Vanessa Zhâ & Olivier Poels 7:43 a.m., January 28, 2024

Gastronomy, leisure... Every weekend at 6:50 a.m., Olivier Poels and Vanessa Zha present a product, a producer and all the good tips for re(discovering) a region

Vaujany, the little sister of Alpe d’Huez

This morning we leave to breathe the good air of the Mountain, towards Isère 

In Vaujany, in the Oisans massif. Green resort, typical preserved but while being within reach of the Grand Domaine de l'Alpe D'huez and its 250 km of slopes. So a small resort but which has all the makings of a big one with the advantage, in addition to being less expensive, of multiplying unusual activities for the winter holidays. And some that you can't find elsewhere. We go up to the Dôme des Rousses at 2800: for a sunset ski outing.

How long does this outing last?

This outing lasts 1h30 and costs 20 euros. What I like is that in these different exchanges we also discover that each tracker, necessarily a rescuer, also has a specificity: fireworks tracker, dog handler, Weather itself (Alexandre everything is still possible), ... a door to Interesting entrance to go behind the scenes of a station.  

And you told me that you have another original release for Olivier?

A fondue in a gondola, in an Enversin gondola: a table set between the benches and a quality fondue is the specialist in local products from the village “Affaire de Goûts”, who prepares everything. And, The next day to eliminate Introduction to curling or fencing in the Mountains. Or if you prefer to stay in the air, you can fly over the Oisans massif aboard a flight simulator. Free. It's happening at the interactive, modern Alpine Museum, it doesn't smell of mothballs! 

Any accommodation that Vanessa would recommend to us? 

The Hôtel des Cimes, at the entrance to the village, renovated, a small hotel with 10 rooms managed by Madame Vacances.  

Falafel

Small chickpea balls with herbs, spices, all fried and now super trendy 

They were born into the Coptic Christian community of Egypt. During Lent, they replaced meat.  

Easy to prepare and eat, they have become popular in many countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Israel, Iran... which offer their recipe (in some cases with beans) 

A little dry, falafels are eaten with a sauce (yogurt for example or based on sesame cream, tahina) or used in the composition of complete dishes.  

Falafel recipe 

  • 500 gr of chickpeas soaked in water the day before with a tbsp of bicarbonate 

  • 1 clove of garlic 

  • 1 shallot 

  • 1 tsp Espelette pepper 

  • 1 tsp cumin 

  • 1 tsp paprika 

  • 1 tsp sesame seeds 

  • Herbs (coriander, mint) 

  • Oil 

  • Salt pepper 

- Dry the chickpeas well and place all the ingredients in the bowl of a blender

- Leave to cool for 1 hour /

- Form balls with your hands

- Cook them in oil at 180° (fryer) for 5 minutes 

Sauce: Greek yogurt, olive oil, spices