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.

Comments

[Libby]

Yes, definitely, please enter me. Have been dying to read her new book!

[Jacki]

Such a great idea for the bread crumbs! I buy really good whole grain bread with lots of nuts and seeds and cannot bear to throw away the crusts. I keep a pan in my oven (when it's off) and toss them in. They dry out nicely and crush easily, but now I have an idea of better ways to actually USE them!
Would love to have a copy of Blossoming in Provence to curl up with one of these cold winter days in Idaho while I dream of another trip to France.

[Trevor Watling]

No need for foreign shelves make your own brown sauce.
Crab apples off the tree in the pot and boil until soft then sieve. Fry onions and vinegar with all spice then add dark brown sugar mix it altogether and voila!
Great with a "Full English".

[Dani]

I loooove books about Provence. It's all Peter Mayle's fault! It started with A Year in Provence, and then I read his others, then I moved to Provence...and so yeah, count me in for the Blossoming in Provence giveaway! Will send it back home to Maine and will have fun reading it when I visit : )
Fun topic for this post Lynn, I loved it!

[Kristin Shoe]

I'd love to win Kristin's book, too! Her blog (and yours!) reminds me of living briefly in France and subsequent wonderful trips.

[Mark Kane]

I tried to guess before I read further but all my guesses were nowhere close. The Dr. Pepper? As the French say, ca fait rever.

[Sandy Maberly]

Everything in your picture, aside from the "American" cranberry juice and Dr. Pepper, always makes it into our suitcase when we travel from the U.K. to our home in America. All that's missing are the packet sauces (bread sauce, onion sauce, cottage/shephard pie sauce, etc..) We won't have to worry about it for much longer though. We'll be moving back to the U.K. at the end of March! I suppose we'll then be loading our suitcases with American treats!

Love Kristi's books and blog. She's a fantastic lady.

[Sandra Vann]

How fun Lynn, your list of American items found locally.
As we prepare for our own adventure my husband will be happy to learn about the availability of peanut butter!
The veggie casserole looks perfect - I always wondered how to make creme fraiche in the States. Merci bien for the tip.
It has been a weekly highlight to read Kristin's blog all these years and her first book. I am so happy to have found your fun blog as a result of reading hers.
Would love to receive a copy of her new delightful book. Her endearing stories lighten the heart and it has been such a joy to share in her experiences.

[Jacki]

My earlier post thanking you for bread crumb ideas is gone -- but still would love copy of Blossoming in Provence for curling up on a cold winter day in Idaho...

[Katharine Doel]

J'adore le blog de Krisin Espinasse et j'aimerai bien avoir son livre "Blossoming in Provence."
Katharine

[Linda Aubry]

I enjoy your blog very much and read Kristin's as well. I have bought her first book and am waiting for it to be delivered. I'd love to win a copy of Blossoming as well. My husband and I are thinking of spending 6 months a year in France when he retires in a couple of years. Is there any way to contact people who have commented on your blog? I noticed Barbara Kelley posted a comment and mentioned that she spends 6 months a year in France and I'd love to actually talk to someone who has done it. Any suggestions?

[Leslie Budewitz]

What about ketchup? (We may be the only Americans without a bottle in our fridge, but it does seem like a classic American food.)

And Lynn, I found your blog through Kristin's, after finding her first book at Border's a few months before our first trip to France! With Border's gone, I have to beg you for a copy!

[Betsy Ritzel]

I have a copy of Kristin's first book, Words in a French
Life, and would love the second one. Please enter me in
the drawing.
I love your post and give to students in my class, French for Travelers.
Merci mille fois.

[Michaela Rodeno]

Sign me up for a chance to win Blossoming in Provence - I promise to share it around if I win!

BTW, you finding real maple syrup in the Chinese section of French supermarché made me laugh out loud.

[Karen M. Johnson]

I enjoy reading your blog and look forward to it every week. I also enjoy Kristin's blog and would love to win her book. Thank you for taking the time to let us in on your life and world in France. It is truly a pleasure.

[Carole]

As a long-time reader/fan of Kristin Espinasse, I would love to have a copy of Blossing in Provence. I found your blog through hers, and I will actually visiting the winery in MAY. I am really excited!Carole

[Helen Sturgeon]

OOOO... me! I NEED a copy of Kristin's book for our trip in Sept!!! I LOVE her blog, too! Hugs from the Sunny South (USA)!

[Natalia]

Kristin's books are a delight and a breath of fresh air (as is her blog!)How fortunate we are to have
her and you,Lynn,to fill our days with smiles!
THANK YOU!

[Mary Deignan]

Like so many others, I'd love a copy of Kristin's new book. I've been reading her blog for a number of years and feel as though she is an old friend...living so far away!

[miriam young]

I so enjoy both of your blogs and look forward to the new insights of French life and great recipes.

I'd love to win a copy of Kristin's new book

[Allison]

Of course, I would love to be in the drawing for Kristin's book. I have enjoyed her blog for many years now. Great way to explain gratins - thx. XXX Ali

[hampton]

now there is nothing better than a good ole turnip and bacon casserole. Have you planted okra in your garden?there isn't anything better than fried quail,fried okra and some au gratin potatoes. with a bit of apple cobbler for dessert.

[Jacqueline Gill]

Reading your blog and Kristin's is part of my weekly routine.I would treasure a copy of her book.In the meantime, I'll keep dreaming of France...

[Kittye Delle Robbins-Herring]

Enjoy your blog and would love to visit the chateau where you live un de ces beaux jours! Would also love to read Kristin's book if I am lucky enough to be chosen!

[Emily]

How funny to find Vermont maple syrup in the Chinese aisle! It must cost a fortune over there - it's not inexpensive here in California.

I'd love to win Kirstin's book; I've been reading her blog for years. And, as with many of your readers, I found you through her. Each week I look forward to hearing about your life in Burgundy. It's one area of France I haven't visited...but it's on my list!