Southern Fried French

The Missing French Pastry

I love French pastries.  The French make nearly every lovely, tasty confection that the world has to offer.

With a notable exception:  DOUGHNUTS.  You find the occasional attempt, but they just aren't right.

As a southern girl, I was weaned on Krispy Kremes.  Our Sunday tradition in my family was to pick up a dozen or three on the way home from church.  Sure, it has probably shortened my life by a few years, but it was worth it.  

So, French pastries aside, I miss doughnuts.  You may remeber that I’ve taken to making them myself in my new friteuse, or deep-fat fryer.   Then the other day I came across a recipe for ‘doughnut muffins’,  which I immediately had to try.  Surprise, they DID taste like doughnuts, but they were round and fat, which would never do.  So while visiting the states I ordered a couple of  doughnut pans . I made the same recipe, and dressed up my newly lean doughnuts with various glazes.  

Here’s the best part.  Not only do they taste really good, but we can almost call them HEALTHY.  I use about a third whole wheat flour, and they’re made with canola oil, not butter.  Oh and they’re super easy to make too, like, well, a muffin.  So my latest party trick is to serve them to guests, an indulgent low-fat, light dessert (-ish; there is sugar involved here).  

The surprise ingredient, which you will recognize as a cake doughnut flavor when you taste them, is nutmeg.

 

RECIPE:  Almost Healthy Baked Doughnuts

(Attribution note:  when I copied the muffin recipe, I neglected to copy the link. There are lots of very similar recipes, but no amount of Googling will now turn up this particular one.  I’ve tweaked it quite a bit, but nevertheless, my apologies to that lost person who inspired it).

• 1  1/4 cup flour 
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/3 cup canola oil
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup low-fat milk

Toppings:  recipe below  

Makes a dozen

Preheat oven to 350  degrees (180C) and butter a muffin tin or two Doughnut Pans.  Grease them even if non-stick (or spray with Pam, haven't tried that).

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Combine oil, sugar, egg and milk in a large bowl. Add dry ingredients and stir just to combine. All dry ingredients should be blended in, though.

Bake at for 15-20 minutes.  Tops will not get completely brown, but the bottoms will; it won't matter, you'll be glazing them.  While muffins are baking, prepare toppings.

Remove muffins or doughnuts carefully from pan while hot. Dip tops and bottoms quickly in the melted butter and then into the sugar and cinnamon mixture, if using. If glazing, let them cool first.

Toppings

If you’re making both the chocolate and vanilla glazes, start with the vanilla, dip some of the doughnuts, then stir the chocolate into the remaining glaze.  Easy!  Do try the cinnamon-sugar, I like that the best. 

Vanilla Coconut.  (This will glaze at least 6 doughnuts)

• 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• milk or water

In a small bowl, add vanilla to sugar with a teaspoon of milk, stir, then keep stirring milk in, in small amounts,  until you have a thick glaze.  Dip doughnuts in glaze, then in a small bowl of coconut.

Chocolate Pecan

Make vanilla glaze as above.  Stir in 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (cut it to two if you've used some of the vanilla glaze), and additional milk as needed.  Sprinkle with chopped pecans or other nuts.

Cinnamon Sugar

• ¼  cup light or canola oil butter, melted
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Dip top and bottom of doughnut quickly in butter, then dip in cinnamon sugar mixture.

 

 Favorite Reads:  Who could resist a book with this title?  All You Need to Be Impossibly French: A Witty Investigation into the Lives, Lusts, and Little Secrets of French Women. Oh la LA!

In the Comments:  Suggestions for our up and coming ebook on the best way to learn a language keep coming in, merci!  Lucy and Virginia Darlin', doncha know the French think a southern accent is charming, thank the Lord.   Georges teaches French on-line.  And we have lots of pimento cheese fans, and opinions!

Our Reader's Blogs:  Those francophile travelers Heather and Kent at  Unexcused Absenses are back in snow country.  Read their he said/she said posts about skiiing at their blog.  Check out the Morvan Muse just north of us in Burgundy at her blog, Ma Coeur est Dans la Campagne. She's pulling out her summer produce out of the freezer for a winter treat, and she's got some good freezing tips.

 

Keeping it Clean in France

I’m in Charleston visiting, and a few of my southern girlfriends and I were reminiscing about how our parents all had black women in to help when we were young---yes, some-   thing like in 'The Help'---even if our parents' means were modest, as mine were. When we lived in Charleston, Ron and I  had a wonderful black housekeeper who came every couple of weeks.  Though she couldn’t read or write, she was wise and wonderful.

