This text is part of the special Plaisirs booklet
To embrace the seasons, in December, it’s time to …
1. Reheat with long cooking
When the weather cools down, cooking is extended to warm up. We take out our casseroles, simmer and embers. Comfort guaranteed!
2. Cooking gourmet gifts
There is nothing more “Christmas spirit” than taking your time cooking little gourmet gifts to give. Shortbread, fudge, biscottis and other sweets will delight those with whom you will share them!
3. Visit the Christmas markets
Visiting the Christmas markets is a golden opportunity to unearth irreplaceable flavors directly from producers and gourmet artisans. They are mushrooming everywhere! Mulled wine in hand, we have a good time in a unique atmosphere in addition to stocking up for the festive meals to come and finding finds to spoil loved ones and people with whom we are received.
4. Localize your mulled wine
Speaking of mulled wine, why not have fun swapping traditional spices (cinnamon, ginger, anise, etc.) for local herbs? Argouse, spikenard, agastache, dune pepper and juniper are a few examples to add to its local wine, complementing it with honey.
5. Vary the ideas to spoil the sweet tooth
In addition to gifts cooked yourself or unearthed in Christmas markets, there are many other ideas to delight gourmets: cooking or cheese-making lessons, food preservation equipment (dehydrator, set for setting up preserves, fermentation accessories, etc.), gift cards for meals in restaurants or gourmet shops, and that’s not to mention the host of inspiring cookbooks!
6. Invite the king of the forest to dinner
Fresh fir needles (natural or untreated), finely chopped, can be added to some recipes, as one would with rosemary, both salty and sweet. Dried young sprouts can also be found from pickers and shops that offer their products. The king of the forests also cuts a fine figure in herbal tea or hot chocolate.
7. Sprinkle with “Christmas red” on the menu
In addition to the traditional atocas, you can make your cocktails blush with cranberry juice. Not to mention the strawberry syrups and raspberry drinks, which can be found in the market. Dried cranberries and other small dehydrated red fruits from here, such as sour cherries, are featured on our cheese platters as well as in our pastries.
8. Taste herbal teas and infusions
Besides mulled wine, infusions and herbal teas are perfect for the comforting season. You can discover dried plants and herbs from here from gardeners and pickers, on their sites or from specialty shops, or (everything is in everything!) At the Christmas market.
9. Reserve your delicacies
In anticipation of festive meals, would you like to serve a selection of cheeses from an artisan in your region? Cold cuts from a local breeder? A log from the local pastry chef? The demand is great, remember to book.
10. Toast local
Beers, ciders, wines, meads, drinks made from maple sap, mistelles, spirits, bubbles and berry drinks… Let’s fill our glasses with local flavors and drink nearby! The one with our family and our friends, as well as the one with those who fill our plates, our bellies, our glasses and our hearts!