The North, land of Epicure?
Yes, definitely! Here, we take pleasure in eating and, above all, in eating well. The gastronomic heritage of the North contains enough recipes and authentic products to suit all guests, from the youngest to those who prefer to spend time with friends, around a dish to share.
You know these typical dishes, but have you tasted them? Among all the emblematic dishes of the North, some have become iconic and are a delight to all. Mussels and French fries, for example, are eaten all over France, with many variations. Here, we like the version with maroilles cheese, for a match as local as it is surprising. And what about the legendary welsh, with its slices of bread, cheddar cheese, beer sauce, eggs and mustard! Served as a single course, it will satisfy the appetite of even the biggest eaters, especially when accompanied by fries. And the potjevleesch? This terrine made of several meats, cooked together and then put in jelly and served cold is a real treat not to be missed! The Flemish carbonade with beer sauce is another typical Northern recipe: the promise of a unique, sweet and melting taste and a culinary experience that is a hit. Even though meat has a special place in the Northern cuisine, it is not the only ingredient in the recipes. Waterzoï, a chicken (or fish) stew in a cream and vegetable broth, is typical, as is flamiche, a particularly tasty kind of pie, especially when made with Maroilles cheese!
Cheese...
Maroilles, Monts-des-Cats, Pavé du Nord, Avesnes dumpling, Bergues cheese, Vieux-Lille, Tome de Cambrai, Belval, Pavé Bleu: the mere mention of all these cheeses from the North is enough to make one salivate and want to sit down. Indeed, here, cheese reigns supreme and a meal cannot be conceived without it! Sometimes matured, sometimes a little runny, with a surprising taste, all these cheeses are the best proof of the vitality and quality of a traditional know-how that dares, renews itself and takes risks, for the greatest pleasure of all.
To the desserts!
The Flemish waffle, in its magnificent simplicity, is perhaps the best dessert of the North, which can be served in an infinite number of ways, depending on the taste of each person. However, it has many competitors who hold the upper hand: sugar tarts, speculoos (the little cakes that accompany coffee) and other chocolate wonders. Not to mention all the little sweets that we pick at without thinking about it: Bêtises de Cambrai and Babeluttes, among many others.
