Beside Pastries, France has Other Comfort Food
As a famous tourist destination, with its Eiffel Tower, France has long been known as a culinary paradise, especially because of its world-famous pastry delights. Crispy Croissants, sweet Pain au Chocolate, colorful Macarons and various kinds of cakes are some examples of this country's attractions. However, France' culinary style doesn't stop with pastries. Behind the glittering bakeries and patisseries, there is a variety of other delicious foods.
Here are some equally interesting menus that you should try when visiting France.
1. Ratatouille
Disney fans will definitely be familiar with the name of this food. The film entitled "Ratatouille" tells the story of a chef and a mouse set in a restaurant in the middle of Paris.
Ratatouille, a traditional French dish consisting of vegetables cooked until soft in olive oil. Ratatouille's main ingredients include eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic, all of which are chopped and cooked together with spices such as bay leaves and basil. This dish is renowned for its rich, complex flavor and colorful appearance.
Ratatouille is usually served as a vegetarian main dish or as a side dish to accompany meat or fish. This dish can be enjoyed hot or cold, and becomes even tastier over time, as the flavors of the vegetables become more infused and integrated.
2. Coq au Vin
The classic dish originating from Burgundy, Coq au Vin consists of chicken cooked in red wine with onions, mushrooms, and pork.
This dish is known for its long cooking technique so that the chicken absorbs all the flavors from the wine and spices, resulting in tender meat and a rich sauce. In addition to red wine, other ingredients such as garlic, thyme, and bay leaves are often added to enhance the aroma and taste.
Coq au Vin is often served with mashed potatoes or fresh French bread, making it an ideal food for winter.
3. Le Boeuf Bourguignon
Different from Coq au Vin, Boeuf Bourguignon uses beef as a base ingredient. This classic French dish originating from Burgundy is a beef stew cooked in red wine, along with beef stock and additional basic ingredients such as garlic, onions, thyme and bay leaves.
This food was originally considered a farmer's food. Farmers use tough cuts of beef, which are cooked for a long time to create a tender texture and rich flavor. Over time, this dish became a symbol of elegant French cuisine, especially after it was included in the famous cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" by Julia Child in 1961.
This dish is usually served with mashed potatoes, pasta, or French bread, making it a warm and filling meal.
4. Cassoulet
Cassoulet, traditional stew from Languedoc, France. This rich and delicious dish consists of white beans cooked with various types of meat, such as sausage, pork, duck or goose.
Each region in the Languedoc has its own variation of Cassoulet but generally ingredients such as duck fat, tomatoes and spices are definitely present in every recipe for this food.
Cooked for a long time makes all the ingredients and spices blend together, producing a thick texture and deep taste.
5. Crème Brulé
If Italy has Panna Cotta then France has Crème Brûlée. Just different in the way it is served, Crème Brûlée has its own uniqueness.
This typical French dessert is famous for its soft texture and sweet taste. Made from a mixture of heavy cream, egg yolks, sugar and vanilla. The characteristic of this Crème Brûlée is that the sugar layer on top is burned until it caramelizes, creating a textural combination between the softness of custard and the crunch of caramel.
The name “Crème Brûlée” itself means “burnt cream,” referring to the method of caramelizing the sugar on the surface using a torch. This dish has developed into a French culinary icon.
Beyond its pastries, France's culinary landscape offers a tantalizing journey through tradition and taste, making it a destination not just for the sweet tooth, but for all who appreciate the artistry of good food. Do you already know which food you want to try? Explore the world of hospitality internship in France, where you can experience the beauty of culinary arts and global service skills. Join us for a valuable experience that will transform your career in the international hospitality industry.