 In  the French countryside, things are a bit different, as I discovered when we hired our first housekeeper.  On her first day, while she was cleaning, I looked out of the window of the château and noticed a shiny new baby blue Mercedes sedan in the parking area.  “Who does THAT belong to?” I asked Ron.  “That’s our cleaning lady’s car”  he said.  Later I was chatting with her,  and I commented on how fun it was to live in a château.  “Oh I live in a château too,” she said nonchalantly.  Turned out she and her husband owned a small castle in a nearby village, and she took to cleaning houses out of boredom.  I finally had to let her go, as she kept jetting off to Greece or Italy for lengthy vacations.  PHOTO:  we're not the only folks who live in a castle.

My next femme de ménage was a cheerful 30-something woman who lived nearby.  On HER first day, she saw some wines on our kitchen counter and began telling us about their provenance in great detail.  “You certainly know a lot about wine,” I said.  Her response:  “Well I’m actually a licensed sommelier, and my husband is a chef.”  Both had abandoned their posts at a fancy restaurant on the Riviera for a simpler life in the country.  The only problem with her was that she and Ron would end up sitting in the kitchen for hours on end, discussing wine.  PHOTO:  the 'cave du vin' on our kitchen counter.

My current cleaning lady owns a beautiful old stone house overlooking the château.  Like Madame la Châtelaine, she wanted something to occupy her time, and (unlike me) she loves to clean.  She’s a great cook, and we’ve swapped many a recipe.

My story has no moral except this:  I’m reminded on a daily basis that everything is just a little bit DIFFERENT in Burgundy than in the South.  We came here for the adventure, and there are surprises to be had, even in the small things.

 

Now speaking of recipes:  there is a fine restaurant in Charleston serves the chef’s homemade pimento cheese with lavash crackers in their bar.  If you grew up in the South you may think of pimento cheese as that cloying stuff you bought ready-made at the grocery store, but the ‘paté of the south’ is newly hip and delicious made at home.  I’d never done it, so I read about 25 recipes  for inspiration and took it from there. 

 

RECIPE:  Charleston Pimento Cheese

Using good quality cheese is what this is all about.  You could also use  cheddar only, substitute parmesan for the manchego, or experiment with different cheese combinations. Avoid pre-grated cheese.

1  1/2 cups good quality grated cheddar cheese

1/2 cup grated manchego cheese

1 tablespoon grated or minced onion

1 garlic clove, minced or pressed

3 ounces (85 grams) cream cheese at room temperature

¼ cup mayonnaise (Hellman’s is best)

1 small jar pimentos (4 oz, 113 gr), drained

¼ teaspoon each of cayenne and black  pepper,  or to taste

sea salt to taste

Put everything in a bowl except salt and mash well with a fork.  Taste and add salt  (parmesan and manchego are both salty, so I like to taste it before adding salt).  Serve with Lavash or other crackers.

In the COMMENTS:  Wow!  I got lots of emails and comments with super suggestions about learning a language, for the upcoming ebook, "How to Learn a New Language with a Used Brain."  Mark summed up many of your thoughts when he said you've got to be willing to look 'clownish'--be sure to read his funny comment.  Erica, Barbara and Martin agree.  Beth and I attended the same wonderful immersion school.  If you'd like to leave a tip for the new ebook, please see last week's post, and send an email or comment.  

Our Reader's Blogs: It seems a perfect week to mention the lovely and useful Housewife Bliss blog by Coryanne Ettiene.  And when I need a party menu, I often zip over to Chef Robin White's delicious site.

 

The BEST Way to Learn French

Many of our readers are learning French or other languages.  If you’re one of these, or know someone who’s studying a language, I’ve got a really special announcement today.  AND I need your help!

Since starting this blog, I’ve had so many questions about language learning, and so much interest in it,  that I’ve decided to publish an e-book on the subject.  Along the way I’ve been learning a language myself, as have many of our expat friends.  Languages have always been a passion for me, but like a lot of you I’ve struggled with the best way to study and practice.

 

 

PHOTO:  Learning a  new language takes a lot of effort.  But it always helps to study with a friend.

 I’m calling my book a min-E-book since you can read it in an hour or so.  Here is the title:

How to Learn a New Language with a Used Brain                                                 The BEST Way to Learn a Second Language, and Survive the Experience

The book will not be a textbook for learning French.  It’s a book on the best way to GO ABOUT learning a language, French or otherwise. It will be available to read on all devices or your computer and I’m expecting it will cost $2.99.  More details on that as it progresses.

I’ve researched the topic extensively to put together a specific learning program.  I’m also drawing on the experience and advice of folks who are actually in the process of learning a language or have done so sucessfully, including our ex-pat friends and YOU, our francophile (and French) readers, who are quite a worldly set of folks. 

