Audrey

Take your classic Foie Gras on Toast over the top, with this quick spiced persimmon chutney. A sweet and salty festive appetizer for Christmas! 

When you’re preparing to host a Christmas dinner in France, the choice of the bread(s) is as important as any course you will be serving. Usually each course gets accompanied by a different bread, each thoughfully paired with the food. Spice bread slices get toasted and served with foie gras. Dark breads such as rye or a viking banette get served with smoked salmon and seafood. Simple baguettes or rustic baguettes (such as traditon, festival or a meule de pierre) usually get served with the main dish.

One /  two / three / four / five / six / seven / eight / nine / ten / eleven / twelve / thirteen / fourteen / fifteen / sixteen / seventeen We all have a French loving foodie in our life… (and if you are reading this blog, it is probably you!). And with gifting season upon us, I wanted to share a few gift ideas I’m sure will delight any French lover this Christmas season! 

Known in French as “crème de marrons”, chestnut cream is the ultimate Christmas comfort food in France. Sweet, creamy  and nutty, kids and adults enjoy this golden spread on toasts, waffles, crêpes, or stirred into yogurts. It is also the star ingredients of some classic French desserts, like the fancy Mont Blanc or simpler Gâteau Ardéchois (Chestnut Cream Cake).

The Classic French madeleines get a Holiday twist, and an American twist too!  Yes, most of you might not know it, but eggnog (in french “lait de poule”) is not common at all in France, apart from in the French Caribbean Islands. But while “French Christmas” and “eggnog” are terms usually not associated with one another, these French Eggnog Madeleines are the exception to the rule… And they are a match made in heaven!

These tiny Almond Pistachio Crescent Cookies are a twist on the traditional French vanillekipferl (or “croissants de lune” in French) , which are part of the bredele cookie spread served for St Nicholas Day, or Christmas, in Alsace. Usually flavoured with vanilla, this version packs on nutty flavours, with loads of ground almond, pistachio and a dash of almond extract.

Also called “quince cheese” (maybe because it’s so delicious paired with cheese?), Quince Pâte De Fruit is one of the famous 13 desserts, traditionally served to end Christmas supper in Provence, France. It is such a dainty little treat to enjoy on its own or with some crackers and a slice of cheese (but if you want to enjoy it with some cheese, I would recommend you do not coat it in sugar.)

Before getting into the Christmas spirit, the French from Alsace and Lorraine first get ready for the feast day of St Nicholas, on December 6. Just like in Germany and most Western Christian countries, St Nicholas Day is a big celebration in Alsace – almost as important as Christmas.

What would a French Holiday Season be without a few slices of delicious Spiced Bread? Fragrant, sweet and comforting, it is simply a must. This recipe, by French Pastry Chef Michalak, combines sweet honey with bright citrus flavors, and is perfectly spiced. A pure pleasure!

With its elegant braided look and subtle hints of cardamom, this Braided Cardamom Pain au Lait is the Finnish version of the milk buns French kids love to devour for breakfast. I am a huge fan of brioches! (What French isn’t?) And I feel it is safe to say that the French do own the craft of brioche-making, with as many delicious variations as there are French regions. But today’s recipe is not French. What I call a “Braided Cardamom Pain Au Lait” is also known as a Finnish Pulla …