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Bringing French culture to life

| Amanda Hilson & Jessica Miller

Two women in hairnets baking pies

Amanda Hilson joined the Department of Languages as a full-time Lecturer this fall and taught FREN 355 (Civilization) for the first time with “Gastronomy” as a guiding theme. She believes that to truly learn and appreciate an aspect of a culture, it is important to bring it to life. And so, after spending a semester studying the food culture of France, her students had the opportunity to apply that knowledge in the kitchen. In collaboration with the University Dining Services, the class was invited to make (and taste!) clafoutis. This traditional dessert originating from the Limousin region is less known beyond the borders of France than some other French desserts, but it is delicious and easy to make. Traditionally made with dark cherries, these students used both cherries and blueberries to bake this flan-like dish. When asked if they would make it again, students responded with a resounding yes!  

A group of people in hairnets looking at pies