The influence of French cuisine in Brazil

The influence of French cuisine in Brazil is quite representative, so much so that it goes beyond the cuisine itself, with habits, art, and other traits of this striking culture incorporated into ours!

A French culture Over time, it has shown its influence throughout the world. However, in Brazil, French cuisine has become popular among Brazilians.

That is, the French have a gastronomy so rich that there are dishes from this cuisine that we commonly enjoy and we don't even know that they originated there.

Therefore, the Kitchen Manual will show all the influence of French cuisine in Brazil in this post!

The origins of this influence on French cuisine

It was in the Middle Ages, that French cuisine began its preparations, this at illustrious palace banquets.

In these banquets, one could see the imposing social hierarchy, especially of the nobility through the hosts. Thus, the empire of Louis XIV which gave French cuisine its notoriety.

The structure of the celebrations offered by Luís is where the gastronomic reference of the presentation comes from, thus having the starter, the main course and dessert. However, it was the French Revolution which influenced the services of how restaurants work today.

To demonstrate this influence is expressed in our Brazilian culture, the Christ the Redeemer which is one of the most significant works in the country, was conceived by a French priest, did you know that?

Well, you should know that in 1859, the Father Pierre-Marie Boss was inspired by the work of Rio de Janeiro, recorded in his literary work “Imitation of Christ” which he published in 1903. Therefore, like Christ, there are many dishes originating from French cuisine that we are unaware of.

So now we will demonstrate what the influence of French cuisine in Brazil brought here and gained versions and adaptations of our gastronomy:

French wine

It is impossible to talk about French cuisine without mentioning wines, which demonstrate all their quality and refinement. Wine production there is so strong that the regions produce specific flavors.

For example, The winery Chateau Margaux, internationally recognized, makes the most expensive drinks in the world. Just like the champagne, coming from a region of the same name and which is a New Year's Eve tradition.

France is one of the largest exporters of this drink. In Brazil, this delicious French drink is widely consumed.

Bomb or éclair

It is a true classic of French cuisine, also called éclair, which is easily found in bakeries that work with French cuisine. Antonin Careme, French chef who created this recipe back in the mid-19th century. 

A dessert based on a typically French dough, called choux, and can have different fillings, such as chocolate, vanilla and the Brazilian tradition, dulce de leche.

Coxinhas

That salty which invaded the homes, squares, and buildings of Brazilians, becoming one of the most consumed and which has roots in French cuisine. Although the snack is a success here, the original recipe was developed by French chef Antonin Carême.

Proving this, the book, L'Art de la Cuisine Française au XIXème Siécle, brings the recipe for the savory dish named “chicken croquette” (chicken croquette), it is still advisable to shape it into a pear shape, or “in the form of poires”.

Crepes

Even though here in Brazil, there are different versions of shape and flavor, this crepe is another example of influence of French cuisine.

Emerging in the year 1390, in Brittany in the Northwest region of France. Once adapted to Brazilian cuisine, it allowed the choice of different fillings to make up the thin layer of dough.

However, strictly following the origin of the crepe, they are always filled with sweet fillings. So, if you prefer a savory recipe, galette will be the right name.

Mixed hot sandwich or Croque-Monsieur.

In France the Croque-Monsieur It can be seen as our grilled sandwich, which basically has two pieces of sliced bread, ham and toasted cheese, and, as the French love here.

However, the French have a more elaborate preparation, because their bread is dipped in egg and covered with cheese. In addition, there is also the possibility of finding Croque-Madame which is a typical hot sandwich in an even more different way.

In it, not only is it dipped in egg and covered in cheese, it can also be filled with salads and has the fried egg on top, which is your brand.

Although we are not so sure about its origin, what we know for sure is that whatever the version, the mixture will always be enjoyed both there and here!

Simple eclair recipe:

So that no one is left with just imagination, we brought this classic french recipe!

Ingredients:

Pasta:

• Wheat flour – 100g
• Butter – 100g
• Water – 100ml
• Beaten egg – 4 units
• Salt – 1 pinch
• Sugar – 1 pinch

Filling:

• Ready-made whipped cream in spray

Roof:

• Icing sugar

METHOD OF PREPARATION:

1. First, do the choux pastry and continue cooking over medium heat in a pan filled with water and butter.
2. Once it boils, remove from the heat and add the flour, salt and sugar. Then mix well and put it back on the heat, this time on medium-low heat and stir for 2 to 3 minutes, until it has a shiny appearance.
3. When turning off the heat, remove and cool, and knead it to speed up the process.
4. As soon as the dough has cooled, transfer it to a container and, little by little, while continuing to stir, add the eggs to make the dough smooth, flexible and without becoming soft.
5. Transfer the mixture to a pastry bag and draw “sausages” on the baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake in a preheated oven (200°C) for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
6. Right after the previous step, insert the filling into the dough using whipped cream or any cream of your choice (pastry cream is very good).
7. To fill, open the éclairs in the center and fill with whipped cream, or make two holes, one at the bottom or the other at the top and insert the whipped cream into one of them.
8. Finally, dust the éclair with powdered sugar and it's ready!

Now you can finally enjoy what the influence of French cuisine in Brazil can offer, with these fantastic dishes!