Jour des Crêpes!
The second day of February is a religious holiday the French call la Chandeleur – a feast to commemorate the purification of the Virgin Mary. There are several traditions surrounding this holiday so sit back, eat a crêpe and soak in a little more culture.
La Chandeleur, known as Candlemas in America (don’t worry, I’ve never heard of it either), originated as a religious holiday much like Easter in America. But somewhere between the Cenazoic Era to the Brangelina Saga, Easter has evolved to include bunnies, rainbow colored eggs and spring break. So goes la Chandeleur with a hybrid of fortune telling and Groundhog Day. *** Please note that the views expressed in this entry does not necessarily represent the views of France or any historian for that matter ***
Based on my own assupmtions, the other two traditions I am about to discuss have absolutely no correlation with the purification of the Virgin Mary nor the presentation of the baby Jesus. Please feel free to correct me if I’m wrong.
- On la Chandeleur, it is also common to dabble in a little fortune telling. When making the crêpe, you are supposed to hold a coin in your less dominant hand just as the crêpe is ready to be flipped. You then flip the crêpe with the other hand into the air and if you manage to catch the flying object in the pan, your family will be prosperous for the rest of the year.
- Some traditional sayings tied with la Chandeleur are quite similar to the idea centered around Groundhog Day.
- “À la Chandeleur, l’hiver cesse ou reprend vigueur” – On Candlemas, winter ends or strengthens
- “Chandeleur couverte, quarante jours de perte” – Candlemas covered in snow, forty days lost
- “Rosée à la Chandeleur, hiver à sa dernière heure” – Dew on Candlemas, winter at its final hour
I’ve flipped over 16 crêpes and only 1 casualty on the ceiling. It’s going to be a good year for Culinary Musings! And winter should be ending soon… I hope.
But before I go, I’d like to take this time to thank Evan of The Carnivore and The Vegetarian for honoring me with the Honest Scrap award. Deeply honored to be acknowledged by my fellow foodies and after only a few months of existence! I was also given a similar honor by Joy of Joylicious when I first started my blog but due to my computer illiteracy, I didn’t know exactly what to do with it. But better late than never! Thank you so much Evan and Joy for the wonderful kudos!
In acceptance of this award, I’m supposed to reveal 10 random facts about me. So here’s a quick peek at the editor of Culinary Musings!
- I learned how to walk when I was 9 months old. Actually, it was more like running on my tippy toes.
- If I was stranded on a deserted island and I could have only one item, it would be lip balm. I hate dry lips and I would sooner die from chapped lips than dehydration.
- I was a high school cheerleader and was dropped several times from mid air.
- I can wave with my left pinky toe without disturbing all the other piggies. My right one is not as talented.
- Reptiles and amphibians give me the heebie jeebies. Even a picture would do the trick.
- When I was 2, I tripped over a garden hose and hit my head on a rock. I had to get stitches and I have a visible dent in the upper right corner of my forehead to this day.
- I never wore braces.
- My childhood dog committed suicide. I can laugh about it now.
- People who can’t dance were born with two left feet. I was born with two left vocal chords.
- I type with two fingers.
Don’t you feel like you know me just a little bit better now? How about you? I’ll trade you for one random fact in exchange for my 10, PLUS our crêpe recipe passed down to us from his mother.
| 5 | large eggs |
| 2 | cup flour |
| 2 | cup whole milk |
| 1 | Tbsp sugar |
| 1 | Tbsp butter, melted |
| 1 | tsp orange zest |
| 2 | tsp Grand Marnier |
| a pinch of salt |
- In a large bowl, combine flour, salt and sugar. Next, make a small crater in the middle and put all five eggs. Mix thoroughly then add the milk little by little. Stir in the melted butter, orange zest and finally, the alcohol. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove batter from the refrigerator and give it a quick stir. In a small bowl, melt 1 Tbsp of butter. Add another tablespoon of vegetable oil to the melted butter. Heat your crêpe pan or non-stick skillet over medium heat. If you have an apple or a potato on hand, cut off a medium-sized chunk and use the flesh side to dip in the butter mixture and smear the skillet. If not, use a thick wad of paper towels.
- Here’s a great website that shows you how to grill those crêpes. This guy is a much better teacher than I am and he looks better in photos too
- Serve your crêpes immediately or you can always reheat them in the microwave. We do it all the time! Bon appétit!
| apples | |
| pears | |
| hazelnuts | |
| pistachios | |
| freshly squeezed lemon juice | |
| sugar (powdered or granulated) |
- My favorite is fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of sugar. His favorite are sauteed apples with cinnamon and hazelnuts. Get creative. It’s a blank canvas!
February 2nd, 2010 at 20:50
Congrats on your award! Also, the crepes look so yummy.
February 2nd, 2010 at 22:17
Crepes are such a wonderful simple meal. Your post is proof that simple is best.
