Winter

A “Gâteau au Yaourt” (Yogurt Cake) is a simple French classic and is very often the first cake that kids learn to bake (I remember being taught to make a yogurt cake in our classroom when I was 6 or 7, using the yogurt pot as the measuring tool). It’s quick and easy, as you only need 1 bowl and 10 minutes of prep time. It’s moist, fluffy, and endlessly adaptable. It makes for a great recipe to have in your baking repertoire, that can be adjusted to any season or …

Known in French as buckwheat “galettes”, these Brittany-style buckwheat pancakes are a variation on the utterly classic Buckwheat crêpes (a recipe that I shared here). They differ from the latter as they are thicker and smaller, but are made with the same ingredients and have the same delectable nutty, earthy flavors and fluffy texture dotted with little holes.

Apple season holds a very special place in the hearts of the Brittany and Normandy people. At this time of year, both regions boast orchards of blooming apple trees of all varieties and hence nurture an extensive repertoire of apple recipes – be it sweet or savory. Countless apples pies, chicken and pork roasts with stewed apples, apple cider in Brittany, Calvados in Normandy… apples are the Queen of the local gastronomy year-round. And frankly, as a Brittany native, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of cooking and baking …

Buckwheat crepes are commonly known in French as “crêpes de blé noir” or “crêpes de sarrasin” (blé noir and sarrasin both translating to buckwheat). They are the quintessence of traditional Brittany cuisine, and if you’re visiting this beautiful North-Western French region, going to a “creperie” to enjoy one (or two, or three…) of these buckwheat crepes is an inevitable must-do.

White wine in a biscuit? Oh, oui! These rustic-looking White Wine Almond Canistrelli biscuits are a local specialty hailing from L’Île de Beauté: the sun-kissed Island of Corsica. Naturally vegan, delicately crunchy and best eaten after being dunked in coffee (or wine!).

In France, Easter classically calls for the “Gigot d’Agneau” (leg of lamb), accompanied by roasted potatoes and an assortment of seasonal vegetables (such as a Jardinière de légumes, Vichy Carrots or Haricots Verts). But lesser known (even to most French people) is the traditional Easter Beef, a regional speciality served in the southern Massif Central of France.

Known in French as “Crêpes Vonnassiennes” or “Crêpes Parmentières”, these fluffy little Potato Pancakes are actually properly known as “Crêpes” and are a delicious specialty hailing from Vonnas, in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region of France. 

All crumb, with little crust. I know this might not be the idea you have of a classic French bread, but it is the best way to describe this Pain de mie, which is a delicious French household staple in France. Now the truth is, while growing up in France, I was not particularly fond of this style of bread. Pain de Mie is sold in every French supermarket and grocery store, sliced and packaged. And seeing these industrial-like, pre-packaged and sliced soft white breads is a vision that never …

Whenever I yearn for a cake that beautifully showcases seasonal fruit (in this case, persimmon), a French Tatin Cake is usually my way to go. Not only does it taste delicious, but it truly allows the fruit to shine – visually – which usually makes it a dessert that your guests will lean towards.

I’ve seen on the French news this morning that comsumptions of Champagne reached an all-time high this Holiday season, in France (up 6% from last year). Which to many “sociologists” is a result of the wave of optimism swirling among the French these days. Yes, believe it or not, the French (world-famous for their grumpiness) are in a good mood right now. After a few morose years, France is wrapping up a somewhat positive year, with a brand new shiny president, a reformist government and a re-emerging economy – many …