07 April 2010

The Double Whammy


Sometimes I wonder if there is anything better to eat than thinly sliced tomatoes, liberally covered (read drowned) in olive oil and topped with lashings of chopped basil. Add buffala mozzarella, some crusty wholemeal bread and a glass of Provence rosé - well, that's lunch!

The secret is to use huile d'olive basilique - they sell it in the Huilerie Saint Michel which is the olive oil shop just by the entrance to the Old Town. You only have to remove the cap and you are immersed in the joyous aromas of basil.

For a double whammy of basil, of course you use this oil as well as chopped basil leaves and leave it all to sit for a couple of hours.

18 comments:

  1. You've got my mouth watering!

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  2. on a envie de chanter la chanson de Becaud "les marches de provence", superbe couleur

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  3. I'm coming right now to share this glorious meal with you.

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  4. They look like heirlooms. Yum!

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  5. I love tomatoes but have never seen this variety before. Those found over here are smooth round like a bubble or beach ball and not ridged. I wonder what the difference might be in the taste?

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  6. I never see tomatoes like these now, not even in the local weekend markets here. Their taste is only in my memory.
    Jilly, the contrast with colour in your picture looks wonderful and the way the light is shining on the plump fruits make them look so appetising.
    That Basil oil sounds good!!! Talk about the good life.

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  7. I agree with Sharon they look delicious.

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  8. These are Coeur de Boeuf tomatoes and taste SO good. There is no comparison with supermarket tomatoes. I only ever buy these and they are always available in the markets. Another good one is Marmande (also large but smoother) but for me, the Coeur de Boeuf is the best - 'Heart of Beef' tomatoes.

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  9. These are almost too cute to slice! Look like tiny pumpkins. I'd love some of that wonderful oil as well. I'll join you for déjeuner!
    V

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  10. Excellent olive oil is one of my few indulgences.

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  11. Yumm, let's put that on the menu for the next time I come!

    Great photo ! Coeur de boeuf tomatoes are some of the tastiest!

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  12. Sounds like a great lunch!

    Ps. I've been travelling back to Mn. the past few days without ready access to the internet; therefore I haven't been commenting very much. I'm still posting from Santa fe since I scheduled it before we left. Hope to be back soon!

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  13. I wonder why they are called "Ugly" tomatoes here!!!

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  14. In some parts of France, the Cevennes amongst other places, they do green tomatoe jam. Have you ever tasted it? It's delicious!

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  15. Rob and Mandy, I've never tried it but I'll look out for it. I bet it's good although I think green tomato chutney probably sounds better. Perhaps they are similar?

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  16. Oh, my goodness, what a photograph. Nothing can beat the colors of nature.

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