French food is famous worldwide for its flavor and technique.
Some of the most expensive foods in the world come from France. Although cheese and wine obviously come to mind, the French are famous for large banquets with various types of dishes. Many types of French plates are famous all over the globe.
Foie Gras
One of the most well-known plates in French cuisine is foie gras. It is an extremely delicate piece of meat that can be easily ruined if not prepared correctly. This plate consists of duck or goose liver from a bird that has been intentionally fattened to produce a buttery, rich meat. This meat is expensive, and can be worth up to ten times more than the whole bird. It can be served whole or prepared into a mousse, pate or parfait.
Truffles
Truffles are a highly-sought after type of underground fungi found in France. These are almost exclusively found in European countries, with France providing 45 percent of the production. Because they are extremely expensive, truffles are usually served sparingly and used as an addition to a dish. They have an aroma similar to deep-fried sunflower seeds or walnuts. Truffles are also attributed to having aphrodisiacal powers when eaten, though it is unclear if this is true.
Ceps
Ceps are another type of wild mushroom found in French plates. They are said to be one of the safest varieties of mushrooms to gather, as there are no poisonous species of ceps. They grow abundantly in the wild countryside of France. Ceps can be eaten raw or cooked. When cooking, they release what is described as a deep, woodsy flavor. They require a long, slow cooking method to properly prepare these delicate fungi.
Roquefort Cheese
Roquefort cheese comes mainly from the south of France. It is made from ewe's milk, strictly gathered from Lacaune, Manech and Basco-B arnaise breeds of sheep. This cheese has distinctive veins of blue mold visible throughout the block that provide a sharp, tangy taste. Roqueford cheese is often referred to in France as "The King of Cheeses." The preferred method for serving is at room temperature with a chilled bottle of wine.
Tags: French plates