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Sweet or savoury?

January 31, 2014 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

Now that we’ve finished celebrating in January by eating la galette des rois, the king’s cake, it’s time to sweep away those crumbs and haul out the crêpes pan!

February 2nd, is La Chandeleur, Fête des Lumières,  Jour des Crêpes. You might know it as Candlemas.French-Candlemas-La-Chandeleur-Crêpe-Day

Churches will celebrate the tradition of the lighting of candles.

Then it will be all about … what else, this IS France … food!

Crêpes and cidre. Unlike our apple cider, this drink has a touch of alcohol.

The day is often accompanied by fortune telling and in many kitchens, crêpes are flipped in the air with the pan in one hand and a coin in the other. If the crêpe lands back in the pan, the year will be a prosperous one. Children hold their breath in anticipation!

Similar to our North American, Groundhog Day, there’s a prediction about winter. “Rosée à la Chandeleur, hiver à sa dernière heure.” If  there is dew at dawn, winter will soon be over.

As the French do so well, the day is a fun-filled, family time. If you’re tempted to celebrate your own Jour des Crêpes, they are delicious and light  and easy to make. Click right here for a recipe.

images-2There are crêpe stands or crêperies everywhere in France and on Sunday there will be few people not enjoying this simple and delicious food with a filling of choice ~ sweet or savoury.  Crêpes have a history that goes back to Biblical times and in France, Britanny is said to have established the true crêpe recipe.

Get in line right here! Bon appétit!

Have you ever made crêpes? Which do you prefer, the French crêpe or it’s slightly heavier English cousin, the pancake? Are you a fan of sweet or savoury?

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Filed Under: Blog, France, If it is France... Tagged With: crêperies, Fête des Lumières, la Chandeleur, Patricia Sands, the day of crepes

About Patricia Sands

Family, writing and travel are my passions ... okay, and chocolate ... and I'm seldom without a camera. I write women's fiction and keep in touch with readers by a monthly newsletter that also has giveaways and contests. Come and join us by signing up on the right. See you there!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. evelyneholingue says

    January 31, 2014 at 11:31 pm

    I do crepes all the time, especially for la Chandeleur. Merci!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 1, 2014 at 9:08 pm

      I’m sure your crêpes are delicious, Evelyn! I think that is in the DNA of people born in France because all of our friends there make them perfectly. Bon Jour Des Crêpes!

      Reply
  2. Darlene says

    February 1, 2014 at 12:22 am

    I love crepes but have not mastered the art of making them. We had some fabulous crepes in Nuremberg, Germany. I do however make a mean pancake which my grandchildren and my husband love.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 1, 2014 at 9:08 pm

      Pancakes are good too!

      Reply
  3. wordsfromanneli says

    February 1, 2014 at 1:21 am

    So good!

    Reply
  4. margaret21 says

    February 1, 2014 at 3:51 am

    I like both French and English pancakes. But… I’m not fond of French pancakes served cold for picnics. They seem to do that a lot. And I do have fun tossing English ones!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 1, 2014 at 9:10 pm

      Hmmm – I’ve never had crêpes cold. Don’t think I would like them either!

      Reply
  5. Crowing Crone Joss says

    February 1, 2014 at 5:17 am

    tomorrow promises to be a beautiful sunny day here in Normandy. We will be out and about, viewing, savouring, perhaps lighting a candle in an ancient church.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 1, 2014 at 9:12 pm

      Bonne Fête des Lumières! I’ve been enjoying your beautiful walks on the beach!

      Reply
  6. thephotoseye says

    February 1, 2014 at 6:13 am

    Nothing better than sweet French crêpes! A wonderful tradition!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 1, 2014 at 9:13 pm

      Oui, d’accord! I love them sweet too!

      Reply
  7. fransiweinstein says

    February 1, 2014 at 7:45 am

    Many years ago one of my favourite restaurants in Montreal was Crepe Bretonne. They served crepes — both sweet and savoury — with dozens and dozens of different fillings. My favourite was cheese, mushroom and sausage. They also had cider (with alcohol in it). Their onion soup was amazing and they had a delicious salad of greens with cheese and apple. Thanks for the memory.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 1, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      Fransi, I used to love that restaurant too. Were you there in 63/64? You have no doubt enjoyed a crêpe or two at Le Papillon in Toronto too. Oui? You just brought back some good memories to me too!

      Reply
  8. totsymae1011 says

    February 1, 2014 at 8:23 am

    I can’t say I’ve eaten crepe before. I’m all about the sweet.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 1, 2014 at 9:17 pm

      Totsy! Hey! Great to see you here. I loved the video you put together on your blog this week … so clever! Check out the crêpes recipe. They are easy to make and can be as sweet as you wish … chocolate is a must for me.

      Reply
      • totsymae1011 says

        February 2, 2014 at 10:26 am

        Great to be here. You’re over here cooking and whatnot. I’ll have to try this. I think I’ll try it with jam.

        And thank you. Glad you like the video. I’ll have plans to post more.

        Reply
  9. Words We Women Write says

    February 1, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    Or? Sweet and savory, bring ’em on.
    I wish you dew at dawn.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 2, 2014 at 12:16 pm

      I love your spirit and I’m hoping for dew too! I’ll have to check as I’m in Florida right now and I’m wondering if you are as well … ?

      Reply
  10. Kitt Crescendo says

    February 1, 2014 at 11:52 pm

    Mmmm…crepes. Usually I like them sweet, but I’m dying to try them savory. 🙂

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 2, 2014 at 10:20 pm

      I loooove them sweet but was surprised to discover that the savoury were yummy too! Either way, bring them on!

      Reply
  11. fatimasaysell says

    February 2, 2014 at 6:33 am

    I love banana and lemon.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      February 2, 2014 at 10:21 pm

      Oh, that sounds good. I’ll have to try that combination! Thanks!

      Reply
  12. The Regular Guy NYC says

    February 3, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    Love crepes! We have a terrific place close to my apartment in NYC that we go to, and another that just opened. I like all different kinds, dinner or dessert crepes.

    Reply
  13. jansenschmidt says

    February 3, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    I love me some crepes. Not that I don’t like pancakes mind you, but crepes are every so delicious! Viva la France!

    Thanks for the recipe. Going try them with some fresh fruit and cream.

    Patricia Rickrode
    w/a Jansen Schmidt

    Reply
  14. Tiffany A White says

    February 4, 2014 at 12:25 pm

    I love crepes, but I have never made one! There are tons of breakfast bistros around here that make absolutely delish crepes! Now I feel like taking a road trip…

    Reply
  15. sheridegrom - From the literary and legislative trenches. says

    February 6, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    Patricia – When Tom feels up to cooking, one of his favorite items is crepes. During the summer we freeze fresh fruit with it’s own juice specifically for the crepes. He does some kind of simple fruit spread and sometimes he’ll place it in a folded crepe and it’s so good. He does try to make them as no sugar added as possible and they are marvelous. When word goes out that Tom’s making crepes, suddenly our friends start dropping by in rapid order. Thanks for providing me a fond memory.

    Reply
  16. Madhu says

    February 12, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    Love a good brie onion galette with cidre. Mine never come out as well as those I have had in France. Or perhaps it is the nostalgia, like mother’s cooking 🙂

    Reply

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