KOSCIUSKO —
In French "gourmand" (gor-mond) means one who likes to eat and often too much; while "gourmet" (gor-may) simply means good food.
During a recent European tour to London, England, Paris, France and Barcelona, Spain, 18 students from Kosciusko, six chaperones and myself were able to become gourmands for gourmet.
Our group was able to partake in distinctively unique flavors both local and internationally influenced between the planes, trains and coaches.
Between the abbeys and bridges of London our first meal was near St. Paul's Cathedral in the basement of a pub called The Centre Page.
The Fish and Chips (French Fries) was a simple meal of a piece of thick cut white fish with a thick golden brown battered crust and crispy French Fries. Along with lots of vinegar and tartar sauce this fast and filling meal was good for trekking the metropolis.
London is known for its varied minority populations like Indian, Middle-Eastern and Asian.
These cultures have greatly influenced cuisines throughout the royal city.
Hummus, a Middle-Eastern dish consisting of chick peas, lemon juice, garlic, curry, olive oil while topped with various seasonings, was a treat during one night on the way to the theater. Ours was topped with grilled chicken, curry and cilantro served with pita bread, carrots and corn chips. The restaurant, Hummus Bros., served a custard style dessert.
Another influenced meal was the chicken with steamed mixed vegetables in noodles with teriyaki sauce. Served on clean white plates the presentation was impressive. Edamame, or steamed soybeans lightly salted, were served as an appetizer for the whole table.
My culinary highlight for the entire trip was in Paris during some free time. About two in the afternoon three of us chaperones and four students searched and scored a small restaurant serving Escargot. Never having tried it myself, I thought the best way to taste it would be in its country of origin, France. We ordered it as an appetizer with a "let's just get it over with"sense of adventure. Escargot is an order of cooked land snails with butter, garlic and herbs. With eyes closed we each tossed in a snail pried from its shell into our mouths. The flavor and texture resembled that of a mushroom, very delicious!
For my main meal I ordered the salmon plate with steamed, smoked and broiled salmon served with dill sauce. I can honestly say I've never had anything like it in America. The flavors were intense and rich. I can imagine fresh being a key ingredient.
At last the topic of dessert came up, with regret. I knew whatever sweet treat I ordered I would automatically want something else, it was Paris after all!
Our whole table settled on crepes, sweet thin pancakes topped with just about whatever you want.
Then our waiter asked us what toppings we wanted, all these loaded questions!
We split between chocolate-banana and strawberry-creme. We were able to sample each others sweets with no regrets.
Rounding out our taste of Europe was the hot and humid port city of Barcelona, Spain next to the Mediterranean Sea. That could only mean one thing, seafood!
First day in town we headed past Parc Olympic to the boardwalk for an outdoor treat.
The great sunny weather allotted us a Mariachi performance during our meal.
Some of the fun traveling on a very tight itinerary is just going with flow, not being able to micromanage every detail of your trip including meals.
We were seated four to a table with water and red wine to drink. First was a beautiful green salad with tomatoes, carrots and onions, lots of great colors. Also served was a warm hard crusty bread with mild tomato relish.
We knew we were in Barcelona with the warm, salty breeze blowing around while we ate outside.
Appetizers consisted of small whole bone-in fried fish. the fish was about as long as a hot dog. Our tour guide said the fish are eaten whole, bone included, except the tail. They were very crunchy but full of flavor.
The real flavor was in our entree. The waiters shuffled in lines of about six or eight people carrying large black wok-style pans, sizzling.
This dish was the famous Paella (pie-a-yuh) that I had been hearing about since my Spanish roommate described it to me while in college.
A definitely love it or leave it dish.
Large portions are designed to stimulate family conversation around one large pot. Among the countless versions of ingredients, ours included mussels, pork, chicken (I think), unidentified seafood, plenty of rice and rich herbs and flavors like Saffron and Bay.
For dessert, of course, flan.
We tasted, we tried, we conquered!
Features
Related Photos
-
Paella (pie-a-yuh) has countless versions of ingredients, ours included mussels, pork, chicken, unidentified seafood, plenty of rice and rich herbs and flavors like Saffron and Bay. Matthew Breazeale
-
Chicken with steamed mixed vegetables in noodles with teriyaki sauce. Served on clean white plates the presentation was impressive. Matthew Breazeale
-
Crepes, sweet thin pancakes, were sampled in France by the tourists. Matthew Breazeale
-
Escargot, cooked land snails with butter, garlic and herbs, was tried by several in France. Matthew Breazeale
-
Salmon plate with steamed, smoked and broiled salmon was served with dill sauce. Matthew Breazeale
Gourmands for Gourmet: Trip abroad widens tourist pallet
- Features
-
-
The Nation’s Capitol: Ethel High School students see sites in Washington, D.C.
Usually students spend spring break in activities totally foreign to education – not so with a group of Ethel High School students. Although they did not attend classes, ten EHS students feel they furthered their education during the five days of spring break spent in Washington D.C.
-
Flashbacks
May 23, 1963
When Mary Ellen Scarborough steps across the stage of the Kosciusko High School auditorium to receive her diploma on Friday evening, she will be the third child of Rev. and Mrs. Ben C. Scarborough to finish Kosciusko High with a perfect attendance record. Benjy, who finished KHS in 1959, will be graduating from Mississippi College on June 2. Jack, who finished KHS in 1961, graduated from Holmes Junior College on May 19. All three have been active in student, church, and community affairs and have been honor roll and dean’s list students. -
Relay for Life raises funds
Attala County Relay for Life was held May 10 in the Attala County Coliseum due to threat of rain. The event raised approximately $60,0000. See the photos attached for more about the event.
-
Pioneer Day:Annual French Camp event provided activities for all ages
The historic district in French Camp, located adjacent to the Natchez Trace Parkway, was transformed into an area reminiscent of olden days.
-
Flashbacks
May 16, 1963
The Redbud has been named as Kosciusko’s official tree and the rose as the official flower in a recent promotion of the Kosciusko Garden Club. The project was carried out by the garden club in connection with the Clean Up, Fix Up, Paint Up campaign now in progress. Among other trees suggested were magnolia, dogwood and pine. Running a close race with the rose was the iris, and the dahlia. -
Elvis and a snake. . . Oh my!
Ethel’s 31st May Day brings out people for shopping, food and entertainment Saturday. Here are photos from the day's activties.
-
Flashbacks
May 9, 1963
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Lacey have received notification from the South America Indian Mission that they have been accepted as missionaries. They have been assigned to the country of Bolivia where the mission has been working since 1926. Lacy is presently serving as the Director of Christian Education in the First Presbyterian Church in Kosciusko. -
Long Creek holds motivational rally for upcoming state testing
More than 200 students and parents filled the Long Creek Elementary Gym in Sallis on May 2 for a pep rally to energize students for the upcoming state test.
-
Area native remembers her days as Senate page
Alice Faye Roberts Leslie, 95 year-old Weatherford, TX resident, made a recent trip to her native Mississippi and visited briefly in Attala and Leake Counties with relatives and reminisced about days of her youth.
-
Natchez Trace Festival photos
Check out these photos from the 44th Annual Natchez Trace Festival held in Downtown Kosciusko Saturday.
- More Features Headlines
-
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
Raw: Pakistan Election Results Protested
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
