03 August 2018 by Jessica Boston
Self-catering favourites from the Holiday France Direct team
If you are on a self-catering holiday you’ll be able to take full advantage of all the delicious fresh produce at the French markets…in fact even French supermarkets are a real adventure, especially for your children! From piles of fresh seafood, huge selections of local cheeses and a myriad of unheard of flavours of jaffa cakes, they will love exploring the aisles as much as you do!
Whether you are a keen cook or not, it’s hard to go wrong with such lovely ingredients on offer – and if you want to keep it simple a table spread with bread, cheese, charcuterie, ripe tomatoes and fruit is a feast you’ll never tire of!
Or why not try some of the Holiday France Direct team’s favourite recipe ideas on your next self-catering holiday in France?
Grilled mackerel with mustard
“One of my favourite dishes of the summer is grilled mustard mackerels – it makes a change from the usual sausages and burgers for a BBQ and is very simple and light!” Leonie Cluett, Properties Advisor
https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/grilledmackerelwithj_86201
Lemon and lime posset
“I love making desserts but I’m always short on time, even on holidays – which tend to be action-packed – so all the recipes I use have to be quick! This one is Gary Rhodes’s lemon and lime posset, I make it lots – it’s quick, easy and you can prep a little batch to enjoy across your stay. Perfect served with seasonal fruit fresh from the market.” Liz Rodgers, General Manager
https://ifood.tv/subjects/387980-gary-rhodes-lemon-and-lime-posset
Charente melon with Pineau
“Unfortunately, I am a great eater but not a great cook – so my recipe is a very simple dish made with melon and alcohol! The Charente region is our favourite part of France and we just love the Pineau – a speciality drink of the cognac region – and also the lovely Charente melons. Combine them both together and it is heaven.” Nancy Perry, Properties Advisor
http://gourmetpedia.net/recipes/melon-pineau-charentes/
Crepes Suzette – French pancakes in boozy orange sauce.
“My favourite French treats are delicious crepes and they are easier to make than you think! Traditional Crepes Suzette are flavoured with orange and Grand Marnier but you can try any flavour combination you wish. A great and simple option is a warm crepe smothered in Nutella – my favourite!” Laura Habgood, Properties Advisor
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1135638/crpes-suzette
Melon and cured ham
“Melon and parma ham is quick and easy to make on holiday either for a starter or a light lunch. You can also add different types of melon to jazz it up a bit” Alison Manners, Property Advisor
https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/melon-and-parma-ham.html
Briam – a dish of layered courgettes, aubergine, tomatoes and potato baked with olive oil, garlic and herbs.
“When I stayed with my extended family in a gite in the countryside near Toulouse I cooked this layered vegetable dish and it was delicious! We bought the fresh vegetables from the market and it was easy to make a huge tray to feed all ten of us as a side dish, and any leftovers are lovely cold with salad too!” Jess Boston, Social Media Administrator
https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/briam/