How to Eat Crêpes on Chandeleur

Summary

In this episode of Comme une Française TV, host Géraldine introduces viewers to the French tradition of La Chandeleur, celebrated on February 2nd with crêpes. The script explains the historical significance of the holiday, which evolved from a candle festival to a culinary celebration. It also provides vocabulary for making crêpes and galettes, including ingredients and cooking techniques, and suggests various fillings for both sweet and savory crepes. The video encourages viewers to share their crepe experiences and engage in the community.

Takeaways

• 📅 Chandeleur is celebrated on February 2nd in France, marking the occasion with the making and eating of crêpes.
• 🕯️ The holiday has its roots in the 'Candle Festival', where candles were lit for purification at midnight.
• 🌞 Crepes are associated with the sun due to their round shape and color, symbolizing the hope for the return of warmth after winter.
• 🍽️ Historically, Chandeleur was a time to use up leftover flour to make a special treat during a challenging season.
• ⛪️ The festival began as a pagan feast but was incorporated into the Christian calendar around the year 500.
• 🍳 Making crêpes is a family activity in France, often involving a competition to see who can 'flip the crêpes' the best.
• 🍹 Traditional beverages with crêpes include cider, which can be sweet or dry, and apple juice.
• 🍴 For those who don't want to cook, there are crêperies where one can enjoy the dish.
• 🥞 Crêpes can be either sweet (sucrée) or savory (salée), with galettes being a type of savory crêpe made with buckwheat flour.
• 🧀 Savory galettes can be filled with various ingredients such as cheese, eggs, ham, mushrooms, and vegetables.
• 🍯 Sweet crêpes are typically filled with sugar, butter, Nutella, melted chocolate, lemon, coconut, ice cream, caramel, or whipped cream.
• 🌐 The video encourages viewers to use the vocabulary and recipes provided to improve their French and share their experiences.

Q & A

What is La Chandeleur and when is it celebrated in France?

La Chandeleur is a French holiday celebrated on February 2nd. It is traditionally associated with the making and eating of crêpes.

What is the origin of La Chandeleur and how did it evolve over time?

La Chandeleur originated as a pagan feast and later became a Christian holiday around the year 500. It was initially celebrated by lighting candles at midnight for purification and now involves eating crêpes.

What is the significance of the shape and color of crêpes during La Chandeleur?

The shape and color of the crêpes are similar to the sun, symbolizing the anticipation of warmer weather after a long, cold winter.

How did the tradition of making crêpes during La Chandeleur start?

In the old days, people used their leftover flour to make crêpes as a special treat during the tough winter season, which later became a tradition associated with La Chandeleur.

What are the basic ingredients needed to make crêpes according to the script?

To make crêpes, you need eggs, flour, milk, oil, and optionally, beer for a more traditional taste.

What are some common beverages to accompany crêpes during La Chandeleur?

Common beverages to accompany crêpes are cider, which can be sweet or dry, and apple juice.

What is a 'crêpière' and how is it used in making crêpes?

A 'crêpière' is a type of pan used for making crêpes. It is similar to a large frying pan and is specifically designed for cooking thin, round pancakes.

What are 'galettes' and how do they differ from crêpes?

Galettes are a type of crêpe made with buckwheat flour, typically used for savory fillings, as opposed to sweet crêpes which are made with regular flour.

What are some popular fillings for galettes mentioned in the script?

Popular fillings for galettes include grated cheese, goat cheese, blue cheese, ham, and mushrooms.

How does the script suggest improving one's French language skills?

The script suggests that to improve French, one should take action by using what they learn from Comme une Française TV, such as participating in discussions and asking questions in the comment section.

What exclusive content is offered by subscribing to Comme une Française?

By subscribing to Comme une Française, one can receive exclusive tips on Real Life in France every Tuesday, as well as an exclusive video lesson on presenting oneself in French.