Bastille Day is a national holiday in France that commemorates the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, an event that marked the beginning of the French Revolution. Today, Bastille Day is celebrated with parades, fireworks, and feasts. One of the most popular dishes to eat on Bastille Day is Crepes Suzette.
Crepes Suzette
Crepes Suzette are a classic French dessert made with thin pancakes that are filled with a custard and then flambéed in orange liqueur. The dish is said to have originated in the late 19th century at the Grand Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. The story goes that a young waiter named Henri Charpentier was preparing pancakes for a party when he accidentally set them on fire. He quickly improvised by adding orange liqueur to the flames, and the dish was a hit.
Samuel Geffroy’s Crepes Suzette Recipe
In honor of Bastille Day, we’re sharing a recipe for Crepes Suzette from Samuel Geffroy, the owner of Roquette Cafe in Los Angeles. Geffroy is a native of France, and he learned to make Crepes Suzette from his grandmother. His recipe is simple but delicious, and it’s sure to impress your guests on Bastille Day.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1/4 cup orange liqueur
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier
- 1 orange, thinly sliced
Instructions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, water, and eggs.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until just combined.
- Stir in the melted butter.
- Heat a large nonstick skillet or crepe pan over medium heat.
- Pour 1/4 cup of batter into the pan for each crepe.
- Cook the crepes for 1-2 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
- To make the sauce, combine the orange liqueur, Grand Marnier, and sliced orange in a small saucepan.
- Bring the sauce to a boil over medium heat.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened slightly.
- To assemble the crepes, place a crepe on a plate and top with a scoop of custard.
- Fold the crepe in half and then in half again.
- Drizzle the sauce over the crepes and serve immediately.
Video
You can watch a video of Samuel Geffroy explaining his Crepes Suzette recipe here: NBC Los Angeles Website
Conclusion
Crepes Suzette are a delicious and festive dessert that is perfect for celebrating Bastille Day. This recipe from Samuel Geffroy is sure to impress your guests. So gather your ingredients and get cooking!
Happy Bastille Day!