2017 was of those years that was neither bad, nor particularly wonderful. It certainly had an amazing highlight: My yearly trip back home to France, where we ate our way through Brittany, Normandy and Provence, for two weeks. I already posted photos and stories about the trip here and here, and will surely post more in the New Year. The beginning of 2017 started off nicely with becoming a Food Bloggers of Canada member and being featured as one of the “Five Niagara Food Bloggers to bookmark now”.
These two small victories definitely gave me the motivation to take this blogging thing more seriously, and I quickly found myself spending all my weekends studying my French recipe books, cooking, baking, hunting for props and building food boards (and loving every minute of it!). Food photography, along with searching for new French recipes, revisiting terroir French food (with what I have available here in Canada), and learning all the stories behind french recipes just makes sense to me. I genuinely love doing it, and love honing my craft along the way. In the Summer, I was also approached by Marie A. from Food Nouveau who then offered me an appearance on her blog.
So now, what should I wish for in 2018? Simply to keep on finding, making, photographing (and eating) more delicious French recipes! Continuing to hone my craft, learning more about food photography and blogging every day. And of course, continuing to receive comments, feedback and photos from all of you who like to make my recipes (thank you! I love when you send me your photos on Instagram, this is what makes food blogging feel amazing!).
Speaking of recipes, to wrap up 2017 here is a round-up of the 9 most popular recipes you liked this year. I hope you enjoy(ed) them as much I did.
Happy New Year 2018, may it be as delicious as ever!
1. Fool-proof “Crêpes de Froment” (recipe)
2. Sugar pie from Hauts-de-France (recipe)
3. Pepper Steak with Brandy Sauce (recipe)
4. Basque Cake with Vanilla Cream (recipe)
5. Garlic Sage Cure-All Soup from Provence (recipe)
6. Tangerine Honey Walnut Cake from French Jura (recipe)
7. Cherry Clafoutis (recipe)
8. Apricot Frangipane Tart (recipe)
9. Spelt French Apple Cake (recipe)
Not mentioned in this top 9 – but surely some of my favorite recipes I made this year – also include this Classic French Boule in Dutch oven, this Slow-baked Rice Pudding from Normandy, this Calvados and Apple Flan and this insanely delicious Chicken in Champagne Cream Sauce. These are some delicious, comforting recipes that I know I will be making again and again. And above all, they made me feel like a kid, back in France – and to me, this is the best feeling food can give me.
