SKATE WINGS WITH A SAFFRON VINAIGRETTE from Dinan, France

Dinan, is a town of art and history. Dinan is without question one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Brittany. Former seat of the Dukes of Brittany, girdled by the longuest remparts in the region, poised nearly 250 feet above the river Rance, Dinan is above all the realm of half-timbered houses. The origins of the name Dinan comes from a contraction of two Celtic words "Dunos" and "Ahna" meaning hill of Ahna. She was a goddess who was seen as protector of the living and guardian of the dead and was much revered throughout Armorica. The name "Anne" is found on every route into town-St-Anne quarter, rue Anne, le Saut-à-l'Ane, and so on. What to see in Dinan? Tour of the Old Dinan: the Place du Théâtre, the Jacobins theâtre stands on the site of an historic Dominican convent, the only evidence of which still remaining is the Gothic entranceway to the ancient chapel. The Tour de l'Horloge (Belfry dating from end 15th century) rising to a height of 30 metres (100 feet) at the parapet walkway, the tower was gifted its largest bell in 1507 by the Duchesse Anne, as a symbol of prosperity and power. The Maison du Gouverneur "Governor's House" numbers amongst the oldest in the street (15th/16th century). The Viaduct, the "Vieux Pont" and the Saint Sauveur Basilica.

The Gourmet Recipe

AILES DE RAIE AU SAFRAN
Skate wings with a saffron vinaigrette

Ingredients for 6 runners: 1,5 kg skate wings; 210 ml white wine vinegar; 210 ml court bouillon; 1 kg egg noodles, cooked and tossed in finely chopped parsley. For the saffron vinaigrette: 5 oranges; 3 pink grapefruit; 1 lemon; 300 ml olive oil; 10 grams saffron threads; 30 grams pink peppercorns; 3-4 drops of Tabasco sauce, to taste; a pinch of celery seasoning

Place the skate wings and vinegar in a bowl of iced water. Leave to degorge for about five hours. Drain the skate, and dryon paper towels.
Cook the skate wings in the court bouillon, for 7-9 minutes. Remove the skate flesh from the cartilage and skin. Divide in 6 portions.
Make the vinaigrette: squeeze the juice from the citrus fruits and mix with the oil and saffron. Mix in the remaining ingredients.
Put each portion of skate on a bed of noodles. Spoon over the vinaigrette and serve.

Bon appétit! Enjoy the meal!

Suggested drink - There is no wine produced in Brittany, just cider, so to accompany your Skate Wings I would recommend a Provençal wine, fresh and aromatic: a white wine from the vineyards of Cassis (near Marseille in the South of France). These wines are delicious with all kind of fish. This wine from Cassis is a distinguished white with a fine balance between maturity and freshness. A thirst quenching wine, complimenting the fish and the flavours of the noodles.