They’re not the same – a table set for a dinner party in France and one in Britain have subtle differences. Neither one is better than the other, it’s just interesting to see what the other does!
1. France – Forks are placed tines down and the spoons are placed bowls down. Britain – Forks are placed tines up in the air and the spoons are placed bowls up with the bulge of the spoon on the tablecloth.
Continue reading “7 differences between French and British Dining”
It is snowing again today making the villages near where I live in Alsace in France extra beautiful.
Looks like there are 2 pancake days in France, thank you very much merci beaucoup! And this year they are both in February.
The first pancake day, otherwise known as “la Chandeleur” falls on February 2nd every year and is exactly 40 days after Christmas. It celebrates the date when Jesus was presented at the temple in Jerusalem this day was marked with a candlelit procession that culminated in placing the blessed candles in the churches. Galettes (savory crêpes) were handed out to pilgrims and so the jour des crêpes was born!
The second pancake day, otherwise known as “le Mardi Gras” falls on what the British call Shrove Tuesday, and is 47 days before Easter – February 13th this year. The idea here is to use up stocks of meat, eggs and butter before Lent and began with the ancient ritual of parading a large ox through Paris to remind people that meat was forbidden during the Lent period.
On both days pancakes and crêpes – sweet and savory are eaten for breakfast lunch dinner or as a snack! Lots of great recipes here and here!
My favourite topping has to be lightly sprinkled with sugar with lemon juice, what’s yours?
* In France it is the the custom flip a crêpe holding the pan with one hand whilst holding a gold coin in the other and making a wish. If the crêpe doesn’t land on the floor your wish will come true!
* The Crêpe Suzette was invented in 1903 by the “king” of French chefs, Escoffier, and for the first two decades of the 1900s was considered to be the ultimate in luxury desserts.
*The French fold their crêpes, they don’t roll them – they think this stops the filling from leaking or falling out.
*During Mardi Gras, people disguise themselves putting on crazy masks. *It used to be a tradition to light a candle in the church and carry it home without the flame going out – if you managed this you’d live to see the next Chandeleur –Celui qui la rapporte chez lui allumée. Pour sûr ne mourra pas dans l’année’
*Eating lots of pancakes on la chandeleur -after 8pm – ensures a good crop. ‘Si point ne vert de blé charbonneux Mange des crêpes à la Chandeleur’
*If it rains on February 2nd, it will rain for 40 days ‘Quand il pleut pour la Chandeleur, il pleut pendant quarante jours’.
Happy pancake day!
Charles Aznavour – one of Frances’s vintage best!
~Click on his photo below to hear him sing~
Everyone knows how much the French love their food so it shouldn’t be a surprise that they have loads of foodie expressions – often nothing to do with eating… Some of my favourites involve carrots, onions, apples, butter, eggs, cheese, peaches and pears!
* The French don’t say he’s fainted, instead they talk about apples and say he’s fallen in the apples – “tombé dans les pommes”
Looking for somewhere stylish to keep your onions? French Candy Vintage might have just what you are looking for!
French Candy Vintage 