Cheesy, crisp, and airy, Gougères are impossible to stop at just one! Originating from Burgundy, these French savory cheese puffs are typically served warm to accompany wine tastings in France – but there’s little wonder as to why they’re so beloved across the country. Served as appetizers or as part of a cheese platter, they are ideal for the Holidays as they’re easy to make and sure to impress your guests.
Brie en Croûte is a festive French appetizer that is simply perfect for entertaining. Made with store-bought puff pastry, it encases a warm and melty whole wheel of brie, that’s then topped with honey, cranberries, nuts and thyme. Serve it on a platter with fruits and crackers, and be sure to impress your guests!
My Best Holiday Recipes Ah, the joy of the holiday season, a time to savor and share delectable festive recipes! Here, you’ll discover my cherished holiday recipes collected over the years. May this list alleviate your holiday planning worries and inspire you with delightful ideas to create a French-inspired Christmas in your own home. Whether you crave appetizers, desserts, gourmet snacks, or more, a little something awaits you! Click the images for all the detailed recipes. Appetizers Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Tarte Soleil Classic French Salmon Rillettes French Cheese Puffs …
Known as Poulet Rôti, a French Roast Chicken is an unbeatable favorite in any household to wrap up the week. In true French fashion, mine is full of garlic, herbs and lots of butter – sneaked both under and over the skin before cooking and basted with plenty more during cooking. The result is succulent flavors, juicy meat all around and a crispy golden skin.
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.
Set on July 14th, Bastille Day is France’s National Day. A day off for all citizens, Bastille Day is a fun and festive occasion where people gather to cook and eat all day, before watching the fireworks at night. Being in the middle of July, Bastille Day is often a hot day, which calls for light and fresh recipes that are best enjoyed outside during a picnic, by the beach or over big communal tables set up across towns and villages.
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!
Translating in Provencal dialect as “boiled water”, the Aïgo Boulido is an unassuming broth of garlic and sage, enriched with eggs. It is delicately aromatic and believed to have powerful curative properties. This soup is widely consumed in the South of France to aid digestion, ward off winter ills, as a detox soup after days of feasting – and as a salving cure for hangovers too.
As a French food writer and passionate French home cook, one of the questions I get asked the most is what does a typical French meal look like? And since the Holidays are upon us, I wanted to share with you today the rituals and courses of a traditional French Christmas menu, known as “Le Repas de Noël,”
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!
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