by fridgedoc » Mon Nov 12, 2012 1:43 pm
Hi all just trolling through the posts and came across this one and as I live here in France thought I would add my 2 pence worth.........
Firstly I can cook, most cuisines as well, father was a chef, and I've worked in Indian restaurants in the UK, I make own sausages, smoked salmon and smoked bacon so I feel I can comment on food both here in France and the UK.
Firstly fresh sausages, the french do not use filler/rusk they also do not mince finely (apart from Toulouse) some are very good but some are not, same in the UK, it's a case of trying and testing.
Curry, well that is almost impossible here for UK taste buds it's very bland certain places will adjust to taste if you ask.
Veggies are very seasonal in France which throws you a bit at first but the taste tends to be better, maybe if you stuck to seasonal in the UK the result would be the same.
Have to agree with realcat, over watered powder mash is used a lot, why? I have't a clue and it's awful.
Restaurants I'm afraid are just like in the UK some are very good some are awful but I would add for a good lunch for €10/12 inc wine and bottled water for 4 or 5 courses can be amazing value for money, in some of the Relais you have a really good buffet to start (eat what you like) a main course, cheese and dessert and wine.
Meat, you can pay a lot of money for beef and it tends to be tough as a lot of it is cow meat and must be cooked medium or medium-rare cook it any more and it's like chewing leather, if you save up enough you can afford lamb €25 a Kg for lamb chops, pork can be very cheap but goes up in price in the summer, chicken about on par with the UK.
The big difference is the diversity of different cuisines in the UK compared to France, the french are very singular and do not like change although to be fair they are changing, I had 22 people (mainly french) come around for curry, none had had it before, all the girls had it mild whereas most of the guys had a hot Madras which threw me, and they loved it!!!!!!
Bonne chance
Fridgedoc