Southern Fried French

Come along to the Saturday Cluny Market

The medieval city of Cluny has one of the best Saturday markets in southern Burgundy.  We never miss it. It's nearly spring, bright and sunny even if it is a bit chilly, and the market is gearing up for the season. Come along with me today, for a typical Saturday morning at le marché de Cluny.  Photo left: I always pick up a little something for the garden, from monsieur who grows the annuals. Who has an Italian accent and a very polite manner.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On arrive: Market day is busy, as you see. The whole center of town is closed off for the morning. 

 

First stop, the veggie stands.  Everyone has their favorite stand. I like the farm family, parents with kids in tow who grow every single thing they sell; and the bio (organic) stand, with le lait, le fromage, le yaourt, and les oeufs that they produce. 

Then to la boulangerie. I'd really like to buy one each of these...

But instead I get one of these:

Spotted these fun outdoor cushions---they may have to come home with me!

These are my weakness. I love the green and blue one, but Ron has put me on Basket Probation.

Meanwhile, at the Bar du Nord, Ron and the neighbors are sipping their first expresso. Later in the morning they'll switch to une bière, or un petit blanc (white wine). For me, un chocolat chaud. We know the waiters well enough to get les bises (kisses on both cheeks). Below, Ron and friend Monty peruse le journal with their first coffee, supervised by Bugs himself.

If your bags are too heavy, Madame is there every week with her donkey to help out.

Lunch with the gang, then time to head home.  Ahead of me, Madame has a bit of planting to do (and I'm coveting her basket). 

Heading home after a great morning!

In the COMMENTS: Anja, welcome to the blog! Y'all will for sure want to check out Anja's own blog called DasBrooklyn. Anja is a German baker living in Brooklyn, and boy do her recipes look yummy! Dani and Julie, you are so right about the walking.  A French friend stopped by and asked me to go for a walk with her--I got home four hours later! And to my Furman sister, no the French don't diet, and it may be time for another post on that subject. Natalia, "more days behind than ahead", I'm afraid that's quite true for me too.  What better way to seize the day than to make that decadent quiche you suggested! (or Harriet, with your chocolate cake). Katy, that is the most unusual quiche I've ever heard of, and no wonder it's famous, it sounds delicious. Sam and Peter, my husband always says he hopes folks who visit us will take away one little French thing home with them, to better their lifestyle---maybe a glass of white wine with lunch, a leisurely breakfast, or a good expresso machine!

 

A happy Easter to all, and special prayers for the victims of terrorism in Brussels and their families and friends, with great sadness for the horror they have endured.

 

The Enviable French Lifestyle, and How You can Get it

Those French—they really know how to live! The French lifestyle is famous the world over. Truly, there is no “rat race” here. It’s funny, I get right with the French program when I’m in France, but back in the US, I slip back into my harried ways!

So let’s look at 8 ways we can soak up some of that great French lifestyle:

Cherish your leisure time.

We often live to work, while the French work to live.

Be with family, with friends, get outdoors. The concept of not using every single minute of your annual leave would be completely foreign here in France.

Don’t eat: Dine

Life in France revolves around the pleasures of the table. Meals, including breakfast, are long and relaxed and sociable. No snacking, s’il vous plâit, because its better to be really hungry. Anticipation is everything!

Dine en pleine air

The French will dine outside at home or at a restaurant, whenever they possibly can.

Drink good wine

The French have a deep appreciation of, and understanding of, fine wine. Up your quality if you can, and drink it often, in moderation.

Have a Cheese Plate 

Un plâteau de fromage, always served after the meal, is one of the great traditions of dining in France. Serve two or three cheeses with some good bread.

Appreciate and revere beauty and good taste

Just one example, albeit a bit of a historical one: at any flea market, you’ll find tons of elegant, artfully embroidered linens. That’s because French women traditionally embellished everything from sheets to towels to tablecloths. It’s all about celebrating the art of living.

Take a Walk with Your Family

It’s a Sunday tradition: after the big Sunday meal, everyone, from Gram to toddlers, take a long stroll together. You see them on country roads, you see them in cities.

Be a good conversationist

The French LOVE to talk! The food at all these leisurely meals is important, but so is debate, discussion, and laughter. Put down the cell phone, raise your glass, and start the conversation.

And let’s keep the conversation going—what tips do you have for adopting the French lifestyle?  And why not up your lunch game to start, by making this easy French quiche. Even easier if you have some leftover veggies, ready to add.

 

 

RECIPE: Quiche, the French Way

I saw a recipe the other day for a deep dish quiche, made in a cheesecake pan.  The French do the opposite: they make their quiches in the thinnest of tart pans. 

If making the quiche in a tart pan with removable bottom, pre-bake the crust with pie weights. Then before you fill it, brush with some of the filling and bake again for 5 or 10 minutes more, to seal it. This prevents it from leaking in the oven, but I put a sheet pan under it, just in case.

I like to fill my quiche with vegetables and fresh herbs, but get creative! Smoked salmon is a frequent and interesting addition to French quiches. Photo right:  Pile in the veggies as a base for a healthy and delicious quiche.

 I am sorry to say I used a prepared crust, and I'm dead impressed if you make your own.  Pillsbury makes a good one in the states, you just unroll and go.  In France, try a pâte brisée. So here we go:

• 1 piecrust, homemade or store-bought
• Any cooked veggies you like, and/or cooked meat or fish (for this one I sautéed some squash, onions, red peppers, and scallions)
• 1/2 cup of cheese, your choice; I used a mixture of white cheddar and parmesan. Gruyère is the classic.
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2  cup milk
• a dash of nutmeg and cayenne pepper
• a handful of fresh herbs, if desired
• Pre-heat over to 375. Mix eggs, milk and spices, plus salt and pepper to taste.

Line the pie crust with foil, add pie weights or rice.  Bake about 10 minutes; don't let it get too brown.  Remove weights and foil; brush with egg mixture.  Cook 5 to 10 minutes more, or until light golden brown.  Check often.

Add sautéed vegetables to the pie. Top with grated cheese.  Pour egg mixture over all.  Bake for about 30 minutes, or until center is set and it starts to puff and turn golden.

 

In the COMMENTS:  Natalia and Suzanne have refinements on our Better Than Sex cake, so be sure to check!