Category Archives: Food/drink/recipes

French Flavours: P is for Petits Fours

Posted on 21/12/2017 by nessafrance

As Christmas is approaching, this week’s post is a frivolous look at a mainstay of the French apéritif, le petit four. At a party recently, someone challenged me to investigate the origins of the name, and Life on La … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, History | Tagged amuse-bouche, aperitifs, appetisers, canapé, France, mignardises, mise-en-bouche, petits fours | 13 Comments

Absinthe Friends

Posted on 03/12/2017 by nessafrance

It’s the drink that symbolised the Bohemian culture of la Belle Epoque in late 19th to early 20th-century Paris. It was consumed by Toulouse-Lautrec, Baudelaire and Satie, painted by Degas and Manet and immortalised in early silent films. This beverage … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, History | Tagged absinthe, aperitifs, Artemisia absinthium, banning of absinthe, Belle Epoque, common wormwood, France, la fée verte, Paris, revival of absinthe | 23 Comments

French Flavours: Poule Farcie, a Classic French Dish

Posted on 19/11/2017 by nessafrance

The ubiquitous roadside posters advertising French fêtes and other social events very often have “poule farcie” emblazoned across the centre. This dish has a number of advantages for large gatherings. It can feed a lot of people and much of it … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, History | Tagged Bearn, chicken, confréries, French Wars of Religion, Henri IV, poule au pot, poule farcie, poule farcie recipe, SW France | 5 Comments

Mushroom Feast

Posted on 26/10/2017 by nessafrance

I am very partial to mushrooms, but I’m hopeless at finding them – at least the edible variety. This year is a mushroom year. Something about the climatic conditions – a damp September? – has had them popping out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes | Tagged cèpes, girolles, mushroom hunting, mushroom poisoning, rosés des près, SW France, wild mushrooms | 10 Comments

Un café, s’il vous plaît

Posted on 27/07/2017 by nessafrance

Coffee fuels the French, who have a penchant for strong black espresso-type coffee. Having to use coffee substitutes during World War II must have been a real hardship in that case. A chance remark to that effect during a recent … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, French life | Tagged café culture, cafés, coffee, coffee substitutes, French cafés, French coffee, SW France, World War II | 17 Comments

French Flavours E and F: Two Aveyronnais Specialities

Posted on 16/07/2017 by nessafrance

Time for another instalment of my French flavours series. I realise I have only got to ‘E’ and we’ll never get to the end at this rate, so this week I’ll do ‘F’ as well and you get two for … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes | Tagged Aveyron, Aveyron recipes, Estofinado, Les Farçous, River Lot, rural life, Stockfish, SW France, Villefranche de Rouergue | 7 Comments

French Flavours: D is for Diablotins au Roquefort

Posted on 30/04/2017 by nessafrance

I have been continuing my researches to bring you another in my series of recipes of Southwest France. Here’s one you’ve probably never heard of – diablotins au Roquefort. I certainly hadn’t. Easy to make, with readily-available ingredients, they are … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes | Tagged amuse-bouche, Aveyron, Diablotins au Roquefort, French flavours, recipes, Roquefort, Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, SW France, walnuts | 9 Comments

Cattle Country

Posted on 19/03/2017 by nessafrance

Considering we are surrounded by them, I’m surprised I haven’t written more about these mainstays of local agriculture. Perhaps it’s because I have a love-hate relationship with them, especially when marauding herds have trampled down our garden. What am I … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes | Tagged Beef, beef consumption, boeuf, cattle farming, farming, food, rural life, SW France, transhumance | 27 Comments

French Flavours #3: C is for Cassoulet

Posted on 05/03/2017 by nessafrance

I can’t allow the letter C to pass by without writing about cassoulet, the signature dish of southwest France. It’s been around for a long time and the correct recipe is the subject of controversy. What is it? A stew … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, Food/drink/recipes, History | Tagged Cassoulet, Cassoulet de Carcassonne, Cassoulet de Castelnaudary, Cassoulet de Toulouse, Castelnaudary, French dishes, French flavours, recipes, SW France | 15 Comments

French Flavours #2: B is for lou Bajanac

Posted on 12/02/2017 by nessafrance

In my A-Z of traditional French recipes, I’m trying to focus on those that originated in southwest France, where we live. So I’ve eschewed boeuf à la Bourgignonne or blanquette de veau, delicious though they are. Surprisingly, I found a … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes | Tagged Aveyron, châtaignes, chestnut soup, chestnuts, French recipes, Laguépie, lou Bajanac, Rouergue, SW France, traditional French recipes | 8 Comments

