The French art of living has its website Live in France like the French

STORY

PICTO GOURMAND Created with Sketch.

French regional cuisine: rediscover authentic flavors in your everyday life

Much more than just meals, French regional dishes are stories of local traditions and heritage. Each region is rich in iconic recipes inherited from the expertise of past generations. By inviting these authentic flavors to your table, you can embark on a wonderful culinary journey through France... without leaving your living room.

Bring regional flavors to your table every day

From the sunny scent of Provence herbs to the rich creaminess of Burgundy sauces, each French region offers unique culinary delights.

This extensive recipe catalog reflects the distinctive characteristics of the country's different gastronomic regions, including, for example, the unmissable Cassoulet de Castelnaudary in the Aude department. You can enjoy stuffed squid à la Sétoise in Hérault, Tripoux aveyronnais in Aveyron, and the famous gratin dauphinois in the southeast.

To enjoy these flavors, inherited from centuries-old traditions, nothing beats high-quality artisanal products. Regional dishes of excellent quality can also be found in delicatessens. 
Prepared using the ingredients that have made them famous and respecting cooking times that have been carefully defined over time, they are an invitation to immerse yourself in the French art of living.

Discover the regions that inspire French cuisine

Among the regions whose climate, natural heritage, and traditions have shaped a unique culinary identity, we can mention:

  • Provence: blessed with sunshine and aromatic herbs, it offers fragrant dishes such as ratatouille, aioli, and Provençal stew.

  • Burgundy: renowned for its powerful wines, it enhances its meats in simmered dishes such as beef bourguignon and coq au vin.

  • The Southwest: convivial and gourmet, it is the kingdom of duck confit, cassoulet, and foie gras.
  • Hauts-de-France: equally convivial, this region delights food lovers with specialties such as potjevleesch, Welsh rarebit, and Flemish carbonade.

  • Brittany: a land of character, it charms with its buckwheat galettes, kouign-amann with salted butter caramel, and seafood from its extensive coastline.

  • Alsace: this region with Germanic influences seduces with its choucroute and baeckeoffe.

From north to south, east to west: every bite of these dishes tells the story of these regions, which you can travel to from your kitchen. 

Learn how to store local dishes properly

In order to enjoy these regional dishes again and again, it is important to know how to store and reheat them properly.
To preserve their full flavor, we recommend:
  • Storing jars and homemade preserves in a cool, dry place away from light. Vacuum-packed dishes can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks without losing their nutritional qualities.
  • Following the artisan's instructions to preserve texture and taste. Some dishes reveal their full subtlety after a few days of resting, when the flavors have harmonized.
  • Reheat gently in a saucepan or double boiler rather than in the microwave (which can dry out the texture) to avoid altering the aromas of gratins and simmered dishes. 

With these tips, you can perfectly recreate the spirit of dishes fresh from the family kitchen.

Enhance the flavors of our regions with food and drinking pairings

For the ultimate taste experience, there's nothing like pairing these regional recipes with a drink that will bring out all their nuances.

For example, a Provençal stew goes perfectly with a full-bodied, sunny red wine from the South, such as a Côtes-du-Rhône or a Bandol. Similarly, veal blanquette pairs perfectly with a structured and elegant white wine such as a Burgundy Chardonnay. A gratin dauphinois can be enhanced with a light and fruity Savoie wine, a nod to its region of origin.
Finally, in the southwest, cassoulet calls for a robust Madiran, a wine that can stand up to this hearty dish.

And let's not forget non-alcoholic beverages: certain herbal teas, artisanal fruit juices, or even light regional beers can offer surprising and refined pairings. 

Whatever your tastes, don't hesitate to draw inspiration from local customs to create the perfect harmony at the table.

Bon appétit.

Valérie from Comme des Français



----

Continue reading with these articles