The History of our Discover Normandy Cooking Vacation Property
Filed Under Destination Features France
The region of Normandy -- located in the north of France -- is a place steeped in history in so many ways. Well known as the site of the D-Day landings during World War II, there are an incredible amount of places to visit, including the beaches and museums. According to Chef Sinead of our Discover Normandy cooking vacation in France, "the poignant American Cemetery, in my book, is an… Read
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Christmas Recipes from France: Red Berry and Frangipane Tart
Filed Under Recipes, Special Occasions France
This red berry and frangipane tart is a wonderful Christmas tart recipe. It may also be made during the summer – in the height of berry season – but when you join Chef Nikki at our Cooking in the French Alps culinary vacation, you may see it on the Winter and Christmas menu too. After all, berries frozen over the summer work just as well in this winter berry tart.… Read
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Christmas Eve Culinary Traditions in the French Alps
Filed Under Destination Features, Interviews, Special Occasions France
All over the world, families and loved ones gather together to celebrate the holiday season. For many, traditions revolve around the dining room table, and in France, there are quite a few traditions in regards to what's served and when. In today's blog, Chef Nikki, of our fabulous Cooking in the French Alps culinary vacation, shares what her traditional meal consists of, complete with luscious descriptions of all the different… Read
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Wine and Cheese Pairings: Provence Culinary Trips
Filed Under Food History, Kitchen Tips, Wines & Spirits France
When it comes to any food and wine pairings, it's pretty much always a safe bet to serve wines and foods of the same region. The reason for this is quite simple; the terroir where the vineyards grow is similar to the terrior where the goats, cows, and sheep graze on the grass. This makes for uniquely complimentary flavors between the wines of a region and its food products. Learn… Read
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The Basics of the Baguette
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History France
What's the most famous type of bread? I'm guessing for many people it's the baguette, that quintessential part of French gastronomy, spotted tucked under the arms and in the shopping bags of French people everywhere. As one of the symbols of French cuisine and of France itself, we thought we'd delve into the history of it to see what its origins are. Learn to make baguettes during a baking class… Read
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Recipe for Pears Poached in Wine from a France Cooking Vacation
Filed Under Recipes, Wines & Spirits France
What could be more seasonal than a perfect fall poached pear? One of nature's perfectly sweet fruits, a pear "pairs" perfectly with a variety of wines. We've included a classic poached recipe below, using red wine, but try using a white wine (or a sparkler) with some ginger and lemon for another variation! See all our cooking vacations in France. Poached Pears in Red Wine Serves: 8 Prep time: 5… Read
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