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askwhatsforlunch · 7 days

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Tielle Sétoise (Octopus Pie)

I spent a good chunk of my childhood near Sète, in Montpellier, where mys sister was born. I even had the singing accent and all. But until quite recently, when Jules and I travelled to Carcassonne and changed train in her home-town --and the train was delayed-- I had never tasted the local specialty! It is for the best though; how wonderful to make such delicious discoveries! La tielle is a more-ish pie, filled with a fragrant octopus and tomato ragoût. It is so good it makes one forget about delayed trains after a long journey. It is often sold as individual pies, but can be made into a large, generous one. And thus I baked this beautiful Tielle Sétoise! Happy Friday!

Ingredients (serves 4):

1 tablespoon yeast

1/2 tablespoon plain flour

1/4 cup lukewarm water

2 cups plain flour

1 cup strong white flour

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon fleur de sel or sea salt flakes

1 teaspoon tomato paste

1/4 cup Muscat de Rivesaltes (or other sweet white wine)

1/4 cup olive oil

1/3 cup lukewarm water

2 tablespoons olive oil

a good pinch saffron threads

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon ground chilli

1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence

1 large onion

1 large garlic clove, minced

2 heaped tablespoons tomato paste

1/2 cup Muscat de Rivesaltes (or other sweet white wine)

4 Whole Peeled Tomatoes + 1/3 cup of their juice

1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or sea salt flakes

1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

815 grams/1.8 pound cooked Octopus

1 teaspoon caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon paprika

1 tablespoon olive oil

In a small bowl, combine yeast and flour. Stir in lukewarm water until well-blended. Allow to sit, about 10 to 15 minutes until it starts bubbling a bit. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine plain flour, strong white flour, paprika and fleur de sel. Give a good stir.

Dig a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in yeast mixture. Add tomato paste, and stir with a wooden spoon, gradually adding Muscat de Rivesaltes, oil and lukewarm water, until the dough comes together. You might not need all of the water.

Knead dough for a few minutes onto the counter-top, and pop back into the bowl. Cover with a tea towel and allow to rise, a couple of hours.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a large, deep skillet. Add saffron threads, and cook, about 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high, and add paprika, chilli and Herbes de Provence. Fry, a couple of minutes more.

Peel and finely chop onion. Stir into the skillet, and cook, about 3 minutes, until softened. Stir in garlic; cook, 1 minute more.

Add tomato paste, and cook out, 1 minute.

Deglaze with Muscat.

Finely chop Whole Peeled Tomatoes, and stir them into the skillet, along with their juice. Season with fleur de sel and black pepper, and bring to a slow boil. Simmer, 5 minutes.

Cut Octopus into small chunks, and stir into the tomato sauce. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer, another 15 minutes, until the sauce has thickened. Stir in caster sugar until dissolved.

Remove from the heat, and allow to cool completely.

Preheat oven to 220°C/430°F.

Lightly grease a pie plate with olive oil.

Punch dough down and divide into two portions (about one-third/two-thirds). Roll out both portions into circles. Fit largest dough circle into prepared pie plate, letting it overhang on the edges. Prick the bottom with a fork.

Generously fill with cooled Octopus and tomato ragoût. Lightly dampen the edges with water, and place dough lid on top, pressing firmly to seal. Trim off excess dough, and crimp.

In a small cup, combine paprika and olive oil, stirring until well-blended.

Generously brush the top of the pie with paprika oil.

Place in the hot oven, and bake at 220°C/430°F, 30 to 35 minutes until beautifully golden brown.

Serve Tielle Sétoise hot or warm, with dressed Mesclun, and a glass of chilled rosé or dry white wine, like Côtes de Provence, and perhaps some music from Sète's most famous artist (and a favourite of mine), Georges Brassens!

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barefootblogger-france · 6 years

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The third in the series of shore excursions for travelers on Mediterrean cruises, Nancy McGee of Absolutely Southern France is sharing ideas we all can use. Let’s see what she suggests for those who want to experience Languedoc-Roussillon.

Languedoc-Roussillon is coming to be known by many as the “other French Riviera.”

The best Mediterranean beaches and 300 days of sunshine to match? The best seafood, world-class wines and historic fortress towns? Must be the French Riviera. Wrong! It’s Languedoc-Roussillon – now known as “Occitanie.” Understated and authentic it is often overlooked in favour of its glitzy neighbour, the Cote d’Azur. But word’s getting around. Curious visitors are discovering ancient fortress towns built by the Knights Templar, Cathar Castles and the ancient windy streets of Montpellier. And believe it or not – unlike the Riviera – there is actually space to park a car or spread out a towel along vast stretches of sandy beaches!

