Welcome to the 13th edition of my monthly newsletter! Each month, I intend to share a personal round up of the past weeks to give you a glimpse into my French life. I also share links I love, seasonal recipe inspirations and try to answer some of the questions I’ve received through social media as well.
Feel free to let me know in the comments if you enjoy this monthly gazette, and perhaps what you would like to read about next month!
Daily morning walk along the Lorient harbor
September has finally arrived. A bittersweet month to some, as it marks the end of summer holidays, gatherings and backyard BBQs. It also marks for many, depending on where you live, back to school – or as we call it France, “la rentrée” (the return). Children and families pack up their beach towels, toys, picnic baskets and endless free spirit, and prepare for another rigorous 10 months of French education.
The arrival of colder-season produce on the stalls
In a strange turn of current events, September also marked “la rentrée” for the government, as after a lengthy delay, President Macron finally chose a new Prime Minister of France – Michel Barnier. France had somewhat been “governmentless” for several months after the stalemate election, but the appointment of the new Prime Minister saw the return of the State, and seemingly, a touch more calm (for now).
This election of a Prime Minister had quite an effect on our city of Lorient, as our Mayor, Fabrice Loher, was elected by the “new” government to head the Ministry of the Seas and Fisheries – which is very fitting, considering both the location of Lorient and fishing industries of this area.
Mini “gâteaux” from the bakery: Gâteau Breton (yellow top), Gâteau Nantais (icing-topped)and Gâteau Basque.
In terms of weather, summer wasted no time in heading out on vacation itself, as the sun and warmth seemed to turn to immediate rain, clouds and coldish weather as soon as September hit. Autumn is definitely here, which Marc is absolutely thrilled about. “Stew season” he calls it. While I’m a little less enthusiastic about the warm summer months disappearing, I can’t help but celebrate the arrival of some of my favorite fruits, veggies and autumn dishes in general.
A vegetable Tian (top) and testing a walnut caramel tourte (bottom)
We also made another visit to the city of Vannes for the incredible market, to enjoy a stroll through the beautiful old center and to enjoy lunch at La Crêperie Sarra’Zen. This was our second visit to this crêperie, a place we’ve visited with my parents in the past. If you’re ever in Vannes and want some great crêpes, definitely stop in, but try your best to make reservations – they’re almost always filled, especially after the marketgoers try to find a spot to eat lunch!
Vannes city center
Vannes fish market
Vannes main square
Marc headed to Paris the same weekend as the “Journées Européenes du Patrimoine” on September 21st and 22nd – also known as “European Heritage Days”. This made Paris a little busier for him than it typically would have been for mid-September, as tourists flocked to the countless heritage sites, which open their doors free of charge to the public. I stayed behind in Lorient with Sophie, but was determined to try and enjoy the heritage weekend on my own.
Sophie is always happy to help out in the kitchen!
Several sites, whose doors are typically closed to the public, welcome visitors to experience a page from the history books. Last year, Marc and I visited an underground WWII bomb shelter located right in the heart of our city of Lorient. This year, I visited the “Réservoir de la Marine”. Built in 1875 and ceasing operation during WWII, this enormous underground 16 pillared concrete reservoir held up to 3105 m3 of water and was quite the site to behold. Covered over now by a green space, you’d never know it was hiding below your feet!
1875’s water reservoir
Oh, and looping all the way back to autumn talk, I recently got my hands on a big, delicious bag of “ugly apples”, to make the most delicious pots of apple compote (apple sauce). I absolutely love that apple farmers/vendors sell off the less attractive (yet equally as delicious) fruits for a fraction of the price, to use to eat as is, make baked goods, but especially to make apple compote. Compote plays an absolutely enormous role in this area of France (and seemingly France in general). It’s healthy, delicious, typically unsweetened and just makes for the perfect topping on yogurts and even toast.
Ugly apple bags for “compote” (apple sauce)
Marc was equally as excited for the return of dried prunes. Yes, dried prunes! Our favorite apple farmer also sells homemade vacuum sealed bags of prunes, which I have to admit, are the absolute best we’ve ever had. They’re so naturally sweet, juicy and delicious. Prunes are popular in Brittany and used in “flans”, a beloved local treat (picture below). Marc just pops one in his mouth every time he heads to the kitchen as a nice little treat. He loves adding them when he makes his middle eastern chick-pea stews, and I also started adding them when stewing my apple compotes for a little extra deliciousness. So good!