February 2nd, 2010 at 22:39
congratulations on your awards… you so deserve it. if i knew how to give an award i would give you one too! (im not tech savvy myself as well and pretty much new in the blogosphere too!)
and oh yeah regarding crepes, i love crepes but i still have to perfect my crepe making skills… haha!
February 3rd, 2010 at 00:51
Congrats on the awards. And of course the crepes look delicious.
Mimi
February 3rd, 2010 at 02:32
Crepes, great I will surprise the family one day by making this. Hmm.one unknown fact about me, I used to be an avid live on stage Karaoke singer hahaha, I love the attention that I get.
February 3rd, 2010 at 05:03
wahh… very nice crepes. And congras on the awards
February 3rd, 2010 at 08:30
wow I love crepes and those look incredible!
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:08
@Sook: Thanks
I love crêpes… I can eat them all day!
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:10
@Velva: I agree. Most people are used to eating crêpes with bananas, strawberries and Nutella. I really love them simply done. Lemon and sugar works perfect for me!
February 3rd, 2010 at 21:27
I knew absolutely nothing about la Chandeleur, but now, I’ll be sure to celebrate next year! These crêpes are lovely and your Honest Scrap 10 random things are the most fun of all that I’ve read.
February 3rd, 2010 at 22:42
So are you going to be getting a crepe stand at any one of the thousand street fairs this summer? Pierre could be the front man and offer some authenticity to it. Your photos cease to amaze me! Danny says hello.
February 4th, 2010 at 00:56
How interesting about crepes! I love crepes, but have never attempted them (yet!). Your post and delicious photos have inspired me.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:42
Okay, so why have I actually heard of Candlemas? Weird. But I didn’t know what it was! This was a fun post, with your usual stunning photography. I can’t believe your blog is only a few months old!!
February 4th, 2010 at 13:57
Parfaites !
Aussi appétissantes que celles d’Amatxi …. irrésistibles tout juste sorties de la poêle !!!!!
February 4th, 2010 at 14:58
Gasp! These crepes look absolutely fantastic!
Congrats for your award!
All the best,
Gera
February 4th, 2010 at 23:00
Thank you for the history lesson! Never again, will I eat crepes in vain.
February 5th, 2010 at 11:57
Hee hee I loves it! I love crepes like more than words can describe — my first crepe experience was Nutella with Strawberries and I almost fainted because I couldnt handle all the goodness. (No I am not an emotional eater at all…) How the heck did your dog commit suicide? Sounds like a good (sad) story. Congrats on the awards, you are very deserving
!!!
February 5th, 2010 at 14:57
@Tangled Noodle: Glad I could help spread the word about la Chandeleur! Any holiday that revolves around food is A-ok in my books!
I wanted to add entertainment value to my random facts. Mission accomplished
February 5th, 2010 at 14:59
@Dan: Are you kidding? Out there in the heat?! Only if we can run a crêpe stand right outside our building like a lemonade stand. But you said that was illegal, right?
Thanks for the compliment and tell Danny his favorite babysitters are coming tonight!
February 5th, 2010 at 15:00
@Teenie Cakes: I’m here to inspire and prove to everyone that making crêpes is not as intimidating as it sounds. Hope you’ll get a chance to make it soon
Happy Friday!
February 5th, 2010 at 15:03
@Tasty Trix: Lol! You’re one of the few
At least now you know what it’s all about so you can celebrate next year. And thank you so much for your kind words 
February 5th, 2010 at 15:44
@One Mum: Merci beaucoup pour la recette et votre commentaire! Nous avons manger trop de crêpes pour la Chandeleur
February 5th, 2010 at 15:45
@Gera: Thank so much!!!
February 5th, 2010 at 15:46
@Mimi (from Chicago): Hey! Saw your message on FB and glad to know you’ve discovered this site
Happy to drop some history knowledge whenever I can, especially if it has to do with food.
Hope all is well with you two!
February 5th, 2010 at 15:51
@Joy: You have to try crêpes another way… with sauteed apples, cinnamon and hazelnuts. SO good! My suicidal dog…sniff sniff. Long story. The ironic thing is, his name was Lucky.
Thanks again for the award!
February 12th, 2010 at 14:50
Sorry I didn’t reply to this sooner. Thanks for shoutout
February 12th, 2010 at 15:57
@Evan: No worries. Thank YOU for the props
February 12th, 2010 at 16:15
@Simply Life: I’ve been looking over all my comments today and realized my response to yours never went through?! Darn computer glitches.
But thank you and hope you’ll get a chance to try out this crêpe recipe!
February 16th, 2010 at 16:27
Dear Crepe Goddess, your crepes are making me lose my train of thought at work. Please show your delicious dishes only after work hours. Thanks!
November 30th, 2011 at 18:31
I don’t remember if I was ever responsible for dropping you (I do remember dropping Laura at a football game, that was a bad one); but if I did, I hope you accept my apology
November 30th, 2011 at 18:32
congrats on your well deserved awards!