Recipes

We’re quickly approaching American Thanksgiving, which I know is a celebration many of you are looking forward to every year. It is such a wonderful time to cook, gather with family, friends and loved ones, share a meal and make memories to last a lifetime. And although we do not celebrate Thanksgiving in France, I have become accustomed with this tradition after living many years in North America and having a Canadian husband.

This Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Tarte Soleil – known as a “Sun Tart”, in English – is a gorgeous tear-and-share French appetizer. It features two layers of buttery puff pastry with a filling of cream cheese and smoked salmon, cut and twisted into tearable strands.  This is a very simple recipe for a really impressive appetizer for the Holiday season!

Welcome to the 2nd edition of my monthly newsletter! Each month, I intend to share a personal round up of the past weeks to give you a glimpse into my French life. I also share links I love, seasonal recipe inspiration and try to answer some of the questions I’ve received through social media as well.

This Red Kuri Squash Blue Cheese Gratin is a simple and utterly comforting dish, making do with “Potimarron” (red kuri squash): a star of French market stalls during the Fall and Winter months. This gratin features layers of tender and sweet squash, tangy blue cheese with crème fraiche, walnuts and pumpkin seeds for extra crunch. This is a great dish for vegetarians, or a festive side dish to serve alongside meat or fish during gatherings – especially perfect for a unique Thanksgiving side!

The Fall and Winter months call for cozy, warming and preferably served-in-a-bowl recipes – and soups perfectly fit the bill. Whether you are yearning for a robust bowl of ham and bean soup, a chunky lentil soup, a healthy vegetable velouté or a cheesy onion soup, the French repertoire boasts a great deal of soup recipes to match your cravings and warm you right up.

Whether it’s a comforting stew, a one-pan dinner, or an elegant dish for hosting – a weeknight chicken recipe is always winner. And for that, the classic French cooking repertoire has it all figured out with delicious chicken recipes you can easily recreate at home.

The French Almond Pear Gratin, also known as “Gratin de Poires aux Amandes,” combines the sweetness of pears with the rich nuttiness of almonds, creating a delightful and comforting treat – one that’s naturally gluten free. It features softly baked pears nestled in a bed of almond cream, creating a perfect match of texture and flavor. Embrace this rustic dessert, on the table in less than an hour, for the cozy season.

Happy Fall everyone! I’d like to welcome you to my new monthly newsletter format! The idea of sharing a more personal newsletter every month on this blog has been twirling in my head for some time now, and I am happy to finally put it into action. Each month, I intend to share a personal round up of the past weeks to give you a glimpse into my French life.

When the cozy fall season arrives, there’s simply no better time to indulge in the abundance of apples that become available. Whether you like them tart or sweet, crisp or juicy, apples are a wonderfully versatile ingredient that find their way into myriads of sweet and savory dishes.

Known as Hachis Parmentier, the French Style Cottage Pie embodies French comfort food at its best. It features a layer of ground beef that’s seasoned with nutmeg and fresh herbs, topped with creamy mashed potatoes that are loaded with butter, and baked until golden and bubbly. The dish is hearty, comforting, and perfect for colder fall and winter weather.