Hachis Parmentier -French Fridays with Dorie

We aren’t publishing the recipes from Dorie’s Around My French Table. If you would like the recipe you will have to buy the book. I think you won’t regret it.

(This is a fictional story that came to mind when I was thinking of this recipe. )

The full moon was high in the sky. Its bright light illuminated her path walking along the Seine. Chantal was tired from working all day in the boulangerie. Her feet ached. Her head hurt from talking all day with the charming, and some not so charming customers. All Chantal could think of was this moment when she would meet Jean-Marc for a bite and to get to know him a little better.

Chantal arrived at the bustling caffe’ and sat down at the first empty table she found. Even though it was a chilly autumn night, the tables were all almost occupied around the sidewalk. Chantal was waiting patiently. She tried to avoid looking at her watch again. She obsessively kept checking to see if Jean-Marc sent her a text message. Chantal had initially hesitated accepting his invitation for a coffee. But there was something about his sweet brown eyes and smile that made her give him a chance.

After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, Chantal begrudgingly arose from her table. She paid her bill and began to walk. Feeling crushed and dejected, there was only one place she could go to feel better: Aunt Dorie’s apartment. She arrived at the familiar white building and buzzed to be let in. The door opened, and she ran up the stairs to Aunt Dorie’s caring smile. Aunt Dorie could tell that there was something amiss. She didn’t inquire. She would let Chantal speak when she was ready.

The smell coming from the oven was lovely. Chantal didn’t ask what Aunt Dorie was cooking; she chose to wait and be surprised. She took off her jacket and her scarf and sat at the familiar table with her favorite aunt. The story spilled out slowly and Aunt Dorie listened without saying a word. She only interrupted Chantal to take out the Hachis Parmentier from the oven. Chantal’s eyes lit up when she saw Aunt Dorie set it on the table. Chantal kept recounting her sad tale while Aunt Dorie served them each a plate of this tasty dish.

Comfort food. This is exactly what Chantal needed. A warm heart to listen to her tale. A dish baked with love by someone who was always there for her.  Suddenly, every thing started to feel better. Life was not so bad after all.

You can read Paris: A Love Story Part Two here.
You can read Paris: A Love Sotry Part Three here.