15 December 2009

Cambodian French Bread


French bread bagettes -  a tasty reminder of France's colonisation of  Cambodia, (1863-1949) are seen everywhere across Cambodia.

In Phnom Penh streets are lined with French bagette vendors, and similarly they can be seen in rows at any city market.

This cheap, crusty delight is baked fresh every day, and often the taste beats the fancier baked breads that are now available in the specialised pantries of Phnom Penh.

Served with Cambodian luncheon meat, cucumber, lettuce and fish paste, or simply on its own with a smattering of butter. Delicious!

They go well with that other great French delight- wine!

6 comments:

  1. breakfast of french bread and tea. Because France used to have control over Cambodia, they have french bread everywhere

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow I didn't know that! looking at this bread is making me hungry lol

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Armer & Deborah,

    The French bread is served best with Cambodian coffee - hot, strong and a decent dollop of sweetened condensed milk sitting in the bottom of the glass.

    Break your French bread and use it to stir and dunk.

    It's a tasty, simple breakfast that's always being wheeled past, or if you're lucky there will be one stationed on your street corner.

    Ann : )

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hmmm I've tried duplicating that iced coffee with condensed milk here in NZ and it just doesn't taste the same. Maybe it needs the atmosphere??

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jill,

    Yes...I agree. I tried doing the same after our first trip to Southeast Asia, and it didn't taste right either.

    The atmosphere must make a huge difference. For example, drinking 'Beer Lao' or Cambodia's national beer 'Angkor' in these parts tastes great. But drink it back home; it tastes as weak as dishwashing water.

    Have you brought home any favourite tastes from South America that aren't working quite the same as being there?

    Ann : )

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hiya Ann
    Sooo right...my man's been lusting after Salta Negra beer (that's a dark beer found up in the Salta province of Argentina)and thought Speights Old Dark would do the trick, but no! same with the Spanish omlettes I've been trying to duplicate - they're just not right. I'm sure there's whole academic papers could be written on the subject...a Masters in Anthrapology?? - 'why food doesn't taste the same at home as it does away' :)

    ReplyDelete