Even though I have always been interested in cooking and enjoying good food, living in France has really opened up my horizons to different methods of cooking that I otherwise would never have discovered. Of course, the French are extremely proud of their food. They are known worldwide for their cuisine and have several specialties that have made their way across the oceans. For example, most Americans have eaten a quiche or had a glass of champagne without realizing how intrinsically French they are. Here, meals are treated as events; the French use the phrase “l’art de vivre” (the art of living) to describe the gastronomic aspect of their culture Although several French families have strayed from tradition and taken up more modern and familiar meal techniques, there is still a large population of French people who eat two or three hour meals consisting of four courses, accompanied by wine, coffee and lively conversation. After enjoying both my host mom’s delicious homemade food as well as typical French food from restaurants, I have compiled a list of dishes to attempt once I return to the States. Here is an example of a typical French meal that I have enjoyed here in France. Keep in mind that I am a vegetarian, so all the dishes are vegetarian-friendly (sorry to all the carnivores out there).
Apperitif
The French start their traditional meals off with a sort of appetizer accompanied by champagne or some sort of mixed drink ("Cointreau-politins" are also popular - http://www.cointreaufizz.cointreau.com/fr/cocktails/cosmopolitan). The drinks are served with a small appetizer - I am a fan of the simple toasted baguettes with chèvre and fig spread. The apperitif is a chance to start conversation and slowly enjoy the first phase of the meal.
Apperitif
The French start their traditional meals off with a sort of appetizer accompanied by champagne or some sort of mixed drink ("Cointreau-politins" are also popular - http://www.cointreaufizz.cointreau.com/fr/cocktails/cosmopolitan). The drinks are served with a small appetizer - I am a fan of the simple toasted baguettes with chèvre and fig spread. The apperitif is a chance to start conversation and slowly enjoy the first phase of the meal.
Entrée
Confusing for Americans since "entrée" usually means main dish, but in France the entrée is the first course had at the table. After the apperitif, the group moves over to the table where the entrée is waiting next to perfectly set places marked with each guest's name. One of the unique-to-France entrées I've enjoyed since being here is the soup - my host mom whips up a simple vegetable purée made with any combination of vegetables, such as peas, green beans, radishes and carrots. The purée is served hot and typically eaten before the meal. Wine is poured for everyone (my host family usually serves red or white wine from the Anjou region where Angers is located).
Confusing for Americans since "entrée" usually means main dish, but in France the entrée is the first course had at the table. After the apperitif, the group moves over to the table where the entrée is waiting next to perfectly set places marked with each guest's name. One of the unique-to-France entrées I've enjoyed since being here is the soup - my host mom whips up a simple vegetable purée made with any combination of vegetables, such as peas, green beans, radishes and carrots. The purée is served hot and typically eaten before the meal. Wine is poured for everyone (my host family usually serves red or white wine from the Anjou region where Angers is located).
Le Plat Principal
Typically, the main plate consists of some sort of meat or fish, but since I am a vegetarian, I have enjoyed delicious veggie-filled main dishes thanks to my accommodating host family. My favorite French delicacy has been the ratatouille - something I had heard of (because of the Disney movie) but never actually tried before landing in France. Ratatouille is a simple mix of vegetables that can be served with any number of things - galettes (savory French crepes), lasagna, casseroles, spaghetti - the options are endless. When my dad and sister came to Angers to visit, my host mom made a beautiful classic ratatouille dish, similar to the one pictured below. The layering of thinly-sliced tomato, zucchini, eggplant, pepper and goat cheese is time consuming yet leaves an aesthetically-appealing end result that is irresistible! Wine glasses are refilled as necessary.
Typically, the main plate consists of some sort of meat or fish, but since I am a vegetarian, I have enjoyed delicious veggie-filled main dishes thanks to my accommodating host family. My favorite French delicacy has been the ratatouille - something I had heard of (because of the Disney movie) but never actually tried before landing in France. Ratatouille is a simple mix of vegetables that can be served with any number of things - galettes (savory French crepes), lasagna, casseroles, spaghetti - the options are endless. When my dad and sister came to Angers to visit, my host mom made a beautiful classic ratatouille dish, similar to the one pictured below. The layering of thinly-sliced tomato, zucchini, eggplant, pepper and goat cheese is time consuming yet leaves an aesthetically-appealing end result that is irresistible! Wine glasses are refilled as necessary.
Le Fromage
Are you full yet? Because there are still two more courses to go - and that's before the coffee! The serving sizes in France are smaller than in America, so you won't be so stuffed at the end you can't move - but you will be pleasantly full, even if the meal is vegetarian! After the main plate, it is typical to bring an assortment of French cheeses to the table to try with a baguette freshly baked at a local boulangerie. I'm not picky when it comes to French cheese, but my favorites are Brie and Camembert - I will miss the low prices and huge assortment of cheese available here when it's time to go home! Once again, wine glasses are emptied and refilled.
Are you full yet? Because there are still two more courses to go - and that's before the coffee! The serving sizes in France are smaller than in America, so you won't be so stuffed at the end you can't move - but you will be pleasantly full, even if the meal is vegetarian! After the main plate, it is typical to bring an assortment of French cheeses to the table to try with a baguette freshly baked at a local boulangerie. I'm not picky when it comes to French cheese, but my favorites are Brie and Camembert - I will miss the low prices and huge assortment of cheese available here when it's time to go home! Once again, wine glasses are emptied and refilled.
Le Dessert
Every French meal (besides breakfast) ends with dessert (and coffee) - something I think Americans should definitely adopt! However, it is tough sometimes to have dessert immediately after finishing the meal; in the States, if I have dessert I will wait a few hours after the meal for my stomach to settle before reaching for the ice cream. A typical French dessert that my host mom has made is called a "tarte tatin" - it's basically an apple tart made upside down. Like several popular specialties, the tarte tatin was made accidentally but has turned into a French delicacy. It is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Here's the link to a recipe in case you want to try it at home:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tarte-tatin-recipe.html
Sometimes dessert is accompanied by special dessert wine, or just the usual red or white from the meal. Or water if the table is getting a bit rowdy!
Every French meal (besides breakfast) ends with dessert (and coffee) - something I think Americans should definitely adopt! However, it is tough sometimes to have dessert immediately after finishing the meal; in the States, if I have dessert I will wait a few hours after the meal for my stomach to settle before reaching for the ice cream. A typical French dessert that my host mom has made is called a "tarte tatin" - it's basically an apple tart made upside down. Like several popular specialties, the tarte tatin was made accidentally but has turned into a French delicacy. It is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Here's the link to a recipe in case you want to try it at home:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tarte-tatin-recipe.html
Sometimes dessert is accompanied by special dessert wine, or just the usual red or white from the meal. Or water if the table is getting a bit rowdy!
After dessert, the meal itself is finally over. Many courses and glasses of wine later, everyone's stomachs and taste buds should be full and fully satisfied. Next, however, is coffee and a digestif - usually back in the living room - with more conversation. At this point, since the French eat so late, it's probably 10 or 10:30 p.m. Traditional French meals can be entire events that take up the majority of the night - they are bonding events for friends and family that just happened to be accompanied by delicious homemade food. Americans could learn a lesson or two from the French when it comes to eating - slow down, take your time and enjoy the process of eating. Bon Appetit!