Suggestions on subitute ingredients that may not be available anywhere but the local market. Also, techniques that maybe helpful to a particular receipe success.
I absolutely love everything you post. I was thinking an interesting topic might be to discuss how recipes for a specific dish may vary depending on the region they're made in. How the
availability of different ingredient's, cheeses, etc. may affect a recipe.
Thank you so much for the kind words and the great suggestion, Celeste! It is definitely true that a recipe changes across different regions, as well as every kitchen! :) I like it!
I don’t have trouble finding ingredients, as things are fairly widely available now. I would love to see recipes from different regions. I know history and geography play a big role in dishes from different areas, and the variety of food is interesting to me!
Yes, many readers are lucky now to have a strong availability of ingredients, but some places are still "behind" - I use that term loosely because it's not really behind, if there's little/no demand for it. But sharing regional dishes is something I adore!
I have a lot of experience in this, Sally! You're correct that often recipes tend to lean on 4+ people (which is great for leftovers), but nice and proper 2 person meals is definitely something I can work on as well going forward!
I am fascinated with the pace of a day in France. How to duplicate the enjoyment of small moments. Decor in the kitchen and home or how to, in a small way replicate a French way of life. The cooking you present is wonderful along with your tours of different areas. I guess what I am asking is if you can teach French style?
I can absolutely try my best, Patricia! I find home styling is, like many things, unique to each region of France - but with common themes. I love fashion, style and decorating, so I can definitely try and introduce some of this, all while not being a "fashionista" by any means.
To me, the most exciting and interesting thing about Substack posts is that writers write from their hearts about the things they are passionate about. If you are only writing to please your audience or about the things they want to hear about, you loose something. Another way to say this – I'm less interested in hearing what others want to hear, rather much more about what you want to tell us. You write you!
I absolutely hear what you're saying, Marsha. You're completely right. There's a fine line as a writer to write for no one (except yourself) and writing for others. To have any success, you have to be authentic, but at least be on the track of what readers enjoy. That said, all my options were things I am passionate about - I made sure of it. That way, I'm always writing from the heart!
All my life I have thought I was primarily descended from the British Isles and Italy. What to my surprise, when I had my DNA tested, it turns out that I am a large percentage French! All these years of learning Italian cooking, when I should have been emphasizing French cooking. I am now 82 years old, healthy, active and ready to take up a new phase of cooking. I speak Spanish, Italian, and German. I guess it's time to take up French with my new found lineage! Thanks for your posts.
I've heard countless stories of DNA tests returning some completely unexpected results, Annette! Luckily, France and Italy are neighbors and share a lot of similarities, though the cuisine is quite different as a whole. It's never too late to learn!
French culture and travel in the countryside with recommendations for sites to visit , small museums, dining out, perhaps a spa tour not geared to foreign tourists. Your recipes are wonderful, especially when they are for regional everyday cooking . I agree with the comment about interest in more about the French moral in the country side, that's often not spoken too.
I can easily source most ingredients but from having traveled in France, I am aware that even our locally grown farmer's market ingredients in CA are not the same speciality varieties available in France.
Thank you, Nancy. I do try my best to use ingredients I know are generally available outside of France (geared towards Canada/USA mostly, as I have most of my experience there). But you're right, sometimes the varieties just aren't the same. Great suggestions as well :)
I know that you lived in North America and consequently you often compare French food and culture to American. However as a Brit and Francophile who visits France every year, I'd love to hear more about your thoughts on adapting French cuisine to British tastes and food availability. We have great Anglo-French chefs and food writers in the UK, eg Michel Roux and Harry Eastwood who do a great job in promoting this. In fact we are starting our new year's dinner with Michel Roux's crispy chorizo rolls and a glass or two of blanc de blancs 🍾. Bonne année à tous!
Merci, Carolyn! We actually have a very large population of Brits that visit our area, especially during the Interceltic Festival. Plus, we're basically "neighbors". My brother and his family actually live in London, so I could definitely get his point of view on this as well!
