A classic Tarte Tatin

Tart Tatin by Belgique

It’s hard to believe that one of the most famous tarts in the world was first created by accident at the Hotel Tatin in Lamotte – Beuvron (France).

The two sisters who were running the hotel and created Tarte Tatin, were Stéphanie and Caroline Tatin. The most common story about tart’s origin states that while Stéphanie was trying to bake an apple pie either overcooked it and tried to rescue it by putting the pastry base on top or she baked the pie upside down by mistake.






However, they decided to serve the dessert to hotel’s guests and the response was completely unexpected. They loved it so much that it became “signature dish” of the Hotel Tatin.

According to history sisters Tatin never published their recipe or even called it tarte Tatin. That recognition was bestowed upon them by the famous French author Curnonsky and the Parisian restaurant “Maxim's”, after their deaths.

And this is how the legend of “upside down tart” began and “Tarte Tatin” became part of France’s national heritage.
Originally, the tarte Tatin was made with two regional apple varieties (Reine des Reinettes (King of the Pippins) and Calville), but nowdays we can also find it with other fruit and vegetables like pears, peaches, pineapple and more.

So, if you looking to finish your lunch/ meal/ dinner with a sweet note then a fruit tart, a cream tart or a classic one is a perfect choice.


Choose yours from Belgique!

Easter Celebration

Belgique's Easter Net Cake

Easter is the most important festival in the Christian calendar.
It celebrates the resurrection from the dead of Jesus. The week leading up to Easter, the last week of Lent, is called Holy Week and it start with the Palm Sunday. It reminds Christians the journey Jesus made into Jerusalem, on a donkey, to celebrate the Jewish festival of Passover.
The Easter story is at the heart of Christianity.

Easter Day is always on a Sunday but the date varies. Easter was variously celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but many years ago Christians decided Easter Day always to be on the Sunday following the first full moon after the first day of Spring, around 21 March. Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25 for western churches such as in the UK, America and Australia (use of the Gregorian calendar), which differs from eastern churches (use of the Julian calendar).

Easter has also its non-religious side. Easter was originally a pagan festival when the ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Eastre. The early name, Eastre, was eventually changed to its modern spelling, Easter.

There are many symbols associated with Easter like The Cross (the symbol for the Christian religion), Easter Bells (rung in France and Italy), Fireworks (believed to frighten away evil spirits) and of course the most famous Eggs, Lambs, Rabbits, Chicks and more figures.

The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny, the biggest commercial symbol of Easter, is not a modern invention. The symbol originated with the pagan festival of Eastre. In pagan tradition, the rabbit was revered as a symbol of spring for its fecundity.
Even though the Easter Bunny stems from an old tradition, the rabbit itself still fits well within the symbolism of the season. New life springs forth after the winter, and rabbits are a prime example of fertility and birth.

The Easter Egg

The custom of giving eggs at Easter celebrates new life. From the earliest times, the egg was a symbol of birth in most cultures. For Christians the egg is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection. The first sweet eggs
were made in the last 100 years from sugar or marzipan. Since then, chocolate eggs have become popular and these are given on Easter Sunday.

Celebrate this Easter with your beloved ones with a traditional dinner table, full of delicious food from Belgique. Traditional Easter Cake to share with everyone, the finest selection of delicatessen products to choose from and more, available for you to order online and be delivered at your doorstep.

And don’t forget Belgique’s sweet selection of hand made, Belgian chocolate Eggs, Bunnies, Chicks and more 

available at Belgique stores.

Create an unforgettable Easter holiday and enjoy your time off! 

Happy Easter!

Soups from… around the world!

The existence of soup goes far to 6,000 BC -it’s probably as old as the history of cooking – and continue to be a major part of our daily diet.

The word “soup” comes from French “soupe” ("soup", "broth"), which comes through Vulgar Latin “suppa” ("bread soaked in broth") from a Germanic source, from which also comes the word "sop", a piece of bread used to soak up soup or a thick stew (Wikipidia).

A good soup recipe has two main parts:

The first one is about the ingredients that are used. You can create a delicious dish any time of the year with fresh, seasonal ingredients like tomato, carrots, leak, mushrooms, etc. It’s not only the taste but also all the beneficial ingredients that are been delivered from vegetables.  

The second one is about the preparation of a soup recipe. Most chefs support that first you have to understand the simplicity of the process and then focus on the technique.

Like we do at Belgique!

Soups are classified into two main groups with plenty categories. There are the “Clear soups” and “Thick soups” from where you can choose a Vegetarian soup, a Dessert soup, a Fruit soup, a Veloute soup… and keeps going.

There are even cold soups (a variation on the traditional soup) like the Russian “Okroshka”.

Other famous traditional soups are the Asian soups with their widely known Noodle soups, the Creek “Fasolada” (a traditional bean soup), the Hungarian “Goulash” (a typical Hungarian soup with beef) and the Italian “Minestrone” (an Italian vegetable soup).

 

The most popular soups in England are mainly potato based, but British people have welcomed to their cuisine new soup recipes arrived from other countries from all around the world.

Soups are the mighty power that keeps us warm during the winter and a good ally against colds and flus.

Despite the fact that the cultural differences affected recipes and created many soup variations, all sharing the same idea: a tasty and healthy food.

Find out the “Soupe du jour” or "soup of the day" in your local Belgique branch.

Tomato Soup by Belgique

Pancakes Day or Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday takes place 47 days before Easter Sunday and is the final day before the commencement of Lent, a Christian festival leading up to Easter.

Because the date of Easter Sunday is dictated by the cycles of the moon, Pancake Day changes annually and can occur anytime between February 3 and March 9.

