French Cooking

Mastering French cooking seems to be the benchmark by which good chefs are judged. There’s something about cooking the French way that impresses. This is due to the intricate method of preparation for certain French dishes that make it as intriguing as it is challenging.

France is a large country and each city that lies within its borders as its own unique method and ingredient of cooking. For instance, if you visit the Northwest area of France, you’ll find that butter, cream and apples are regular ingredients. The Southeast of France love olive oil, herbs, and tomatoes while in the Southwest, you will find mouth watering duck fat, foie gras, and mushrooms. Elsewhere, gizzards, lard, sauces beer and sauerkraut are a staple.

Termed “haute cuisine” in the 1500s, Italian born Catherine de Medicini, bride of Henri II, introduced Italian style to French cooking. Her personal cooks were credited as changing the face of French cooking with subtle Italian influence by providing Italian methods for the use of ingredients and presentation.

In those days, meals were extravagant and lavish in the castle of the king. Indeed, it was a feast suitable for the elites of France. Butter, truffles, and artichokes were just a few of the ingredients that Medicini’s chefs introduced along with sauce thickeners via the use of bread.

In 1652, French cooking revolutionized and soon lighter sauces and spices were used in cooking and meats were presented in their own natural liquids. The first French cookbook that was published even included recipes on how to prepare vegetables the right way.

All of these dishes have survived through the centuries and delight still today.

Contemporary French chefs use a generous amount of wines and cheeses in their meals. Mouth-watering dishes like Escargot a la Bourguignon and Boeuf Bourguignon are popular recipes and come from France’s central states.

French cooking is being taught at most culinary schools at beginning and advanced levels, but bien sur, learning in the homeland itself is an unparalleled experience.

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