French Cuisine: Characteristics

Do you want to take a tour of the world of international catering? Do you want to try the culinary specialties of another country? What better proof than that of French gastronomy. French cuisine is sophisticated, particular and very chic. There is no need to take a plane and reach France to taste some typical delicacies. You can stay in Italy and come into contact with a different type of cuisine.

There are many restaurants that create typical French menus. But what are the fundamentals of this type of cuisine? It is a type of culinary tradition that has its roots in very ancient times. The Ancien Regime and the French Revolution are some of the foundations from which the entire French culinary tradition was born. From oysters to snails, here are the main elements that can be found in French restaurants.

But not only that, France is the home of baguettes and croissants, products now widespread throughout the world. But in case you want to enjoy the real French taste it is not necessary to taste a piece of bread with butter. The research must become more meticulous and we must push ourselves to try dishes that are truly typical of the French culinary tradition.

A little history of French cuisine

French cuisine has a very ancient history. It is said that many origins of this gastronomic tradition can be traced back to Cateriana de Medici. It is said that, not being very satisfied with the dishes she ate every day, she brought in new chefs who could start a new type of cuisine.

French cuisine

There are many changes that have affected this type of kitchen over the years. The French Revolution in particular brought its own contribution to this type of cuisine by allowing the introduction of new spices and aromatic herbs. For example, Tirel was a French chef who made an important contribution to French cuisine by creating particularly innovative new dishes.

He was considered the founder of a cookbook called Le Viandier. Subsequently there were many other chefs who made notable contributions to the French culinary style. Some of these were in the service of Napoleon and Marie Antoinette.

Characteristics of this cooking style

What are the main characteristics that define this type of cuisine? First of all we could say that the main characteristic that defines this type of cuisine consists in the preparation of a single dish that acts as an appetizer and first course at the same time. The typical Italian pasta, in France serves as a side dish. Like rice, it is offered without any seasoning around salads and meat dishes. In particular, cheese is an essential element. Finally, dessert also takes on a leading role together with wine. In short, these are the foundations of this gastronomic culture.

Typical French cuisine dishes

After understanding the typical elements of a French gastronomic culture, one cannot avoid identifying some of the main French dishes. These are typical recipes that are generally offered in any French restaurant. Bisque, Coq au vin, escargot, Burgundian beef, omelette and much more.

The bisque: is a typical French preparation generally made with shellfish. It is a kind of broth or soup that can be served either as a single dish or as a base for the preparation of as many dishes. Shellfish and vegetables blend together giving rise to a unique and refined flavour.

Coq au vin: The classic rooster in wine. Here is another super traditional dish, widespread especially in Burgundy and Alsace. This is a fairly complex and long preparation. According to tradition, to provide the right taste to this cockerel it is necessary to cook everything in wine for about 48 hours. To make this preparation it is necessary to make a stew of onions, vegetables, carrots and bay leaves. All this will then go well with the cockerel which takes on a unique and precious flavour.

Escargot: Here are the typical French snails, a dish that is as much discussed as it is loved. These are real snails seasoned with oil, garlic and parsley to eat as you prefer.

Omelette: This dish is certainly very popular in Italy and other parts of the world too. It lends itself well to personal preparation as it can be made by adding the ingredients you prefer. The basic ingredient is eggs, but you can choose to combine them with cheese, ham, and much more.

These are some of the most popular French recipes. Tasty, with particular flavors and perfect for attentive palates and for lovers of the most refined flavours. If you want to try at least one of the French dishes, all you have to do is go to a typical French restaurant to come into contact with the French taste par excellence.

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