Whatever happens in the rugby games, at least we can all agree that French food is délicieux!

<p>Ah, the French... they've given us high fashion, the Tour de France and of course, the famous joie de vivre. But perhaps their greatest contribution of all is their delicious cuisine. </p><p>From buttery pastries and hearty stews to rich cheeses and wonderful wines, the list is long of all the incredible dishes and ingredients that we have the French to thank for. Imagine a world without croissants or Camembert? <em>Quelle horreur!</em> </p><p>Which is why, as our great nation prepares to battle it out on the rugby pitch, we'd like to take a moment to say a big <em>merci beaucoup</em> to our European cousins across the Channel. Discover our round-up of the best French recipes and ingredients below that we simply can't imagine living without. </p><h2>Pastries</h2><p><img alt="french-pastries-and-coffee__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/french-pastries-and-coffee__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>Is there any better way to start the day than with a frothy cup of coffee and a buttery pastry? How on earth French women manage to stay so slim is totally mind-boggling when you consider the sheer amount of delicious baked goods they have to offer. From <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/croissants-pain-au-chocolat/asda-chosen-by-you-all-butter-croissants/910001519758" target="_blank">flakey croissants</a> and <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/croissants-pain-au-chocolat/asda-chosen-by-you-all-butter-pain-au-chocolat/910001519718" target="_blank">filled pain au chocolats</a> to <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/brioche/asda-bakers-selection-butter-brioche-loaf/910000384103" target="_blank">soft brioche</a> and delicate macarons, the French know a thing or two about heavenly pastries. These amazing <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/pastry-breakfast/asda-bake-from-frozen-6-all-butter-croissants/910002634804" target="_blank">bake-from-frozen croissant</a><a href="http://groceries.asda.com/product/pastry-breakfast/asda-bake-from-frozen-6-all-butter-croissants/910002634804" target="_blank">s</a> and <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/pastry-breakfast/asda-bake-from-frozen-6-all-butter-pains-au-chocolat/910002635011" target="_blank">pain au chocolat</a> can be popped in the oven and your house will smell like a French bakery in no time! Ooh la la. </p><h2>Ratatouille</h2><p><img alt="easy-vegetable-ratatouille__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/easy-vegetable-ratatouille__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>This veggie dish is so famous that it even inspired a <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/disney-pixar-movie-universe" target="_blank">Pixar film</a>! Made with courgettes, onions, peppers and tomatoes, this one pot wonder couldn't be simpler (or more delicious) to make - get a quick and easy <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/easy-vegetable-ratatouille" target="_blank">ratatouille recipe here.</a> If you're short for time you can even get it in a <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/mixed-other-vegetables/asda-chosen-by-you-ratatouille/19388" target="_blank">tin</a> - ratatooeasy!</p><h2>Cheese</h2><p><img alt="many-cheeses-on-board__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/many-cheeses-on-board__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p><a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/brie-camembert/asda-camembert-cheese/910001509649" target="_blank">Camembert</a>, <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/brie-camembert/asda-french-brie-cheese/910000778316" target="_blank">Brie</a>, and <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/blue-stilton/asda-extra-special-vernieres-roquefort-cheese/910002113213" target="_blank">Roquefort</a>, oh my! There's no end to all the different ways to enjoy the many wonderful cheeses France has to offer - with so many different varieties and textures, French cheese are delicious in <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/butternut-beetroot-tarts-with-creamy-camembert" target="_blank">tarts</a> and <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/turkey-cranberry-mini-pies" target="_blank">pies</a>, melted in <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/cheese-fondu" target="_blank">fondu</a>, inside a sandwich, or simply enjoyed on their own with some <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/crackers-savoury-biscuits/asda-extra-special-biscuits-for-cheese-cracker-selection/910001559330" target="_blank">crackers</a> and <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/relish-chutney/asda-extra-special-caramelised-onion-chutney/910000048116" target="_blank">chutney</a>. Yum!</p><h2>Bread</h2><p><img alt="cheats-croque-madame__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/cheats-croque-madame__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>The perfect accompaniment to all that cheese (see above) is of course a <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/bread-rolls/bake-at-home-white-baguettes/910001109652" target="_blank">crusty baguette</a>. Or why not have a classic Croque Monsieur (basically a fancy ham and cheese toastie) or a <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/cheats-croque-madame" target="_blank">Croque Madame</a> (with egg) for lunch?