A typical Breton “Prune Flan” from our bakery. So tender and delicious!
What’s your favorite autumn fruit or vegetable? Let me know in the comments!
I have some delicious recipes planned for the coming months, which I can’t wait to share with you. Some real French classics and some lesser-known ones, as always. All of which I think readers will surely enjoy! I’ll give you all a little hint on one of the first recipe to come… It’s a wildly famous and rich French soup! Any guesses?
New recipes added to the blog in September:
10 recipes to make in October:
- Butternut Squash Soup
- Classic French Carrot Soup (Potage Crécy)
- Red Kuri Squash Blue Cheese Gratin
- Chicken in creamy mushroom sauce (Poulet à la Forestière)
- Alsatian Onion Tart
- Pork Chops with Apples and Cider Sauce
- Braised Chicken Thighs with Garlic and onion
- Sweet Pear Almond Gratin (gluten-free)
- Chouquettes (French sugar puffs)
- Classic French Toasts (Pains perdus)
Favorite questions of the month
What are some of the biggest differences you find between France and Canada?
This question has a hundred answers. France and Canada are two very different countries, in terms of history and culture, food and well… a lot more! But since we’ve turned the page to autumn, I will theme my response to say that one of the biggest differences, and something I really miss, is the changing of the leaves in Canada.
Yes, leaves change color here, but only a few. Some trees hold on to their leaves, some just fall off early before changing color and some change after they’ve fallen. Autumn in Canada was a beautiful site to behold, and something both Marc and I really took for granted.
Were the Paralympics a big deal in France, after the Olympics?
I can honestly say there was a lot less media coverage of the Paralympics, but French television absolutely did show several events live and on replay.
As a newcomer to food blogging, is there any advice you can give to help me find my way?
There are a lot of things I wish the old me knew about food blogging, but learning them along the way is part of the growing process and in the end should make you a better blogger for it. If you’re serious about blogging, I definitely recommend investing some time and money in online courses like Food Blogger Pro (great resources!) or listen to their great podcast. I still listen to it regulary, and always learn a thing or two!
That being said, the absolute best advice I can give is to simply be true to what it is you’re putting out there. Be authentic with your words and recipes to best of your ability, despite the demands of SEO and algorithms. Readers can absolutely get a sense of your authenticity, and engaging with them meaningfully will go a very, very long way!
Audrey, autumn is basically here! Are the French pumpkin spice crazy like we are here is the US!?
Not even a little bit, to be honest! This question made me smile and laugh to myself… Marc and I both love all things pumpkin and pumpkin spiced, but the French in general, not so much. As you may/may not know, the vast majority of our apple-based recipes don’t even include cinnamon, so the use of pumpkin and spice really is a foreign concept here.
Maybe that’ll change in the future, the more Marc shares slices of pumpkin pie with people… My parents absolutely loved it the first time he offered them a slice, so that’s a start! But as for Pumpkin Spiced Lattes, I haven’t seen one yet… but I’ll be on the lookout!
Loving the charm of Vannes city center
6 comments
I really enjoy your newsletters! I have to put Vannes on my future visits to France. The town looks so charming. And produce in France is the best. By the way, that prune flan looks fabulous. Do you have a recipe for it? I love anything with prunes, so I plan to try your pork loin with prunes recipe.
Thank you so very much, Peggy! The support is always aprpeciated. As for Vannes, it’s definitely charming. And then closeby you’ll have Lorient, Rennes, Pont Aven and all the other beautfiful Bretagne cities and towns.
As for the flan, I do have a recipe in my book, which unfortunately means I can’t also have it on the blog (per publishers agreement). But the pork with prunes is an excellent choice as well. Prunes are SO good!
I love your newsletter, especially the recipes. There is always at least one I add to my favorites.
Thank you!
So glad to hear that, Monique! Appreciate the kind words and hope you’ll continue to always find recipes that piques your interest 🙂
Apples and peaches are my favorite fall fruits. I love your apple cake recipes. And of course, pumpkin.{ I am from St. Louis}
It’s so hard not to have a fresh, crisp fall apple as your favorite, isn’t it, Maudeen? They’re almost perfect! Is pumpkin a big deal in St Louis? Any specific or regional recipes for it, or just well loved?