What to Read When You Want to Learn How to Be French

7 February 201816 August 2023

When you think of French literature, one book that comes to mind is the famous children’s classic, The Little Prince(or Le Petit Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. What most people do not know is that this classic was written and first published in New York City.

The Morgan Library and Museum in NYC recently had an exhibition showcasing the American side of the story. The story’s origins and how the exhibition came to be…that is a bit of a remarkable story.

As he prepared to leave the city to rejoin the war effort as a reconnaissance pilot, Saint-Exupéry appeared at his friend Silvia Hamilton’s door wearing his military uniform. “I’d like to give you something splendid,” he said, “but this is all I have.” He tossed a rumpled paper bag onto her entryway table. Inside were the manuscript and drawings for The Little Prince, which the Morgan acquired from her in 1968.

I loved this part of their description of the story:

his beloved story that reminds us that what matters most can only be seen with the heart.

When I was in Paris a few years ago, I spent some time on the Left Bank (Rive Gauche) perusing titles in bookstores, especially around Sorbonne. Beyond picking up a few Moliére and other French classics, my mission was to find Le Petit Prince, which I found in a ‘newer’ bookstore (like Barnes & Noble).

I wanted to read the book the way it was meant to be read: in French. Luckily, you don’t have to buy the book if you want to read it in French. It’s available via PDF online.

After I finish Donna Tartt’s “The Goldfinch,” I’ll be opening up my copy of Le Petit Prince to enjoy all over again.

Blogs to Read

I have a few favorite bloggers that cover the topic of France and the French lifestyle.

1. Paris in Four Months: This Swedish lady, Carin, spent four months in Paris to learn the language before returning back home to Stockholm. She began to miss Paris so she moved there in 2013 and started a brand new adventure. Through her photo blog, I came to fall in love with the way she saw beauty. She shares that beauty in her photos. They’re all so beautiful. One of her subjects (or models) has her own blog: Gary Pepper. If you want to fall in love with beauty…follow both of these blogs. It’s a little bit of breathtaking beauty every single day. [Fashion/Lifestyle/Photography]

2. French Country Cottage: The key to a fabulous blog all lies within the pictures. It’s like looking in a magazine. That’s what you’ll find here at the French Country Cottage. I also follow her on Twitter because there are pointers and photos and conversations going on that for those who love home decor and beautiful home decor, will be genuinely pleased with what she offers. [Home/Entertaining]

3. French Revolution: Born and raised in New York with a French mom (who loves food and to cook) and a father who has a love for great food? I give you French Revolution. Highly recommended for those who love a good story to go along with a recipe. She loves her food, so that means she loves good food. A must follow. [Food]

4. Oh So French: What is it about the French lifestyle that makes us feel so glamorous? Whatever that je ne sais quoi is, you, too can live it up like the French with me this month. Oh So French shows you how. [Lifestyle]

5. Jen Reviews: At Jen Reviews, Jen has come up with 15 classic essential French dishes that everyone should learn how to master. She takes you through all 15 recipes from Bouillabaisse to ratatouille and the Croque-Monsieur (my favorite). If you want to challenge yourself in the kitchen and learn how to cook French food, this is an excellent place to start. [Lifestyle, Food, Health, Travel]

French Literature

How many classical French literature books have you read in your lifetime? As I was perusing the Goodreads.com list, I noticed I not only have read a lot of them, but I own the majority of them. That’s a lot. Considering I don’t feel like I’ve read a lot of classical literature books, it ends up the majority of the classical literature I gravitated towards were all French.

Here are some of my favorites I highly recommend:

The Stranger (Albert Camus)
Madame Bovary (Gustave Flaubert) [Note: this book is steamy] Les Misérables (Victor Hugo) [I love this story] Tartuffe (Moliére) [Everyone needs to read Moliére. This was the first play I ever read from him] Candide (Voltaire) [I don’t even know why I liked this book, but I remember reading it one summer while I was in college and felt wiser because I had.]

