Summer

Quintessentially French, Madeleines are dainty bite-sized cakes that yields a soft middle, crispy edges, and a distinctive buttery taste. Easy and fun to make at home, they are best known for their shell-like shape and their signature bump at the top. I am sharing my tips (and the bump secret!) to master madeleines at home.

With crisp greens and tender potatoes, this French-Style Potato and Green Bean Salad is a satisfying yet light salad that yields bold Mediterranean flavors. As per French tradition, it is not tossed in mayo, but instead a delicious, zippy French-style vinaigrette spiked with briny olives, capers and fresh herbs. It’s a great side dish for gatherings or potlucks. Add hard-boiled eggs on top to make it the perfect warm-weather lunch!

This simple starter of White Asparagus à la Grenobloise is a French Spring classic. Tender and slightly sweet white asparagus, which are incredibly popular in France, are doused with a tangy Grenobloise sauce of butter, lemon, capers, parsley and crunchy croutons. This delightful dish is on the table in just 20 minutes, making the most of asparagus season.

Made with both poached as well as smoked salmon, these salmon rillettes are an easy-to-make yet elegant spread, with big flavor! They deliver a chunky texture with a rich smoky taste from the salmon, smoothness from crème fraiche and fresh citrusy notes from lemon, dill and pink peppercorns. Serve them at your next dinner party with bread and crackers!

Every bit as delicious as a pie, but with half the effort, a Galette is a rustic-looking tart that doesn’t require much time to assemble nor does it require a pie dish. It’s laid-back, forgiving and endlessly riffable, utilizing the fruits of your liking… Convinced yet?

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!

A regional recipe from southern France’s Provence, this Roasted Red Pepper Dip known as Poivronade, is a staple of the French “apéro” (pre-dinner drinks and snacks). It features blistery roasted bell peppers blended with feta, parmesan, pine nuts and fresh basil leaves. Creamy and full of sun-kissed flavors, you can enjoy it as a spread on toast or as a dip, alongside chilled drinks and good company. 

The Classic Fruit French Tart – known as Tarte aux fruits frais – is an ultimate Summer show-stopper. It features a buttery, sweet pastry crust filled with rich pastry cream and topped with colorful fresh fruits and an apricot glaze. A refreshing yet decadent tart that’s perfect for hosting. Prepare each component ahead of time and assemble just before serving.