The Kindness of Neighbours

Sue had to go shopping yesterday afternoon as we have invited some new aquaintances for lunch today. Just after she had returned home, Nadine came with a big plastic bag of 'Giroles' which are a variety of mushroom. JJ had spent the afternoon picking the giroles in his neighbour's wood as there is a bountiful crop at the moment.

Sue said to Nadine that she would use them in the meal for our friends but, oh no, they're too good, you must use them straight away, they reduce down a lot,.....

So, Sue duly changed her ideas for dinner, which had to be quick as we were playing cards with Nadine and JJ, and made us Giroles spaghetti, carefully following the very specific cooking instructions issued by Nadine. Put them into a pan with nothing else because they produce a lot of water. Drain this off and then cook with garlic and parsley. (So now you know what to do if you are given any giroles!!)

The meal looked fantastic, although we both thought that actually, the giroles didn't have much of a flavour. In fact I thought that the fresh herbs out of our garden had a stronger flavour. But nonetheless, it was a typical example of the generosity we are finding here in France.