Few dishes capture the warmth of French-Canadian cuisine quite like the iconic Tourtière – a savory meat pie with a flaky double-crust and a richly spiced meat filling. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a cozy homemade meal, this rustic recipe is sure to impress. I’ll guide you through the authentic preparation of Tourtière, along with some tips for success. Extra points if you make your pie crust from scratch!
With its buttery, crisp crust and a rich filling of sweet caramelized onions in a savory custard, this Caramelized Onion Tart is a cherished gem from the Alsace region. This rustic and comforting dish delivers a delightful balance of sweet and salty flavors, and is perfect as an elegant appetizer, a light lunch, or a satisfying dinner. Indulge in the timeless charm of this Eastern French classic!
Choux Farcis, which translates to “stuffed cabbages” is a deliciously rustic and comforting dish for your Winter roster. Cabbage leaves are stuffed with a savory filling of ground sausage, bacon, egg and pork, and then rolled and shaped into parcels and braised in flavourful broth. No rice, nor tomato sauce in the French recipe: these cabbage rolls are lighter, but just as hearty and warming to help elevate your weeknight dinners.
Raise a glass to a quintessential French classic: the traditional Beef Daube. This slow-cooked Provençal stew combines melt-in-your-mouth beef, hearty red wine and the rustic charm of garlic, rosemary, thyme and bay leaves. Its secret lies in a delightful twist – hints of clove, juniper berry and orange peel infuse the dish with a cozy warmth and depth that’s perfect for winter evenings. Whether for festive celebrations or leisurely Sundays, it’s a dish that invites you to savor every moment while the stovetop works its magic.
Porc aux pruneaux is a classic French dish that can take various forms, from a hearty pork roast to tender pork chops – but my personal favorite is braised pork loin with prunes. Slow-cooked in white wine, the pork absorbs a rich depth of flavor, beautifully enhanced by sweet onions and melt-in-your-mouth prunes. The result is a comforting dish bathed in a succulent, sweet-and-salty sauce that’s slightly syrupy. It’s a perfect choice for a cozy Sunday dinner, yet elegant enough to grace your holiday table as well.
This simple homemade Niçoise Salad is a lively mix of fresh tomatoes, crisp bell peppers, radishes and cool cucumber, spruced up with hard-boiled eggs, tuna, salty anchovies and a simple herby dressing. True to tradition, you’ll find no green beans nor potatoes in this authentic recipe! It’s a refreshingly crisp and crunchy salad that’s ideal for your next BBQ or to pop into your lunchbox.
This French-style rice and tuna salad offers delightful Mediterranean flavors and is a beloved childhood favorite of mine, as well as a staple in French home cooking. This vibrant mix includes rice, tender tuna chunks, juicy tomatoes, briny olives, crisp bell peppers and fresh herbs. It’s a refreshing yet filling salad, perfect for serving at a luncheon, as a side dish for a barbecue, or packed for a picnic or potluck.
A typical salad served in French bistros, the Salade Parisienne features salad greens topped with potatoes, cubed cheese, sliced mushrooms, ham slices and hard-boiled eggs – all bathed in a tangy French vinaigrette. This is a fresh yet satisfying salad that acts as a whole meal to itself, to enjoy as a lighter lunch or dinner.
A Lamb Navarin stew, or “Navarin d’Agneau” in French, combines tender lamb chunks with loads of seasonal vegetables – including carrots, peas, turnips and new potatoes. It is a hearty, but lighter stew often enjoyed in France to wave goodbye to Winter. Embrace this Spring classic, fit for Easter celebrations or any festive gathering!
Known in French as Soupe Paysanne, this Cabbage and Sausage Soup is a rustic recipe that takes centre stage on French family tables throughout Winter. Every region and family have their own twist on it, but always with a hearty mix of vegetables and meats. This one is loaded with cabbage, carrots, leek, smoked pork sausage and potatoes in a flavourful broth. It is a perfectly hearty, stick-to-your-ribs soup that satisfies and warms you up during colder days.
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