Bread, Cheese and all that Jazz

 

FRENCH BREAD. The endless world of French bread. Baguettes... God, after thirty-some years in France you would think I could walk into a bakery and not drool on myself.

At the market a woman walked by carrying three baguettes, they looked the same at a glance, but look at the ends-

Each one has a slightly different end... Different endings though the taste is the same. With that said I prefer the one on the left, a ficelle it is long and narrow, more chewy crust per bite. Good for dips and spreads.

The square-ended one is called a pain de Campagne, it has some rye or whole wheat flour, last longer than a day.

The one in the middle is a batard, Shorter, half the size and thicker than a baguette. Sounds like body types don't they? The whole body that is. Batard means 'bast-rd" in English. When the baker comes to the end of the dough, and there isn't enough for a baguette he uses the leftover bit to make a batard.

Anyway bread, cheese, wine, some fruit... the daily feast.

The last supper, my favorite supper. Oh, these French classic basics. Give or take a beret, Soccer, and cigarettes.

Thick edible crusty goat cheese, Valencay is covered in charcoal. Direct from the farm. Soft center.

 

The name of these cracks me up...

Bouton de Culotte - Underwear Buttons. Also a goat cheese. Can you imagine asking you guests if they would like some more "Underwear Buttons and a Bast-rd piece of bread?

Lovely.

The French know how to add humor to their daily rituals. They know how to hide a smile. They know how to beat the system. They know that life is not that serious even if they get caught up with how to cut the cheese.

Goat cheese is my favorite 

(no it doesn't smell like goat urine, any more than cow cheese does.)

This one is a soft cheese with rosemary. 

Add some tomato chutney, a bit of this cheese, and a glass of Medoc.

 

Sechons, or dried hard like a rock, tough as brick, break your teeth goat cheese.

I think if you take fresh goat cheese (above photo) and let it dry for ten years and a day, without counting you would have Sechons. Doesn't that sound yummy? They are, but they are not my favorite. Honestly hard as a rock cheese, why?

My theory is leftover cheese that didn't fly off the shelf. Re-brand it. Call it Sechons.

Marketing baby.

(Actually, these can be grated, and or soaked in olive oil, garlic, and herbs.)

 

Bleu d'Avergne, Gorgonzola, Roquefort.... love it.

Endive Roquefort Walnut Tart is one of my stand-by quick dinners.

Isn't there a saying that says, "You can tell a foreigner by the shoes they wear?" I am sure I have heard that before.

Anyway, in France, they say, "You can tell a foreigner by how they wear their scarf."
I am teasing they don't say that. 

They know I am a foreigner when I open my mouth.

Melons and strawberries, cherries, and peaches. 

Summer is for romancing the taste buds.

 

 

 

I love these little signs, especially when they are attached with these metal hooks.

 

Onions in a basket from Cevennes. 

Flowers in a zinc bucket. 

 

Fish in shells.

Picturesque.

 

Then I saw the cherries which caused me to shiver.

If you cannot pick them from your neighbor's tree,

if you have burnt them making jam.

Then you can buy them at the market...but only if you are going to eat them and forego making jam.

Comments

[Linda C.]

Mmm..after having visited France, I think that both those sayings about the shoes and the scarf are correct. Tourists walk all day sightseeing, so they have to wear comfortable ( always ugly) shoes.
Scarves, well, French women must have one put on them at birth. They wear them with such flair and ease. Not me I'm afraid, just have to follow your advice Corey and unbutton the shirt one button further down...

[Karen]

Aaargh now you've made me hungry AND jealous! I would give anything to have these wonderful markets on my doorstep, and I could live on the breads/cheeses/wines alone. Thank you for such an interesting post - I've learned a lot, besides drooling on my keyboard!

[Jeanine]

Just LoVing YOUR BLOG!*!*! France is just amazingly beautifull... Thanks for your GREAT Pics and Stories... Jeanine, ChiPPy!-SHaBBy!

[linda marcov]

oh to have something even close to a French open market near by... pure heaven... there is one in Portland,OR. that comes close in the little area called Lake Oswego..friends there are very lucky.. also McKinney Texas, where my good live and shop weekly.. so they do exist here.. just not in every village like in France... have a cherry for me.. Love Linda

[Paulita]

You make me so hungry...not for food, but for France. It's a longing in the pit of my stomach that runs through my soul. Is there a direct route from the pit of my stomach to my soul? Not sure, but I feel it.

