All content copyright Katrina Hall 2008 through 2025

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Normandy style creme fraiche









I first tasted this creme fraiche a few years ago, when my friend Mme. J, who grew up in Normandy, offered me a taste of her cold seafood salad.  It was chilled, fresh, and creamy, with a smooth sauce of some sort, which she identified as creme fraiche - but it was unlike any creme fraiche I had ever tried - and much better than mayonnaise.  When she offered me the recipe I grabbed a pen - she laughed and said it was very simple.  Equal parts heavy cream and sour cream, shaken in a jar and left on the counter overnight.

I make this a lot in the summer months, and actually prefer it to whipped cream on cold fruit salads and shortcakes.  I use it alongside cold poached fish or crabmeat, summer composed salads and pasta salads, as well, sometimes adding fresh minced herbs.  It has a fresh taste , unlike mayonnaise,  which is far saltier.  It has a smooth finish, without an aftertaste of lemon juice.


Normandy style creme fraiche

In a clean Mason jar measure :

1 cup heavy cream (I used Hood's)
1 cup sour cream (Hood's again)

Stir the creams briefly, then screw on the clean lid.  Tighten and shake for a minute or so, then place the jar on the counter.  Write the time you made it on the lid and let sit at least 12 hours.

Unscrew the lid and spoon out a taste - the creme should be very thick.  Store the jar in the fridge for up to a week.

After a lot of rain the last few days, it's a beautiful sunny day today - hooray for summer!





4 comments:

La Table De Nana said...

Jacques loves CF..Thank you!
I hate to say this..but we need some rain right about now.. chances of thunderstoms ever day..not a one.
Still..I do love summer while it is here katrina..just like you!

katrina said...

Oh my goodness, Nana - you've had no rain? Oh, of course - the "hurricane" rain went up to the Maritimes - Nova Scotia. I'm thrilled to not have to water, so I can empathize with you....and hope Jacques enjoys the recipe.

Barb said...

This CF recipe just proves that sometimes the simplest is the best. I will definitely give this a go.

Hope you had a Happy 4th!

We just had a wonderful thunder/rain storm. So far this summer, we have had just about the perfect amount of rain - enough so I don't have to use the sprinkler very much.

katrina said...

Barb, you are so right! When I googled creme fraiche I found many, many recipes but none as simple as this one:) I must say the weeds LOVE the rain we've been having, but as you say, it's nice not to have to spend an hour watering. Happy July!