Now that we’ve finished celebrating January in France 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 at this time of year. “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 today, as well as through the weekend, 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!
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Gypy4R2hj00%3Ffeature%3Doembed
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?
Here’s what The Good Life France has to say about French traditions on February 2nd.
It wouldn’t be right to forget about our Groundhog Day today, as mentioned above! What was your local groundhog’s prediction in your neighbourhood? Six weeks of …???
Whatever the prediction, make the most of it! Stay safe, everyone.
My most favourite dessert of all time, with no exceptions are Crepes Suzette. I’ve even made them myself from a recipe Igor in the 80’s from the. Grand Mariner bottle. Talk about Yummy 😋
Actually I like any crepe…sweet or savoury, and if there is a choice it will remain
CZs.
I couldn’t agree more, Liane! Wish we could share an order!
I love crepes – savory and sweet. I’ve made them here at the inn for breakfast. They are super easy and fun to flip.
(BTW the link you provided for the recipe didn’t work for me – gave me an Error message.)
One of these days I’m going to get to France and enjoy some authentic French cooking.
Thanks for shaving the fun.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Bonjour ma belle amie! I’m glad to hear you make them at the Inn. What fun! Try the link again because it has always worked for me and did when I checked it now. I also double-checked the Youtube link so you can watch someone making crêpes in France . Listen for the classic “oh là là” in the background. It make me chuckle.
Yay – it worked this time!! Those crepes are a lot bigger than the ones I make. I make mine about the size of a luncheon plate and I don’t fold mine like that in triangles. I kind of roll mind, more like a burrito. Still delicious.
Thanks for sharing.
Patricia
Yay – it worked that time!! Those crepes are huge. I make mine smaller, about the size of a luncheon plate. And I don’t fold mine in triangles like that, I sort of roll them, more like a burrito. Still yummy.
Thanks for sharing.
Patricia