[Everton Terrace]

Cheese, glorious cheese. I love it so. I realized while reading this something I just can't believe. I'm almost ashamed to admit it. My first and only visit to France two summers ago - I ate no cheese. I don't know how this happened. I have to go back!

[ellen cassilly]

MIssing La Belle France.
I'm going to walk down the street to the farmers market this afternoon and buy some lovely produce. We are just getting blueberries and peaches in North Carolina. It will be a while before the melons come in. Hugs, E.

[Penny]

8 am here in the midwest. Your words and pictures have me drooling on the computer keys.

[Debbie]

what a wonderful way to start the day.... I am sooo jealous but I usually am when I read your blog. Have a great day.

[Patt]

We are very lucky here in Northern California, Cherry season is now upon us. Going to buy some Springer Cherries today. Actually bings, sold by the Springer's. I can get wonderful imported cheeses from the market as well as the fresh bread. BUT..... France, oh yes France would be much more elegant. I love the markets in Europe. They make you feel so connected to your food. Thank you for the little journey.

[Kathie B.]

Now I know the REAL reason French women are slimmer than Americans: Food costs so much more in France, so they eat smaller portions!

But my, the bread, cheese and fruit do look appealing. When's lunch?

[AmyKortuem]

Heaven is a boulangerie with endless bread choices...and a fromagerie next door!

[Marilyn]

"Summer is for romancing the taste-buds." Yes, it is for sure! Now I want my garden to hurry up and shine with the beautiful fruits of summer. Lovely images. The bakery where I buy bread has what they call "french batard". Now I know more about it. It's one of my favorites.

[ThroughtheMilkhouseDoor]

Lettuce trimmed into flowers.
Goat cheese wrapped in paper and tied with a string.
Fish swimming just yesterday.
Bouquets of Herbs de Provence.
Walking with my market bag....
It's my favorite and most treasured memory of France

[J. Is a bird]

That was delightful. Thank you so much.

The first time I went out of the country, my husband made sure that I did not bring tennis shoes/sneakers with me. "You can't wear them in Europe unless you're actually playing tennis." Me: "Why not?" Him: "Because they will know you are an American from a mile away." So not wearing tennis shoes allowed me to get close enough to ask for directions;)

I would like to point out that you have no idea what I have to do to find even ONE decent baguette here in Los Angeles, let alone several with charming names.

[Carolyn]

Today must be a big hormone day as the beauty of you words and photographs made my heart weep. Thank you for opening my soul each and every day. I live in Chico, CA - perhaps we could meet when you come to Willows!

[Museummom]

Yes, indeed thank you for this visually yummy journey today! And I had always wondered about a batard...

[Alan]

When I was twenty years old, I spent a year on a farm in Iowa, and when I got myself a goat everyone told me the milk would taste like goat pee.

WRONG! It was sweet and fine.

[Linda Humphrey]

Lovely, really lovely. Thanks for all the photos they are so bright and lively.
We just returned from a long stay in our home in the south-west, a little south west of Toulouse. You inspired me to start a blog for my family and friends, a good way to share our experiences and not mention photos.
If you have a few minutes you can check it out.
OneFootinFrance.blogspot.com
An interesting story, but you have to begin at the first entry.
Thanks,

[Nancy]

Men wearing socks and sandals...dead give away here in California. :)

[Catalina]

oh! it is true Corey, they know because the scarf as well! (different way to use it for sure...)

Love goat cheese as well!

[amylia]

gorgeous photos! You blow me away with these images. How is it that you have remained a hidden treasure for so long?

[Kit]

Thanks for taking us along to the market today, Corey. I'm salivating again - all that richesse, can't decide if I want the cherries or the goats' cheese more.

[roxane]

About 10 years ago those price numbers where the same but the value was still in Francs. How much more expensive can life be? There is nothing like french cheese and bread together and a handfull of fresh cherries. I will still travel far and pay a lot for those. Yum!

[Shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com]

Oh, the French have so much more to teach us than scarf knotting....at least she's smiling!!!

[Theresa]

what an informative post! I did not know about buttons , batards or sechons.....you make me look savvy!!

[Gwen from HI]

Thank you thank you thank you! I love to see the beautiful cheese. In my house it is a rule: no one touches mom's brie. It is my vice. I recently piped an herbed chevrie into dates for a salad but with one taste, they never made it to the table. I picked the bowl clean and giggled to myself during dinner.

[Denise Moulun-pasek]

Love that bleu d'Auvergne! Am looping forward to discovering new cheeses and gong to Troc and hitting at least one brocante with you...

