French prefer leg of lamb, says poll

Press, 12 September 1984, Page 27

French prefer leg of lamb, says poll

NZPA-AFP Paris In France, where food is a matter of national dignity, the average citizen prefers a simple leg of lamb for dinner to such traditional gastronomic delights as coq au vin, according to a recent poll. Indeed, the survey, published by the highly serious “Cuisine et Vins de France,” shows that the French are as a whole not quite as imaginative as some of their chefs, and that the eater generally prefers tradition over innovation.

However, the ideal menu, if simple, is expensive — about 400 francs (590.75) a person, assuming that the food is bought for home consumption. It includes oysters and

smoked salmon to start, leg of lamb, camembert cheese and charlotte aux fraises (strawberry charlotte). The meal is washed down with a red bordeaux wine and champagne. The poll, published in “Cuisine et Vins de France,” said 43 per cent of French people replied that leg of lamb was their favourite dish, followed by coq au vin (30 per cent) and steak au poivre (27 per cent). Although the basic tastes are similar, French food tastes vary according to sex, profession and politics. Only Communists seem to prefer boeuf bourguignon (beef stew) to a leg of lamb, for instance, while Gaullists find that turbot with Holland sauce is irresistible. Women are not as fond of

meat as men, according to the poll. They rank turbot or sole just behind the leg of lamb. Management men and company directors at least share one thing in common with their workers — the leg of lamb. But they are not as fond of meat dishes with sauces, apparently preferring fish. Other highly favoured dishes include classical French choices, with preference going to oysters, coquilles saint-jacques (scallops) and snails. Duck is also well liked. Favourite luxury items in order of preference are smoked salmon, crayfish, foie gras. Caviar ranks well behind these.

Once the main course is finished, 45 per cent of French diners will unerringly choose camembert cheese over any other, followed by a brie. Communists select the stronger roquefort. The best-liked dessert is strawberry charlotte, then chocolate mousse and millefeuille pastry. Red Bordeaux wines and champagne win the most votes when it comes to wines, while other favourite drinks include cognac, whisky and armagnac.

But the poll noted a big shift in French attitudes toward alcohol — one out of five Frenchmen and women do not like the “digestif,” or the after-dinner drink.