Summer

A Classic Vegetable Tian embodies the essence of Provençal cooking during Summer: it’s simple and makes do with the abundance of vegetables available from this sun-drenched region of France. This iconic dish that alternates slices of tomatoes, zucchini and eggplants, is colorful, full of flavor and the perfect side dish for your Summer feasts.

Looking for a refreshing summer side dish? Try this French cucumber salad with crème fraîche, also known as Concombre à la Crème. This classic French recipe combines thinly sliced cucumber with tangy shallots, chopped herbs like chives and dill, and a smooth, creamy dressing made with crème fraîche and lemon juice. Light, creamy, and packed with fresh herbs, this easy cucumber salad is perfect for hot days, picnics and potlucks.

Made with crispy-skin chicken thighs and fresh peaches, this single-pot dish is a delicious summer twist on the French tradition of wine-braised chicken recipes. The chicken thighs are seared until crispy on the stove top before getting braised in white wine in the oven with peaches. As they bake, the peaches soften and meld into the flavorful chicken drippings to create a succulent sweet and salty sauce.

As simple as it is, a good French vinaigrette can truly make a dish. With just a few ingredients, it brightens up a dull bowl of mixed greens and turns an unassuming plate of raw vegetables into a crowd-pleasing starter. Whether you enjoy it as a dip or a dressing, mastering the art of a good French Vinaigrette is an essential everyday skill to have on hand.

Easier than pie but just as delicious, this Strawberry Rhubarb Galette features a flaky all-butter crust, folded in a free form manner over a sweet filling of ripe strawberries and tangy rhubarb. It is an uncomplicated dessert that doesn’t require much time to assemble nor does it require a pie dish. It’s the perfect kind of laid-back dessert to throw together in a pinch, when strawberries and rhubarb are bountiful and days are getting sunnier.

This Frisée Salad with Bacon, Egg and Croutons, also known as a “Salade Lyonnaise” is a bistro classic from the city of Lyon, in southern France, renowned as being the gastronomic capital of the country. As a representative of its origin city’s cuisine, this simple recipe relies on everyday ingredients—leafy greens, bacon, bread, and eggs—thoughtfully combined to create a timeless dish.

An easy, one-pan fish dish that can be ready for the table in less than 30 minutes is always a good recipe to have in your repertoire. This classic Cod Provençal recipe boasts meaty cod loins, simmered in a spicy tomato sauce nestled with salty capers and black olives. This is a quick, simple and healthy one-pan dish that is incredibly flavorful and perfect for busy weeknight dinners.

Simplicity is often the golden rule of allowing seasonal fruits to shine – and this Strawberry Flaugnarde is the perfect example of this. Just like a Clafoutis, this classic French dessert is a custardy baked flan nestled with seasonal fruits. It’s tender and creamy in the center, with satisfyingly puffy and chewy rims. The best part: you only need a few basic baking ingredients (flour, sugar, eggs and milk) and fresh seasonal strawberries to recreate this delicious dessert in your own kitchen.

Decadent yet elegant, a Classic French Chocolate Mousse is a must in your repertoire as a French host(ess), or just to treat yourself. This timeless dessert relies on only a few ingredients – chocolate, eggs, butter and sugar – to create a smooth, airy texture with intense chocolatey taste. It is a great make-ahead dessert to serve in individual cups.

Known in French as Poisson à la Bordelaise, this fish gratin is a French family staple. Fish fillets are topped with a mix of parsley, shallots cooked in white wine, lemon and breadcrumbs, and then baked in the oven until crunchy and golden – while the fish remains utterly tender underneath. This quick and simple recipe can be made with any white fish of your liking.