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.
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.
There 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?
I do crepes all the time, especially for la Chandeleur. Merci!
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!
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.
Pancakes are good too!
So good!
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!
Hmmm – I’ve never had crêpes cold. Don’t think I would like them either!
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.
Bonne Fête des Lumières! I’ve been enjoying your beautiful walks on the beach!
Nothing better than sweet French crêpes! A wonderful tradition!
Oui, d’accord! I love them sweet too!
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.
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!
I can’t say I’ve eaten crepe before. I’m all about the sweet.
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.
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.
Or? Sweet and savory, bring ’em on.
I wish you dew at dawn.
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 … ?
Mmmm…crepes. Usually I like them sweet, but I’m dying to try them savory. 🙂
I loooove them sweet but was surprised to discover that the savoury were yummy too! Either way, bring them on!
I love banana and lemon.
Oh, that sounds good. I’ll have to try that combination! Thanks!
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.
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
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…
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.
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 🙂