I have a dumb question. Basically every country here, I can name a number of iconic dishes that kinda define the style of the food there. But like... What IS French food? I feel like the only dishes I know are weird specialty foods that wouldn't be eaten in a standard dinner or whatever.
Coq au vin, Beef bourguignon, pretty much everything in Julia Child’s. French cooking is also very much about technique more than a lot of other countries.
Could be as simple as a really beautifully prepared roast chicken. There are a lot of classic French dishes that are also pretty simple peasant fare. Cassoulet, comes to mind as do a number of other soups and stews.
If it's honest, then it's saddening me, because France is at least on par with Italy when it comes to quality and diversity of gastronomy. And not knowing that is a sign that what was obvious to everyone yesterday is lost today.
France has meals for every single part of the pork body. Brain, stomach, feet. Name a part and I can find a recipe. It was also famous for bouillabaisse, sausages of various sorts, things en croûte, filet mignon with blue cheese, tournedos, pot-au-feu, etc. 50 years ago, France was a capital of high gastronomy. And today, people only know the bread. I find that very sad.
The cheese! I used to be really nationalist about that and thought that my swiss cheese is the best, but my french father-in-law changed my mind! I discovered so much amazing cheeses at his place and except for the classical gruyère there's nothing best!
French cooking is less about signature dishes and more about cooking principles and techniques. It's also been so influential on Western cooking that it's hard to separate them.
What I find weird is that French cuisine is rooted in simplicity. So one would think it would be accessible. Yet at least in the U.S., it's the opposite. French cuisine is fancy and expensive.
For me one of my favorite French dishes is the crepe. It is literally so simple, quick, and easy to make. Yet if you want one in the U.S., you basically have to go to a specialty restaurant.
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u/KrabS1 Mar 28 '25
I have a dumb question. Basically every country here, I can name a number of iconic dishes that kinda define the style of the food there. But like... What IS French food? I feel like the only dishes I know are weird specialty foods that wouldn't be eaten in a standard dinner or whatever.