For those wanting a bit of French culture and great literature, I highly recommend The Paris Wife (Random House Reader’s Circle Deluxe Reading Group Edition): A Novel. This is the story of Ernest Hemingway and his first wife. I read this book before I went to Paris last time. I ended up going around Paris trying to see the city through the eyes of Hemingway. A literary adventure is always the best adventure to take while traveling. My favorite moment was walking into Shakespeare & Company (the place where Hemingway ordered all of his English/American books) to see photos of Hemingway and his son as soon as you walk in. To think that Hemingway once stood in this store, perusing titles, talking to the owners…you can’t help but feel more connected to him. As a writer, it’s chicken soup for our souls. A definite MUST READ.

What are some of your favorite French reads?

Extra

When I’m in Paris, I always spend time in bookstores looking for French books and classics. One author I am constantly looking for is Goethe…the man who made Faust what it is today. Goethe is a German writer, but his works have been transcribed into French. I am always looking for any version of his work in French, but as close to the original date of first publication. I was fortunate to find a piece from the 1800s the last time I was in Paris.

When I returned to the US, I happened upon an antiques street festival and came across the original Goethe works in German. The binding had to be replaced, but the inside was pristine. I snatched up every single book, took it to the register and they said $5.

So I walked away a happy customer, because I had finally found the books I had spent countless hours looking for while I was in Europe. One woman realized what I had and chased me down the street trying to purchase them off of me. I looked at her funny and walked away. When you’ve spent years looking for something and you finally find it, there’s no way you’re going to ever give it up.

xxoo,

Michelle

Reading: How to be French

3 April 201516 August 2023

Children seeing large bubbles for the first time in Paris, France. (c) Michelle Kenneth — How to Be French: French children seeing large bubbles for the first time in Paris, France. (C) 2011 Michelle Kenneth.

Hello Lovelies.

In my research this month on “How To Be French,” I found some rather interesting articles worth sharing.

1. 10 Eating Rules French Children Know (But Americans Don’t), from Mind Body Green. By Rebeca Plantier.

If there’s anything this author has discovered is that her children know how to be French better than she does.

This was one of the most interesting articles I read this past week. It really makes you rethink how you eat, how much you eat and what you eat. For instance, instead of grazing throughout the day (like most Americans do), it’s important to eat three meals a day. You want to be hungry when you approach each meal so that each meal will be a complete pleasure.

After reading this article, I decided to make lunch the heaviest meal of the day and eat lighter in the evening (like a salad or a soup).

I will say that taking the advice from this article, I approach each meal differently, savoring each bite with pleasure.

2. 44 Classic French Meals You Need to Try Before You Die, from Buzzfeed. By Marie Telling.

Consider this your French food bucket list.

I’ve been sharing this list with my foodie friends. We’ve been salivating over the pictures.

Don’t be dismayed if you love French food, go through the list and realize you’ve probably only had a handful of these dishes. Imagine this list as showing you the possibilities of enjoyment you can add to enhance your life. I’m making it my mission to either try these dishes at a restaurant or learn to make them this year.

3. 12 Fashion Secrets to Steal From French Women, from Stylecaster. By Leah Bourne.

For those who want to build a Fantasy Wardrobe, I highly recommend starting here (we’ll discuss this topic further this month on the blog). While French women appear to have the best taste in fashion, it looks like the way they build their wardrobe is all about class and common sense.

They very rarely wear trendy clothes. They never wear stilettos. They invest in neutral colors. They buy qualitative clothing, which means buying more expensive clothing (which also means owning less clothing). This is not about having a lot of clothing (like us Americans who amass a rather large collection of clothing).

I’ve noticed there are a large number of French women carrying around an Hermès Birkin bag. Believe it or not, this article explains how it is possible for them to own a bag that costs between 4-6 figures (i.e. the down payment on a house, or in some cases, the cost of an entire house). [Forbes did an article on how you can buy your first Birkin.]

Simply put, they wait and save for that investment piece.

This article will make you rethink how you’ve crafted your own wardrobe.

4. 7 Secrets to Decorating Like the French, from Domaine. By Julia Millay Walsh.

French homes always appear so posh, put together, and elegant. This article explains how you can get the French decor at home.

5. French Women Don’t Get Fat, by Mireille Guiliano.

This is on my list of books to read. The author of this bestseller is currently in the NYC area talking to a group of French loving New Yorkers about the French life. Like the first article listed in this post, Guiliano goes into more detail on how French women eat and live. They’re thin, eat these incredible meals, eat carbs (and chocolate), yet they stay incredibly slim. How is it possible?

