food | A French Collection

What is a Canelé? The Story of Bordeaux Famous Pastry

What is a Canelé? The Story of Bordeaux Famous Pastry

Do you know the story of Bordeaux famous pastry the canelé? Have you eaten a canelé de Bordeaux? There are certain things you see, do or eat in France that once experienced, you simply have to do or eat again. The canelé de Bordeaux is very much one of those things. Let's start with what is a canelé. A canelé is a small, dark, ridged, and gleaming little pastry that looks rather like a piece of mahogany-coloured architecture with its high ridged sides and dark colour.

Once you bite through the caramelised crust and taste the soft, custard-like interior infused with vanilla and dark rum, you'll understand immediately why the people of Bordeaux have been devoted to this small cake for centuries. It is one of those things that once tasted is never forgotten. We look into the story and history of Bordeaux famous pastry, the canelé, in this post. [Photo of Bordeaux town above}

The History of Chocolate in France

The history of chocolate in France actually starts in Spain when Anne of Austria, the daughter of Spain's Philip III, brought the delicacy across to France. It was part of her dowry upon her marriage to King Louis XIII. Quickly loved by the French court and nobles, it became the fashionable elite beverage of Louis XIII's court.

At that time chocolate was considered to be both an exotic treat (only consumed by nobles) and a medicine. Taken with other medicines it disguised their flavours, and the chocolate itself had a mild calming effect. Mostly consumed at this time as a liquid with spices added, it wasn't until the 1800s that it evolved into the solid chocolate that we are more familiar with.

Pot-a-feu Recipe

Pot-au-feu is one of those quintessential meals you'll find served up in homes across France. It's a great family meal that easily feeds a few and can even be varied depending on what you have available. Here's a delicious Pot-a-feu recipe for you to try.

Pot-a-feu Recipe

Pot-a-feu translates to 'pot in the fire' and refers to the slow cooking of meat and vegetables in a pot, historically over the kitchen fireplace (fire). I cook mine in a dutch oven and it cooks well. Although this meal takes time, it's well worth the effort.

Pot-a-feu can be served a couple of different ways. Either with the broth, meat and vegetables all together, or with the broth served alone as the first course and then the meat and veggies as the second course. When served as two courses, it's usual for the platter with the meat and veggies to be accompanied by small dishes of horseradish or Dijon mustard.

Tapenade Recipe

Sitting at a cafe in Uzès, with a local cat for company, eating tapenade smeared on a fresh baguette with a cool glass of wine, is one of the sweetest memories I have of my time in the picturesque Provincial town of Uzès.

After spending the morning wandering around market stalls taste testing local cheese, smoked sausage and buying bed linens for our home, I found a seat in the sun and ordered a snack of tapenade. I love olives, black more than green, and add them to my portion of salads and pasta dishes. Not everyone loves olives in my home, especially my husband, who gets physically unwell after eating them. So tapenade is one of my indulgent snacks when holidaying or travelling on my own - especially when in France!

Brioche Recipe

Brioche is a staple pastry in France. Eaten at breakfast, midday and for a snack at any time of the day, it's pretty much eaten by someone somewhere all day in France! Half cake, half bread, brioche is loved the country over for its buttery softness. Sold in boulangeries, supermarchés and markets, it's certainly not difficult to find in France.

You'll find brioche buns, normal and mini sized; loaves, in different shapes and sizes; and fancy plaited styles in most bakeries.

Croque Monsieur Recipe

When you think of a French café do you also think of the classic French snack, a croque-monsieur? A croque monsieur is essentially a grilled cheese sandwich, but when eaten in Paris, it seems to take on an almost mystical quality. Read about this classic and get croque monsieur recipe.

Maybe it’s the ambience of the charming bistro chairs and table, the crisply dressed waiter, or the view along the boulevard of boutiques and Parisians getting on with their day, that transforms this simple food into a French speciality.

Saint-Émilion Grape Harvest Festival

Saint-Émilion Grape Harvest Festival

Saint-Émilion is a commune in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in Southwestern France. It's in a region of wine hills steeped in wine making history that is still relevant today. Saint-Émilion is one of those stunning medieval cities that France is well known for and it's conveniently located at the crossroads of Bordeaux, Saintonge and Périgord. I mean, how more perfect could the town's location be for those of us that like to explore the very best of France! Saint-Émilion is also a UNESCO World Heritage.

Today we're sharing some information about Saint-Émilion and its famous grape harvest festival, Fête des Vendanges, which is currently on right now.

Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe (Glace à la Fraise)

Summer in France is a magical time for eating outdoors, lazing under shady trees and taking slow evening walks watching the sun eventually set. I love nothing more than indulging in homemade strawberry ice cream while watching butterflies and insects buzz around my neighbours potager (vegetable garden) as we sit outside and gaze over our little backyard fence.

Our neighbour, Madame Potager has a large and very organised potager and she generously shares French green beans, potatoes, pumpkins, spinach and other veges with us. I've even written a blog post all about our lovely neighbour - Living in Rural France & Salade Niçoise Recipe

Summertime and Strawberry Ice Cream

Of course, we love strawberry ice cream at any time of the year, but summer seems to be the season when I feel most at home in the kitchen making ice cream. I thought you'd love our strawberry ice cream recipe, which I've put together after trying a few variations; it's easy and delicious!