French Flavours #1: A is for Aligot

Posted on 18/01/2017 by nessafrance

The temperature was approaching -10C when I went downstairs this morning – outside, I hasten to add. This is the coldest spell we’ve had for five years. In this weather you want rib-sticking food; nouvelle cuisine doesn’t hit the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Food/drink/recipes | Tagged aligot, Aubrac, Aveyron, burons, food, Laguiole, Laguiole cheese, SW France, tome fraîche | 40 Comments

Appetising Return to Belcastel

Posted on 13/11/2016 by nessafrance

Last time, I wrote about a ghostly story linked to the château de Belcastel. This week, we had the opportunity to make a return visit to this plus beau village in Aveyron. Not only does it occupy a delightful setting … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Food/drink/recipes, Places | Tagged Aveyron, Belcastel, Château de Belcastel, food, Michelin star, Plus beaux villages, Restaurant du Vieux Pont, SW France | 16 Comments

Walnut Time

Posted on 16/10/2016 by nessafrance

The walnuts start to fall here in SW France around the end of September. By mid-October, it’s positively raining nuts. This year, we were afraid that our crop would be minimal. Many walnuts fell early and were blackened and mummified, … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, History | Tagged autumn, French country novels, huile de noix, rural life, SW France, walnut oil, walnut oil mill, walnut tart, walnut trees, walnut wine, walnuts | 24 Comments

Opération Escargot

Posted on 24/04/2016 by nessafrance

France’s cuisine was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 2010, when it was included in the list of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. Why “intangible”? Good food might be a consolation for the soul, but it’s also a feast for most … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, Nature | Tagged escargots, food, French cuisine, gastropods, héliciculture, rural life, snail breeding, snails, SW France | 22 Comments

Bach, an Ancient Village on the Causse de Limogne

Posted on 18/04/2016 by nessafrance

This was a week of excursions. Yesterday, we rehearsed and sang in the biannual scratch choir concert in Puycelsi, a hilltop fortified village in the Tarn. As always, it was an inspiring event. The concerts are held in aid of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, Personalities, Places | Tagged Auberge Lou Bourdie, Bach, French regional cuisine, lavoir, Lot, Monique Valette, patrimoine, phosphate mines, Phosphatières du Cloup d'Aural, SW France | 6 Comments

Is the Rural French Café Dying Out?

Posted on 23/01/2016 by nessafrance

The village café-bar is a typically French institution, just as the pub is essentially British. Our nostalgic vision of French rural life places the café (often doubling as a restaurant) at the heart of the village, along with the church, … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, French life | Tagged France, French cafés, French village life, Ifop, living in France, rural depopulation, rural life, SW France | 15 Comments

Pastis: A Quercy Speciality

Posted on 16/12/2015 by nessafrance

Hands up everyone who thought pastis was an aniseed-flavoured apéritif. It is; but it’s not a local speciality here. The pastis I’m talking about is an apple dessert made with very fine pastry, which is particular to the Lot and … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, Food/drink/recipes | Tagged Causse de Limogne, Limogne-en-Quercy, Lot, Pastis, Pastis Anguille de Limogne, Pastis du Quercy, Quercy, recipes, rural life, Tarn-et-Garonne, traditional French recipes | 11 Comments

Le Temps des Cerises

Posted on 31/05/2015 by nessafrance

The title (‘Cherry Time’) is that of a very famous French song written in 1866 and interpreted much later by Yves Montand. With the addition of some verses, it became one of the anthems of the revolutionary Paris Commune in … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, Places | Tagged A Year in Provence, cerises, cherries, cherry-picking, Clafoutis de cerises, food, Le Temps des Cerises, Provence, recipes, SW France | 12 Comments

Seasonal Treats: Asparagus and Strawberries

Posted on 29/03/2015 by nessafrance

When we first moved here, it was frustrating not to find strawberries or asparagus in the French shops in the winter. I completely changed my mind a long time ago. There is a lot to be said for enjoying produce … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes | Tagged asparagus, food, Gariguettes, seasonal produce, seasonal treats, spring, strawberries, SW France | 14 Comments

French Regional Cuisine: L’Auberge Lou Bourdie at Bach

Posted on 04/12/2014 by nessafrance

Bach is a small village on the Causse de Limogne, in the heart of truffle country. In common with many rural French villages, it’s a quiet place nowadays. But it does have a rather good restaurant, l’Auberge Lou Bourdie.

