Family Encyclopedia >> Food

The flagship recipes of Brittany

Kig Ha Farz:the Breton stew

A typical Breton speciality, kig ha farz, literally "meat and flour" in Breton, is a main dish originating from Léon, a region of lower Brittany. Once considered the food of the poor, this dish is now cooked throughout the region, especially for large family gatherings or festive association meals. Similar to the stew, the kig ha farz is distinguished by the addition of a dough made from buckwheat flour, cooked in the broth using a small bag, then crumbled and served with the flat. Everything is served with Lipig, a salted butter sauce, onions and shallots. Otherwise, the ingredients of the kig ha farz are identical to the traditional stew:beef and pork, carrots, leeks, cabbage, turnips and bouquet garni. Due to the many preparations and the cooking time of the dish, it is advisable to plan in advance to cook the kig ha farz.

Culinary specialty of Brittany:Far Breton

An essential cake in Breton cuisine, far Breton is a pastry often cooked in Breton homes. Similar to clafoutis, far Breton, or farz forn (far in the oven in Breton) is traditionally eaten plain or with prunes. Inexpensive, this dessert was originally composed of a simple wheat porridge which was later embellished with dried fruits such as prunes or raisins. Today, there are many variations, but Breton far is still largely cooked according to the original recipe based on milk, flour, sugar, semi-salted butter and eggs. Just add the mixture of eggs, sugar and flour, the heated milk with the semi-salted butter, mix well and put in the oven, distributing a few prunes in the preparation.

Buckwheat pancakes:the quintessential Breton pancake

Very popular throughout France, buckwheat pancakes (Sarrazin) are commonly eaten in Brittany. According to legend, the Sarrazin galette was born from an error on the part of a Breton farmer who spilled Sarrazin porridge on a hot plate. Tasted as a main course, the galette is cooked with an infinite variety of savory ingredients. The most common is the complete galette topped with ham, Emmental cheese and a whole egg. In Brittany, the sausage pancake, also called Breton hot dog, is a major element of fast food. Stade Rennais supporters even dedicated a song to him:“Sausage pancake, I love you; I would eat kilos and kilos of it…”.