So this is where you come in.  Throughout the text I’d like to put tips from friends and readers who have discovered something that works for them to make language learning easier.  This could be a technique for learning or for practice, a specific program or aid that you’ve found and like, and so on.  I would love it if you would share your experiences.  I'm really jazzed about making this a community book!  Those of you added some tips in the comments section last week after I mentioned the book, I’ve noted those and je vous remercie beaucoup.

Here are some specifics:  You can put your tips in the Comments section but I prefer it if you email me directly at lynn.mcbride@southernfriedfrench.com.  I will use only first names in the book, unless you specify otherwise.  If you have a blog, I will put a link to that as well. Unfortunately I will not be able to list all of the tips in the book, as there are bound to be some duplications, space limitations, etc.

Thanks for joining me on this adventure.  Merci et bisous!

BOOK GIVEAWAY:  The Drawing was held today. Felicitations to our four winners. Thank you to all who entered, and especially to Kristin for her gift of the books.

Favorite Reads:  Speaking of languages, here’s my very best tip:  Get a great French-English dictionary and USE IT!  On my computer (and ipad, and iphone) I have the Ultralingua French-English dictionary, available for Windows or Mac.  So easy to just look up a word/phrase/verb conjugation with a click or two!  I’m happy to have Ultralingua as our new sponsor, a perfect fit. Just click on the green link, left top of post, to get the info.

Zip over to The Daily Basics e-zine this week if you'd like to read my article, "Keeping it Real and Rustic In France", about those rusty, dusty flea market finds.

In the COMMENTS:  Speaking of language, Lacey asks about je t’embrasse, a closing for a note between close friends that means ‘hugs’ (literally ‘I embrace you”).  Bisous or Bises is another closing, meaning “kiss kiss”, just like the French do on each cheek.  And once again, lots of bisous for those who jumped right in with language tips.  Herm, your funny book suggestion, "Lynn's Castle Casseroles" will have to wait!

Our Reader's Blogs:  Everyone loves to dream about Provence, so don't miss An American Girl in France. There you'll meet a fat cat named Turkey and another called TFP (Tiny Fat Princess), who terrorizes the neighborhood dogs.  Our reader Cindy is a blue ridge artist with quite an eclectic collection, find her at The Art of Cindy Walker.

 

French ‘On the Pillow’: The Language of Love, or Not

French students in love: Photo of a window by stained glass artist Achim Herget of La Turbie on the Côte d'Azur.

 I know lots of couples who are learning a language ensemble.  It’s a nice sort of marital activity, to take language lessons so you can work on your French (or whatever language you’re learning) together.  Ron and I have done this, and just today I talked to our friends Melaina and Clarence, who have started private lessons as a couple. 

The other day a French person suggested to me that couples  who are both learning French should speak a couple of hours of French together at home each day.  This made Ron and I laugh.  We’ve tried it a couple of times, I think we lasted five minutes. 

This might work if you’re advanced students, and/or at the same level.  But most likely, you’re just going to compound each other’s mistakes, or the better student will be continually correcting the other, not necesssarily the healthiest situation in a relationship.  We do sprinkle our conversation with French phrases now (some expressions just work better in French), but speaking only French to each other at home, now that’s a hard one.

But for those of you who would like to try it, I have listed some of those delicate marital expressions  for those special moments that occur in most relationships from time to time.  These will also come in handy should you ever snag yourself a French Significant Other.  Bonne Chance.

Lynn’s List of Handy Marital Expressions, in French 

You’re right.  Tu as raison.

You’re wrong.  Tu as tort. 

I screwed up.  Je me suis trompé. (NOT to be confused with Je t'ai trompé, an admission of adultry).

Well in my opinion…  À mon avis…

As you wish.  Comme tu veux.

Stop your bitchin’.   Ne grogne pas.

You don’t care/I don’t care.  Tu t’en fiche/Je m’en fiche.

I’m very busy.  Je suis débordé.

When you’re in hot water:

It’s my fault.  C’est ma faute.    

Calm down, let’s talk about it.  Calme-toi, il faut en discuter.

I’m sorry, can you forgive me?  Désolé. Est-ce-que tu peut me pardonner?

I was just kidding.  C’était une blague.

I love you so much.  Je t’aime tant.

Please, let me do that.  S’il te plaît, permets-moi de le faire.