</p><h2>Coq au vin</h2><p><img alt="coq-au-vin__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/coq-au-vin__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>When it comes to French recipes, this chicken stew is the ultimate winter warmer. While it's true that it does take a while for all the red wine, herbs, bacon and mushrooms to meld together, prepping a <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/coq-au-vin" target="_blank">coq au vin</a> couldn't be simpler - just throw everything into a pot and wait. </p><p>Want something a little lighter? Try this <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/coq-au-vin-blanc" target="_blank">white coq au vin recipe</a> instead. </p><p>Or if you need dinner on the table in a flash, then this <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/traditional/asda-extra-special-slowcooked-coq-au-vin/910002606806" target="_blank">slow-cooked coq-au-vin</a> can be chucked in the microwave or oven and you'll be tucking in to a romantic French meal for two before you can say 'vin rouge'.</p><h2>French onion soup</h2><p><img alt="imageRecipeFrenchOnionSoup-2x__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/imageRecipeFrenchOnionSoup-2x__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>Few dishes are so simple yet so tasty. For an <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/french-onion-soup" target="_blank">authentic French onion soup</a>, be sure to cook the onions slowly, stirring often and don't forget the all-important <em>croute</em> - toasted baguette that's covered with melted cheese and floats on top of the soup. </p><h2>Cassoulet</h2><p><img alt class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/cassoulet__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>A slow-cooked classic dish that's traditionally made with meat and white beans, this <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/james-martins-sausage-cassoulet-recipe" target="_blank">rich stew</a> is perfect for using up leftover bits from Sunday's roast. Short on time? Try this <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/cheats-cassoulet" target="_blank">cheat's cassoulet recipe</a> made with canned butter beans that's ready in just 30 minutes. </p><h2>Wine</h2><p><img alt="wine3__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/wine3__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>A foamy latte is all well and good to wash down those crumbling pastries with, but for all those hearty stews and gorgeous cheeses, you might like something a little stronger. Happily the French are total experts when it comes to wine, boasting several world-class varieties including Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and of course, let's not forget about Champagne. Confused about wine and food pairings? Don't fret - this <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/article/food-wine-pairing-rules" target="_blank">handy guide</a> has the answers. You can browse all kinds of delicious wines in our <a href="http://direct.asda.com/Wine/AD12,default,sc.html?prefn1=country&prefv1=France&showHits&fix" target="_blank">French wine section</a> - quel choix!</p><p>Don't forget to save a little bit of that wine to use in some classic French recipes - like Boeuf Bourguignon!</p><h2>Boeuf Bourguignon</h2><p><img alt="beef-bourguignon-recipe__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/beef-bourguignon-recipe__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>This warming French stew is traditionally made with red wine but if you want to make a more child-friendly dish then simply substitute the wine for grape juice. Get the <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/beef-bourguignon-recipe" target="_blank">recipe for our family-friendly beef Bourguignon here.</a></p><p>Plus, we love Bourguignon so much we even <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/pies/asda-2-gastropub-beef-bourguignon-pies/910002634780" target="_blank">made a pie</a> out of it! How very British.</p><h2>Quiche Lorraine</h2><p><img alt="imageRecipeQuicheLorraine-2x__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/imageRecipeQuicheLorraine-2x__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>Lovely, crisp, buttery pastry is filled with a rich ham, cheese and cream mix - what could be better? Dish up this <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/quiche-lorraine" target="_blank">Quiche Lorraine</a> with a side salad for a hearty and flavour-packed meal. </p><p>Throwing a party? There's nothing better than these <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/quiche-tarts/asda-mini-quiche-lorraines/910002420612" target="_blank">mini quiche Lorraines</a> to offer up to your guests. </p><h2>Crêpes</h2><p><img alt="crepes-suzette__hero" class="ci-image ci-hero" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/crepes-suzette__hero_GL?scl=1"></p><p>Just as delicious when filled with savoury ingredients like <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/spinach-pancakes" target="_blank">spinach and cheese</a> as with sweet ones like the <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/crepes-suzette" target="_blank">classic crêpes Suzette</a>, these crispy pancakes are a must-try.  And there's no need for those on a GF diet to miss out on the fun - try this <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/gluten-free-crepes" target="_blank">gluten-free crepes recipe</a> for a real treat. </p><p><b><i>Whip up a delicious French dish for supper tonight with our round-up of <a href="https://www.asda.com/good-living/recipe/recipes" target="_blank">tasty recipes</a> and <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/" target="_blank">ingredients from Asda</a>.  </i></b></p>

Let's not forget how amazing French food is

By Asda Good Living,2nd February 2017

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