Nancy McGee, Absolutely Southern France

Visit Languedoc-Roussillon: Sete

“The Venice of the South of France”

Canal view in Sete

So called because of its network of canals, Sète is a small town with a big personality – and many cruise passengers’ first glimpse of the region. Sete is packed with things to do (and to eat and drink) so let’s begin with the popular 3-hour gourmet walking tour and sample local produce in the indoor market and specialty stores. Ever heard of a tielle? Well now’s the chance to discover this spicy octopus pie. Did anyone know that President Thomas Jefferson was a frequent visitor who loved Viognier wine – or of the wine named after him? He discovered it to be a perfect pairing with the locally produced Roquefort cheese.

Oysters, Wine and the Art of French Cooking

Afterwards, while some visitors relax and explore the town others head further afield, often to nearby Bouziques – a pretty photogenic town on the lagoon and southern France’s oyster capital. A fascinating visit to an authentic oyster farm to learn about the TLC required to raise a single oyster as well as the “art of eating an oyster” will be a truly memorable experience.

Since Occitanie is the single biggest wine-producing region in the world, being responsible for more than a third of France’s total wine production, tastings opportunities abound in prestigious domains, within easy reach of most towns. What many people don’t know for instance is that the local sparkling Blanquette de Limoux was the inspiration for the monks who first produced Dom Perignon Champagne!

Inspired by food and wine tastings, many visitors want to learn to cook it! No problem, cooking workshops are easily arranged with a stop being made to shop for the seasonal local ingredients including seafood at the Sète market.

Shrimp, Oysters and Mussels in Sete, France

Tielles Octopus pie

One market vendor proudly shows off a silver trophy awarded for the most well displayed market stand in the Occitanie (Languedoc-Roussillon) region.

The Wednesday market has a totally different flavor from the indoor market. While they are co-located in the center of town, the outdoor market is a bustling profusion of sounds, smells and merchandise.

Visit Languedoc-Roussillon: Montpellier

A Modern and Medieval Marvel

With the narrow Medieval streets of the old town to the neo-classique Antigone quarter, Montpellier is where ancient and modern coexist in perfect harmony. It’s a buzzy, trendy, university town, the fastest-growing in France, full of culture, history and life. Foodies love it for its variety restaurants and our gourmet walking tours are extremely popular. Step back in history and visit Europe’s oldest surviving medical school, the Triumphal Arch, historic gardens, enjoy wine and music festivals. – and infinitely more.

Visit Languedoc-Roussillon: Carcassonne

Cathars and Castles

A day in ‘La Cité’ – the medieval walled city of Carcassonne is a day well spent. A fairy tale city from afar, Carcassonne is a town within a castle, built to deter the most determined invader. It has earned designation as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cathars were Medieval ‘Kings of the Castles’, impressive examples of which are scattered around the region.

Dame Carcas of Carcassonne

The medieval walled city of Carcassonne in the Languedoc region of France

Inside the stone walls at Carcassonne

Visit Languedoc-Roussillon: The Camargue

White Horses, Pink Flamingoes – Must be France!

Situated close to the Mediterranean, the Camargue is an outdoor lover’s dream for bird-watching, horse riding, hiking, cycling, riverboat trips, to name a few activities. Parts of the Camargue National Park are designated a UNESCO biosphere where the pink flamingos and white horses thrive particularly near the vast salt marshes.

Flamingos in the Camargue

Camargue marsh walk outside town that leads to the Carbonniere Tower (Tour Carbonniere)

The distinctive symbol of the area. The Camargue Cross.

More shore excursion posts by Absolutely Southern France

Mediterranean Cruise Shore Excursions: The Riviera

A Travel Pro’s Favorite Places in Provence

Shore excursions by Absolutely Southern France are fully private 7 or 8 hour customized experiences with English-speaking local and professional driver/guides with a van or sedan.

Languedoc/Occitanie Ports of Call : Sète, Port Vendres.

Riviera Ports of Call : Monaco, Monte Carlo, Villefranche, Antibes, Nice, Cannes, St Tropez, Provence ports of call : Toulon, La Seyne, Marseille,

Contact: [email protected]

Website : http://absolutelysouthernfrance.com/

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/absolutelysouthernfrance/

Twitter @AbsoluteSouthFr

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/absolutelysouthernfrance/

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7 Reasons You Should Go To The Camargue

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A Most Unusual Place for a French Vineyard

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Trip Ideas You Can Steal From a 10-Year-Old’s Visit to France

A Visit to Carcassonne Through the Eyes of a Child

Sete

7 Reasons To Visit Sete This Year

Sete or Marseille? Which Has the Best Fish Soup?

A Day at the Beach in Sete: That’s Life!

Next Stop: Sete France

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Visit Languedoc-Roussillon: France’s “Other Riviera” The third in the series of shore excursions for travelers on Mediterrean cruises, Nancy McGee of Absolutely Southern France is sharing ideas we all can use.

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