snapshots of my travels |
Let's be honest. Southern France is famous for its fresh food. But if you are anything like me, the thought of eating fish and raw beef is a little bit unappetizing. Even with these two French staples out of the picture, it is still possible to find delicious gastronomic delicacies for even the most picky of eaters.
Bread
I can rave about the bread in France for a thousand years, but I don't think it's even possible to understand just how good it is until you take your first bite. French bread is one of those foods where the most simple ingredients are what make it so delicious - common flour, water, and salt! The bread is so soft, so flavorful, and so aromatic - nothing like the "French bread" in the United States.
Tarte Tatin
Atarte tatin is almost like an upside down cake, but also pretty similar to an apple pie because of its crust. It is baked with the fruit at the bottom (usually Gala, Fuji, or Golden Delicious apples), meaning the natural sugars are able to caramelize. While originally created just south of Paris, it is widely available on the menus all throughout the country.
Sweet Crêpes
Crepês are considered a cousin of the pancake, though they are much more thin and crispy. The sweet crêpes are typically made from wheat flour and usually served with nutella, caramel, cream, strawberries, syrup, or preserves. In this case, we picked the chocolate and banana crepes.
Savory Crêpes
More often than not, savory crêpes are made with buckwheat flour and filled with a combination of cheese, meat, eggs, or vegetables. I just so happened to findJean's crêpes at the train station in Avignon and couldn't pass up the opportunity to watch my crêpe being made right in front of my eyes. Thirty seconds later, I was gobbling down a freshly made ham and Emmental cheese crêpe for breakfast. This was actually one of my favorite meals in Provence.
French Pressed Coffee
There are many countries that have their own way of making coffee. In the United States, the coffee is pretty watery, yet extremely high in caffeine content. In Vietnam, the coffee is made with sweetened condensed milk. Italian coffee has an unbelievably strong flavor, yet, because the water shoots through the granules at such a fast speed, the caffeine content is pretty low. In France, coffee is pressed. First, the hot water is simply steeped in the coffee grounds, then the filter is pressed, so the water goes through it, before serving.
Duck
Duck is one of the staple meals in France. I had never tried it before this, and I was pleasantly surprised by the flavor. You know how kids say that certain foods "taste like chicken"? Well, in this case, after trying duck for the first time, I exclaimed that it tasted like steak. In fact, I liked it so much, I ordered duck three times during the trip! This plate was covered in a honey sauce, adding the perfect amount of sweetness to balance the meat.
Pastries
Walk past any boulangerie (bakery/pastry shop) in France and you will find rows and rows of gorgeous little sweets. From perfectly flaky pain au chocolat to madelines, and cream filled eclairs, the amount of decorative little indulgences are endless! Just about any road in Provence has a bakery, so you are bound to find something you like. I absolutely loved this giant chocolate danish on the bottom left - although it was about the size of my face, so i couldn't finish it myself, unfortunately.
French Onion Dip
We have all tried "Dean's French Onion Dip" or the Lipton powder packs that are mixed with sour cream... I grew up on that stuff. Every party or event I ever attended had it. But, coming to France and trying the real, authentic, French onion dip was totally different! This was not made with a powder, but by hand. The spices carefully picked and the onions seared to perfection... I highly recommend you order this as an appetizer.
Provençal Beef Stew
I had been on the search for a nice, hearty stew the entire trip, but it wasn't until the very end that it finally popped up on the menu. I knew I had to order it. Provençal beef stew is made with a tough chuck roast, carrots, onions, black olives, tomato paste, broth, and red wine. While it was delicious, I was quite perplexed as to how to eat it exactly. The meat in this stew came out in one big chunk. Was I supposed to slice it in the bowl? Take it out and slice it on a plate? Perhaps you can give me the answer in the comments below!
88 Comments
4/8/2017 05:56:05 pm
For sure I will try to make something of these proposals.I was few times in France, and I love food and sweets :)
Reply
Priscilla
4/8/2017 06:31:55 pm
Loved all of your suggestions. Beautiful pictures. Now I am hungry, and ready for a trip to Southern France!
Reply
4/8/2017 07:19:02 pm
I'd be more than happy to take you there one day, mom! Love you.
Reply
4/8/2017 10:44:37 pm
YUM! I would eat all of the bread, I swear haha.
Reply
Andrea Broom
4/8/2017 11:39:27 pm
Okay seriously you have no idea how hungry you just made me and how bad I wanna go to france just for food hahaha. I've bene wanting to go and just eat cheese, bread and pastries but then think okay wait and add, um wine, duck, escargot and then the list turns into everything haha. Thanks for the wonderful tips. Food looks amazing.
Reply
4/9/2017 08:39:20 am
Gosh, French food is just delicious! No French onion soup on there? ;)
Reply
4/9/2017 01:05:15 pm
Crepes crepes crepes!! All this food looks amazing!! I can't wait to travel to France and check this out! Pinned :)
Reply
Jasmin N
4/9/2017 01:32:16 pm
These all look so delicious! Especially that coffee. YUM.
Reply
4/9/2017 03:59:57 pm
Oh. My. God! Your food pics are making my mouth water! I have only spent a few short days in France and you are making me want to hop on a plane and go back immediately! ;)
Reply
MAIKEl
4/9/2017 06:35:02 pm
This all looks so delicious! Would love to try the stew
Reply
4/10/2017 04:11:57 am
Oh goodness I'm all about those savory crepes! My mouth is watering. I've got such a bad itch to travel and France would be beautiful!
Reply
4/10/2017 04:38:04 pm
Okay now I'm getting hungry! The photos makes me want to eat! Thanks for this!
