Step into my French kitchen as I recreate a historical spring menu spanning 1,000 years of culinary tradition! Journey from Charlemagne’s 9th-century Capitulaire de villis garden guide through the elegant dishes of Massialot at Versailles to Menon’s refined 18th-century bourgeois cooking.
Despite working with just a humble hot plate while my wood stove awaits its winter fuel, I’m bringing these historical recipes to life with modern adaptations. Discover the fascinating stories behind traditional French dining etiquette—from the proper placement of silverware to why French diners kept their hands on the table!
This spring menu features eight authentic courses:
🥣 Potage Printanier aux Herbes Fines (Spring Herb Soup)
🥧 Tourte aux Asperges et Oseille (Asparagus and Sorrel Tart)
🍗 Poulet aux Herbes Fraîches (Herb-Roasted Chicken)
🐟 Carpes à l’Étuvée aux Fines Herbes (Braised Carp)
🌱 Petits Pois à la Française (French-style Peas)
🌿 Ragoût de Fèves Nouvelles (Broad Bean Ragout)
🍓 Tarte aux Fraises Nouvelles (Fresh Strawberry Tart)
🍊 Crème à la Fleur d’Oranger (Orange Flower Cream)
Learn how these historical cooking techniques still influence modern French cuisine and discover the importance of seasonal cooking that spans the centuries.
Next week: Join me as I celebrate 1,000 subscribers by answering your questions and comments!
Buy me a garden tool 👨🌾🌱 https://www.amazon.fr/registries/gl/guest-view/20IHEFXDY5GAC
📚 FREE DOWNLOAD: “The Essential Hearth Cooking Guide” – Get my comprehensive guide to traditional cooking techniques over an open flame! Perfect for history enthusiasts and culinary adventurers. Download link: https://marvelous-builder-7820.kit.com/a5cf00075c
#18thCenturyCooking #Massialot #Menon #CharlemagneGarden #TraditionalFrenchFood #CulinaryHistory #HistoricalFoodways #FrenchCookingTechniques #SeasonalEating #HistoricalGardening #HistoricalCooking #FrenchCuisine #SeasonalCooking #SpringMenu #MedievalRecipes
28 Comments
You seem to be growing in confidence with each new video. Congratulations keep up the great work from Philip downunder in Australia.🇦🇺
Hello! I just discovered your site today and subscribed immediately! I am so happy for you and so proud of you for following your dreams! I envy your courage! God bless you today and every day!🙏🙏🙏
I love what you said about the hands on the table. When I worked as an au pair, that was one habit I had to develop. The other habit was to put my bread on the table, instead of the side of my plate. The family I stayed with did not really use bread plates.
What a delightful and interesting video! I would love to make some of these recipes – perhaps I'll try to find the creme a la fleur d'oranger recipe. Edited to say that a quick search and I found many recipes. This is going to be fun! Thank you for the inspiration.
Really interesting and well researched! Vive la Cuisine — Francaise, canadienne, ou n’importe quelle!
fSo interesting, thank you! Were monograms typical on French silverware, and, if so, were they on the back or front of the utensil? Looking forward to your next video!
Fascinating thank you for sharing XX
Hiya. English guy here. I've started looking at properties in the Dordogne and i'm amazed at what you can get for 100,000. My kids are at important stages of their lives as my daughter finishes her degree soon and my son is nearly finished with school and is 16 and I don't want to disrupt them too much but I plan to leave the cold winters behind and enjoy more sunny days as I age like a poor quality corked wine 🙂 I will probably let the kids have the house in England and i'll have the small bedroom for when I come back to visit but I want to draw and paint – learn French of course and be a bit more free. Good luck – Bon chance with your French home and I hope you have many lovely years to come making it perfect for you.
Thank you for sharing your menu, it is delightful and delicious!
I love your courage, independence and intellect.w
LA PETITE FILLE D' ESCOFFIER !!!!
Wow. New sub here. I want more of your journey, day day from fixing up the house to new life in the village, to gardening, to cooking, etc, etc. I find it so interesting and care free to move from one country to another just like that. I wish you success in your journey and all the best to come!
Thank You! How fun to find your unique video showcasing French recipes from the past. What a great idea to have a complete menu to share with us. I took 2-1/2 years of French in high school many years ago while I grew up on the west coast but I probably should have signed up for Spanish which would have been more practical LOL. Have always been drawn to France. Good for you for making the move! Will definitely follow you week-to-week as you make your changes to your new home 🙂
Hi sweet lady you’re so knowledgeable,I’m really looking forward to your story .Im sure your house will look amazing sending lv uk Ann🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧❤️❤️❤️
Just found your channel in Australia. Have subscribed and looking forward to you sharing your journey with us.
Hello lovely lady! I'm so happy for you and also a little jealous! 😊 I'm in my 60s and I know I don't have the energy to do everything that you're doing 😅 I'm loving watching you and I'm excited to see what your plans are. I'm originally from Oklahoma/Arizona and living in the UK now for a long time. Moving abroad isn't easy but you have it licked! Thank you so much for sharing! ❤❤❤❤
Love it! I grow a lot of herbs and I'm excited to learn more about the French Royal Gardens and historical French cooking from you! Thank you 😊
Interessante seu canal, achei por acaso, mas, muito rico em informações e culinária francesa. Recife/Brasil.
What an awesome video 😊 👍 I recognise a lot 😃 Ah, peas… I pulled so many peas out of their cods (écosser) that they just come out of my ears by now 😂 So I rather serve little wigs of green beans as "accompagnement" 😃 and of course with each meal, a green salad with herbs. My dressing is always rhe same: 2 spoons oil (olive, avocado, walnut or sunflowers) + 2 spoons vinegar, some salt and "une pointe" of mustard. When we are outside, "à la campagne" I collect dandelions leaves. They also make a delicious salad with "quiche" 😊 and your stove… 😊 THE BEST of all to simmer. My Grandmas and aunts had such one and kept their whole life. In later years beside the gas oven but they kept it 😊
Tu es une très bonne ambassadrice de France Rosalyn 👍👏 Bravo ! 😘
Ive just found you and its wonderful. I'm British but live in Greece yet my heart is in ĺFrance. I would move there tomorrow but my husband is happy here. I will follow up on all the things you mention and maybe one day I will persude my lovely man to move!
My husband and I are planning to move to France in a couple of years. We have been studying French in preparation. Have you learned to speak French? Also did you feel the need to own a car given where you are living?
I just found your channel. I am inspired as I am DIYing a 1948 midcentury house in Topeka KS. I love to garden and am a metal jeweler as well as a potter. I have a 1/3 corner lot close to the older area. I have alot to do here but will slowly plant an herb garden. I an interested in your potager garden. Thanks so much for taking us along with your journey and encouraging us to try new things.
Lovely menu. Like that sorrel is used, it's a much forgotten plant and is one of the first to appear in the garden. Hello from Oregon state, US
Love the culinary tour
Il est bien fait, . Merci beaucoup!
So much more than a renovation channel 🎉 Food looks so good ❤
How brave and wonderful you are 😊 hi from Australia.
🫵😁😁😋😋😋