Many of these expressions will work better if prefaced with a terms of endearment:

Mon Lapin---My Bunny Rabbit

Mon petit chouchou--fuzzy origins: either my little cabbage or my little cream puff

Mon Trésor--My Treasure

Mon Cheri, Ma Cherie--My Darling

Mon Ange--My Angel

 

Or you can preface them with an exclamation: 

Ma foi!  Good Grief 

Merde! (you know this one)

Mon Dieu! (OMG)

Good luck with that.  Now, speaking of language:  I’m in the process of writing an e-book on the very BEST methods for learning a language as an adult.  I’ll be adding input from our readers and fellow bloggers for the book soon, so please stay tuned for more info!

 

Favorite Reads:  Our BOOK GIVEAWAY continues this week, and we'll pick the four winners just before next week's post.  Kristin Espinasse of the French Word a Day blog has given us four copies of her fabulous new book, Blossoming in Provence. You probably know her first book,  Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France. This one is just as great. If you want to read something that absolutely transports you to Provence with words and photos, then you're in the right place.  To enter, just leave a comment that mentions the book, or with a heads-up that you want to enter.  We'll send winners an email to get a mailing address. With apologies to our international readers: the gift books can only be shipped to the states, but maybe you've got a friend or family member there who might like a copy? Thanks for all the lovely comments last week, I've got y'all entered, and welcome to our many new readers.

Our Reader's Blogs: Winter is a perfect time to head over to Rachel's blog, And Then Make Soup.  This week you can double-dip:  she's makig a white bean dip which then morphs into a lovely soup.  Find more winter cheer over at Herm's place:   Poems, Photos and Such.  Herm, that gorgeous photo looks just like my neighborhood. And speaking of Kristin, her husband Jean-Marc Espinasse blogs about wine and his vineyard at Rouge-Bleu. See photos of the harvest and more.

 

Hit and Miss: French Grocery Stores Go Anglo

You know how in American supermarkets, there is usually an isle that has foreign or ethnic stuff:  Mexican, Chinese, Thai, etc.?  Well in France they have the same thing—and on the ‘international food aisle’, they have an American section!  Who knew?  For some reason this tickles me, and also makes me realize how truly far we are from Charleston.

So, what’s in the ‘American section’?  Can you guess?  Some of the things the French just don’t eat or understand, though not many I really would like to have (those would be grits, corn meal, black beans, chicken broth, buttermilk...).  Also they throw the UK must-haves on the same shelves, like the dreaded Marmite and Brown Sauce. 

Here, for your reading pleasure, are a few of the curious American selections at my local store:

• Peanut butter
• Pecans (they call them noix Américains)
• A1 Steak sauce, and worcestershire sauce
• Cranberry juice 
• Dr. Pepper (!? I am speechless here)
• Cans of of those American casserole staples, cream of  mushroom and cream of chicken soup 
• Canned ‘spaghetti loops’
• Bottles of Thousand Island dressing

And my favorite:  A box of sage stuffing mix (the French don’t do bread stuffing) in a skinny 2 oz. box, which says on the package “enough for one whole bird.”  Stuffed baby quail, anyone?

One hopes the French do not see this selection as representative of American cuisine. 

Then again, I may have to widen my search for my beloved American items.  At the same store just this week I discovered one more 'international' product, Vermont Real Maple Syrup. It was in the Chinese section.

 

Recipe: A Week-night Gratin, Deconstructed

So, shall we make a casserole the French way, and skip the Campbells?  In France a casserole baked with a topping, like bread crumbs and/or cheese, is called a gratin. We southern cooks don't much go in for canned soup casseroles, so when I have the time I make a lovely béchamel sauce for a gratin.  But on a busy weeknight, who has the time?  So here is a gratin, deconstructed, that you can whip up, maybe with what you have on hand.  Those who follow recipes religiously and like precise measurements may not feel at home with this one.  This is for your creative side (translation: time to clean out the frige).

Three Parts:  Sauce, Filling, Topping.

A simple sauce, trés vite:  In France I use crème fraiche, which is a milder, slightly thinner version of sour cream.  Use this for your sauce, or sour cream thinned with milk so that it's more liquid but still heavier than whipping cream. You could stir in a bit of mayonnaise or soft cream cheese.  To give it more body, you may want to add a beaten egg. Mix it up with salt and pepper, and flavor it if you like with a splash of brandy, some spices, a spoonful of mustard, hot sauce, or chives.  

The filling:  Use  cooked vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, squash, chopped asparagus, and so on, for vegetable gratins.  You can mix in cooked pasta (very al dente), rice, or grains.  To ramp up the flavor, sauté some aromatics---onions, garlic, shallots, celery, mushrooms--in olive oil or butter and mix them in. Roasted tomatoes or leftover cooked carrots can be popped in too, for example.  Of course you can add chopped cooked meat like chicken, ham, sausage, bacon, etc.   Stir in some grated, melty cheese, or not. 

