Hello, Friends! Happy Easter!
Today is a wonderful day because all around the world, in all the religions that celebrate Easter, this holiday falls on the same day! I feel so much better knowing that while I am here in Russia, devouring all the delicious Easter food, millions of others around the world are doing the same!!!! Woot!
Having prepared (and already eaten) so many scrumptious dishes, I got to thinking about good food and what my favorite cuisine is. Immediately, most likely prompted by my recent trip, French cuisine came to mind. So here's a little overview of why I enjoy French food and the culture that surrounds the cuisine.
Fist off, hands down, France makes the best bread in the entire world. Nothing compares. Baguettes, croissants, bigger loaves, smaller loaves, loaves with olives, Madeline's, pastries, macaroons...everything is quality and delicious.
Secondly, the French culture of specialty shops like boulangeries, patisseries, fromageries, boucheries, and poissoneries is excellent because the quality of the products sold there is exponentially higher than supermarket products, and they're not much more expensive either. Especially in boucheries and patisseries (bread and pastry shops), the products are made by hand in the store. Every morning everything is fresh, and the ingredients are local because the stores are family-run and they do not need enormous quantities since it's just one shop, so the quality is exceptional.
In general, the way that the French deal with food is definitely a model that I think the rest of the world should learn from. Quality is the most important aspect, meaning that quantity is not focused on because it doesn't need to be. When a person eats great, quality food (in a savory non-overstuffing kind of way), he doesn't need a lot of it because it is very filling in itself.
Also, the portions are appropriately sized - an important influence of weight gain/loss.
The 'family' of food that is eaten is also correct. A typical breakfast consists of baguette with jam and some fruit: carbs and glucose to start the day. Lunch lasts about an hour, during which in addition to food like salads or sandwiches (all the food groups plus something savory), there is time for relaxation. And dinner is a small serving of every food group - cheese, meat, vegetables, and bread.
As for wine, the French once again focus on quality so even the cheap wines are exquisite. One bottle shared among a group of five or so friends over a period of a few hours is all that is needed for a typical French evening. Generally, the French aren't known to drink to get drunk - a lifestyle that is certainly a healthy one.
Overall, the French are master chefs and foodies. That is definitely something that I am going to miss when I am in parts of the world that deal with food differently. Even with the copious amounts of walking that I did every day, the way in which I ate the food that I ate agreed with me very well.
So I am certainly a big fan of French food...
But for now, since I am in Russia and not in France on Easter [I wonder what the French eat?], I am going to fully enjoy the traditional dishes of kulich, pas'ha, and colored eggs.
Fun Fact of the Easter Day:
The XB on the kulich above stands for "Христос Воскрес" - the Russian Easter salutation meaning "Christ has risen" or the non-literal translation: "Bless me, [Father]". And the response is "Воистину воскресе" meaning "Indeed, He has risen" or "God blesses you".
This XB acronym is seen everywhere on Easter - on kulich, pas'ha, napkins, wrapping, bags...everything.
Hope you liked the post and I didn't make you too hungry :)
Happy Easter! Христос Воскрес!
Today is a wonderful day because all around the world, in all the religions that celebrate Easter, this holiday falls on the same day! I feel so much better knowing that while I am here in Russia, devouring all the delicious Easter food, millions of others around the world are doing the same!!!! Woot!
 |
| Easter Brunch with Babushka Lilya and Galya |
Fist off, hands down, France makes the best bread in the entire world. Nothing compares. Baguettes, croissants, bigger loaves, smaller loaves, loaves with olives, Madeline's, pastries, macaroons...everything is quality and delicious.
Secondly, the French culture of specialty shops like boulangeries, patisseries, fromageries, boucheries, and poissoneries is excellent because the quality of the products sold there is exponentially higher than supermarket products, and they're not much more expensive either. Especially in boucheries and patisseries (bread and pastry shops), the products are made by hand in the store. Every morning everything is fresh, and the ingredients are local because the stores are family-run and they do not need enormous quantities since it's just one shop, so the quality is exceptional.
In general, the way that the French deal with food is definitely a model that I think the rest of the world should learn from. Quality is the most important aspect, meaning that quantity is not focused on because it doesn't need to be. When a person eats great, quality food (in a savory non-overstuffing kind of way), he doesn't need a lot of it because it is very filling in itself.
Also, the portions are appropriately sized - an important influence of weight gain/loss.
The 'family' of food that is eaten is also correct. A typical breakfast consists of baguette with jam and some fruit: carbs and glucose to start the day. Lunch lasts about an hour, during which in addition to food like salads or sandwiches (all the food groups plus something savory), there is time for relaxation. And dinner is a small serving of every food group - cheese, meat, vegetables, and bread.
As for wine, the French once again focus on quality so even the cheap wines are exquisite. One bottle shared among a group of five or so friends over a period of a few hours is all that is needed for a typical French evening. Generally, the French aren't known to drink to get drunk - a lifestyle that is certainly a healthy one.
Overall, the French are master chefs and foodies. That is definitely something that I am going to miss when I am in parts of the world that deal with food differently. Even with the copious amounts of walking that I did every day, the way in which I ate the food that I ate agreed with me very well.
So I am certainly a big fan of French food...
But for now, since I am in Russia and not in France on Easter [I wonder what the French eat?], I am going to fully enjoy the traditional dishes of kulich, pas'ha, and colored eggs.
 |
| Definitely baked and decorated this myself...no help from the store bakers at all...I'm just this talented |
The XB on the kulich above stands for "Христос Воскрес" - the Russian Easter salutation meaning "Christ has risen" or the non-literal translation: "Bless me, [Father]". And the response is "Воистину воскресе" meaning "Indeed, He has risen" or "God blesses you".
This XB acronym is seen everywhere on Easter - on kulich, pas'ha, napkins, wrapping, bags...everything.
Hope you liked the post and I didn't make you too hungry :)
Happy Easter! Христос Воскрес!
No comments:
Post a Comment