Vegetables & Sides

  • Authentic Niçoise Salad

    by Audrey

    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.

  • Provençal Eggplant Tomato Gratin

    by Audrey

    It’s eggplant season and that means this Provencal Eggplant Tomato Gratin is on repeat in my kitchen. This typical southern French recipe includes tender slices of eggplants layered with chunky tomato sauce, plenty of cheese and spiked with Herbs de Provence. This is a fuss-free recipe that makes a great side or a perfect vegetarian dinner.

  • Eggplant Caviar Dip (Caviar d’Aubergine)

    by Audrey

    Known as “Caviar d’Aubergine”, this eggplant caviar dip is a staple of the French apéro: the pre-dinner snacks and drinks. It is a creamy and flavorful dip made of roasted eggplant, shallots and garlic, seasoned with fresh herbs and seasonings. It yields delicious savory and smoky flavors and an utterly satisfying texture that goes hand-in-hand with toasted bread and a crisp glass of wine in Summer.

  • French Grated Carrot Salad (Carottes Rapées)

    by Audrey

    Known as “Carottes Rapées”, this French Grated Carrot Salad is ubiquitous in all French regions. This standard bistro fare is essentially a salad of grated carrots with herbs, a simple dressing and a heavy sprinkle of raisins and nuts for added crunch, chew and flavor. This salad is crunchy, tangy, refreshing and a healthy pop of color for any table.

  • Red Kuri Squash Blue Cheese Gratin

    by Audrey

    This Red Kuri Squash Blue Cheese Gratin is a simple and utterly comforting dish, making do with “Potimarron” (red kuri squash): a star of French market stalls during the Fall and Winter months. This gratin features layers of tender and sweet squash, tangy blue cheese with crème fraiche, walnuts and pumpkin seeds for extra crunch. This is a great dish for vegetarians, or a festive side dish to serve alongside meat or fish during gatherings – especially perfect for a unique Thanksgiving side!

  • 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.

  • Refreshing, satisfying and healthy – bookmark this recipe to make all Summer long! This chilled Zucchini Mint Soup features in-season zucchini blended with tangy goat cheese and fragrant mint: a delicious (and wildly unique) flavor combo. It has a wonderfully creamy texture from the zucchini and goat cheese, while the mint brings a cooling freshness. This is a quick and easy recipe, perfectly suited for summer entertaining or laid-back dinners.

  • Crustless Quiche with Summer Vegetables

    by Audrey

    Less fussy to make than a classic quiche, this crustless quiche is a celebration of warmer days. It embraces ripe summer vegetables: zucchini, eggplant and cherry tomatoes, all encased in a rich egg custard with melty Swiss cheese and fresh herbs. This is a perfect gluten-free brunch, lunch, or dinner that you can easily prepare ahead as well!

  • Vichy Carrots (French Style Glazed Carrots)

    by Audrey

    A wildly popular side dish in France, Vichy Carrots feature perfectly tender carrot coins cooked in butter, sugar, and water until it reduces into a sweet buttery glaze, which is then finished off with fresh parsley. This easy and inexpensive recipe is a perfect weekday side, that feels luxurious enough to brighten any festive meal as well!

  • Heirloom Tomato Bread Salad with Fresh Herbs

    by Audrey

    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.

Pardon your French

Let’s bring French flavors to your kitchen! I share uncomplicated and classic recipes, lesser-known regional dishes and a few modern takes. Making French cooking easy, approachable and cliché-free is my priority.