Autumn is such a feel-good season. Fresh, crisp and misty mornings, hearty walks as the trees turn gold, and snuggling up in front of the fire as the evenings get colder. And surely nothing is more feel-good than combining some of the wonderful products of France with the comforting flavours of Britain and Ireland.
This marriage of European flavours is a match made in heaven and means you can enjoy easy to make recipes, great taste and that warm feeling you get from both local produce and memories of home. Bacon by the Box, based in Ireland, ship great Irish and British food to your doorstep in France. With their fresh products and store cupboard staples, here are our feel-good recommendations based on combining cultures to make winning Anglo-Irish-French favourites in autumn:
Sausage Casserole a la France
Sausages are such a great autumn fare, whether you need an easy dish that you can prep in advance or a big bowl of comfort food. You probably have your own favourite casserole recipe but for an Irish flavour with a French twist, try delicious Irish Coddle made with Clonakilty pork sausages and back bacon, hearty vegetables, French garlic and cider (recipe for Irish Coddle here). Wash it down with a good bottle of red French wine like a Côtes du Rhône and you’ve definitely got entente cordial!
Alternatively, you could go for good old Bangers ‘n Mash – we like it French style with a creamy pomme purée, caramelised French onions and Bisto gravy. Enjoy with a glass of spicy Languedoc-Roussillon red. It’s feel-good food at its best and yes, Bacon by the Box can even provide the gravy.
Bacon by the Box – Butties Français
Heading out for a long autumn walk? Fuel up with a bacon baguette made with some of Bacon by the Box Clonakilty traditional dry cured bacon. Their 100% Irish pork is slow cured for lots of flavour and thinly sliced so that it’s fries up nice and crispy. It’s perfect with a crunchy French baguette, and for extra taste, opt for unsalted French butter and a good dollop of Brown Sauce from Bacon by the Box’s condiment range.
Rainy Day Pie
OK, so not every autumn day is about gathering sweet chestnuts to the backdrop of a golden sunset at the end of a warm October day and some days make you want to stay in bed and pull the duvet over your head. When that happens, it’s definitely time for some serious comfort food, so keep a couple of emergency dishes in your store cupboard for this moment.
Cue the world-famous Fray Bentos Steak & Kidney Pie! It’s so easy to cook you can do it in your pyjamas and then serve it up with crispy Parmentier potatoes, baked until golden and drenched in garlic and herbs, and some local veg (smothered French-style in butter of course). Let’s not forget pudding, and what about blackberry and apple crumble made with local French fruit topped with good old Ambrosia Devon custard? Replete with memories of childhood dinners, head back to bed with a good book until the rain washes through or if you have to head out into the world, enjoy a warm glow that is almost tangible.
Erin’s Chicken Fricassée
It doesn’t get much more French than Chicken Fricassée. We love French dishes but we also believe in making life easier as well as tastier. So, cook up this wonderfully rustic and traditional family-style meal using Bacon by the Box’s tinned Erin Cream of Mushroom soup Instead of making the sauce from scratch). Add a little Sauvignon Blanc and a few roughly chopped local mushrooms for added depth and flavour and serve with green beans and warm crusty French bread. Oh la la, ca c’est bon!
Le Snack Attack
Sometimes, you just want to put your feet up in front of the TV and enjoy a snack. Or perhaps, you fancy a get together with friends for a good old natter and a cup of tea – biscuit dunking optional, of course. Did you know biscuit is a French word? It comes from bis cuit – twice cooked! The good news is, Bacon by the Box not only supply the tea but also the biscuits whether you’re dunking favourite is a Custard Cream, a Hobnob or even (gasp) a Jaffa Cake. Yes, Jaffa Cake dunking is a thing. Or what about Tunnocks’ Tea Cakes and a handful of Cadbury’s chocolate buttons for a real treat with a chocolat chaud or a café au lait?
Best of British and French flavours in autumn
Happy autumn, joyeux automne, or Fómhar shona as they say in Gaelic! We hope you’re inspired by these Anglo-French fusion flavour feel good food suggestions. Don’t forget to put in your order (Bacon by the Box deliver to France weekly), then grab your scarf and gloves, and get out there and enjoy this gorgeous season.
Find out more and order your favourites to enjoy the best of British and French flavours in autumn – delivered to your doorstep at: baconbythebox.com
