Yorkshire chef cooks up a Joyeux Noël
They crumble and crunch, melt in the mouth and taste of vanilla, cinnamon, chocolate and Christmas! What are they? Bredele – special continental cookies which offer a flavour of heaven almost unknown in Britain.
Normally you’d need to cross the Channel and travel 700 miles to a French market to sample these festive French fancies. But thanks to an award-winning chef they are now available in the heart of Yorkshire.
Lionel Strub, who runs the Fennel Restaurant in Wetherby, hails from the Alsace region of France, renowned for its Christmas markets and the home of Bredele. He is baking a selection of these wonderful treats to sell at his new French delicatessen just off Market Square in the town, to celebrate Wetherby’s Christmas Market on December 13.
“As Christmas approaches in Alsace, families start baking these little cakes and cookies to their own secret recipes handed down through the generations,” said Lionel.
“Sometimes it seems every street is filled by the sugar-and-spice smells of Bredele. It is wonderful. I wanted to bring this little piece of French Christmas magic to my customers.”
Ingredients vary according to type. They include “butterbredele”, made with butter and often glazed with lemon; “shwowebredele”, prepared with almonds and glazed with egg yolk; and “lebkuchen”, small gingerbread cookies.
Bredele are also a feast for the eyes. They can be shaped like a flower, star or crown and are often decorated with colourful glazes and sprinkles.
“For me, Bredele are a buttery, crumbly Christmas for your tastebuds,” said Lionel, who was Yorkshire Chef of the Year in 2006. “In time I hope they’ll become as much a Yorkshire Christmas treat as mince pies or plum pudding.”
He is baking the delicacies for the first time since he came to England 22 years ago. Beautifully-wrapped packets of Bredele will be on sale at his deli in time for the Christmas market, making unique presents for food lovers.
Lionel also plans to serve them as Petit Fours as a little festive French nibble at the end of dinner in Fennel Restaurant in Victoria Court, Wetherby. “Just don’t ask for my special recipe – I’m keeping that strictly under wraps!”
For more information, visit justfennel.co.uk.
