Cervelle de canut

Cervelle de canut is a fresh cream cheese spread that is often seasoned with vinegar, salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic, and chopped fresh herbs. The spread originates from the French city of Lyon and it is the city's specialty. Regarding the name of the dish, it is literally translated to silk weaver's brains. However, it is 100% vegetarian, as the dish was named after canuts – the silk weavers of Lyon in the 19th century. Since the weavers were mostly poor and couldn't afford real brains, they invented their own dish, a spread which was often placed on a piece of bread or a potato.