France: A beginner's guide to French Cuisine

France -- the land of wine and cheese. Even if you don't drink wine of eat cheese, you will never ever starve in France. In fact, you will be spoilt with choices.



Coq au vin 

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This is a mouth-watering dish where chicken is braised in red wine, lardons, mushrooms and vegetables.

Ratatouille 

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Remember the Pixar movie Ratatouille? The cooking rat was the reason I first took interest in French cuisine. Ratatouille is a vegetarian stew.
Where to eat: Nice.

Steak frites
Literally means Steak and fries.
Where to try: Le Relais de l'Entrecote (expect a long line.)

Steak tartare 
Well it is raw minced beef, but before you start gagging, I must say that it is delicious and definitely a must try for first-timers. (I ordered without knowing it is raw meat)

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Cheval / Taureau.
Horse and bull stew, braised in wine and orange sauce.

Moules Marinières 
A classic French fast- food involving mussels, a splash of wine, cider, butter and garlic.
Where to eat: Normandy

Croque-monsieur
Think grilled-cheese sandwich perfected with jambon (ham), gruyère cheese sandwich and bechamel sauce.

Escargot
Yes it is a Snail dish cooked with garlic, butter and parsley.
Where to eat: L'Escargot Montorgueil, Paris.

Boudin Noir 
Pig blood sausage... for those who love this idea please go ahead. I'll pass.

Quenelles de brochet 
Dumplings made with pike (fish), butter, breadcrumbs, and lobster sauce.
Where to eat: Lyon

Quiche lorraine 
If you love lardons (smoked bacon pieces), you would love these quiche!

Duck confit
Duck legs cooked in their own fat
Where to eat: Gascogne.

Les cuisses de grenouilles.
Frog legs... try it before you say "ewww". It tasted just like chicken.

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Foie gras.
Some say that it is gross, consider that it is an internal organ (a duck's or goose's).
Where to eat: Alsace and Perigord.

Cheese
Go to a cheese market to sample the cheese you thought you always hated. You might be in for a big surprise!

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Thank You for Reading! 

This post is based solely on my opinion or personal experience. 

If you have a different opinion or more suggestions, feel free to share your thoughts with me by commenting below!