Who does not adore the charm of a beautiful Baguette or the breakfast indulgence of a classic Croissant? But this year, the La Motte Bakery is adding another fabulous French bread to its Bastille Festival celebrations - the Fougasse.
The Fougasse is a flatbread in the shape of a leaf. Popular in the French province of Provence, this bread with its crisp crust and chewy interior is both beautiful and delicious when served with a meal, as a light lunch with charcuterie and cheese or just on its own with another Provençal favourite, a beautiful glass of rosé wine like La Motte’s joyful Vin de Joie!
The Fougasse is a cousin of the Focaccia. They are believed to originate from the Roman Panis focacius, as these flatbreads were cooked in the ashes of a wood burning oven, called focus. Today's focaccias are often rectangular and although made with a similar dough and crispy exterior as the fougasse, they are often thicker and fluffier. The dough of a focaccia is usually dimpled with olives, sundried tomatoes and even grapes nestled into the dimples, before the bread is generously rubbed with olive oil and baked.
The Fougasse's leaf shape is cut to resemble the veins of a leaf – it is the prettiest of breads! The fougasse plays on a crunchier theme as the surface is enlarged via the cuts and ’spider web’ shape. Although mostly sprinkled with flakes of sea salt, sometimes, in the theme of Provence, the breads are sprinkled with Herbes de Provence, a fragrant mix of rosemary, thyme, marjoram, oregano, fennel, mint and perhaps even a few lavender flowers! La Motte’s Fougasse is a little more dramatic than the traditional fougasse with extra crispy veins and wider gaps - ideal to fill with charcuterie and cheese!
This year, in celebration of all the flair of France, you can find the fabulous Fougasse loafs at the La Motte Bakery from 10 to 14 July. (To avoid disappointment, order your Fougasse from Bonita - bakery@la-motte.co.za.)
Also visit the bakery during the Franschhoek Bastille Festival for a special French-inspired black board menu, a delicious display of other French breads and of course tempting patisserie! The La Motte bakery is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 08:00 to 16:00 (Kitchen closes at 15:00). To book: la-motte.com