This year it takes place, today, on February 12.

The name Shrove comes from the old word "shrive" meaning “confess”. So, Lent is a time of confession and giving up things and goods like sugar, eggs etc. Pancakes are eaten on this day because are representing a good opportunity to use such ingredients, one last time, ahead of the fasting period.

The term “Mardi grasis” - French for Fat Tuesday - referring to that practice of the last night of eating richer foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season.

So, grab the chance and enjoy one of our delicious Pancakes recipes at Belgique stores!

Love history: Valentine’s Day

Saint Valentine's Day, commonly known as Valentine's Day it is celebrated in many countries around the world on February 14. The day was first associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages.







The Legend

St. Valentine's Day began as a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus but the most popular one associated with a Roman priest Saint Valentine.
According to the legend during the third century the Emperor, Claudius II, was involved in many bloody and unpopular campaigns and was having a difficult time getting soldiers to join his military leagues. He believed that the reason was that Roman men did not want to leave their loves or families. So, he decided not to allow any more marriages in Rome!
Even after Emperor Claudius passed his law, Saint Valentine kept on performing marriage ceremonies – secretly.
When Valentine's actions were discovered, he was sentenced to be beaten to death with clubs and to have his head cut off. Many young people went to the jail to visit him and threw flowers and notes up to window. One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard who was allowed by her father to visit him during his confinement.
On the day of his execution, on the 14th day of February, left a little note thanking her for her friendship and loyalty signed it, "Love from your Valentine."


Modern times

• The first Valentine card was sent by Charles, duke of Orleans, to his wife in 1415 when he was a prisoner in the Tower of London. 
• In 1797, a British publisher issued The Young Man's Valentine Writer, which contained scores of suggested sentimental verses for the young lover unable to compose his own. That made possible - for the first time - to exchange cards anonymously. Paper Valentines became so popular in England in the early 19th century that they were assembled in factories. 
• Since the 19th century, handwritten notes have given way to mass-produced greeting cards. Such gifts typically include roses and chocolates packed in a red satin, heart-shaped box. 

At Belgique you have the option for a more personalized day with special Valentine’s Day cakes - by Belgique - in order to send a unique message to your loved ones.







Even if you are sending flowers, chocolates or other gifts to express your love like used to do in Europe or you make "acts of appreciation" for your friends like in Latin America or you put stickers on faces and clothing of a friend or a relative like in Lithuania you can always have a perfect Valentine’s Day at Belgique.

Once in a decade!

Following the latest weather updates and pictures across Britain seems that we are talking about a "once in a decade" bout of freezing weather.

Very cold conditions are been expected for the rest of the week and temperatures will not rise above freezing until the end of next week, as Met Office forecasters warned.
"A two-week period such as this, with sub-zero nights and days close to freezing, is a one in ten-year occurrence."

Britain is also facing chaos this week. Many rail passengers were hit due to the breakdown service, hundreds of schools closed and airports continue cancelling or delaying flights. 

As it comes, the Arctic conditions may not recede for up to two weeks, leaving the country under a layer of ice and snow with temperatures dropping to -20C.

Under these circumstances public safety advices must been followed so everyone can be secure. Here are some basic tips that will keep you safe!

Travelling

Passengers who travel are urged to check the status of their flight with their airline before travelling to the airport.

Driving in snow

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all! But if you can’t avoid it here are some basic advices for safe driving in snow.

• Make sure your car is able to travel. Don't assume your vehicle can handle all conditions.

• Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. 

• Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to others.

• Keep your lights and windshield clean.

Tips for all

• Clear your doorstep. Clear the fresh snow in the morning. If you remove the top layer of snow in the morning, any sunshine during the day will help melt any ice beneath. 

• Be careful when walking on compacted snow, it may have turned to ice.

• Make sure you have warm clothes

• Wear boots or overshoes with grip soles such as rubber and neoprene composite.

•  When getting out of your vehicle, look down at the surface. Use special care when entering and exiting.

• Take short shuffling steps in very icy areas.

• Don't carry heavy loads

And most important place your full attention on walking. Walk with your hands free. This will allow you to use your arms for balance if you do slip.

Bad weather didn’t necessarily mean bad news for every!
You can enjoy a family moment and make the most of the snow and then, here at Belgique we will serve you with finest Belgian products and offer you a cup of original hot Belgian chocolate to keep you warm!

Chocolate Shot. Seriously strong chocolate drink!

Be King for the day!


In many countries it is a tradition to celebrate the “Epiphany” in Christmas season, when the three wise men known as “Les Rois Mages” or “ The sourcerer Kings” visited baby Jesus. Epiphany has been celebrated since the 14th century and these days the celebration takes place not only on the nearest Sunday to the 6th of January but throughout the month.

Belgique will be offering “Galette de Roi” and “Galette Rustique" throughout January.





The Galette De Roi is a buttery flaky puff pastry tart filled with moist almond cream.

The Galette Rustique is a light frangipane cream filling, roasted apricots and honey, flavoured with cinnamon, speculoos spice and home made nougat crumb sandwiched between two layers of rich butter puff pastry. Decorated with nougat crumb and flaked almonds.






Inside both types of tarts there is a “Feve” hidden, a porcelain gure and there are always decorated with a golden kings crown.



A king tart is associated with the festival of Epiphany and it is a tradition in France to gather the family for enjoying this wonderful tart. The youngest of the family hides under the table while the head of the family cuts the tart. The person under the table then gives instruction on who gets which piece.
Whoever gets the “Feve” is King or Queen for the day and gets to wear the crown (and boss the others around)!!!