[Nora]

Oh, that cheese! The bread! I think I'd better stay in Australia. My waistline simply cannot handle France...

[Hasmin]

Ugghhh...this post is making me hungry!

[Jessie Christieson]

Hi there...love your blog - the beautiful photo of the cherries!! gorgeous...and you're so funny - indeed, what would our guests say to the underwear buttons and bast-rds for dinner!! haha...makes you just want to try it out on them!!
I am a kiwi (from NZ!)and hope to be in France end of 2011 with my hubby where we plan to spend a year or two while he works in Dubai...I think i'll follow your blog and see what I learn in the meantime :) I too am 51 and blonde..i think it's a sign!! haha...thanks for sharing yourself with us...look forward to hearing more.
oh..p.s. my aunt used to farm goats and the only goats cheese i ever ate tasted like the smell of Poppa, the billy goat, when he was 'in season'...ewwww!!!!!So can't imagine it tasting good!!

[jend'isère]

Ripe! Thanks for images of cheeses & fruits at their fullest colour & flavour! Love how such French cheese is called "mature".

[Sherry]

Corey, What lovely pictures and word images you create. I am drooling over the goat cheeses and all. I'm no longer able to eat bread, but sneak a bite once and a while. But goat and sheeps milk cheese on crackers...Yum! Have a lovely day...Sherry

[Maura @ Lilac Lane Cottage]

OH Corey thank you for taking us to a French market. In 99 I went to one in the village of Versailles (bus tour)...it was the first market I had seen in France and it was WONDERFUL! It was so colorful and lively and the produce and flowers..oh my. There was an old lady sitting in an open area playing a tiny accordion and a little girl was dancing in front of her. The whole scene was like a dream. Thank you for bringing back that memory.

[Julie Ann Evins]

So good I can smell it all, so Provence, so miss it, jx

[Jane Ann]

Reminds me of a market my daughter and I stumbled upon when we visited Paris in March. It was just to the west of Rue Montogueil and oh my goodness! It was like being at an art fair. Everything was exquisite! It made our little markets back home look pitiful. No wonder the French appreciate food so much. Look at what they have to work with. Thank you for the visual feast!

[Elisa_Croatia]

Your photos are wonderful! It's true about the shoes..Americans (tennis shoes!!)LOL

wow so many types of cheeses!!!

[viagra online]

I'd love to try that hazelnut/rye approach in our stored-dough method. First, I'll try to find the hazelnuts! Thanks for posting to Jaden's site, hope I answered your question...

[Ella Dyer]

Chère Corey et bonjour à tous,

Well I was going to comment on yesterday's post On your Mark (I think that was Sunday, such a cute photo of you and Gabriel) and make a few guesses for the name of your next bundle of joy, but then, well life.

Meanwhile today's post made me pause in gratitude for life here in France. To leave the "hexagone" would mean complete sensory deprivation not to mention marvelous meals/wine, simple shopping pleasures and the joie de vivre a la France, would all be null and void and it is impossible to re-create elsewhere.

May all who want to return for visits and or to live (like me) be able to so soon; it is truly a gift. As are you; my husband and I are happy to meet Pascal and Laurie this Friday in Nice (we'll take a group shot for you).

Bon début de semaine,
Ella et Simone

[Jeanne]

Fabulous food for thought. I love all you share with us.
Fabulous blessings to have an abundance of food.
French bread one of my favs.
Much love always
Jeanne

[Texasfrancophile]

Wow this post takes me back to my favorite country outside U.S. Can’t imagine when we’ll be able to return. Covid consumes our news. Dallas is in the red zone again. Very few ICU beds available etc. so i dream of Provence. Loved the photos. Asked a waiter in il sur Le sorgue (sp?) how he could tell an American before they spoke. He said in many cases it was tennis/sneakers and a warm up suit usually brightly colored. LOL. I start my every morning with your blog.

[Suzette Bannister]

SO MANY of my favorite things in this post! One of my favorite parts of the baguette is also one of my favorite French words…”quignon.” I’ll never forget eating goat cheese with the tomato and olive tapenades around your table, can’t believe it’s been five years already!

[Marilyn]

Oh how I wish I could be walking through the market in France.
Love goat cheese and a good baguette, plus fresh produce.

[Jan]

My little French mum had a word for the crunchy baked pinwheels she would make out of leftover bits of crust dough, cinnamon, sugar, and butter that I can’t recall. I know it was a naughty reference to a bit of anatomy on one’s derriere. 🥴 They were a favorite treat. ❤️