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Baker. Cook. Gardener. Animal Lover.

Monday, March 1, 2010

The Auberge of the Flowering Hearth

One of my favorite cookbooks is "The Auberge of the Flowering Hearth" by Roy Andries de Groot. I heard it was one of Alice Waters favorites...so I had to check it out. On the front cover it reads " This cookbook is a whole way of life. What care, love and work have gone into it. I find it fascinating. I think people would just love it, as it is not like anything else around." - Julia Child

Inside in Chapter 3 it reads" On the floor of the valley,in the ring of the arena, rich green pastures surrounded the now-quiet river, with miniature herds of cattle and sheep. And, in the very center of the ring, with wisps of bluish wood smoke rising from its cottage chimneys, was the tiny village of Saint-Pierre-de-Chartreuse.From the wooden gate, the flagstone path led through the roadside front garden, with lilac and rose bushes, geraniuims and hydrangea. We were met at the front door by two ladies who own and run the auberge. There was a small hand lettered sign above the door: Auberge De L'Atre Fleuri."

In the book there is a chapter called "The Glory of the Potato."

Tonight for supper I am going to cook a piece of ham and I am serving these potatoes.

Casserole Of Potatoes In Cream
(Gratin Dauphinois)

New potatoes, boiled with the skins left on and sliced about 1/2 inch thick
Sweet Butter
Cream
Sea Salt
Black cracked pepper
Gruyere Cheese

Layer the potatoes in a buttered casserole dish
Add a splash of cream, a dollop of butter,some salt and pepper and the Gruyere cheese
Make one more layer and top it off with grated Gruyere
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 to 35 minutes or till hot and bubbly

I am serving these with the sauteed ham, pocketbook rolls and mandarin oranges





























37 comments:

  1. Sounds delicious! I love potatoes in almost any form,shape or size. And I have the same blue bowl as you do that I see on your table.

    bon apetit!

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  2. This potato dish looks soooo yummy! The perfect comfort food for a cold day. Enjoy!

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  3. I was close to stealing your potatoes, they look so delicious!

    The fiddleheads on your sidebar caught my attention, very pretty colors! I love fiddleheads, so much that I even collect fiddlehead spoons (and anything else, if only I could find more!).

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  4. So simple. Wish I hadn't just gotten back from the store. Guess this will go in my...make next week...file. Yum. Holly

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  5. Yum...two of my favorite ingredients...potatoes and cheese.

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  6. great...now i have to buy another cookbook!! hehe!!!

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  7. I always love your reading your recipes, so delcious.

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  8. Okay, I'm hooked, The Auberge of the Flowering Hearth, must be located and purchased.

    Your Casserole of Potatoes in Cream looks divine. A must cook and eat for me. :)s

    I always learn something and find beauty when I visit.

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  9. ooo, this is making me hungry! I love potatoes, mmm! have a wonderful night!

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  10. I love that a cookbook has a whole section entitled the glory of the potato!
    And is it just me or is anyone else having trouble with viewing your blog with the color green? It's probably just me but it took me a long time to read it because of the green against the white. Not trying to be critical at all.

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  11. The words you quote from this book are so lyrical. Thanks for sharing the book and the feast you prepared.

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  12. That sounds comforting and delicious. I'm cooking with potatoes tonight, too, but I'm making cream of potato soup. I might toss in a little bacon if I'm feeling wild!

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  13. and I will just comment on the beautiful house at the top of your blog, wow. Looks like a beautiful add-on to a smaller old cottage, ahhhhhhhhhh!
    from a swampy santa cruz
    Beth

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  14. lovely, lovely, lovely! hello, dear kary:). these photos look so mouth-wateringly good and you really know how to speak to my heart- potatoes & cream?!?! heavenly.
    by the way, i love your new bright green font. you look like you're eagerly awaiting spring;).

    i've missed you- it's good that we're both back to blogworld. happy march!!

    xoxo,
    blair

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  15. P.S. That's so funny that we just commented on one another's sites at the same time. As you have probably already guessed, you're site is one of my daily blogspots and I feel so very fortunate to have met you. You are one of my kindred spirits as well, and I look forward to corresponding for many, many years;).

    xoxo,
    Blair

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  16. Thank you for sharing this with us! I'm definitely going to check that book out :)

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  17. That looks reeeealllly good...You can't go wrong with potatoes and cheese.

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  18. alexander mccall smith features this potato recipe in his
    most recent "isabel dalhousie" book.

    your blog is so beautiful. thank you for sharing the
    cookbook.

    blessings,
    lea

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  19. Very inspiring tonight! A potato dish to warm the soul! Lovely.

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  20. All the blue and white looks so fresh and farmy. Even the butter wrapper is a winner.
    scrape scrape goes the nutmeg would be good on this.
    xx
    donkey in the pines

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  21. Potatoes are my favorite food. And would be so good on a night like this when it is cold and getting ready to rain. But will only happen in my dreams or by reading your wonderful blog!!!

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  22. I must have this book!
    Thank you for sharing this treasure, Kary!
    And those potatoes...oh, my word!
    XO

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  23. Yum. Ok, I will admit, just about anything with cheese on it is wonderful to me. This looks so easie too. I'm going to have to whip some up. Not whip as in the potatoes...whip as in throw together. But, where to find this type of cheese at the beach. Where is Whole Foods or Trader Joes, when you need one. I have heard this cheese is also wonderful on Mac and Cheese. Do you think I'm hungry. You got it.

    Kate xoxoxoxox - The Garden Bell

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  24. Looks so yummy! I love your bowl too. It reminds me of something my Great Aunt had. We used to gather around to watch her cook.

    Here is my e-mail- ContessaGrigia@gmail.com

    I will tell you more about our ranch in SLO.

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  25. This loooks yummy! I will have to try it!

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  26. Really fun to hear about new cookbooks that are special. Your chosen dish looks delicious and I want that bowl!!

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  27. My list of your favorite cookbooks is getting longer and longer! (I am keeping a list of cookbooks I want... and all yours are on it!) So much to try, so little time.

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  28. Potatoes and cheese...now that I could live with! This cookbook looks amazing. xo

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  29. one of my favorite comfort foods.
    xo

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  30. So delicious, I love this dish and make a similar one, which never leaves any leftovers! so yummy.
    I love your Easter decorations too Kary, so sweet sitting in the window!

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  31. When I'm in need of a bit of nurturing I come here, and without fail I feel as though I'm around my mother's kitchen table.

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  32. your images are so very beautiful!

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  33. wow! i love it :) the new header is also beautiful!
    have a sweet day,
    justyna

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  34. delicious! What a wonderful book...xxx

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  35. Oh my goodness I am in heaven first of all your blog is wonderful but I am obsessed with this cookbook, I have read it over and over and have even thought about going to visit. I believe the ladies have passed away but I would love to visit there anyway. I don't know how I have missed your blog but I am so happy I found you!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by. I appreciate all your kind comments more than you can know.