A visit to The Chicken Man
OK - lately I have been feeling a bit drawn and listless. Many people say this is a part of the grieving process. Dad's passing is still so fresh and raw and at the same time totally unreal.Anyway - Sunday I made myself take Bunny dog for a wonderful walk. Brussels hasn't had a freeze yet and the weather is what my Dad would have called balmy. A lot of leaves have fallen, but there's still a lot to go. The sun was shining bright and both Bunny Dog and I developed a little hop in our steps.
That's because I headed us towards Place Jourdan and to the marchet for a visit to The Chicken Man! Ahhh, the aroma. The colours. His truck is bright red with white stripes and a long, generous awning. Racks of roasting, juicy birds drip and sizzle behind him. The glass case is filled with basted, roasted, honey coloured hens, whole chickens, leg quarters, spatchcocked birds, wings, thighs, drummies, breasts, chicken sausages, racks of ribs based with herb marinade and whole ham hocks for the truly dedicated.
'Would I like sauce with my order?'... 'Would I ever' (Gosh I sounded like Beaver Cleaver) Drippings from the long-roasted fragrant chicken - hell yes. I ordered a couple cuisses - leg quarters. Nice for dinner after work. And a whole roast breast. Nice to slice and put on top of a hearty salad.
Bunny Dog lingered at the stall hoping someone will drop a whole chicken on his head. A dog's idea of winning the lottery. Not going to happen that Sunday.
I stopped at the fancy schmancy veg stall owned by two gay guys who run their own small farm together. They like to ask what I am cooking. And fuss over me and Bunny Dog a bit.
They like to show off their specials too. They had freshly shredded runner beans. To be cooked as you would, say, shredded cabbage. A bit of shallots finely diced, butter, olive oil. Wilt the beans, add cream and salt and pepper. For an extra kick - some horseradish.
They had their lovely wild mushrooms again this week. Tender and golden. These deserve special attention. Saute for about 30 seconds in butter and then add to a simple omelette made with extra fresh eggs with dark orange yolks. Delicious, earthy, woodsy. Nothing more. Nothing else needed.
Satsumas and Clementine's were on sale. The guys tried to interest me in a box. I like a few, but not a whole box. Mache (lambs lettuce) caught my eye. Tiny plum tomatoes, a huge bunch of fresh scallions, a box of fragrant rockette.
Walking home, Bunny dog and I stopped at the dog run in Parc Cinquantenaire. No dogs just then. We figured we might as well have one of the few chicken wings as a little snack - Bunny dog is a good sharer. All was nice until two nasty little (stunted legged)Jacks came up and flanked Bunny Dog (Who is sweet and friendly) We couldn't be bothered with these little bullies so we left.
No matter, we had smiles - we had visited the Chicken Man
posted by Brussels Confidential @ 2:03 PM
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