A – Z French food – Part 2: F to K

Here are some French dishes from F to K:

F – Fromage. For the letter f, there are lots of possibilities, including fondue, frites, and fruits de mer. But for me, it has to be fromage/cheese. I love cheese, but I try to limit my consumption, as I like to eat as healthily as possible. Having a house in France, a country that has over 400 types of delicious cheeses, necessitates sampling as many as possible!

I did pen a post about the ten most popular cheeses in France. It was extremely difficult to narrow it down to just ten!

G – Galette. I could have written about gâteaux, gratins dauphinois or glaces but I love a galette or savoury pancake. Galettes are traditionally associated with Brittany but can now be found all over France and beyond. They can be filled with a variety of ingredients, such as cheese, ham, eggs, or mushrooms. Yummy!

H – Huîtres or oysters, are a popular delicacy in France. With over 2,000 miles of coastline, it is no surprise that France is the largest producer of oysters in Europe. Oysters are very much a celebration food, eaten at Christmas and on other special occasions.

Oysters are usually enjoyed raw, on their own, or with a squeeze of lemon juice. I must confess that I am not a great fan of this delicacy. Although ‘huitres au gratin’, when oysters are cooked in the oven with white wine, onions and topped with breadcrumbs, I find much more tasty!

I – Île Flottante which translates to “floating island,” is a classic French dessert. It consists of meringue floating in crème anglaise (a creamy vanilla custard). I have to admit that I struggled to find many French foods beginning with the letter i. I also have to confess that I can’t stand this dish – sorry! The short clip below shows a French chef making île flottante.

J – Jambon or ham is a staple in French cuisine. There are many different types of ham in France, but the most well-known is probably ‘Jambon de Paris’. If you love a traditional French sandwich, as I do, there’s nothing better than a ‘jambon beurre’. This a simple ham and butter sandwich, consisting of baguette, butter and ham. Delicious!

K – Kouign-Amann is a delicious buttery, flaky pastry originating in Brittany, France. It is made with layers of butter and sugar, giving a crispy, caramelised exterior and a soft, flaky interior. If you’d like to have a look at how to make them, here’s a link to a recipe; https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/kouign_amann_09102

I hope you have enjoyed finding out about these French dishes in the second part of my French food alphabet. Bon appétit!