Yann’s mother has called Normandy her home for several years now. She moved there from Brittany, a region where she grew up, but ultimately left behind due to her age and not having any family nearby. She made the move to be closer to her daughter.
When Yann was growing up, his childhood was tied to the vast beaches of Normandy, where his grandparents owned a summer home and where he spent every summer holiday; the memories he carries with him stretch as far as the endless shoreline, and his heart beats there.
These days, as his mother grows older, Yann makes a monthly pilgrimage from Provence to Normandy, a journey that spans the width of France—nine hours from coast to coast— by train, longer if driving.
It is a journey through the heart of the country; we start in Marseille, where we board the train, speeding towards Paris before transferring to another train, and then another train where his sister meets us for the final leg to his mom’s. It’s a long journey, but one that carries with it the beauty of the French countryside that changes with the seasons and is beautiful to witness.
The bunkers on the beaches of Normandy are remnants World War II. These concrete structures, many still standing today, were originally constructed by Nazi forces. Although many were damaged or destroyed during the invasion, some remain often covered in moss and graffiti.
The turtle graffiti on the remains of a bunker was absolutely incredible.
Have you ever been to Normandy? If you have, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say it’s vast; the tides roll in and out, receding for miles, a constant and almost meditative cycle that I can’t help but fall in love with every time I visit.
She sells seashells by the seashore,
The shells she sells are surely seashells.
So if she sells shells on the seashore,
I’m sure she sells seashore shells.
Unless, you happen to be on this beach that has so many scallop seashells. You have to be careful where you walk. (Look closely in Yann’s hands. He carried my finds.)
I gathered some to make a classic French dish of scallops in those shells.
Here’s the recipe below:
Scallops in the Shell (Coquilles Saint-Jacques)
Ingredients:
- 12 large scallops in the shell (or remove scallops and use shells for presentation)
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Gruyère cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges for garnish
Instructions: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a pan, melt the butter and sauté the garlic until fragrant. Add the scallops and cook lightly on both sides, about 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with white wine, and let it reduce slightly before adding the cream. Stir to combine and simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.
Place the scallops back into their shells. Spoon some of the creamy sauce over them, and top with a little grated Gruyère cheese. Place the shells in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
A delightful day spent with my Belle-Mere, my sister in law, Armelle and Yann.
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