A Traditional French Christmas Feast

 

Christmas dinner is something we all look forward to every year. Turkey, Yorkshire puddings, and roast potatoes… not forgetting the pigs in blankets, and maybe even a sprout or two. But this year, why not put an international spin on your festive feast, with a traditional French Christmas spread? 

 

 

Le Réveillon de Noël  

 

 

If you think French food is luxurious throughout the year, you should see what’s on the menu for Christmas dinner. Traditionally, the big get-together in France was held in the early hours of December 25th, after the family returned from Midnight Mass. Known as Le Réveillon de Noël, the meal now tends to happen at about 8pm, going on until midnight when the family might go to mass. The food is a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds, though it’s usually a little lighter these days, as there’s a big lunch to come on Christmas day.  

 

 

Petits fours can be followed by a hot entrée of Burgundy snails, scallops, then foie gras with toast or crackers to tantalise the taste buds before the main event: a seafood platter or roasted poultry. Cheese precedes dessert; for those with a sweet tooth, it’s all finished off with a classic Bûche de Noël: a Yule log. Chocolate, and plenty of champagne and other French wines are likely to feature. There are sometimes a few small desserts for picking at, too, like macarons if you still have room!  

 

 

 

Once everyone’s had their fill, it’s time for bed. But not before the children have placed their slippers under the tree. Father Christmas gives all the presents in France, and there’ll be plenty of excitement on the morning of the 25th.  

 

 

 

Christmas Day in France 

 

While the traditional Christmas dinner is held on Christmas Eve, or early Christmas morning, December 25th often involves a substantial lunch that can last for hours. You might see oysters, lobsters, boudin with truffle, capon, cheese including truffle brie, more Bûche… and some sweet petits fours! 

 

 

 

The different courses will be served throughout the afternoon while the little ones open their presents and enjoy the magic of Christmas. There may be a “trou Normand”; a scoop of ice cream served with a strong alcohol to clear the palate between the entrées and the main course. 

A French Christmas this year? 

 

Is a traditional French Christmas sounding too good to pass up? The good news is you don’t have to cross the Channel to enjoy the classic tastes of festive France. At BonneBouffe, we specialise in authentic French food online, bringing you what you need to make your own French feast at home.  

 

So this year, why not swap your prawn cocktail starter for some beautifully garlicky escargot? Or your fruit trifle for a traditional Provençale chocolate cake? And with a wide range of French gifts available, you never know just what Père Noël will be leaving wrapped up under the tree!  

Castaing Whole Goose Foie Gras 200gCastaing Whole Goose Foie Gras 200g
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Castaing Whole Goose Foie Gras 200g

£38.90
From historic foie gras producer Castaing comes this rich and indulgent whole goose foie gras. All-natural and made to a traditional recipe, its silky mouthfeel and buttery taste are unmistakable. With 88% goose foie gras, this all-natural delicacy from the south-west region of Gascony is easy to demould and a delight to serve and eat. It’s simple to enjoy foie gras. Just slice it generously and savour it on bread, toast points or crackers, for lunch, supper or as a delicious starter. You can also eat it as part of a traditional salade périgourdine with walnuts, Batavia lettuce, gizzards, and vinaigrette, or combine it with a tangy, fruity taste like fig chutney. Castaing are the one of the original and most prestigious French producers of foie gras. They craft a wide range of foie gras specialties, from high-quality whole duck and goose foie gras, to ready meals and ready-to-eat sauces.
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Castaing Whole Duck Foie Gras 180gCastaing Whole Duck Foie Gras 180g
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Castaing Whole Duck Foie Gras 180g

£21.95
From historic foie gras producer Castaing comes this rich and indulgent whole duck foie gras. All-natural and made to a traditional recipe, its silky mouthfeel and buttery taste are unmistakable. With 88% duck foie gras, this all-natural delicacy from the south-west region of Gascony is easy to demould and a delight to serve and eat. It’s simple to enjoy foie gras. Just slice it generously and savour it on bread, toast points or crackers, for lunch, supper or as a delicious starter. You can also eat it as part of a traditional salade périgourdine with walnuts, Batavia lettuce, gizzards, and vinaigrette, or combine it with a tangy, fruity taste like fig chutney. Castaing are the one of the original and most prestigious French producers of foie gras. They craft a wide range of foie gras specialties, from high-quality whole duck and goose foie gras, to ready meals and ready-to-eat sauces.
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Truffle Brie 1kgTruffle Brie 1kg
Out Of Stock
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Truffle Brie 1kg

£30.10
Made with pasteurised French milk, this brie from traditional producer Fromagerie Renard-Gillard is a true luxury. The familiar creamy, rich taste of brie is shot through with a vein of black summer truffles, adding a powerfully earthy taste to delight the most sophisticated palate. Whether you’re preparing an informal picnic, planning a dinner party or making a cheese plate, this brie is the star of every outing. Let the cheese come to room temperature, and the flavours explode in a way that’s simply unbeatable. For a truly indulgent meal, bake the entire wheel in the oven and serve with fresh bread. This full wheel of truffle Brie weighs 1kg and is suitable for freezing. With a growing range of different French cheeses on offer, we have your favourite varieties and more. From Emmental to Roquefort and raclette to Camembert, you will find exactly what you're looking for. Read our blog to discover more about the fascinating world of French cheese. We always aim to send out products with the longest best before date possible, and you can expect 7-10 days as a minimum. Many of our fresh products will have a shelf life that exceeds this, so please get in touch if you'd like up-to-date information on our current stock. Our chilled products will be sent in temperature-controlled packaging with enough icepacks to keep them cool in transit for up to 72 hours.
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Lw Pere Eugene Lobster Bisque 460gLw Pere Eugene Lobster Bisque 460g
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Le Pere Eugene Lobster Bisque 460g

£5.25
460g French lobster bisque in a glass jar. This lobster bisque, produced on the coast of Brittany by French seafood specialist Le Pere Eugene, is ready to heat and serve right from the jar. With the addition of Le Grand Lejon croutons and a generous serving of rouille, this lobster soup will give you a real taste of France. You can read more about Le Pere Eugene on our blog.
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Out Of Stock
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Cremeux de Bourgogne Truffle Cheese 200g

£12.50
Cremeux de Bourgogne with truffle is a creamy, decadent cheese with a soft, silky texture and a layer of shredded truffle running through it. This luscious cheese from Burgundy is manufactured from cow's milk and makes a delicious addition to any cheeseboard. Remove the triple-cream cheese from the refrigerator an hour before serving and serve with sparkling champagne to offset the richness. It goes nicely with both sweet and savoury accompaniments. We have a wide range of French cheese available here at BonneBouffe, along with other French specialties such as foie gras, saucissons, confits, and more. We always aim to send out products with the longest best before date possible, and you can expect 7-10 days as a minimum. Many of our fresh products will have a shelf life that exceeds this, so please get in touch if you'd like up-to-date information on our current stock. Our chilled products will be sent in temperature-controlled packaging with enough icepacks to keep them cool in transit for up to 72 hours.
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