Bio, the French Organic

Here is what you'll find most of the time if you're looking for an organic product in France:

AB stands for "Agriculture Biologique", but is more often reffered to as "Bio". This organic certification was introduced in France in 1985 and fulfills the EU regulations for organic food. French organic food is produced using environmentally sound methods without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or chemical food additives, and provides great benefits on human health as well as the environment.

Our online boutique carries a selection of French organic products, such as herbal teas and mustard - check it out!

Spice up your Cooking!

5 French tips to spice up your cooking:

Tip #1- Use a pinch of Herbs de Provence to enhance the flavor of your steacks, gratins or quiche: This wonderful blend of rosemary, marjoram, basil, savory, and thyme is a basic found in every French kitchen.  Note that French Herbs de Provence do not contain Lavender. Thyme is used quite often on its own as well, to season a fish or sliced potatoes.

Tip #2- Give an amazing flavor to your soups or stews with a Bouquet Garni: A bundle of herbs (usually parsley, thyme and bay leaves) tied together with string, cooked with the other ingredients, and removed prior to consumption. Try it with a Blanquette de Veau (Veal Stew), Boeuf Bourguignon, or Pot au Feu (Beef Stews), or simply in your favorite soup.

Tip #3- Sprinkle Fleur de Sel atop your favorite foods just prior to serve them for maximum flavor: Fleur de Sel is a hand-harvested sea salt collected by workers who scrape only the top layer of salt before it sinks to the bottom of large salt pans. It is an artisanal product that contains more mineral complexity than table salt.

Tip #4- Spice up your scramble eggs or Piperade with a pinch of Espelette Chili Pepper: This variety of Chili Pepper has been cultivated in the French town of Espelette, in the Southwest of France, since the 16th century. Espelette peppers are hand-picked and hand-sorted over the course of ten weeks, starting in mid-August. It is famous for its robust peppery and slightly smoked flavor.

Tip #5- Use Flavored Salt for a spicy, quick and easy effect: French Sea Salt can be found already flavored, with different types of spices - Garlic and Parsley, Herbs, Truffle, Espelette Chili Pepper... So easy to season your foods directly in your plate!

Bon Appetit =)

Gift Boxes

Coming soon: A complete collection of Gift Boxes for all tastes - Provence, Paris, French Sweets, French Spices and much more... Plus you'll be given the opportunity to pick the products you want and customize them. So stay tuned!

Calissons

In 1420, when Provence was still a kingdom of its own, the king of Naples and Count of Provence, roi Rene, got married. Decades of wedded bliss later, his wife died, and rather than stay a swinging 44-year-old bachelor, he managed to find a 22 year old bride just a year later. The problem was that her dad arranged the marriage, and she wasn't thrilled. So Rene's chef decided that he'd invent a candy to cheer her up. That's how the Calisson was born!

The Calissons have been a specialty of Aix en Provence ever since. Nowadays, they are still made in Aix en Provence the traditional way, and are very popular in France. This exquisite treat made of almond, candied melon and sugar now comes in different varieties - with a chocolate icing, violet-flavoured, mini sized... Try some - you'll love them!

When Eiffel Tower meets Design

Are you looking for a very special Paris gift or trendy home decor? Our latest addition will be the perfect item for you: Gustave Eiffel's masterpiece revisited with pepsy colors and fun designs. Feel free to check out our selection here - and more to come soon!

   

 Those beautiful and design collectibles are limited editions. Each drawing is numbered and comes in a beautiful matching box.  Height 31.5 cm (12.2")

Crepe Day

France is all about food and eating, and every tradition gives the Frenchmen an opportunity to bake, cook and eat! If January is the King Cake month, the month of February starts with Crepe Day or Chandeleur (Candlemas), which recalls the Presentation of Baby Jesus to the Temple. Why Crepes? The round-shape and golden color of the crepes used to be the symbol of the Sun, and of the return of spring after a long, cold winter... Not only do the French eat a lot of crepes on Chandeleur day, but they also do a bit of fortune telling while making them: if the cook can flip a crepe while holding a gold coin in the other hand, his family will enjoy prosperity for the rest of the year! How about trying it with our French recipe?

Sweet Crepes Recipe

Makes about 20 crepes.

- 1/2 cup all purpose flour

- 1/4 tsp salt

- 1/4 cup lukewarm water

- 1/2 cup milk

- 2 eggs

- 2 tsp melted butter

- 1 1/2 tsp sugar

Preparation

Mix all the ingredients into a medium sized mixing bowl or into a food processor, and, if possible, leave the batter to stand for at least 10 minutes before using it.
Then heat a crepe pan or nonstick sauté pan over medium heat until a few drops of water sizzle when sprinkled on the pan. With a paper towel, spread a little butter on the pan, being sure to wipe most of it off.
When the pan is warm, pour about 1/4 cup of batter into it, and spread it accross the bottom by tilting immediately the pan slowly in all directions.
When the edges start turning golden and peeling away from the pan, gently lift up the edge nearest to you using a spatula and flip the crepe over in the pan. The second side should cook much more quickly - less than one minute. Add more butter when needed with a paper towel.
Serve crepes sprinkled with sugar, or enjoy them spreaded with jam, honey, Nutella, melted chocolate, chestnut spread or ice cream... There are a thousand ways to fill sweet crepes, all easy to do and delicious. Bon Appetit!

Marrakech Half Marathon 2012

Morocco is just a couple hours' flying time from France, and Marrakech is one of the favorite destination for French people looking for a bit of exotism. Last weekend, I (Veronique) ran the half marathon in Marrakech, Morroco. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the race with people and kids on the sidewalk, clapping and cheering us up! The race was also a nice way to discover Marrakech and meet great people.

There are lots of things to do and to see in Marrakech and I spent a couple of days with my friends exploring the souks (markets), walking around the Medina and the famous Djema el Fna place, and relaxing in a beautiful riad. Also, the Morrocan food is just delicious and exceptionally tasty. It includes couscous, tajines, pastillas, and fresh mint tea anytime of the day!