Happy day of eating crepes nonstop!
The or the crepe is french culinary pride (one of many), their pizza, that dish that they have exported and that is apparently simple, but in its simplicity is its beauty, its good flavor and its complication. It is not as simple as it seems to make a good crepe. From its dough to knowing how to give it a rounded shape and, above all, to skip it or turn it well. admit everything, sweet or salt, but in the combination of those ingredients is the key.
February 2 is something like Pancake Day , better known in France as The Chandelier, a great excuse to swell up eating these flour soles.
Crepe La Mont Saint Michel.
WHAT IS THE CHANDELEUR?
"This is the day on which each family eats pancakes, usually sweet," he explains. Jean-Jacques Payel, chef de Antoinette Brasserie, a new obligatory stop for lovers of French gastronomy and where they have crepe masters, chefs exclusively making the nine cookies (or savory pancakes with buckwheat dough) and sweet 17 which includes his extensive letter.
The Chandeleur is celebrated every February 2, 40 days after Christmas.
Galette, the salty sister.
WHERE IS THIS PARTY BORN?
The origins go back to pagan traditions. "It's linked to a fertility rite," Payel continues. The fertility of the land was celebrated at the beginning of the end of winter and they walked through the streets with torches. In the 5th century, Pope Gelasius I made it a Catholic holiday, which also celebrated the day Jesus was presented in the temple, so the celebration changed the torches for candles with a final destination: the church.
AND WHY THE CREPES?
Supposedly, Gelasio I had galettes or savory crepes distributed at the entrance of Rome to all the pilgrims who arrived there on February 2. In pagan tradition, it has a more practical meaning: leftover wheat was used before the new crops. And its shape, circular, was a tribute to the long-awaited and long-awaited sun: a celebration of the longest days.
AS IT IS CELEBRATED?
Preparing and eating pancakes as a family. "Mothers and fathers share a fun family moment by jumping the crescents with their children," Payel tells us. Although crepes can always be eaten at any time of the day, it can be a special meal or a quick dish, at La Chandeleur it is usually celebrated in the afternoon and the tradition is still surrounded by many superstitions.
For example: “You have to make them jump, turn it over with your right hand while holding a gold coin in your left hand." they say from Antoinette. "If the crepe arrives correctly in the pan, it means that you will have prosperity all year."
Another superstition, now abandoned, consisted of leaving the first crepe made on this day on top of a cupboard to, in the same way, attract prosperity and good luck.
Lemon and sugar, you don't need anything else.
IS CREPE A GROUNDHOG'S FIRST COUSIN?
Yes! Or something like that. February 2 is already better known for being the groundhog day, the day on which in Canada and the USA this lazy animal is expected to emerge from its winter lair. If it comes out, it means that winter is ending. If it doesn't come out, it means that the cold continues. And with the day of the pancakes something similar happens. The French believe that if it rains in La Chandeleur, the bad weather will still get worse: “When the pleut pour la Chandeleur, il pleut pendant quarante jours”. Although it is not good either if the day is sunny, because the winter will also lengthen.