French (food idiom) Fridays: ne pas être dans son assiette
plus a cure for the winter blues (aka: a hug in a bowl)
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ne pas être dans son assiette = under the weather
what does the expression “ne pas être dans son assiette” mean and where does it come from?
Ne pas être dans son assiette literally means to not be in one’s plate. Wait, what is the connection between plates and how you’re feeling?
I love this expression and always thought that it was something to do with not feeling like eating much when you weren’t well but, actually it has more interesting origins.
The word assiette (plate) comes from the verb asseoir (from the Latin assedita, from adsedere)1, and was used as early as the 16th century to describe how someone was sitting on their horse, so if you’re not “sitting comfortably” (in your skin, if you like), you’re out of sorts, not well. Indeed, there is evidence that in 1791, Louis XIV’s sister wrote to a friend saying that, after a few days of not being herself, she was back in her “assiette ordinaire”2. The term can also apply to low morale.
et maintenant, à table
When you’re under the weather, there’s nothing better than a bowl of comforting soup - a hug in a bowl. This winter in Toronto has been brutal, so I’ve been making lots of soups, especially with the root vegetables I’ve been getting in my Odd Bunch box (click to try this subscription box if you are in Ontario, Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan or Quebec), and today’s recipe was, indeed, inspired by what was delivered!
A load of potatoes and some parsnips (!) landed on my porch a couple of weeks ago, and I didn’t end up using them as part of some roasted vegetables I was making, so they were a bit on their last legs - not “dans leur assiette” if you like ;) - and needing to be used up.
Parsnips are not something I use a lot, although they have a lovely taste and work well in a mash. I have even made this type of dish with my kids’ cooking club from time to time, and they are always interested in the “white carrots” that taste absolutely nothing like carrots.
Combined with potatoes, they make the loveliest soup! I don’t know about you but for me, the act of making a soup on a Sunday afternoon not only means the house smells amazing but also ensures that you have a warming, comforting meal in minutes in the week ahead. With a salad and a piece of toast, it’s the perfect way to treat yourself to a homemade meal that comforts, even when you can’t be bothered cooking - or, when you’re not “dans ton assiette” ;)
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Maison de la Fontaine is a cozy, comfortable, tastefully decorated house in the friendly, quaint town of Nerac. It was perfect for us and was well stocked with everything we could need. Essentials were provided by the hosts, Mardi & Neil, as well as a much-appreciated welcome basket. Shopping for food items was close by within easily walkable distances. How wonderful to live the life of a rural Francophone in this wonderfully civilized country.
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Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for a “regular” post soon!
Mardi
xo
via Ouest France
I'm always fascinated by word origins like this! Never made the connection between assiette and "sit" but it makes perfect sense now!
I really needed to know this right now, thank you! 💕 So may I say: « cet hiver, je n’étais pas don mon assiette »? ❤️ #onwards ❤️ (please correct my grammar:)