Recipes from Normandy

Lately, it seems as though the focus of my culinary life has been straight from Normandy. Never mind that apples - a keystone of Norman recipes - are out of season. This morning, a screening DVD of a lauded documentary arrived at my door. Right now, all I can say is that the film is an exploration of food and art in Normandy, and that television viewers in the United States will be able to see it within the next month or so. For more on that, check back in a few days for my full notes and all the delicious information.

Last week, I was given the opportunity to attend a Normandy-themed spring lunch at On Rue Tatin, the famous French cooking school owned by the accomplished Susan Herrmann Loomis. It’s coming up on April 27, for those of you so inclined and lucky enough to go. Unfortunately, my current schedule doesn’t permit a whirlwind trip to the French countryside, so I’ll have to make do in my own kitchen.

As I’ve been happily inundated with all things Normandy, I felt it only fair to pass it all along to you. For those of you not yet acquainted with the foods of Normandy, allow me to give you the basics. First, Normandy is farm country situated on the coast of northern France. The freshest seafood, beautiful orchard fruit, rich dairy, and free-range meat are abundant in the local recipes. You’ll find that some favorite dishes of the locale are andouille sausage and anything that includes dairy and apples. There is also a fairly heavy Belgian influence on the cuisine there.

Although nothing will be an exact substitute for the high quality ingredients for which Normandy is known, we can always make a delicious go of it in our own kitchens. Here are some authentic recipes from Normandy for you to try. Bon appetit!

Norman Recipes:

• Andouille Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe
• Apple and Calvados Sorbet Recipe
• Cinnamon Espresso Sables Recipe
• Chicken in Hard Cider Sauce Recipe
• Lemon Sables Recipe
• Simple Brioche Loaf Recipe

Mont Saint Michel, Normandy, France Photo: Valeria Restuccia