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, Personalities, Places | Tagged Auberge Lou Bourdie, Bach, Cahors wine, French regional cuisine, French restaurants, Jamie Oliver, Limogne-en-Quercy, Lot, Monique Valette, SW France, truffles | 7 Comments

French Restaurant Capers

Posted on 18/07/2014 by nessafrance

French restaurants are currently on the menu in the news. A hapless blogger posted a bad review and was fined by a judge. And as from last Tuesday, restaurants have to indicate if any or all of their meals are … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, French life | Tagged "fait maison", Auberge de la Grance du Cros, eating out in France, food, French cuisine, French restaurants, SW France | 11 Comments

Sweet Lavender

Posted on 31/05/2014 by nessafrance

Which part of France do we normally associate with lavender? Provence, naturally, where it plays a big part in the perfume and essential oils industry. But did you know that 10% of French lavender production at the start of … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, Gardening, History | Tagged essential oils, lavande, lavender, lavender oil, lavender production, Quercy, SW France | 8 Comments

A Brief History of Cheese

Posted on 19/01/2014 by nessafrance

At the Tuesday market in Caylus, which stall has the longest queue? No contest: the cheese stall. It’s especially long in summer when the holidaymakers and second homers swell the population. But even in winter you can count on a … Continue reading →

Posted in Auvergne, Food/drink/recipes, History | Tagged cheese, cheese production, dairy produce, food, France, French cheese, fromage, history of cheese | 19 Comments

Facts – and Fantasies – about French Wine

Posted on 19/11/2013 by nessafrance

Today was cold, damp, miserable and unpleasant. So let’s forget the weather and le ras-le-bol fiscal (discontent about taxes). Instead, let’s warm ourselves in front of the fire with a glass – or two – of one of France’s best-loved … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, French life | Tagged French wine industry, SW France, vin, wine, wine consumption, wine production | 5 Comments

Garlic and Garlic Recipes

Posted on 07/11/2013 by nessafrance

What would French cuisine be without garlic? This pungent bulb has become one of the symbols of France. As often happens, personal experience led me to reflect on the role garlic plays in French culture, society – and especially gastronomy.

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, French life | Tagged ail, garlic, garlic recipes, l'ail blanc de Lomagne, l'ail rose de Lautrec, recipes, SW France, tourin à l'ail | 6 Comments

Frog and Toad

Posted on 19/10/2013 by nessafrance

In culinary matters, the French and the British often compete about who first discovered a particular dish. A notable example is burn’t cream – crème brulée in French. Both countries claim to have invented it . Now, there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Customs, Food/drink/recipes, History | Tagged Amesbury, bufo bufo, Common European Toad, cuisses de grenouille, food, French cuisine, frogs, frogs' legs | 19 Comments

Goose Fat and Garlic

Posted on 08/07/2013 by nessafrance

A few weeks ago – only just found time to write about it – I attended the launch of a new edition of Goose Fat and Garlic, a book about the cooking and recipes of SW France. Jeanne Strang, who … Continue reading →

Posted in Aveyron, Books/writing, Food/drink/recipes | Tagged Aveyron, books, Ferme Carlès, food, Goose Fat and Garlic, Jeanne Strang, recipes, SW France | 15 Comments

French Provincial Cooking

Posted on 13/11/2012 by nessafrance

When pondering what to serve dinner guests this coming Saturday I reached for my disintegrating copy of Elizabeth David’s French Provincial Cooking. Not because I expected to copy a user-friendly recipe but because it is chock-full of ideas. First published … Continue reading →

Posted in Books/writing, Food/drink/recipes, Personalities | Tagged Elizabeth David, food, France, French cuisine, French Provincial Cooking, Writing | 14 Comments

Chestnuts and Chestnut Recipes

Posted on 14/10/2012 by nessafrance

This autumn’s chestnuts It’s that time of year again when the sweet chestnuts are falling. Very few chestnut trees grow near us but not far away, around Najac and Laguépie, they clothe the slopes. If you walk along the River … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, History, Personalities | Tagged châtaignes, chestnut cake, food, gâteau à la châtaigne, rural life, SW France, sweet chestnuts | 17 Comments

Wine Blight: How the French Wine Industry was almost Wiped Out

Posted on 18/04/2012 by nessafrance

France is peppered with wayside crosses. Some are modest and plain, fashioned out of a single lump of stone with perhaps a roughly incised date. Others are more elaborate, featuring carvings and inscriptions, in stone or iron. Some were erected … Continue reading →

Posted in Food/drink/recipes, History, Nature | Tagged France, Phylloxera crisis, Phylloxera cross, Phylloxera vastatrix, vines, wine, wine industry | 14 Comments