It’s not about depriving yourself, it’s about embracing the finer things in life and ENJOYING THEM.

On Sunday, I’ll dive more into living that positive mindset.

6. FAVORITE BLOGGER: French Country Cottage.

This is one of my favorite sites to be inspired on how to decorate the home. The styling and pictures are just absolutely gorgeous! I recommend following this site. I’ve been following it for years. Make sure to also follow her on social media.

French Food Made Easy: Laura Calder

1 April 201516 August 2023

French Food at Home by Laura Calder includes some of the most amazing French recipes you’ll ever taste. Laura simplifies it for you.

Before moving this site to a new platform, I experimented with a topic last year to see how it would be perceived. Each month would get its own region and we would take a look at all things from that region. We’re revisiting FRANCE and all things FRENCH to start off Diary of a Perfectionist Wannabe’s relaunch since it was so popular last year. We’ll take a look at French food, arts, culture, photography, books, etc. all throughout this month.

Each week we’ll be showcasing a cookbook and divvying up a few of the recipes from the book. This week’s French recipes are from Laura Calder’s book French Food at Home.

For those just starting out learning how to cook French food, it can seem a little daunting. As James Peterson writes, you could end up using every single pot and pan in your arsenal just to make one meal.

Calder makes the different processes of making French food a little easier.

For instance, this fabulous Honey Hen recipe with Lemon Pasta was so good, you’re not going to want to share it.

Honey Hen

Ingredients

1 chicken (3 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard*
1 tablespoon herbes de Provence

[*You can use Whole Grain Mustard as a less spicier substitute for Dijon mustard. It is equally as good.]

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Melt the honey in a saucepan and whisk in the mustard and herbs. Pour over the chicken pieces in a baking dish, and roll them around to coat well.

Bake, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through, well browned, and veiled in its dripping hot sauce, 40 to 45 minutes.*

[*Cooking times may vary.]

Lemon Pasta

This is one of my favorite, easy and simple pasta recipes from Laura Calder.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Grated zest of 4 to 5 lemons*
1 cup heavy cream
1 ounce Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
Salt and Pepper
Lemon juice to taste
1/2 pound fresh egg pasta

[*For extra zing and/or color, use a mix of lemon/lime zests.]

Instructions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. While you wait, melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in the lemon zest. Pour over the cream and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the cheese, stirring to melt. Season with salt and pepper. Add lemon juice to taste.

Cook the pasta. Drain, return to the pot, and toss with the sauce. Divide among four serving plates, garnish as you like, and serve immediately.*

[Note: This dish must be eaten hot. When it goes cold, it basically turns into cold butter and pasta noodles.]

Toast Soup

If you’re like me, it’s a little difficult to get through an entire loaf of French bread. Instead of tossing the bread out when it starts to go stale, Toast Soup is the answer.

Ingredients

6 slices smoky bacon*
4 cups chicken stock
About 8 cups cubed French bread (roughly 1 loaf)
2 cups milk, more if needed
2 teaspoons sherry or balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard**
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter

[*Note: When purchasing bacon make sure it says “Smokey” not “Smoke Flavored.” There is a major difference.] [**Note: You can use Whole Grain Mustard as a substitute for Dijon mustard.]

Instructions:

Fry the bacon until cooked but not necessarily crisp. Pour over the stock, bring to a boil, turn off the heat, cover, and let infuse about an hour.

Meanwhile, toast the bread on a baking sheet in the oven until quite dark, but not burnt. Transfer to a large saucepan.

Strain the stock over the toast, reserving the bacon. Add the milk, vinegar, and mustard and purée until very smooth with an immersion blender.* Taste before seasoning with salt and pepper.

Cut the bacon into slivers and refry until crispish. Reheat the soup, whisking in the cold butter at the last minute to give it gloss. Serve piping hot with the bacon bits scattered over.

[*Note: For added texture, do not purée all of the bread in the soup. Leave a few pieces as is, but purée the majority of the soup.]

* * * *

Laura Calder’s book is one of my favorites. It’s a great beginner’s book into learning how to cook French food. She makes things simple because creating an elaborate French dinner can seem absolutely terrifying. The recipes are easy to intermediate and everything tastes absolutely wonderful.

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