Diving into the exquisite cuisine of the French Riviera with Jasmine Scheer
Located on France`s southeast coast is a stunning area referred to as the Cote d’Azur. The region is renowned for its pristine beaches, glamorous cities and vibrant culture. The food of the French Riviera, however, is one facet of its culture that is frequently disregarded. The cuisine of the region combines French and Mediterranean elements to provide a variety of meals. This article will explore some of the regional cuisines of the Cote d’Azur.
A very popular sweet in the French Riviera is Nougat. It has been brought to France from Greece around the 17th century (ProvenceHolidays). It is most commonly comprised of egg, honey, sugar and nuts. Furthermore, it has a sweet taste, with nuts adding a little crunch to the usually soft texture.
Another well-known dish, especially in Nice, is called Socca (TasteAtlas). The primary ingredient is chickpea flour, as well as some olive oil, salt and pepper. Socca is baked in a large round baking dish. Its texture is similar to that of a thick pancake or an omelet. When being served, the large circle gets cut up into smaller pieces. It can be found around the streets of Nice and is usually consumed all by itself.
A food you have certainly already heard of, if not only thanks to a very skilled little mouse, is Ratatouille. In the 18th century it used to be considered as food for the poor (Wasserstrom, 2022). Nowadays it has turned into one of the most famous dishes around the French Riviera. It is a stew made out of aubergines, courgette, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil and herbs.
One dessert you will most likely frequently spot around St. Tropez is the Tarte Tropézienne. It was created in 1955 by a pastry chef called Alexandre Micka. The cake is essentially a large orange flavored brioche bun, sprinkled with sugar and filled with the so-called Madame cream. This cream is a mix of beaten butter and pastry cream (Eva, 2018).
Additionally, the French Riviera is known for sweets called Calissons. The famous dessert is rumored to have been created by a royal chef around the 15th century (Yang, 2022). It is comprised of almonds, crystallized melon, honey, orange flavoring and icing on top. The taste and texture of Calissons is very similar to marzipan. They also make the perfect gift for a friend or family member, if you have just returned from your trip to the French Riviera.
Meringue is another common dish to be found around the Cote d’Azur. Even though many countries have different ways of preparing Meringue, the French way is often considered as the traditional one (Killeen). It only has two ingredients, namely egg whites and sugar. When biting into one of the white delicacies you will notice that they instantly dissolve in your mouth, leaving the sweet taste of the sugar behind.
The French Riviera is a popular destination for its stunning cities and beaches. But the great food offered by the Cote d’Azur cannot be left unspoken of. If you ever find yourself in one of the beautiful cities in the southeast of France, consider trying one of the many great dishes the area has to offer.
Jasmina Scheer
International University of Monaco
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Diving into the Exquisite Cuisine of the French Riviera with Jasmine Scheer