The topping:  Use crushed crackers, bread crumbs, croutons, nuts, crushed chips, or a combination of these.  Grated cheese is optional.  My favorite crunchy topping: I save stale or leftover bread, then make bread crumbs in the blender.  I sauté these in  butter (about 3 tablespoons butter per cup of crumbs), plus sea salt and pepper, and throw them in a bag in the freezer.  I use them to top gratins but also for pasta dishes or just to dress up steamed vegetables.  

Now just bake your creation for half an hour or so, until it's bubbly hot, and you're done. Bon appetit, y'all!

Favorite Reads:  Mon Dieu, a Southern Fried French first:  A BOOK GIVEAWAY!  Kristin Espinasse of the French Word a Day blog has most graciously given us four copies of her new book, Blossoming in Provence. I've been traveling through my copy this week--it's like living the good life in Provence, through Kristin's eyes. Kristin, an American who lives with her French husband and two French kids, has a way of drawing you into her family life and her world, with her lovely insights and photos.  To enter, just leave a comment that mentions the book, or with a heads-up that you want to enter.  We'll send winners an email to get a mailing address. With apologies to our international readers: the gift books can only be shipped to the states, but maybe you've got a friend or family member there who might like a copy? Leave a comment this week or next, then we'll randomly pick four winners.

And by the way, if you missed her first book, you may want to start at the beginning, with her lovely Words in a French Life: Lessons in Love and Language from the South of France. 

Our Reader's Blogs: It seems the perfect time to mention Anne-Clair's My American Market, where expats can order American ingredients they don't find on that international isle.  There is a great expat newsletter on the site, too.

Coming to BURGUNDY?  You could stay at the château!  Nicole and Pierre now have a couple of rooms they rent out to visitors.  Nicole will provide French lessons, too, if you're interested.  Check out the website for Château de Balleure:  Les Saveurs du Château.

Your Perfect Fantasy of a Provençal Bistro

If you’re like me, when you fantasize about the south of France, you’ve got a little idealized picture of the perfect spot to lunch and to languish away an afternoon.  You want it sunny and bright but cozy, set in a pretty village.  You picture it as colorful, stylish in that offhand French way, but not too chi-chi or modern.   With memorable food of course, traditional but fresh, and not too high of a price tag.  Well you don’t ask much, do you? 

Restaurants that live up to the dream are few and far between, but when they do, we remember them and revisit them.   And one of our favorites, located in the pretty wine village of Châteuneuf-du-Pape, has always been La Mère Germaine (pictured above, and below right). 

Sadly it closed a couple of years ago, but we were in the neighborhood last month, looking for lunch, and I just happened to read on Twitter that very morning (what are the odds?) that it had reopened.  So off we went to check out the new management.  

Quelle Surprise!  it was even better.  The new folks were friendly and attentive.  They had fluffed up the decor in the nicest way.  The food was excellent and there is still the surprise of that sunny terrace hidden away at the back, with a view of the valley. 

What to do after lunch?  Well there are about a zillion little wine caves to visit, for tastings. Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which is in the Côtes du Rhône wine area, is famous for their reds, mostly made from grenache grapes. There are some nice boutiques, too, and a château on top of the hill to hike up to and work off des poids.  Your Provençal dream has come true.

 

RECIPE:  Roasted Spiced Pears with Pecans

A pretty way to serve pears, inspired by our dessert at La Mère Germain. Healthy, too (well sort of).  I wouldn’t begin to attempt that froup-de-doo on top, but if you can do it, go for it!

• 3 tablespoons (45 gr) butter
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon dried ginger
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 firm-ripe pears, peeled and cut into thick slices 
• ½ cup roasted pecans, finely chopped
• whipped cream (or crème fraiche or ice cream)

Heat oven to 450 F (220 C).  Mix sugar, butter, and spices in a  large saucepan and heat to a simmer, stirring, until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.  Add pears and toss well.  Place in a baking dish and roast 15-20 minutes, just until pears are tender.  Divide among 6 bowls or glasses.  Sprinkle with pecans, saving some for garnish.  Top with whipped cream and garnish with remaining nuts. Serve it hot or cold.  

Favorite Reads:  I’m not at my French desk today, I'm reporting to your from the states.  So from the South Carolina Bureau, here are some random happy reads, some authors that are old favorites (and I’d LOVE to hear some of yours).  

