Sides

Stuffed mushroom caps, known as “Champignons Farcis,” are one of my all-time favorites when it comes to finger foods! With savory pork, creamy brie and fragrant herbes de Provence, this recipe offers an elegant French twist on this classic appetizer. This is an easy recipe that comes together swiftly to create delicious savory bites. They’re perfect for parties, gatherings, or a just a cozy night in.

It’s eggplant season and that means this Provencal Eggplant Tomato Gratin is on repeat in my kitchen. This typical southern French recipe includes tender slices of eggplants layered with chunky tomato sauce, plenty of cheese and spiked with Herbs de Provence. This is a fuss-free recipe that makes a great side or a perfect vegetarian dinner.

Known as “Caviar d’Aubergine”, this eggplant caviar dip is a staple of the French apéro: the pre-dinner snacks and drinks. It is a creamy and flavorful dip made of roasted eggplant, shallots and garlic, seasoned with fresh herbs and seasonings. It yields delicious savory and smoky flavors and an utterly satisfying texture that goes hand-in-hand with toasted bread and a crisp glass of wine in Summer.

Known as “Carottes Rapées”, this French Grated Carrot Salad is ubiquitous in all French regions. This standard bistro fare is essentially a salad of grated carrots with herbs, a simple dressing and a heavy sprinkle of raisins and nuts for added crunch, chew and flavor. This salad is crunchy, tangy, refreshing and a healthy pop of color for any table.

Tomato season is in full swing! So to make the most of this delicious time of year, I gathered my favorite French tomato recipes from the blog all in one place, to help you enjoy tomatoes! From the classic French Ratatouille to a Mustard Tomato tart (very popular recipe on the blog!) or a Fresh Tomato Velouté soup, I hope these recipes will give you some inspiration to get in the kitchen and make the most of ripe, juicy, sweet tomatoes.

Known as Croquettes de Courgettes, these French style Zucchini Fritters are a perfect Summer treat and delicious way to sneak more veggies into your day. They are made with a heaping amount of zucchini, onion, garlic and nutty Gruyère cheese – which makes these fritters perfectly tender inside and crispy outside. They’re fun and easy to make, and always disappear fast.

Known as “Tomates Farcies”, these French-style Stuffed Tomatoes are the perfect addition to any Summer table – and a personal childhood favorite of mine. This typical Provençal recipe calls for stuffing tomatoes with beef, bread, cheese and Herbs de Provence, and roasting them on a bed of rice until tender and slightly charred on top. Naturally, this dish is best made at the peak of tomato season, when they are juicy, sweet and full of flavor.

Inspired by the Mediterranean tradition of bread and tomato salads, this Heirloom Tomato Bread Salad is made of perfectly ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, a tangy vinaigrette, and crunchy bread croutons. It is both refreshing and satisfying, with a great mix of soft and crunchy textures. An easy salad best made when tomatoes are in season.

Ratatouille is a French Provencal stew of ripe Summer vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini and bell peppers) cooked together slowly until creamy soft. An uncomplicated recipe, making a good ratatouille does require a bit of time. Make this stovetop recipe on a weekend to enjoy it throughout the week… because a ratatouille tastes even better reheated!

If you enjoy fresh and wholesome salads, this is a great one for your repertoire. This Classic French Lentil Salad is made using earthy, healthy Puy lentils, carrots, shallots and herbs drizzled with a quick zippy Dijon vinaigrette. It is affordable, simple to make and very satisfying. A great side dish for hosting, or as a make-ahead recipe for meals on-the-go.