I'm sure I've mentioned previously that in France 'lunch' is generally known as 'La Soupe'; basically, because that's what it is.
In my neck of the French woods, soup means one of two types, one with bread and the other with Vermicelli. Both start life much the same.
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A decent amount of crushed or sliced Garlic is sauteed in duck fat, Chicken stock added, and the seasoning adjusted to taste. If making the bread version, thick slices of good stale country bread are laid on top and cooked for a short while. The soup is then left until required, when it would be reheated. The bread becomes gelatinous and delicious, don't try it with Mother's Pride!
If making the Vermicelli version, the soup is prepared as above, then left until lunchtime when the Vermicelli is added about 5 mins before serving. Both soups are delicious and are standard fare chez Cro. The amount of Vermicelli added is a matter of taste.
As with most things I like to have a good selection of pastas, so my Vermicelli comes from France, Turkey, and (thanks to Kimbo) Pakistan (above). All is good, and all is used for roughly the same purpose, although the Pakistani version does have a sweet recipe on the pack, which I wouldn't try!
I remember in Shropshire back in the 80's, my mother was off to visit our local deli, so I asked her to buy some Vermicelli; she returned with a bag of thin chocolate worms. Not what I was after.
Thanks for the recipe. Sounds pretty easy. I might give it a try but chuck in some chopped carrots and fried onion too.
ReplyDeleteThe Carrots would make it 'sweet', but the Onions would be fine.
DeleteSweet is fine with me, I would add carrots too. Now I need to buy some duck fat. My daughter uses duck fat for roasting potatoes.
ReplyDeleteI only ever use Carrots for two things, for adding to a Beef stew, or grated with Lemon juice. Otherwise I find them invasive.
Delete"La soupe" means lunch? My French teacher is turning in her grave. As is Elizabeth David. As to Escoffier, let him rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteChocolate worms? That's funny. Maybe your mother thought you needed sweetening up.
Potage greetings,
U
If your French teacher doesn't know that 'a la soupe' means I'm going for lunch, then get yourself a new teacher.
DeleteMy French teacher, highly esteemed, is dead. I don't need another.
DeleteAs to my credentials: I spent my teenage years close to the French border. So close, there were days I had breakfast in the motherland, lunch in Switzerland and dinner in France. Anyway, whatever: If YOU say Soupe soup it'll be - for lunch. With chocolate worms for afters/pudding/dessert.
U
We had soup for lunch yesterday, and will today. Nothing like yours. We had a hearty fish soup.
ReplyDeleteI don't have enough good Chicken stock to either of the above, so our daily soups are vegetable based. Almost vegetable stews; good-n-hearty!
DeleteTwo soups rotated, no matter how nice, sound a bit challenging to eat for lunch day after day.
ReplyDeleteThat's what they do, and no-one minds. We eat soup every day through winter too!
DeleteI made a spiced carrot and lentil soup for lunch yesterday. I suspect it would not be quite your thing?
ReplyDeleteChange the Carrot for Butternut, and I'd love it.
Delete' La Soupe ' is pretty much lunch everyday in our house especially in Autumn/Winter. I just throw in any old pasta that we have in the cupboard but, I shall now get some Vermicelli. XXXX
ReplyDeleteI can't live without Vermicelli now. I've become so used to it.
DeleteWe like soup for lunch too...quick, filling and this weather, warming!!
ReplyDeleteThe perfect lunch. Ours is usually followed by a small salad with something or other; today Avocado.
DeleteSounds delightful
ReplyDeleteIf it's good enough for the French, it's good enough for me!
DeleteI also like soup during the Fall and Winter months. My soup usually features lots of vegetables and a good amount of garlic with rice or vermicelli.
ReplyDeleteOne of the other pastas I use in soups is the rice shaped pasta (Orzo) which is really nice.
DeleteI had completely forgotten chocolate vermicelli now I crave some!
ReplyDeleteI didn't, when my mother came home with some!
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