I learned a lot about French country food, its history and preparation as well as more than one or two country tales. The Bretons are a mystical people in many ways and all one has to do is pick read up on the Arthurian tales. I learned a lot about cuisine not so much from my dear mother who was an excellent cook in her own right having prepared one outstanding French meal after another when we lived in Neuilly. The person I am referring to was a wonderful lady called Simone, our country cook in Brittany and admittedly sometimes she did play the role of surrogate mother. I remember shadowing her movements in the kitchen, cleaning up this or that, chopping one thing or another and most importantly, learning how to get out of her way at critical moments in the cooking process. I remember I use to go with her to the farm across the road to pick up eggs, fresh milk, and whatever else the farmer might have to sell. Arriving at the farm, I was always speechless. The main room with its rough unfinished floor, and an ever present smoky wood fire, served as the family’s living and dining room and kitchen. In the far corner of the room was a large four-poster bed where the aged grandmother, all wrapped up in her great shawl, presided. The parents and their seven children all slept somewhere upstairs perhaps in the hayloft. I never did find out. This was French farm living circa 1963.
All of this brings up sweet memories and even more so because as recently as a month ago, I learned that dear Simone was still very much with us. I must admit, I’ve lost count of her age but I know that in the country, people live to be a ripe old age and in Brittany that’s for sure. One more quick side trip down memory lane, after many years of being away from France, I returned to Brittany and of course made arrangements to go and visit Simone; the last time she had seen me I was 21 years old. As I walked up the little country lane to her house I saw her sitting on the bench, enjoying the late afternoon sun, as she waited patiently for my arrival. What a joyful reunion it was! We hugged each other warmly after so many years. Her tears of joy ran down her weathered, wrinkled sweet face. It was a wonderful but bittersweet reunion that will stay with me forever.
Back to the present. Many of the comfort foods (and links) that I have submitted below, for your consideration, had their origins from our country kitchen deep in Brittany while others come from a more urban upscale setting in Neuilly s/Seine. I can’t imagine there being a more pronounced difference in settings than between those two. Yet a very strong connection still remains to this day.
Links to My Selection for Top 10 Best French Comfort Food
Julias Roast Chicken Recipe – Who does not love the smell of a roast chicken and rosemary.
French Onion Soup – A classic hearty soup and well worth your time.
Gratin Dauphinois – When I first made this dish I was literally bowled over it was so good.
Endives with Ham and Bechamel Sauce – This was a dish that appeared time and time again at table side in Paris. My mother knew a winner when she saw one!
Chicken Marengo with Rice and Garlic – Thank goodness Napoleon was victorious or else I can’t imagine what we would be eating!
Grandmother’s Chicken or Poulet Saute Grand Mere – I grudgingly gave my son the leftovers the next day and he almost fell over it was that good.
Porc Chops Normandy-Style or Cotes de Porc a la Normande – The very definition of a solid country meal. The Norman’s ate well then conquered England. What more proof do you need?
Beef Bourguignon de Richard – I’m not claiming this as the end all, but it’s a solid dish perfet for a cold and dreary day.
Chicken Louie in Red Wine Sauce or Poulet Louie au Vin Rouge – This is another self-styled dish that has gone over quite well.
Basque-Style Shepherd or Achis Parmentier de Boeuf – This dish that was particular favorite of my father and consequently it apperared frequently table side. Delicious!