Charles-Henry, who passed away a few weeks ago, gave us a really nice and useful gift nearly 11 years ago. It's a set of stainless steel serving dishes — the kind you see often in Paris bistros and brasseries. It's a ten-piece set. When I took the picture on the left below, one of them was in the refrigerator.
These were dishes that his mother used all the time, C-H told me. She passed away several decades ago, so they are antiques by now. One of the nicest things about them is that you can also cook in them. They are unbreakable. They clean up easily. One other nice thing about them is that they will always make me remember Charles-Henry when I cook or serve food in them.
The photo on the right looks like Walt's birthday meal. This was a wonderful gift indeed and I bet CHM liked that enjoyment you got from using the dishes.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing missing is the sauce au poivre.
DeleteThere's something really special about using items that belonged to someone you were close to. I have a few bits of my mother's old cookware and they always remind me of her.
ReplyDeleteI have a 4-piece set of mixing bowls (saladiers) that my mother said were a wedding present she was given in 1948. She brought them to Saint-Aignan, holding them in her lap during the flight over the Atlantic, to give them to us.
DeleteWhat a fond memory to know your Mother thought so highly of the memories her saladiers would have for you, that she would protect them on her lap while on the plane! What a memory that must be besides all the times you remember from your childhood!
DeleteI was thinking just what both Evelyn and Jean said. I have a few kitchen items from my mom, who loved to cook and was a wonderful cuisine bourgeoise type of cook, and I feel close to her when I use them.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing I thought when the blog opened up for me today, was that these remind me so much of what you would see in a Parisian brasserie. Wonderful, Ken :)
: ^ )
DeleteYes, yes and yes - I agree totally with the above comments! W,e all know how important quality of product is in the restaurant business. They cannot afford to be replacing shoddy merchandise frequently. As others have commented about their Mothers, I remember my Mother said her stainless steel toaster had been a wedding gift and it lasted her entire life. I tried to repeat that but my toaster didn't make it and I replaced it about 30 years ago. Here's hoping you and Walt will enjoy those serving dishes for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary.
DeleteI remember another post when you wrote about these pans and their history. Chm commented that he was very pleased that you used them often and enjoyed having them.
ReplyDeleteBettyAnn
: ^ )
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