After 55 days of lockdown in France, the country is officially reopening ! Yesterday was France’s last day of the strict coronavirus lockdown, known as confinement. Not all businesses are reopening, though.

What is it about the simple word gratinée that makes food so delicious ? Everyone loves crisp-browned and bubbling cheese on top of gratinéed potatoes or on the ultra-classic French onion soup. Only kids have the guts to ask for “more crispy” – plus de croustillant – but when it comes time to clear the table, I’ve seen friends fight to take the gratin dish away. Why ?