Archive for 'Food and Wine in France'

Macarons are a sweet treat that have exploded in popularity in recent years. The elegant, delicate, luxurious sweet meringue-based confections are made with egg white, icing sugar, granulated sugar, almond powder or ground almond, and food coloring and are formed of two layers that sandwich a ganache, buttercream or jam. While they were originally invented in Italy and the name comes from an Italian word, the sweets are now most commonly associated with France.

Bouillabaisse is a traditional Provençal fish stew originating from the port city of Marseille that was originally a stew made by local fishermen to use up the bony rockfish they were unable to sell on to restaurants or markets and is thought to date all the way back to the Ancient Greeks! There are at least three kinds of fish in a traditional bouillabaisse: typically red rascasse, sea robin and European conger but other fish such as gilt-head bream, turbot, monkfish, mullet and hake can also be added. In the 19th century, with increased prosperity, the traditionally humble dish became more refined and, today, bouillabaisse usually also includes shellfish and other seafood such as sea urchins, mussels, velvet crabs, spider crab or octopus and more expensive versions can have lobster, though this is not traditional. Vegetables used include leeks, onions, tomatoes, celery, and potatoes, which are simmered together with the broth and served with the fish.

One of the best things about travelling is eating and, in particular, trying out local cuisines. This is an especially pressing concern for anyone visiting France. If you have found a vacation rental in Rhône-Alpes and are planning a trip to Lyon, one of the dishes that you might want to try is a refreshing and tasty salad that bears the city's name: Salade Lyonnaise.

Nothing could beat the real thing in the setting of the city itself and while enjoying a relaxing holiday but, in the meantime, while you plan and wait, why not try the recipe out for yourself?

Nice is an incredibly beautiful French town; historic, charming and perched picturesquely on the French Riviera. It boasts excellent shops, lovely beaches, great restaurants and pretty streets as well as plenty to see and do. However, one of the best things that the city has to offer are the endless and specialised markets where you can get everything from antiques to fresh fish, just off the boat.

One of the best of these markets is the ever-changing market of Cours Saleya which sells food in the mornings, flowers all day and antiques on Mondays. If you want to spend your holiday wandering pretty historic streets, taking in the sea breeze and sampling fresh local delicacies, Nice is the perfect relaxing location. Just browse our wonderful vacation rentals in Nice or contact us at Easy Reserve, where our expert team is ready and available 24/7 to help you find the perfect rental.