The Tour is now in it's final days, I am already sad that there is only three more days. Stage 18 left the town of Bourg-d'Oisans located next to Ecrins National Park the largest and highest of the seven French National Parks and ending today in Saint Etiennewhich is located just 40 miles outside the city of Lyon and use to be the capital of French Cycling. The last time the Tour stopped here was in 2005 when Lance Armstrong won the time trial and then onto his 7th and final tour.... oh those were the days.
So for dinner tonight, thanks to Anne Willans French Regional Cookingcookbook we are having Grillade Mariniere De Calence or Sailor's Steak with anchovies and Gratin Dauphiois,Potato Gratin with cheese and cream. Grillade Mariniere has a sort of shaded past. According to my cookbook the story goes: "In the centuries preceding the railway barges were pulled up the river by draught-horses. Not needed for the journey downstream the were killed by the sailors (marins) who made them into a good steak dish flavored with Provencal anchovies, onions and white wine. But nowadays using a good steak like a sirloin is in better taste" Thank god for that, I may eat snails and sushi but I draw the line on horses. Maybe that is what happened to my pony Buttercup when I was younger.
Gratin Dauphinois is the perfect side made with sliced potatoes, cream and Gruyere. Melted cheese, whats not to love!
