Fall

This two-day version of my Classic French Croissant recipe is ideal for starting in the afternoon, to have freshly baked croissants the next morning. This recipe will give you 12 of these iconic French pastries, with a great flakiness, a satisfying bubbly crumb and lovely buttery notes. In comparison to my One-Day Classic French Croissants recipe, the crumb of these 2-day croissants is more aerated and offers lovely subtle butter notes. The three-day version of this recipe has more depth in taste and texture, but if you only have two …

This three-day version of my Classic French Croissant is the real deal! There are no shortcuts, but you will achieve the closest thing to real French Bakery Croissants (if not the same). The three days necessary for the process offers the proper time for the dough to develop, relax and build a rich complexity in taste and texture. A great weekend project, worth every effort and minute! In comparison to my One-day or Two-day Classic French Croissants recipe, these will have the flakiest outside, most aerated crumb and have the …

Known in French as “Petits Pois à la Nivernaise”, this recipe for French Peas with Lettuce, Carrots and Pearl Onions is a very traditional and classic way to cook peas in France. This is the kind of go-to recipe that most French cooks have in their repertoire and that you’ll find featured on Holiday tables alongside the classic meat and potatoes.

Pot de crème, crème brûlée, mousse, riz-au-lait, sabayon … there is undoubtedly a strong tradition of creamy, cup-contained desserts in France. And even though the classic “pudding” (pouding, in French) is moreso a British import, it is just as much of a beloved and popular dessert in France.

Since my recent trip to Lille, I have been obsessed with making Merveilleux at home. These meringue and chocolate cream sandwich pastries are a famous specialty from French and Belgian Flanders and can be spotted across bakeries and pastry shops all over the city of Lille. I actually spent several minutes staring at pastry chefs crafting them through the windows of Aux Merveilleux de Fred, one of the most famous spots in the city to buy and eat Merveilleux. So as soon as I was back in my kitchen in …

This Pain d’épices (French for “Spice Bread”) is an iconic French bread associated with the city of Reims, and beloved all over France. It is sold in bakeries, grocery stores, and of course in every Christmas market around the country. As per tradition, a real French Spice Bread should be made with only rye flour, and dark buckwheat honey as a sweetener (no sugar). You won’t find any butter in it, as it is indeed a bread – not a cake – far less sweet and much drier than its American …

Known in French as “Haricots Verts à l’Albigeoise“, this quick and easy French green bean recipe is a delicious specialty hailing from Albi, a small town in Southern France, near Toulouse. It features bacon, eggs and crème fraîche which I feel is an unusual way to dress up vegetables – but it makes them scrumptious, comforting and perfect for colder days. It’s the kind of recipe that could even lure the pickiest little ones to eat their veggies (and ask for seconds! ) It makes for a great weekday dinner for …

Behold this winter-perfect dish: A scrumptious Beer and Cheddar Welsh, just like they make in Northern French brasseries. Now, you might have already heard of the Welsh Rarebit – a typical specialty from Wales – that is a combination of toasted bread and melted cheese. But did you know that this is insanely popular in the north of France too? This popular French dish hails from the Hauts-de-France, where they simply call it “Le Welsh”, and it is just a bit different than the actual Welsh version (and a bit more …

If there’s one type of cookie that defined my childhood in Brittany, it’s the Sablé Breton! These traditional French salted butter cookies are crispy, buttery, and perfectly balanced with a hint of salt. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, this easy recipe will transport you straight to a Brittany kitchen.

A risotto is not a French-born dish, but the French are in fact very fond of it. It’s funny to think that there has always been a certain rivalry between the Italians and the French, and on many different levels: architecture, literature, fashion, politics, mentalities … But when it comes to food, I have felt the French have always fully acknowledge the authority of Italian cuisine, and happily embrace Italian influences in their own plates.