I enjoy the everyday French recipes from various regions. I love that you know Canadian grocery stores and include comments about availability here. Some specialties from my French family are a lamb stew with couscous (not tajine), a fabulous simple ratatouille, Alsace choucroute, and I once had onion tarte in the south. Your version of these would be very helpful. I really enjoyed your article with the wine consultant, more like that please. One thing I noticed in Brittany are the Hydrangea bushes everywhere in the fall. I enjoy garden related themes. Also, if you can reveal the mysteries of brocante stores I would love that, they are not quite the same as thrift stores. That the New Year is more important/celebrated than Christmas could be explained.
Merci, Kim. Great suggestions! I absolutely LOVE visiting brocantes, whereas my husband a bit less-so. But I rarely pass one by without stopping in. The prices have seemingly increased in recent memory, but you can still find great value if you're lucky.
Wonderful and thorough advice and suggesitons, Catherine. Very much appreciated and definitely things I am interested in sharing. Also, I absolutely Côté Ouest magazine. Always have issues on hand (as does my mother).
Suggestions on subitute ingredients that may not be available anywhere but the local market. Also, techniques that maybe helpful to a particular receipe success.
Great suggestions, Alison! Things that I definitely can and want to share with readers. Thank you for your support!
Excited to hear about the differences between our normal and the french normal!!! Love your newsletters!! Always well written! Thank you!
Merci! I love highlighting the differences I find between France and my prior homes overseas. Will do!
I absolutely love everything you post. I was thinking an interesting topic might be to discuss how recipes for a specific dish may vary depending on the region they're made in. How the
availability of different ingredient's, cheeses, etc. may affect a recipe.
Thank you so much for the kind words and the great suggestion, Celeste! It is definitely true that a recipe changes across different regions, as well as every kitchen! :) I like it!
I don’t have trouble finding ingredients, as things are fairly widely available now. I would love to see recipes from different regions. I know history and geography play a big role in dishes from different areas, and the variety of food is interesting to me!
Yes, many readers are lucky now to have a strong availability of ingredients, but some places are still "behind" - I use that term loosely because it's not really behind, if there's little/no demand for it. But sharing regional dishes is something I adore!
Cooking for 2 please
I have a lot of experience in this, Sally! You're correct that often recipes tend to lean on 4+ people (which is great for leftovers), but nice and proper 2 person meals is definitely something I can work on as well going forward!
You do a wonderful job in writing and explaining. Not much I would change. Pictures speak a thousand words, so one can never have too many of them!
Thank you so much, Linda, I appreciate the kind words. Knowing my work is valued means the world to me. Merci!
I am fascinated with the pace of a day in France. How to duplicate the enjoyment of small moments. Decor in the kitchen and home or how to, in a small way replicate a French way of life. The cooking you present is wonderful along with your tours of different areas. I guess what I am asking is if you can teach French style?
I can absolutely try my best, Patricia! I find home styling is, like many things, unique to each region of France - but with common themes. I love fashion, style and decorating, so I can definitely try and introduce some of this, all while not being a "fashionista" by any means.
Merci beaucoup! It will help to learn about restaurants and cafes in Marseille and small towns/ villages outside Paris.
Luckily for you, Marseille might be my favorite city in all of France! Would love to share stories about it :)
Bonne Annee Audrey! Thank you for all the wonderful recipes and articles.
Happy New Year, Tina! You're very welcome and thank you for thr support.
To me, the most exciting and interesting thing about Substack posts is that writers write from their hearts about the things they are passionate about. If you are only writing to please your audience or about the things they want to hear about, you loose something. Another way to say this – I'm less interested in hearing what others want to hear, rather much more about what you want to tell us. You write you!
I absolutely hear what you're saying, Marsha. You're completely right. There's a fine line as a writer to write for no one (except yourself) and writing for others. To have any success, you have to be authentic, but at least be on the track of what readers enjoy. That said, all my options were things I am passionate about - I made sure of it. That way, I'm always writing from the heart!
