Weird Mardi Gras folklore in the Ch’ti region.
And the most delicious crêpe recipe EVER!
It might be necessary to preface this post with a warning for the fair amount of cringe I am about to display. But you should know that dressing up as a clown just for fun and juggling in a “circus” has not damaged my self-esteem one bit, despite the society’s best efforts…
Juggling through the streets of Reims, France for the medieval festival in 1996.
The celebration of Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) originated in Pagan Rome. The idea was to let loose for a day and transgress the rules; you were invited to indulge one last day before Lent. That’s why Mardi Gras rhymes with carnival!
Mardi Gras carnival in Bailleul, France.
March 1994, I ask my mom to find me a clown costume. The parade was passing by our house, just like every year before and I wanted to feel like a part of it! The year before, a couple of clowns on 6ft stilts had walked up to our 2nd floor window and shared a drink with us! I was intent on calling them back to our window.
I grew up in the Carnaval region of France and Belgium (The Ch’ti region) with 4 major carnivals in Dunkerque, Wattrelos, Bailleul and Binche (Belgium) where the whole city lets loose for a day. Everyone drinks, dances and cheers together! I lived for those moments of collective joy!
I’m not the only one who cherishes those traditions. Hundreds of thousands of French and Belgians participate each year. You can see now that the frontier between France and Belgium is blurry because we share the same culture. After watching these videos below, you will understand why the carnivals are so important to us, the “Ch’tis”. In fact, many of them have been declared “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”by UNESCO.
Binche's Mardi Gras (video)
Belgians describing their culture around the carnival
There is so much folklore and tradition around the carnivals. These promote a strong sense of belonging and community still very present in Europe. Perhaps the most remarkable is the Gilles tradition where hundreds of men of all ages dressed in intricate straw-filled costumes parade through the town from dawn to dusk, carrying with them oranges they will be gifting to the crowd. Only men from those carnival cities are allowed to wear the costume. On the morning of Shrove Tuesday, the Gille wears his famous mask to enter the town hall.
The city of Binche has patented the famous wax masks and only Gilles are supposed to wear them.
The Gilles are followed by drummers and traditional folkloric groups representing peasants, Arlequins, sailors, Pierrots and musicians.
By midafternoon, they put on their hats (too heavy to wear all day) adorned with ostrich feathers and eventually meet at the town square for the round dance (rondeau) where they burn the hay stuffed in their costumes. I have seen this tradition called “weird” by foreigner but to me it is natural, beautiful and important. I wish for everyone to experience “Le Carnaval” at least once in their life.
Le rondeau.
Of course, the French aren’t all so lucky to live in a carnival town, but rest assured most of them will be celebrating today! Indeed, it is also traditional to make crêpes on Mardi Gras as a way to use all the fat in the home in preparation for Lent fasting. Have you noticed by now the French are always looking for excuses to eat crêpes ?
Today, I’m happy to share with you the best ever crêpe recipe that I trust you will make with the highest quality ingredients, like Président butter and farm fresh eggs! Here is what you will need to do;
In a small bowl, mix 6 eggs, 100gr of sugar and some vanilla.
Melt 125gr of unsalted butter and let cool a bit.
In a large bowl, pour 500gr of flour and make a well to accommodate the wet mixture. Add a pinch of salt and gradually add 1 liter of whole milk to the center, whisking from the center out, gradually letting the flour in as to avoid clumps.
Pour the melted butter and rest the dough for 30 minutes.
I won’t lie, making thin and even crêpes is a bit tricky. You can help this by thinning the batter with more milk. A nice hot buttered pan, a dexterous wrist and some practice should be all you need to be the queen (or king) or crêpes! Check our my Instagram profile for a helpful reel!
Most French will tell you that the right pan is EVERYTHING! Well, if you are in the market for the perfect crêpe pan, here it is!
This is a fantastic carbon steel pan made in France! You can also find one at any Target or HomeGoods but why not support small businesses that focus on quality?
Thank you for reading me! Stay tuned for my next crêpe themed post; all about toppings!!!
