Sides

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.

A staple of Brittany cooking, this Cauliflower Gratin (Gratin de Choufleur) is a homecook’s favorite, that hits all the right notes: veggie-focused, fairly easy to prepare and utterly comforting. Tender cauliflower florets are draped in a cheesy Mornay sauce, dotted with bacon bits and baked until bubbly. This results in a very creamy and delicious gratin that makes an incredible side dish for any occasion – be it a holiday feast or weekday dinner. 

Green Beans Almondine – or Amandine in French – is a classic French side dish that’s quick, easy and elegant. Crisp green beans are tossed in brown butter with toasted almonds and shallots for a healty-ish side that’s buttery, nutty and crunchy. It’s a great dish for the Holidays, or dinner any night of the week!

When in season, the French love to cook up zucchini in all sorts of casseroles, gratins, tians and savory crumbles. As a popular take on this custom, this savory Zucchini Goat Cheese Crumble is a simple and delicious way to use this garden fruit – yes, fruit! With the perfect combination of tender zucchini and creamy goat cheese under a crisp topping, this is a great zucchini-packed side dish for late 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.