrots, celeriac, or other salad types, take a look at this offer.

My wife buys these veggies (already prepared)but I don't eat them. I like good food and I like veggies but these packages are not always healthy. Here's a list of what you're going to eat.

Taboulé volaille:
items listed are ten lines long. Here's a few items you're going to eat.
antioxygene, erythobate de sodium, nitrite de sodium, vinagre d'alcool, arome, maltodextrine de ble et de pomme de terre, sucre,sorbate de potassium, gomme xanthane.
If you buy this type of "Salad" your boucherie will not include most of these lovely chemicals.

per 100 grams, you're going to swallow 191 calories.

I'm not saying that this is bad. It tastes very good instead. But you get the chemicals for the premixed foods.

This particular item came from Champion.

Blackduff

kerouac

Reminds me of another heresy that I heard last week on France Inter radio. A food specialist was saying that some of those chemicals are actually good for you and that certain organic products are bad for you. And of course he threw in that other element that is common knowledge now, about canned tomatoes being by far the most nutritious way to eat tomatoes, and raw tomatoes or even fresh tomatoes that you cook yourself being the worst way.

I know. I don't want to believe it either.

Carlux

The wine shop in Le Bugue is probably Julien de Savignac. They have lots of wine from the southwest - also a branch in Sarlat.

However, I would never say that you should not buy wine in the supermarkets in France, particularly in September, when the wine 'Foires' are on. Virtually every supermarket will have an excellent selection of wine from all over France. Restaurant owners in Paris and other large cities are often invited the night before the sale starts, and they buy lots of their stock that way - even Petrus, Cheval Blanc, Chateau d'Yquem, etc.

We do of course buy from producers and small wine shops, but don't underestimate the quality of wine you will find in a good supermarket. Just don't buy the cheapest thing there!

Ella

Thanks again everyone. Any more ideas?