When thinking about French cuisine, some things that often come to mind are croissants, baguettes, cheeses, leeks, and Julia Child. Although these may be staple ingredients and influences, there is much more to French cuisine. French cuisine was greatly influenced by Italian cuisine through several techniques, ingredients, and recipes. During the seventeenth century is when French cuisine began to step outside of Italian influence and develop into something more unique and original. Often times, people think Julia Child had the most influence in French cuisine. Though her recipes are highly influential today, chefs Mariè-Antoine Carême and François Pierre la Varenne are credited with originating French cuisine.
One of the most distinguishing aspects of French cuisine is the use of fresh, local, ingredients from markets within the area. Some of the most commonly found products at these markets include fruits and vegetables such as leeks, mushrooms, apples, and berries. Regardless of what region of France one is in, poultry, beef, and lamb are easily accessible year-round. Cheeses and wines are always available to the French people as well. Cheese plays such a large role in French cuisine that the average French person eats around 45 pounds of cheese in their lifetime. People often believe croissants originated in France, however, the croissant actually originated in Austria, but French chefs have changed certain aspects of the croissant so it is now viewed as a French pastry.
Boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin are two staple French dishes that are commonly found at the dinner table. Snails are another common dish found in French cuisine and escargot de Bourgogne is a common dish served as an appetizer. For dessert, clafoutis and butter cookies are greatly favored by the French.
French cuisine is a unique cuisine that has now greatly influenced cuisines within the Western world. With savory and sweet staple ingredients, French cuisine brings a grandeur to the table, unlike any other cuisine. Regardless of what food you may be craving, the French will always provide you with fresh ingredients and plenty of cheese and wine.