I’m a sucker for English novels, and my favorite, for that dry English humor, is Barbara Pym. I’m not a big mystery reader, but when I’m in a mystery mood I love Elizabeth George , an American who writes English murder mysteries, go figure. While we're talking about England, fans  can now pre-order  Downton Abbey Season 2  on DVD (to be released 2/7) to check out the latest scandals and trysts. In Europe, we saw it all this past fall. (I hope they will show you the final installment, the 2-hour Christmas special, in which something actually works OUT for these people). Finally one other mystery writer I love is Tony Hillerman, who offers up an education on American Indian culture along with a good story.

In the Comments:  Libby, I do love peeking through those Paris gates into the courtyards.  Derin, hope you'll do that book soon, sounds super.

Our Reader's Blogs: I've talked about The Daily Basics before, my favorite blog by fellow Better Homes and Gardens editor Cynthia Bogart.  Now she's really wamped it up into a full-fledged magazine, the best on the web!  The debut was this week, and it's free to subscribe.  I'm ever so pleased to be joining the site as a contributor.  Y'all might want to catch my design article about doing closets and doors the chic French way, "A French Door of a Different Kind".

Unless otherwise attributed, all POSTS, PHOTOS and RECIPES on this blog copyright ©2011 Lynn McBride.  All Rights Reserved. 

 

A Peek Inside A French Door

We’re on vacation this week, back in the states.  So something quick and fun today:  A collection of French doors.  From Paris to Provence, in Burgundy and beyond, these French doors tell a story of history, tradition, and sometimes more.

 

Favorite Reads:  First up, on the plane I read Karen Chase's  Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log, which if you are a Paris-ophile you will want to get immediately, for your Kindle, ipad or iphone.  Karen spent 40 days in Paris for her 40th birthday, and she describes her adventures with all the passion Paris has to offer.  You may want to take her Paris journey yourself. Then visit Andra Paddio's site to check out her fun book, What Makes France so French. 

In the Comments:  The chestnut story evoked some Christmas memories, and a French memory for Nancy, who ate them many ways in Nimes.  Mel, chestnut beer is a new one on me, must go to Corsica to try it. Mark, Husk is on our list for Charleston, we'll see if it's in the budget!  Thanks, as always, for the lovely comments.

Our Reader's Blogs:  Get involved, with a unique site called Earth2. Their motto:  "Change the World Before Bedtime".

To my Dear Readers:  I want to invite anyone who hasn't done so to SUBSCRIBE to Southern Fried French.  You'll get one weekly email with a quick summary of the post, and the link.  Just enter your email address, top right corner.  And y'all keep in touch!

Unless otherwise attributed, all POSTS, PHOTOS and RECIPES on this blog copyright ©2011 Lynn McBride.  All Rights Reserved.

 

 

Foods that Refuse to Jump the Pond

It’s a puzzle:  in this smaller and smaller world, some foods and food trends  easily leap over the pond, and some don’t.  Pourquoi?  

Since the holidays in France stay in full swing until Twelfth Night, we’ll talk about two Christmas foods we’ve mentioned recently that haven’t made the jump.  One is eggnog.  English in origin, it’s popular in the states but rarely found in France.  And in the US, at least in the South, you’ll have about as much trouble finding chestnuts (les châtaignes or les marrons), as you will eggnog here in France.  “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”, where I come from, is just a line in a song.

Few French Christmas tables are without some sort of chestnuts at Christmas.  Roasted chestnuts are common street food in Europe in winter, the smoky aroma of the sweet toasted nuts wafting through the Christmas festivals.  Marrons glacées, candied chestnuts, are a French holiday staple. This flavor even shows up in ice cream, in the summer.

The early Romans planted chestnut trees across Europe as they mounted their campaigns. As a result, France and Italy are both big producers.  Early on, they were a food source in America too.  But the reason for their lack of popularity there may be simply this:  a terrible chestnut blight in the 1900’s wiped out most of the trees.  Most US chestnuts are now imported.

For the holiday table, chestnuts, which have a soft potato-esque texture when roasted, are sometimes made into a purée.  For our feast at the château this year, our Dutch friend Maria made a chestnut soup that was so good it inspired this week’s post.  Her secret: since chestnuts have a sweet flavor, Maria added onions, leeks, and white wine to give it a bit of tang.  It’s delicious and different, for the holidays and beyond!

 

RECIPE:  Maria’s Chestnut Soup

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large leek
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• olive oil, butter
• 1 16 oz. can (400 gr) chestnuts (drained if in liquid)
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups white wine
• juice of half a lemon, or to taste
• salt and pepper

Garnish:

• sour cream, creme fraiche or heavy cream
• chopped hebs:  parsley, chives, or scallions

Cut off root and most of the green part of leek, slice thinly, and immerse in water to wash. In a Dutch oven sauté onions, celery and leeks in a little olive oil and butter just until tender.  Add broth, wine, and salt and pepper to taste.  Add chesnuts, bring to boil and simmer for another 10 minutes.  Remove from heat and cool it down a bit if you have time.

