This summer holiday season, many relatives and friends, even some not-so-close ones, came to visit. Despite the need to adhere to social distancing guidelines, it still provided a joyful opportunity for everyone to gather, tour the new home together, chat about the challenges of the spring, and for some, experience the Gels region from a different perspective than what they saw in photographs. These brief visits also gave everyone a chance to explore the Southwest and discover some «easy-to-make» dishes. Of course, the spacious reception kitchen wasn’t suitable for spending half a day shopping, cooking, and cleaning.
At the start of summer, I looked forward to this by taking some time to explore the collection of «terroir» recipes online and in my favorite magazines. That’s when I discovered Saveur Magazine, in an issue focused on Corbières (near Carcassonne, about 100-150 km from here), featuring a recipe for “stewed eggplants and sausage.” When we think about stew, many of us imagine pot au feu or blanquette. However, there is also a summer version (not too hot) made with summer veggies. I immediately liked this idea because it does not require much preparation and the rest is just letting it simmer all morning.
The first time I served this meal, I was hoping everyone would enjoy it. and the way it was received was more than flattering. Everyone asked for more, the dish meant for 12 was consumed by 8, and even the plates were cleaned to the last crumb. According to my guests, it was tender, very flavorful, well balanced, and very summery. Moreover, this meal has a “good family” feel, which is comforting and delightful for these gatherings. The dish left such a strong impression that the last guests in late August mentioned it and asked me about it before they even showed up.
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Stewed aubergines, peppers and sausages
A recipe of stewed aubergines, peppers and sausages, a very easy family summer dish. One of the best summer recipes.
Recipe season: from July to early October
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simple laws that always workFor 4-5 people:
- 800 g fresh sausage (ideally duck sausage (1))
- 3 aubergines
- 2 red peppers
- 400 g of tomatoes
- 1 large onion or 2 small ones
- 1 clove of garlic
- olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Provençal herbs
- 1 sprig of rosemary
- salt and pepper
- corn starch for binding. ((optional))
- Wash the vegetables. Peel and chop the garlic and onion then set them aside. Remove the stems from the peppers, remove the seeds and then cut them into strips. Remove the stems from the aubergines and then cut them into large cubes.
- Cut the sausage into approximately 2cm thick rounds (Note: this may be easier with scissors).*
- Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan then brown the sausages with the garlic and onion.
- Once the sausages are cooked (on the edges), remove them, set them aside then add the aubergines and peppers. Cook over high heat for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the sausages, peeled tomatoes, a little water, then the aromatic herbs and rosemary. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low.
- Leave to simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Around the 30 minute mark, uncover to evaporate excess water.
- Before serving, if your sauce is too liquid (2): 1) collect a little juice 2) Dissolve 1 or 2 tablespoons of corn starch in it 3) Gently mix it into the dish.
- Salt and pepper before serving (3)
- Serve this aubergine and sausage stew piping hot.
- (1) The fresh sausage designates a large sausage, similar in content to the chipolata but much larger. You can replace with Toulouse sausage or with the sausage that you have compacted into balls before browning them in the pan.
- (2) Whether the sauce is liquid depends on the tomatoes, on the amount of water added at the beginning of cooking, on whether or not the lid of the pan lets steam pass through… so really adapt to each preparation of the dish
- (3) Some sausages are quite salty, so use a light hand (see do not add salt) if you don’t eat salty foods. Everyone will be able to dose the salt on the plate according to their needs.
- In advance : This dish can be made 24 hours in advance and reheated slowly.
Conlusion
This summer holiday season proved that meaningful connections can still flourish even under unusual circumstances. Although social distancing guidelines required extra awareness and adaptation, they did not diminish the joy of welcoming relatives and friends into a new home. These gatherings, whether with close family or more distant acquaintances, became an opportunity to reconnect after a challenging spring and to share not only space, but stories, perspectives, and experiences.
For some guests, visiting the Gels region offered a completely new impression compared to what they had previously seen in photographs. Experiencing a place in person — walking through its surroundings, feeling its atmosphere, and sharing conversations within its walls — creates a depth of connection that images alone cannot capture. These short visits became small but meaningful moments of rediscovery, both of the home and of one another.
Hospitality doesn’t have to be elaborate to be memorable. In a spacious reception kitchen, practicality is paramount, as it’s not designed for lengthy cooking sessions. Instead of spending hours shopping for ingredients, preparing elaborate meals, and then cleaning up, focus on simplicity. Simple dishes allow guests more time to talk, laugh, and relax. In this way, the meal truly fulfills its purpose: bringing people together, rather than exhausting the host.
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Planting flowers in a bed – video instructions!This experience highlighted a key lesson for successful gatherings: success isn’t determined by the complexity of the menu or perfect plating, but by warmth, companionship, and shared moments. By simplifying the food and creating a relaxed atmosphere, hosting guests becomes less stressful and more genuine.
Ultimately, this holiday proved that even in times requiring caution and adaptation, relationships remain crucial. Short visits, simple meals, and heartfelt conversations all left a lasting impression. Home is no longer just a place to display status, but a place to live, share, and celebrate—proving that simplicity often creates the most beautiful memories.
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