French_Meals

Traditional French Breakfast (Petit Djeuner) A classic French breakfast should be kept simple. - Drink: Tea, Coffee, or Chocolate - Food: Baguettes cut or broken into tartines (six-inch long segments). Topped with real butter and a hint of apricot or strawberry jam is the French way, but if you are watching your cholesterol intake feel free to use a butter alternative. Can't find baguettes in your area' That's alright, any fresh bread will do - even if store bought. * Traditional French Lunch (Djeune) "Snacking" is a word the French may know but do not practice because their main meals last so long. A traditional French lunch consists of a two to five course meal beginning at noon and ending at two o'clock p.m. - Drink: Wine, Champagne, or Cocktails - First Course: Your favorite veggies cut-up in bite-sized pieces. - Second Course: A salad of your favorite vegetables topped with oil and vinegar or a French dressing of some sort. - Third Course: Your favorite meat such as chicken, fish, or steak (the French enjoy their steaks rare and tender) served with vegetables. - Fourth Course: Cheese. Some popular French cheeses are: Munster (found at most local grocery stores), Beufort, Bleu d'Auvergne, and Comte' all of which are made from cow's milk. Brocciu, made from ewe's milk. Chevre' and Banon, made from goat's milk Fifth Course - Dessert. Traditional French desserts include, but are not limited to: Rice pudding, chocolate mousse, chocolate pudding, pound cake, and crepes. * Traditional French Dinner (Diner) After such a whopping lunch it is no wonder that soup with a light main course is the traditional French supper which starts around eight o'clock p.m. Finish off your Bastille Day by enjoying some of the following food options: - Drink: White wine if your main course is fish, seafood, or poultry and use read wine if you are having red meat. - First Course: Soup or Casserole. French Onion, Seafood Stew, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, and Pumpkin Soup are just few traditional French soups to choose from when deciding your first course. - Second Course: Quiche' (best with white wine), poultry (cooked in red wine), fish (cooked lightly), or pepper steak are great choices. Worth noting is that the French love rich sauces on their foods but in moderation - don't drown your food. - Third Course: Dessert. Pastries stuffed with coffee or chocolate custard, eclairs, or any other French dessert that springs to mind.