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10 dishes that prove French food is amazing

Here are 10 amazing French dishes for your foodie bucket list.

The French take as much pride in their food as they do in their art and language. To French people, the enjoyment of food is a huge part of their cultural philosophy. What makes French cuisine so good that UNESCO actually declared it a โ€œworld intangible heritageโ€?

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In this article, we look at all the things that make French food unparalleled and we list down 10 amazing french dishes that should have a place on your bucket list!

RELATED: Traditional French pot roast chicken

3 Reasons French cooking is so amazing

The French believe in sitting down to truly enjoy every meal

If you visit France, donโ€™t be surprised if the locals take two hours to finish their meals. Lunch can consist of three to four courses, while French dinner can contain up to two or three separate meals. The French see food as much more than just something to satisfy hunger โ€“ itโ€™s something to be savoured and enjoyed, each and every time itโ€™s eaten. These cultural ideals transfer over to their cuisine, creating a rich and lavish food culture that permeates throughout French society!

The market is an important component of daily life

Shopping for food in France is so much more than just taking a trip to the supermarket. In France, local markets are part and parcel of their food culture and are the best places to score the freshest and most authentic ingredients. Mastering the art of French cooking requires a mastery of their markets!

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The French love decadenceโ€ฆ and moderation

Butter, wine, cheese โ€“ these rich and decadent foods are staples in any French meal. However, no matter how delicious the meal, the French also believe in moderation. Again, slow and steady wins the race here!

A cheese platter with grapes and red winen
(Credit: Getty) (Credit: Getty)

10 French food you have to try

French appetisers

10. Pork Rillettes

This French pate dish is made of pork thatโ€™s poached in fat and shredded to bits. Itโ€™s spread on toasted baguette bread and topped off with dried apricots.

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9. Quiche

Quiche is a creamy, tart-like pastry filled with eggs, milk, cheese, and vegetables. Sometimes, quiche contains meat or seafood, but it is typically a vegetarian dish. Outside of France, mini quiche is often served as an hors dโ€™oeuvre.

Fun fact: Did you know that quiche isnโ€™t French? Quiche originated in Germany, where it went by the name โ€œkuchenโ€ or cake.

French desserts and French snacks

8. French crepes

Crepes can either be eaten as a sweet breakfast or dessert (sweet crepes) or a savoury snack (savoury galettes). As a dessert, French pancakes are filled with a variety of fillings, from jams, custard, syrups, Nutella, fruit, and whipped cream. 

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7. Opera cake

This French cake is made by layering coffee-soaked almond sponge cake with ganache and coffee buttercream and glazed with chocolate. This decadent coffee cake is lesser known than crรจme brรปlรฉe, macarons, cream puffs, or souffle, but itโ€™s just as irresistible!

French entrees

6. Pot-au-feu

Pot-au-feu translates to โ€œpot on the fireโ€ and is widely considered as the national dish of France. Itโ€™s a beef stew containing veggies like celery, carrots, and turnips and is spiced with bouquet garni, black pepper, cloves, and salt. An easy and affordable dish to make, the famous chef Raymond Blanc once called it โ€œthe quintessence of French family cuisineโ€ because it โ€œhonours the tables of the rich and poor alikeโ€.

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5. Escargot 

Another classic dish, escargot is a French delicacy of edible land snails served with a butter and garlic sauce. Sometimes, the sauce is made with wine or brandy. Because escargot snails are often cooked with their shells, restaurants offer you a two-pronged fork to help you fish out the meat.

4. Cassoulet

This pork and bean stew is made with spareribs, onions, cloves, thyme, bacon, white wine, tomatoes, and white beans. This hearty dish is typically slow-cooked for hours and eaten on cold winter days. The dish is very similar to similar European recipes, like the Spanish comfort food fabada asturiana.

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3. Chicken coq au vin

Meaning โ€œrooster in wineโ€ coq a vin is one of Franceโ€™s most well-known chicken dishes. Just like bourguignon (a traditional French beef stew), coq a vin is made with red wine (usually Burgundy), bacon, onions, and garlic. 

2. Ratatouille 

If youโ€™re looking for top-notch vegetarian recipes, look no further than ratatouille. The dish that inspired the Disney-Pixar film is a vegetable stew consisting of tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, and a spate of other veggies, herbs, and spices. Since there isnโ€™t one way to make the dish, there are lots of different ratatouille recipes out there! 

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1. Tartiflette

Remember what we said about the Frenchโ€™s love for decadence? Tartiflette is a prime example of that! This potato and cheese dish is made with cubed potatoes, butter, and reblochon cheese! Itโ€™s creamy, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious.

RELATED: Champagne and french fries are the ultimate pairing according to experts

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