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Clos Mirabel Manor - Getting hands-on with the food of the Pyrénées
by Heather
2 minutes 37 seconds read.

Heather
French market stall selling red peppers.Local weekly markets are only a few minutes drive from Clos Mirabel Manor

When self-catering guests arrive at Clos Mirabel Manor invariably one of the first questions they ask is where is the local supermarket and when is market day? Going food shopping abroad is arguably far more interesting than at home. Recent guests from the UK discovered a great fish soup “La Soupe de Poisson a La Méditerranéen” at the nearby Intermarché in Jurançon and loved it so much they are now importing it directly from France.

It got me thinking about how food is an important part of travel … and how guests staying in self-catering accommodation at Clos Mirabel can enhance their holiday experience by getting hands-on with the local specialities during their stay.

Because of its geographical proximity to Spain, the cuisine in our little corner of France differs from anywhere else in the country. In fact the South West of France has its very own gastronomic reputation and is heavily influenced by Basque and Spanish tastes.

So what is on the menu?

Basque food is famed for being hearty and wholesome, with plenty of wild game stews and creamy soups designed to fill the bellies of mountain farmers. If you’re a meat eater you could find yourself tucking into lamb of the Pyrénées, duck breast, wood pigeon or Gascon black pig, whilst fish lovers might enjoy mushroom stuffed trout.

Basque cuisine is celebrated for using only the freshest, seasonal produce such as wild mushrooms, tomatoes and sweet red peppers known as Espelette pepper. If you want to try your hand at making some local dishes during your stay at Clos Mirabel, make sure you add these to your shopping list. All are readily available at Les Halles Farmer’s Market in Pau, weekly markets or the local supermarkets: Chorizo, Jambon de Bayonne (cured ham), meat such as lamb or chicken, garlic, onions, herbs, tomatoes, peppers, aubergine, ewe’s milk cheese, Zizaks or Perretxikos mushrooms, dried beans, asparagus and artichokes.

The Internet abounds with recipes for the most common and popular French-Basque dishes, notably Piperade (onion, green peppers, and tomatoes sautéd and flavoured with red Espelette pepper) and Poulet Basquaise (a deliciously warming pepper and tomato chicken stew). Cassoulet (a slow cooked casserole of haricot beans, pork and duck in a rich tomato sauce) is another staple dish of the region and is relatively easy to make.

There is nothing more nourishing for the body or soul than preparing your own meal then sitting outside to savour your creation whilst enjoying spectacular views of the Pyrénées and a glass of local Jurançon wine.

Traiteurs devoted to high quality “take-home” food are also a fantastic way of sampling local dishes and it is well worth picking up a Gateau Basque for dessert (a traditional cake with filling of either almond or vanilla pastry cream and preserved cherries).

Of course, if cooking isn’t in your holiday vocabulary, there are plenty of local restaurants in nearby Pau or surrounding villages.

For more information on Self-Catering or B&B accommodation at Clos Mirabel Manor in Jurançon, Pau, South West France please visit our website

Bon appétit.

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