At 16, living with a French family one summer in a tiny town in the Auvergne, la maman asked if I could take her place stirring the huge pot on the stove for a minute -- "but you must not stop, that will ruin the aligot ... [en francais, biensur]".
Like trading jump rope turners, we stirred together for 10 seconds before she peeled away. Instantly the job became Herculean, my arm rubber, and the prized aligot cement. Thank goodness she was back in a flash -- before my rotation came to a complete halt -- grabbing the wooden spoon and resuming her magic, stirring the aligot until "ca fil". I can almost taste the delicious comfort as I read this piece -- merci!
Like trading jump rope turners, we stirred together for 10 seconds before she peeled away. Instantly the job became Herculean, my arm rubber, and the prized aligot cement. Thank goodness she was back in a flash -- before my rotation came to a complete halt -- grabbing the wooden spoon and resuming her magic, stirring the aligot until "ca fil". I can almost taste the delicious comfort as I read this piece -- merci!
10
It looks very gooey and not that appetizing - at all. If you want a great French potato recipe for the cold weather, try Brandade de Morue (Brandade with Salted Cod).
4
I am so for this. Not a big mashed potato eater but this is definitely "comfort" food!
2
These potatoes would be perfect tonight in my neck of the woods. Maybe a leg of duck confit too. Thank you.
3
This is perfect for my teenage son. One bite and I'd eat the whole pan, I'm afraid.
2
Must "comfort foods" be artery clogging? For health's sake, it is time to change the paradigm.
1
It's not "artery clogging if it's eaten only occasionally, no?
5
This is one recipe! Once in a while, we can diverge from kale salads to soothe and comfort ourselves with food that's like a warm hug. An infrequent diet cheat is not going to destroy your healthy regimen and that little reward can serve to renew dedication.
6
There is a reason for making Aligot. They sooth the soul. At times like these we all need long cherished and Aligot. Trust me, they will be just fine with a good Swiss.
12
So good with some grilled sausages.
6
Don´t be a snob: surely there is an American not very expensive equivalent to the tiny French ratte potatoes used by Robuchon.
9
There certainly are little young white potatoes that are as good as rattes. "Unripened Cantal" mentioned in the article is nothing like "unripened white Muenster". As a whole, the dish seems to be for those who like their food goopey.
Would it kill people to read the recipe before making snide comments? It calls for russet potatoes, aka an inexpensive grocery store variety.
42
However, Himmel und Erde, far superior.
F3