Purée soup with an  Immersion Blender (what, you don’t have one of these yet?  They’re the BEST!). Add more broth or wine (or milk or water) as needed, if too thick. Stir in lemon juice, adjust seasonings. Re-heat when ready to serve and garnish with  cream and a sprinkling of fresh herbs.  This is not the most beautiful of soups on its own, so don't skip the garnish.

 

Favorite Reads:  We're off to the states this week, where my copy of Kristin Espinasse's new book Blossoming in Provence awaits.  If you haven't ordered it yet, time to grab one, plus some for your francophile friends.  And to Sue Wallace, je te remercie beaucoup for recommending the book To Burgundy and Back Again: A Tale of Wine, France, and Brotherhood last month.  Ron just finished it and I've started it, it's a fun book.

In the Comments:  Hey Linda, great minds...and Oh la, that Eggnog Royale, got to make it NOW!  Y'all, don't miss Linda's recipe. Meanwhile Pam has a new Kindle, Mariella has a new ipad, and Sarah had a BIG anniversary, felicitations!  Belinda, we miss you bunches (read her beautiful tribute to her stay last year at Château de Balleure here). As for finding the Revillon Chocolates stateside, Amazon.com now lists them, but they're 'not yet available'. Stay tuned. Plus, Martin has his own interesting quote to add. And MILLE MERCIS for all the beautiful holiday greetings, Bonne Année to all! 

Our Reader's Blogs:  Warning:  if you visit Paris Through my Lens, fellow southerner Virginia's blog, you'll want to hop on a plane toute de suite!  And here's a really intriguing blog:  Reader Nancy Hinchliff's  Business And Creative Womens Forum.  You'll find all kind of good things here about women's interests and issues, but especially some thought provoking books for your book club or your library.

Life’s Little Lessons, in French and in Chocolate

Advice goes down easier when taken with chocolate, n’est pas?  At least that’s how we like to do it.  

If your memory is really good, you may recall our last year’s Happy New Year Post about those traditional French chocolates that tout le monde eats during the holidays, Les Révillons.  They are chocolate bonbons and truffles to die for, in many flavors, wrapped up like tiny gifts.  And inside, une petite surprise:  a little quote for the new year, en français, bien sûr,  though taken from authors from around the globe.  

This year’s quotes seem particularly good, so we have once again made  a noble effort to consume many chocolates, to bring you lots of wisdom.  Food for thought for a happy new year.  Be sure to cover up those translations if you want to try your hand at the French.  And who knows, they may inspire a resolution or two!

 

L’art, c’est le reflet que renvoie l’âme humain éblouie de la splendeur du beau.--Victor Hugo

Art, it is the reflection that returns to the human soul the dazzling splendor of the beautiful.

La jeunesse de l’Amérique est sa plus vieille tradition: elle dure depuis 300 ans.--Oscar Wilde.

The youth of America is its oldest tradition.  It’s been going on now for 300 years.

Celui que pose une question risque cinq minutes d’avoir l’air bête.  Celui qui ne pose pas de questions restera bête toute sa vie. --Proverbe Chinois.

Those who ask ask a question risk five minutes of looking stupid.  Those who don’t ask questions stay stupid their whole lives.--Chinese Proverb.

CHOCOLAT: un Caprice Honteux et Onctueux que l’on Croque en toute Occasion avec Légèreté, Amour, et Tendresse.  --Anonyme.

CHOCOLATE:  a Caprice unHoly and Oh so smooth which one Craves on every Occasion with Levity, Adoration, Tenderness and Ecstasy.---Anonymous (With apologies for my translation, had to get all those letters in!). 

On s’étonne trop de ce qu’on voit rarement et pas assez de ce qu’on voit tous les jours.  --Madame de Genlis

One is amazed too much with what one sees rarely, and not enough with what one sees every day. 

Expérience:  nom dont les hommes baptisent leurs erreurs.--Oscar Wilde

Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes. 

C’était si beau que j’ai fermé les yeux.--Yvan Audouard

It was so beautiful that I had to close my eyes.

Un seul être vous manque et tout est dépeuplé.---Aplhonse de Lamartine

You miss one person, and the world is empty.

Le baiser est la plus sûre façon de se taire en disant tout.  --Guy de Maupasant

A kiss is the surest way to be silent, while saying everything.

 

That last one could only be French. And on that note, gros bises and Bonne Année to all!

