Couch Culture Club - France
Of course France had to kick off our Couch Culture Club. I adore travelling in France.
Paris is magic anytime but I love the city in autumn when there trees change colour, in spring when the flowers are out and the Parisians seem extra peppy.
I've also watched snow fall on the Eiffel Tower which is truly special.
Most of all, I love the countryside and regional areas. Driving through the magical villages in Provence, Dordogne and Burgundy. Visiting the weekend markets and eating amazing provincial food. Staying in iconic towns like Amboise to visit the castles of the Loire and inside the walled city of Carcassonne. I’ll never forget rounding a stretch of road and seeing the medieval city appear in the distance. It was a like an illusion, to amazing to be true.
When you visit France, you must definitely have a proper hearty French Onion Soup with fabulous crusty bread.
For fun, pair it with a delightful French 75 cocktail and if you want to do all that and take yourself there from your couch, then cook, mix and watch a quintessential French film like Amélie.
If you’ve headed with us to France ,we would love to see your photos or add your comments. You can send them to us on Facebook or via email
FRENCH ONION SOUP
INGREDIENTS
60g butter, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
6 brown onions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons plain flour
4 cups Massel beef style liquid stock
METHOD
Heat butter and oil in a saucepan until sizzling. Add onions and 1 teaspoon salt. Cook, uncovered, stirring often, for 45 to 50 minutes or until onions are very soft. Stir in sugar and cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes or until onions caramelise.
Add flour to saucepan and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add stock and 2 cups water. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes. Ladle soup into bowls. Top with cheesy bread, season with pepper and serve. *Make cheesy bread to take the dish to another level
FRENCH 75
A chic classic, the French 75 has been pleasing drinkers since World War!
• Pour 1tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp sugar syrup & 50ml gin into a cocktail shaker
• Then fill up with ice
• Shake well then strain into a champagne flute
• Top up with champagne, then swirl gently
• Garnish with a strip of lemon zest
Easy!
AMELIE
Amélie is an innocent and naive girl in Paris who lives alone and works in a café. When she finds a trove of toys hidden for 40 years behind a baseboard in her apartment, she sets out to find the owner. This impulse of generosity sparks more benevolent acts, and along the way, she discovers love. This engaging and beautiful film has delighted audiences around the world.
