Chez Panisse Tarte aux Amandes

Friday started rather slowly as we all slept in until shortly after 9. We received some very sad news almost immediately when Pat called to tell us that her granddaughter Johanna, who had taken me walking to the borie and the quarry last year and then showed me where to pick blackberries, had sudd

enly died in the United States where she had moved and gotten married just last fall. Terrible, shocking news. We have of course offered to be of whatever help we can, but I believe that the family is surrounded by good old friends at the moment, so we have not been called on.

We did not do very much on Friday afterthat start. Glenn and Peter rode to Carpentras and Rosanna and I drove there and met them for lunch at Chez Serge, which ended up being a rather long leisurely affair (and not only because Serge had locked their bikes in his garage and then left the restaurant for a time), and was not overuntil past 3. Rosanna and I got a little turned around leaving town perhaps due to my taking an unfamiliar exit from the large parking lot that is the only advisable one to use on market day. On the long walk to the parking lot before that, I spotted aBazaarland (the same dollar store Glenn was so keen on in Vaison) so we popped in for a few things. By the time that was all over, we worried that Peter and Glenn would be home ahead of us and roasting on the terrace (I had the house key). Only Peter was there, as Glenn had decided to add some extra kilometers, and he was not as roasty as one might have imagined since there was at least a patch of shade – fortunately there is also a fountain (fed by the Mt. Ventoux) watershed just outside the gate to the house.

The four of us went to the Bar du Cours (next to the Blueberry) where they also have WiFi, and then abruptly had to dash out and get to the grocery store before closing. 4 shoppers, one list. Things were added, things were missed. None of it apparent until Saturday. We had to take a crazy little detour on the way home on account of the first night of the Fete Votive celebrations.

Very narrow (even by standards around here) road. Luckily I met no one, or I would have had to back up at least a kilometer to let them by. Once home, I made some puy lentils with shallots, and we had a large salad of butter lettuce and some bread and cheese, and then the tarte aux amandes for dessert. The inspiration was a recipe reproduced in a book I was reading (and have since finished) – Alice Waters and Chez Panisse. The recipe is North American, so measurements are in volume, not weight, but our only measuring cup is marked with the weight equivalents of ingredients commonly used in baking (sugar, flour, rice etc.). The tarte worked out okay, but was a little too sweet, due to some translation difficulties. I am prepared to take another stab at it. When I do, I will take a picture. Very happy to head to bed promptly.