A Guide to French Food: 10 Dishes You Can’t Miss
When you think of France, you think of French food, obviously. In fact, there’s so many options that it can be difficult for tourists to choose their next meal! Thankfully, we’ve composed this list of the top foods de Francais that you simply need to experience — away from the typical croissants, crepes, and baguettes you know so well. Trust us, your stomach will thank you.
1) Calissons
America seriously needs to step up its candy game. Calissons aren’t just one, not two, but three flavors. This traditional sweet is loaded with of one layer of soft melon and almond paste, and one layer of crisp sugar icing. Sign us up!
2/ Reblochon
via @monsieurmapache
This fancy cheese, pronounced ray-bluh-shon, is a must try. According to cheese.com, which is a real website, reblochon is a semi-soft, washed-rind and smear-ripened mountain cheese, made from full-cream unpasteurised milk. Of course, France is filled with tons of amazing cheeses — but this is a great place to start.
3/ Carambar
via @wemakeapair
Time for something sweet! Carambar is a caramel candy bar that is beloved by French adults and children alike. Make sure to pick up this dessert if you’re feeling cranky from jet lag– there are jokes on the inside of each wrapper!
4) Aligot
via @brasseriesp
Have you ever wanted to melt a pot of cheese, and dump it straight into a bowl of mashed potatoes? Well, now you can. And it will be socially acceptable. France is a magical place.
5) Bouillabaisse
via @ploppestable
Ah, the totally tasty boullabaisse — aka French fish soup. While fish soup might not sound tempting on its own, this beautiful French food from the south of France will be sure to change your mind. Add in garlic croutons and saffron rouille? You’ll be in culinary heaven.
6) Crepes with Chestnut Jam
via @food_anais
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…and you know the rest. In America, we love chestnuts around the holidays, but try it the French way — crushed into jam and put on a warm crepe. We’ll take the latter, please! Yum.
7) Cassoulet
via @weejeanie.cafe
Casseroles aren’t just an American thing — it’s actually a French food! Cassoulet is a rich, slow-cooked dish which originated in the south of France. It’s typically loaded with meat, pork skin, and white beans. Fun fact: it’s named after the pot that it’s cooked in, the cassole. You can find a recipe for cassoulet here.
8) King Cake
via @fuzzyfeltflower
While in the states, we probably know King Cake because of Madri Gras, the origins, of course, are French (you’re sensing a trend, hmm?). King Cake is a traditional dessert that’s served during the cold French winters — especially in January. So, when you’re shivering in your boots, fill your stomach with almond dough-filled pastry. Suddenly, everything will feel a whole lot better.
9) Rillettes
via @lesbrondes
You might be wondering– what would pate look like if I could spread it on anything? Well, rillettes is your answer. In order to create the spread, typically made from pork, meat is cubed or chopped, salted, and cooked in fat until it can be shredded. Finally, it’s cooled with fat, which forms a paste. Rillettes are commonly used as a spread on toast. Or… you could just eat it with a spoon.
10) Pain viennois
via @lou.j.bs
Pain viennois, AKA Vienna bread, is like a baguette on steroids. According to Cook’s Info, the crust is softer, the texture is finer, and the taste is sweeter. The loaves are even glazed with milk and sugar before baking! Drool. More drool.
If you weren’t ready to go to France, you should be now. Go book that ticket, learn the language, and buy some stretchy pants!
