But that’s not all. Get this, Carole is married to the fisherman, they are by the lagoon of Thau all the way down the map near Bouzigues. And the fish that this lovely lady sells at the market… it is her great gentleman who fishes for them, on a line, the old fashioned way… a line wrapped around a piece of cork. No dynamite, no bleach, and no trolling net. No sir! Just the fishing line pulled in by hand! “Because” Carole whispers to me “they are so much better that way!” And she adds: “I often go out with my husband on his fishing boat… it’s so fabulous!”
What, you think I’m a little jealous of her husband the fisherman? You better believe it my friend… and not just a little!
Here, take a peek at the magnificent sea bass that she’s holds proudly; is that a magnificent fish or what? And Carole… is she not magnificent, my fishmonger?
So, my chinese gentlemen in Chinatown, don’t waste a minute, just pack it in, close up shop. You dear gentlemen of Chinatown, next to Carole you don’t exist. NEVER AGAIN WILL I TALK TO YOU, NEVER AGAIN WILL I EVEN LOOK AT YOU: PRAXIS VOMITUS!
PS: Here is a recipe for Carole’s mussels (an Algerian style recipe given to me by a native).
– Cook the mussels quickly over high heat with a small glass of white wine.
– Without burning your fingers, remove mussels from shells and reserve, save half of the shells as well.
– Lovingly place a mussel in the empty half shell and use a small spoon to fill with sauce, place on a baking sheet.
– sprinkle breadcrumbs over the filled half shell.
– Put in the oven under a hot grill until the sauce bubbles and the breadcrumbs become golden.
– The “SAUCE”: Olive oil, finely chopped garlic (a lot), chopped parsley, powdered cumin AND whole cumin grains, salt and pepper. Mix well.
– Open one (or several) bottles of a well chilled rosé wine, put crusty french bread in a basket, then call the family and the neighbors over for the feast.
-Believe me… THIS IS PARADISE!