Haut Cuisine (fr. sophisticated cuisine)
A country of amazing views and elegant people. The house of fashion week and the “city of love”. The inventor of savoir-vivre (lit. know how to live) and most of well-known patisserie – France.
French cuisine is often considered as its fashion – elegant, advanced and discerning. No wonder many people find it as a great aphrodisiac.
I bet you can easily imagine the scenario: sunset at French riviera, sea waves hitting the rocks, a little, cameral street with home kitchen. Wine from old winehouses, sea food, escargots, frog legs, and for the dessert – great pain au chocolat or crème brûlée.
That’s the first thing that comes to my mind hearing the words “French cuisine”.
What exactly is the most worth trying?
Oh, là, là …………. la patisserie
- Les croissants
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I guess everyone had the occasion to try them at least once in their lifetime. Famous croissants can have different “stuffing” or be even used as a regular bun. They are made out of puff pastry and have only one, special form. Which croissant is your favorite? A classical – buttery one, raspberry, Nutella, or maybe an almond stuffing? Everyone has their favorite!
- Pain au chocolat (lit. a chocolate bread)
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Even though they are formed totally differently, they are made out of the same puffy pastry as croissants. Inside we will find a bar of melted milk or dark chocolate. It’s a perfect mix!
- Pain au raisins (lit. a bread with raisins)
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Pain au raisin is another example of using puff pastry in the French cuisine. This time it’s a pastry that is laden with raisins. It is formed into a spiral shape and then baked until the edges are slightly golden.When made following a traditional French recipe, pain aux raisins has a cream filling layered within its spiral.
Something more sophisticated?
- Sea food
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As every Mediterranean country, France is famous for its “fruit de mar” – sea food. On French table, especially in the area of the French Riviera, you can find many types of shrimps, crabs and moules.
What is French sea food specialty?
Bouillabaisse
It’s a classical Mediterranean soup made out of different kind of seafood. The tradition says you can add whatever the fishman has to offer that day. There are plenty of variations of bouillabaisse, and even in Marseille you’ll find strong debates over the proper way to make it. The most important thing to keep in mind: to make Bouillabaisse you will have to add many kinds of fishes.
The distinctive flavors of a bouillabaisse broth include saffron, which gives it its orange color, orange zest, and fennel.
Can’t be more French!
- Escargots (eatable snails)
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Many might find it as weird or even other-worldly, but France is well known for its eatable snails! They are usually cooked with a taste of garlic and parsley and a little bit of butter.
What does escargot taste like? Well, obviously this experience is very subjective, but I’d say they are tasty (because of the garlic-parsley combination) but also a little bit slippery (they are still snails!) I think you have to find this out on your own 🙂
- Les grenouilles (frog legs)
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Frog legs – another French specialty. Gross? Not at all! There are many ways to make them delicious. The most popular way is to dredge them.
How do they taste? Well, in my opinion – and now, don’t be disappointed – they taste exactly like chicken!
France is like a movie scenario. Let’s start with the breakfast. For a French breakfast, there’s nothing better than le café au lait (a coffee with milk) and a traditional croissant. Well, eventually pain au chocolat. After breakfast, let’s take a walk around one of the French villages or cities. Try a chestnut on the street. And then, spend the evening on watching sunset while eating local seafood. I mean….. who wouldn’t like to take part in such movie?
