Shows
French thingsGalette des Rois (Kings Cake)The 12 days of Christmas finished on a delicious and beautiful note, with of course... a cake if one so wishes.The Galette des Rois is the cake of choice, for most, with a porcelain feve inside, that will designate the Queen or King of the day and a crown.It's a light puff pastry pie sort of flat cake, that hides a delicate filling.What's the story behind this tradition?Is a galette des Rois like the briochey Kings cake enjoyed in Louisiana?What does it have to do with A...2023-01-0633 minFrench thingsBûche de NoëlThe Bûche is one of those quintessential Christmas food and traditions enjoyed in many countries, not just in France. Its origins take us back to the ancient Rome festivities of Saturnalia, with a detour via the 11th-century Vikings and Paris and the cavemen in Lascaux.Grab your fave beverage and snack, get comfy by the fire, let's dive in and lets find out what story lies behind this iconic cake.©Florence Vitel 2022Written, hosted and produced by Florence Vitel------------------------------------------------------------Credits : Music and SFX sounds: ...2022-12-2636 minFrench thingsFrench toastThe Postulate goes like this: French toast is French, because its origin lies in the name, right? The 28th of November is a special day for bread or brioche in the US. Amateurs and chefs across the territory will mercilessly slice loads of loaves. Because on this day America celebrates National French Toast day.Fine, but what is French toast and when was it created?Let's find out!Episode written, mixed, and produced by Florence Vitel__________________________________________________C...2022-10-0628 min
French thingsGod Save The Queen * A brief and curious history of an anthem * QEII special*9 September 2022*As a tribute to a remarkable sovereign, this episode explores the origins of the British Anthem and its surprising profound ties to European monarchies and baroque musicians.Yesterday has been a sad day. An era has come to an end. The days ahead are those of grief, mourning, and sorrow. A Kingdom, a nation, nations, and a great portion of the world are plunged into bereavement. Yesterday, the well-known and recognizable anthem God Save the Queen has been sung and heard for the...2022-09-1125 minFrench thingsSpecial Episode * God Save The Queen **9 September 2022*Today was a sad day. Yesterday has been a sad day. The following days will be sad days as well. An era has come to an end. The days ahead are those of grief, mourning, and sorrow. A Kingdom, a nation, nations, and a great portion of the world are plunged into bereavement. Yesterday, the well-known and recognizable Anthem God Save the Queen has been sung and heard for the very last time. 2022-09-1024 minFrench thingsChampagneChampagne needs no introduction. Or does it?A beverage fit for kings and queens, the Belle Epoque and its musical artists, with the growing demand for the fizz, allowed for healthy democratization of the drink.Champagne is the drink of celebrations, achievements and firsts. Churchill pondered that in order to properly celebrate victory, it is necessary and for consolation, it is a much-needed thing.Common knowledge credits Dom Perignon for its discovery and later mastering the effervescence process, yet archeology tells that fermented and sparkling wines may be much older than we th...2022-08-3159 minFrench thingsQuicheAh, quiche! A silky savoury egg custard, baked in a buttery shortcrust. An easy dinner with a crunchy salad with French vinaigrette, and hop! you feel like you're in a Parisian cafe...Quiche after having been a staple in France for centuries has become a symbol of the Lorraine resistance and identity at the end of the 19th century... But how?It's now a much-loved dish that eases the hassle of making dinner for many.What's the story behind this iconic dish?Let's find out!E...2022-06-1520 minFrench thingsEpisode 4 - QuicheAh quiche! A silky savoury egg custard, baked in a buttery shortcrust. An easy dinner with a crunchy salad with French vinaigrette, and hop! you feel like you're in a Parisian cafe...Quiche after having been a staple in France for centuries has become a symbol of the Lorraine resistance and identity at the end of eth 19th century... But how?Let's find out!__________________________________________________Credits : Music : under Creative commons License Orlando_Gibbons_Out_of_the_Deep (The_Tudor_Consort)Liebestraum - AB Major Franz LisztS...2022-06-1518 minFrench thingsMarie-Antoinette - Part 2 Dauphine of FranceHow did Marie-Antoinette fare at the Court of France?This episode reviews:*The proxy wedding and what it means to be the Dauphine *The Journey to Versailles* Wedding celebrations and Wed life* Little rebellions * The daily routine of Marie-Antoinette* How she becomes a fashion icon and a trendsetter* Marie-Antoinette's Adjusting to Court lifeEpisode written, created, mixed and produced by Florence Vitel--------------------------------Credits Music C. Saint-Saens -Danse Macabre , by Kevi...2022-05-2152 minFrench thingsMarie-Antoinette - Part 1 The Youth of an ArchduchessMarie Antoinette is certainly the most famous Queen of France. For a long period of time, she had been remembered for all the wrong reasons, regrettably.Dubious quotes on cakes, defamatory nicknames pertaining to her supposed behavior regarding the King, the finances, or her clothing have percolated through the centuries, staining forever her name...Golden locks of hair, a pale and rosy complexion, big blue-grey eyes, regular features, she had the grace of a swan.Betrothed to the Dauphin of France, she would become the last Queen of France.What was...2022-04-2343 minFrench thingsCroissantsThe word Croissant could be the epitome of a Sunday brunch under the French art de Vivre guidelines.We know what to expect when we bite into a fluffy and crispy curved croissant. They are easily found in cafes, bakeries, in the frozen bread and desserts section of stores, and in the kitchen of talented bakers.Yet, before becoming mainstream and ubiquitous, where did the humble croissant originate from?Let's find out!The epic of this curvy viennoiserie is like the delicacy itself: a multilayered thing, that will take the listener...2022-04-1147 min