Each day, someone in the kitchen prepares lunch and dinner. Unfortunately we’re not eating off the menu (heaven forbid). But I have to say, the food has been quite good lately. Meals usually consist of a meat and a starch. Rarely do we see vegetables. So far we’ve had pork chops, sausage, fish, steak, and as a special treat, pizza. Accompanying the meat is usually potatoes, pasta or cous cous. More the most part, it’s been quite good. Well, that is until this past Thursday when we had brains. Lamb brains to be exact.
I had heard rumor that the chefs liked to eat organ meat, so I was somewhat prepared. Here in France, no one bats an eye at eating the whole animal. In America, we’d have a fit. They arrived in the Wednesday morning delivery and were neatly placed in small, foil loaf pans – one little brain per pan. I eyed them cautiously and with some curiosity as I walked past.
My next encounter with the brains was in the big, walk-in refrigerator. The refrigerator is somewhat like a scene from a horror movie to begin with. One wall is lined with various vegetables while the other holds boxes and boxes of bodies, mostly the feathered kind. There are crates of duck, pheasant, wild pigeon, and guinea hens with their dull, lifeless eyes staring up at you. Tucked carefully between the feathered friends was a large metal bowl where the brains were taking a little bath. Evidently it’s necessary to soak them in cold water overnight to leach out all the blood. Oooh, such an appetizing thought.
I leaned closer to get a better look. The soft off white brains were tinged with red spots and floating in the slightly pink water. I gingerly reached down to pick one up. Instead of feeling firm, it felt like I was holding a water balloon filled with Jello in my palm. I later learned from Amy that once the brains are soaked, the outer membrane is removed and they are gently sautéed in butter. I marveled at the squiggly mass in my hand. At one time, it controlled everything in an animal – all its thoughts, its heartbeat, its movement. And here it is sitting in my hand about to become our dinner. I carefully placed the brain back into its swimming pool and left the cooler.
The next day, I knew what was on the menu for our dinner, so during our break, I made sure to eat on my own. As promised, they were nicely sautéed and served with scalloped potatoes. Everyone gathered around to get his or her share. I just served myself some potatoes and smiled weakly at the now light brown colored masses. One of my co-workers finally convinced me to take a bite, so I gingerly took a small forkful from his plate and lifted it to my lips. I tried to keep an open mind as I chewed, but I couldn’t erase the idea that I was eating something’s brain. The taste was rather foul – very internal organ-ish – and I followed by bite with several swallows of water. Yep, that’s it for me. Don’t think I’ll be eating those again.
I know there are other culinary delights to follow: cow’s tongue, beef liver, and some entertaining sausages. I’ve promised myself to try them all. After all, how can I be a true gourmand if I don’t at least try it?!
Reader Comments (3)
I love your journal. Perhaps a book will be in the future....who knows.
hugs, normas
I love them, but have never really figured out just where they live in the animal..
hugs, normas