Reply
4/10/2017 06:37:19 pm
Croissant and Latte .. my favorite breakfast and coffee break snack... almost all of food is bread but I love it..
Reply
4/10/2017 07:08:15 pm
What a fun post! And it made me super hungry and wanting to travel ;) I hope I get to experience these foods someday soon! Thanks so much for sharing!
Reply
4/10/2017 09:26:32 pm
Ahhh I am so hungry now haha! I'm on low carb so this is such a tease for me. I will have to endulge on all of these after the summer. Bread is one of my favorites! I like how you mention how it's different from what is in the US for many of these foods. The best part of traveling is eating!
Reply
4/10/2017 10:23:01 pm
I love French food! The pastries and crepe look absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing x
Reply
4/10/2017 10:27:02 pm
Bread and wine, yes please!! I absolutely love crepes, as well!
Reply
4/10/2017 11:25:07 pm
I think my favourite thing about Southern French cuisine is definitely their pastries and just deserts in general! I definitely have a sweet tooth that is for sure x
Reply
4/10/2017 11:25:25 pm
I think my favourite thing about Southern French cuisine is definitely their pastries and just deserts in general! I definitely have a sweet tooth that is for sure x Yum
Reply
4/11/2017 03:19:03 am
How I love France and all the amazing food! I completely agree with every item and my mouth is now watering. I would add pasta to the list. We had the best homemade pasta in Nice that I still dream about!
Reply
Ali Rost
4/11/2017 09:13:41 am
How can it be that French women never get fat?! I'd be in heaven with all of the dreamy food. My favorite? The crepes. One of my very best friends is from Russia and every time she makes crepes I beg her to let me take the rest home. Savory and sweet .. she does them all.
Reply
4/11/2017 01:18:59 pm
I love French bread! It is shameful that I have only been to Paris in France, but I have been wanting for more exploration of the country, especially in the southern part. Thank you for sharing these gluttonous photos - and those pastry pictures - OMG@!
Reply
4/11/2017 11:02:39 pm
All of the dishes look fantastic, wouldn't mind just trying a little bit of everything (out of the vegetarian dishes)! These crepes and pastries... A sugar coated doughnut is to die for!
Reply
Hannah Bailey-Churcher
4/12/2017 02:34:33 pm
Oh my gosh, so many delicious foods to try and share! I'm feeling hungry just looking at everything. I must admit french pastries and Crepes are possibly my favourite french foods :)
Reply
4/12/2017 02:43:53 pm
I can't help but be jealous. Those foods looks appetizing. It makes me want to go to Southern France and have a taste of all those foods. I have never tried duck yet. But based on your description, it is something I will look forward to experience in the future.
Reply
4/12/2017 04:15:54 pm
I would love to visit France! This all looks soooo good!
Reply
4/12/2017 04:34:05 pm
It all looks so delicious! Good thing it's almost lunch time! I would love to try all these things.
Reply
Casey the College Celiac
4/12/2017 08:31:47 pm
I'm always a sucker for crepes, sweet or savory, though all of these meals sound just as tasty!
Reply
4/12/2017 08:41:19 pm
Love your list of foods to try. Now I want to go to France!
Reply
We were in Southern France last summer and their fresh pastry is just sooooo delicious. But it seemed that where we spent our holiday, the most favorite meal were mushels - served almost in every restaurant. Today I only regret that I haven´t tried them :(
Reply
4/13/2017 09:16:32 am
OMG!! This just made me want to travel to France and taste all these delicious treats! Your post was fantastic!
Reply
Tereza
4/13/2017 12:08:23 pm
This is making me SO hungry! I saw a few of your photos on Pinterest I think? And I've been thinking bout freshly baked bread ever since. I even baked one the other day that I've shared on my blog today haha and can we just talk about that duck? It looks SO DELICIOUS! x
Reply
4/13/2017 05:59:11 pm
Noooo! I am on day 14 of a 30 day detox and your descriptions and photos have just about finished me off. The food sounds AMAZING, France is so on my bucket list.
Reply
4/14/2017 03:28:49 am
Those first 6, I'm in! Brads, pastries, coffee, yes, yes and yes. That crape looks out of this world. If I can pack my dog in my suitcase we're in.
Reply
4/14/2017 10:01:09 am
Wow! They look delicious and my mouth is watering right now :D
Reply
Dogvills
4/14/2017 05:07:00 pm
The pastries look so mouth watering! And the crepes! I would love to savor those while dining al fresco!
Reply
4/15/2017 05:20:16 pm
I have a dairy allergy that makes me a bit afraid to go to France, but that stew looks divine! Maybe just add a baguette and yum!
Reply
Harshraj
4/16/2017 06:35:42 am
Mouth watering post! Nicely written article. Very informative.
Reply
4/17/2017 06:14:44 pm
hey Cassidy! Love your blog! BTW I just gained 5 lbs reading this delicious article lol. Thanks for the info. I know where to go when I get a chance to head back abroad. All the best!
Reply
4/17/2017 08:58:19 pm
Honestly, if I had to choose one, I would have a big problem! Oh, I love each one of those! I especially love crepes, sweet and savory, not to mention all kinds of pastries. And those meals, just DELICIOUS!
Reply
4/17/2017 09:52:09 pm
The duck doesn't appeal to me at all (vegan). I'm totally on board with trying ALL the bread, coffee, and pastries though!
Reply
4/19/2017 05:06:32 am
OMG!!! How good does all this food look good?!!!! I love reading you blog, the photos are always gorgeous and the posts are so well detailed and written! x
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
ABOUT MEHi, I'm Cassidy and this is my travel journal, aimed to inspire you to go and see our beautiful world! Featured Post: |