All You Want To Know About French Vegetarian Cuisine
French cuisine is mainly known for its light and delicate recipes. The cuisine is famous for its simple vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes which are a part of fine-dining experiences in almost all parts of the world. While the options for non-vegetarians are endless, vegetarians need to search more for tasting authentic French vegetarian cuisine. This cuisine uses a lot of fresh French ingredients like mushrooms, herbs, fruits, cheese, and potatoes as these ingredients are loved across the country.
The people of France love salads and baked goods so you can see a lot of salad bars and patisseries all around the town. The patisseries are known for their crepes and desserts which are a staple part of the French life. One thing to keep a note of is that the French consider only beef to be non-vegetarian, so if you are looking out for completely vegetarian meals, you need to inform the waiter about your preferences. The restaurants do not think of chicken and pork as meats so it is advisable to look out for the ingredients in the dishes you want to order. If you want to cook your own food, there are many shops and local markets which sell fresh produce.
A traditional French meal comprises of three courses which are Entree, main course, and desserts. There is a separate cheese course for those who want to try the local fresh cheeses. A light salad and bread often accompany the meals. You can also try the variety of stews and soups in local restaurants. The French love their wines so try to taste the locally made wines which are famous all around the world. Coming to meals, there are many vegetarian French foods you can try but here is the list of the 5 best ones which should not be missed at any cost:
1) Chickpea Ratatouille: This is a one pot meal which consists of fresh roasted vegetables and chickpeas combined with green herbs. It is served with a side of bread or millet and is best enjoyed with a glass of wine. It is a filling dish and is loved by the local people for its simplicity and health benefits.
2) Summer Pistou: This dish is a cross between a soup and stew and is made with fresh vegetables and beans. It is famous for its light and flavourful broth which makes this dish even tastier. Health conscious people love this dish as it is hearty and low in calories. The locals prefer this dish for lunch as it keeps them active for the rest of the day.
3) French onion Soup: This soup is the comfort dish of the country. It is a warm tasty soup made of onions and mild spices combined with vegetable broth. Croutons and cheese are put on the top of the soup to add more texture to the dish. It is accompanied by bread to make it a complete meal in itself.
4) Madeleines: These traditional sponge cakes are a part of the rich history of French cuisine. These cakes are being made since the 18th century and are named after the girl who first invented these little cakes for her master and his family. The cakes are made with flour, eggs, butter, and sugar mainly and lemon zest in added sometimes to add flavour. They are dusted with icing sugar after they are baked.
5) Mille-Feuille: This delicate French pastry is famous for its layers. The word “Mille-Feuille” literally translates into “A thousand layers”. It is made up of layers of puff pastry and vanilla cream topped with icing and sugar. The pastry is very difficult to make and that is why it is one of the things that you will only get in an authentic French patisserie.
Some of the other great dishes to try include the famous French macarons, focaccia sandwiches, crepes, and soups. Authentic French creperies offer a variety of crepes made with local cheeses. Try the buckwheat mushroom crepe if you want to try something unique and tasty.
So now that you know all about French cuisine, make sure that you try all the vegetarian French foods this beautiful country offers. You will never forget the melt-in-your-mouth desserts and light stews that the French cuisine is famous for.