I would be interested in all of the content mentioned
That's good to know, Lisa! Appreciate the support :)
All my life I have thought I was primarily descended from the British Isles and Italy. What to my surprise, when I had my DNA tested, it turns out that I am a large percentage French! All these years of learning Italian cooking, when I should have been emphasizing French cooking. I am now 82 years old, healthy, active and ready to take up a new phase of cooking. I speak Spanish, Italian, and German. I guess it's time to take up French with my new found lineage! Thanks for your posts.
Annette Cadosi
I've heard countless stories of DNA tests returning some completely unexpected results, Annette! Luckily, France and Italy are neighbors and share a lot of similarities, though the cuisine is quite different as a whole. It's never too late to learn!
French culture and travel in the countryside with recommendations for sites to visit , small museums, dining out, perhaps a spa tour not geared to foreign tourists. Your recipes are wonderful, especially when they are for regional everyday cooking . I agree with the comment about interest in more about the French moral in the country side, that's often not spoken too.
I can easily source most ingredients but from having traveled in France, I am aware that even our locally grown farmer's market ingredients in CA are not the same speciality varieties available in France.
Thank you, Nancy. I do try my best to use ingredients I know are generally available outside of France (geared towards Canada/USA mostly, as I have most of my experience there). But you're right, sometimes the varieties just aren't the same. Great suggestions as well :)
I know that you lived in North America and consequently you often compare French food and culture to American. However as a Brit and Francophile who visits France every year, I'd love to hear more about your thoughts on adapting French cuisine to British tastes and food availability. We have great Anglo-French chefs and food writers in the UK, eg Michel Roux and Harry Eastwood who do a great job in promoting this. In fact we are starting our new year's dinner with Michel Roux's crispy chorizo rolls and a glass or two of blanc de blancs 🍾. Bonne année à tous!
Merci, Carolyn! We actually have a very large population of Brits that visit our area, especially during the Interceltic Festival. Plus, we're basically "neighbors". My brother and his family actually live in London, so I could definitely get his point of view on this as well!
I enjoy the everyday French recipes from various regions. I love that you know Canadian grocery stores and include comments about availability here. Some specialties from my French family are a lamb stew with couscous (not tajine), a fabulous simple ratatouille, Alsace choucroute, and I once had onion tarte in the south. Your version of these would be very helpful. I really enjoyed your article with the wine consultant, more like that please. One thing I noticed in Brittany are the Hydrangea bushes everywhere in the fall. I enjoy garden related themes. Also, if you can reveal the mysteries of brocante stores I would love that, they are not quite the same as thrift stores. That the New Year is more important/celebrated than Christmas could be explained.
Merci, Kim. Great suggestions! I absolutely LOVE visiting brocantes, whereas my husband a bit less-so. But I rarely pass one by without stopping in. The prices have seemingly increased in recent memory, but you can still find great value if you're lucky.
Recipes are terrific. Keep them coming.
Consider the domicile of your subscriber base, In France vs Out of France. North America, Europe, Asia. Who are your readers?
Consider French fusion options. Many cultures in France and how they are leveraging International tastes.
Consider offering cooking classes:
-on line.
-in residence cooking school. See Alliance Francais Quebec City. Co-venture perhaps.
Provide various regional focuses. Intro the regions of France and cuisine/customs by region. Wine too.
Add decor along with cuisine/lifestyle perhaps. See Cote Ouest, Cote Sud magazines.
The region you live in is interesting. What are options for travel ie hotels, Air B&B, restaurants, walking trips.
Your family and local anecdotes are terrific. Continue.
Wonderful and thorough advice and suggesitons, Catherine. Very much appreciated and definitely things I am interested in sharing. Also, I absolutely Côté Ouest magazine. Always have issues on hand (as does my mother).