 

RECIPE:  Cafe au Lait de Poule                              

What does one drink with Les Revillons?  Let’s do a little cultural mash-up and have a café au lait, but made with eggnog.  The French don’t know from eggnog, it's not common here.  But I adore their name for it:  lait de poule, or 'hen's milk'.  

Heat up a quarter to a half cup of prepared eggnog in a saucepan, just until hot.  In a cup or mug, put a splash of bourbon or cognac, then a shot of expresso, or two if you prefer.  Pour in the hot eggnog (froth it first, if desired).  Top with whipped cream and nutmeg. Serves one, or two if you've already started on your diet for the new year.

 In the Comments: SO many lovely Christmas wishes!  Many thanks to all. 

Favorite Reads:  A great book from one of our readers: Hidden in Paris is Corine Gantz's novel about three women, living in a hidden jewel of a house in the center of Paris, who are reinventing their lives.  A perfect, cozy companion for a winter's day.

Our Reader's Blogs:  "Gone to Provence in my mind", that would be Liza at Provence in Ann Arbor.  Join her there for a fellow Francophile's food thoughts.  Then there is Emily of Rue de France who is actually living the dream in the oh so lovely town of Annecy in the Alps.

 
Unless otherwise attributed, all POSTS, PHOTOS and RECIPES on this blog copyright ©2011 Lynn McBride.  All Rights Reserved.

Gifts from France, Welcome and Unexpected

Once upon a time two people, happy with their life but a bit restless, took a flying leap and moved to France, and made a surprise landing in a château.  

Nearly nine years later--still  here!--we  often miss the states, especially our friends, family, palm trees and perpetual sunshine.  But the Christmas season has me thinking about gifts, both given and received.  I decided to make a list of the gifts that this move to France has given us.  If you’ve spent some time in a foreign country,  maybe you will have some of your own to add to the list.

Here are our special gifts from France, in no particular order: 

A  broader world view.  Politics, culture, customs--it all looks different from this side of the pond.  And no one country has all the answers.

Travel.  All of France is at our feet, and six European countries are a half a day’s drive or a short train ride away.

A new language.  Not only a whole new means of expression, but a window into another culture.

A renewed appreciation of America.  Some of the traits we take for granted are truly unique to our culture:  like our oversized enthusiasm, ambition, and generosity.

Tolerance and patience.  Ah, the French!  Charming, and challenging.  We strive always to be gracious guests in their country.

Bounty.  Food, wine, culture, amitié-- our cup overflows. 

Beauty.  Whatever you think of the French, the magnificent beauty of their country, natural and architectural, is undisputed.

A  sense of security.  Violent crime in France is rare, and so is crime of ANY sort,  in the Burgundy countryside.  

A continuity with history.  Living in a house that’s 700 years old can’t help but change your perspective.    (Photo, speaking of blessings, our French 'family': Châtelains Nicole and Pierre and thier darling grand-daughter Justine).

Friendship.  The fascinating and kind people we’ve met, including our remarkable set of international friends, has been by far the best gift of all.  And I never could have anticipated the birth of this blog, and the friendship it has brought too, readers from all over the world dropping in with gifts of their thoughts, dreams, greetings, advice, books, recipes. 

To all of you, dear friends, I wish you an equal abundance of gifts and blessings for Christmas and in the new year.  Meilleurs Voeux!

 

Favorite Reads:  BIG NEWS this week, our favorite blogger Kristin Espinasse of the French Word a Day blog has a new book out!  It's called Blossoming in Provence .  I've ordered my copy, can't wait to get more of her heartwarming vignettes about life in Provence with her French family. It's already jumped up to the list of Amazon's "Hot New Releases".  Felicitations, Kristin!!   Meanwhile, Reader Sue Wallace has a recommendation for us: White Truffles in Winter by N.M Kelby, a novel about the life of Auguste Escoffier. "Very poetic," says Sue, "a feast for foodies, a love story, some history, trés français.... what more could we want"?

Our Reader's Blogs:  I'm not a huge fan of framed art photos on the wall, but Mark Kane, of Your Garden Show fame, has changed my mind.  You simply MUST go see The Ardent Gardener's Prints here.   He takes super close-ups of flowers and leaves that look almost like contemporary paintings. It will change the way you look at plants--you can see how they have inspired designers and artists.  Follow him on his facebook homepage too, where you can contact him to order prints.  

Delia has a sweet new blog called Mon Coeur est Dans La Campagne.  Nicely written and pretty too, worth a visit just for the fun graphics.  And for fun cruise over to Laura's blog, An Uneducated Palate, and meet Mojo the dog at her Bone Appétit post.  She's made him the cutest homemade dog treats which would be a super gift for a dog lover.