What to bring to an ap�ro? 20 ideas

L’ap�ro or “aperitif” is a French institution. Scary for some, exciting for others, it is a perfect insight into french culture.

There are 3 ways to have an ap�ro.

First, it can be just a drink before a meal, at the restaurant. As in: “Monsieur prendra un ap�ritif?”.

Second, it can be a few drinks + a few snacks, at a friend’s house. As in: “Tu viens prendre l’ap�ro � la maison?”

Third, it can constitute a full dinner. Understand: quite informal but there will be so much food you won’t be able to eat dinner. This is called “ap�ritif d�natoire”.

Good news, you’re invited to an ap�ro d�natoire by the neighbours. They’ve invited other friends as well.

What will you bring? Excellent question. You have to bring something. And something “raffin�”. Do not even think of a box of “g�teaux ap�ro” or a bottle of Coca-Cola!

Tip: avoid supermarkets. Find a “producteur local” or “une �picerie fine”. The “�piceries fines” you will find in big cities are Lafayette Gourmet, Comtesse Du Barry, Fauchon and H�diard.

According to the number of guests, pick a few choices in this list of 20 ideas.

Charcuterie:

1) a good “saucisson sec”: fum� (smoked), aux noisettes (with nuts), aux champignons (with mushrooms)…

2) charcuterie italienne: jambon sec, mortadelle, salami, coppa…

3) charcuterie suisse: viande des grisons

Cheese:

4) a “t�te de moine”: ask your “fromager” to prepare it. He will make little flowers out of each slice. This should impress your hosts.

5) classic cheese in slices: a Beaufort d’alpages, a Comt�, a Tomme (de brebis ou de vache)

6) a few fromages frais enrob�s: herbes, fruits secs, paprika…

Bread and something to put on it:

7) a pain de campagne tranch� (sliced) from the “boulangerie”

8) a “pain aux c�r�ales”: pain de ma�s, pain de seigle, pain viking (black bread)

9) a pain fourr�: pain aux lardons, pain aux olives, pain � l’oignon…

10) a “bo�te de tapenade” (pureed olives)

11) a “bo�te de rillettes” (p�t�)

12) a “terrine” (p�t�)

13) a “caviar d’aubergines” (pureed eggplant)

14) a “foie gras” and its “confiture de figue”

Alcohol:

15) a bottle of Muscat

16) a bottle of wine: go to Nicolas, they will advise you.

17) bottles of beer: either local or Belgian. Well, any good foreign one, but not Heineken!

Non-alcoholic drink:

18) locally produced apple juice

19) Smoothie Innocent

20) a bottle of organic limonade

Tip 1: Don’t forget to “cure-dents” (toothpicks)!

Tip 2: Don’t bring anything that needs cooking!

Bon ap�ro!

G�raldine Lep�re

G�raldine Lep�re is the creator of Comme une Fran�aise, a blog for expat women in France. See www.commeunefrancaise.com