A Taste of France
By Taghreed’ Odeh, Food Expert
While wandering the streets of Paris, I could not help noticing that French people are early risers, with a French baguette and a cup of coffee to start their busy day. With bakeries open from dawn, the smell of freshly baked bread permeates the air. Here I highlight my three favourite exquisite French-inspired breakfast choices.
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Did you know?
Let me tell you about this unique bread, the most iconic food in France first created over a hundred years ago in the 1920s in Paris. The word baguette in French means baton or stick. It is commonly made from lean dough shaped like a stick distinguished by its length and crisp crust. In my travels, I noticed it is prevalent all over Europe for breakfast
Pan Bagnat
French-inspired sandwich recipe, perfect for springtime picnics!
Ingredients
30cm French baguette, cut lengthwise
100 g turkey, chicken slices or tuna
50 g sliced smoked pepperoni
50 g Edam cheese or any kind you prefer
Green bell pepper, cut into slices
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp oregano
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup black olives, pitted
1 tomato, sliced
A few lettuce leaves
¼ cup arugula
Directions
1. Drizzle olive oil on baguette and toast in a preheated pan
2. Remove from heat and top with lettuce, cold cuts, olives, tomatoes, bell pepper, cheese and seasoning
3. Wrap the sandwich tightly in foil and weigh down with a heavy skillet for 10 minutes so all the flavours set and combine
4. Cut in half before serving
Spinach & Mushroom Omelette
An authentic French omelette is just eggs and butter, no filling. But spinach and mushroom are welcome too
Ingredients
2 eggs
2 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup baby spinach
¼ cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 tbsp gruyère cheese
Green onion and tomatoes, diced for garnish
Directions
1. Heat oil over moderate heat in a small nonstick pan
2. Beat the eggs after adding salt and pepper until they are light yellow in colour
3. Combine the spinach, mushroom and the eggs, and place in the heated pan
4. Release edges to cook excess eggs. Wait until the eggs are set and almost cooked
5. Flip to the other side, add the cheese and fold over
6. Garnish with green onions and tomatoes if desired and serve immediately
French Toast
Pain Perdu, the original French Toast, is crisp and buttery on the outside, while rich and creamy on the inside
Directions
3 large eggs
1 tsp of vanilla
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp of olive oil
1 brioche loaf, sliced
1 cup whole milk
½ cup heavy cream
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ tsp cinnamon
¼ cup sugar plus two tsp if you want it caramelised
1 tbsp powdered sugar
Maple syrup and berries for serving
Directions
1. Heat mixture of oil and butter in a nonstick pan
2. Beat eggs with milk and heavy cream, add salt, pepper, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon until fluffy
3. Place bread in the mixture for a few seconds until it absorbs the eggs
4. Place the slices in the hot pan for a few minutes on each side until the eggs are well cooked. Sprinkle some sugar on each if you like it caramelised
5. Remove from pan, place on the serving plate, garnish with powdered sugar, top with berries and drizzle with maple syrup
You can contact Taghreed’ Odeh at [email protected]
