Spring

Quintessentially French, Coq Au Vin Rouge (literally “rooster in red wine”) is an iconic dish from the rustic cooking repertoire of France. Made from a whole chicken cut into 8 pieces, with bacon, mushrooms and carrots, it is traditionally cooked using Burgundy red wine, resulting in its signature purplish sauce.

“Chouquettes” are ubiquitous afternoon snacks in France. These bite sized choux pastry puffs topped with crisp pearl sugar, can be found in virtually every bakery at any time of the day, and are handed to you by the dozen in paper bags. Chouquettes are also a fun treat to make at home. They’re easy, quick and require only staple ingredients… and they’ll disappear fast! 

With a buttery crust, cheese-filled custard and bits of smoky bacon, the Quiche Lorraine is classic French at its best. This recipe is a home cooks’ favorite, as it’s an all-in-one-meal that’s a welcome addition to any table – be it lunch, dinner or brunch. Extra points if you make the pie crust from scratch!

“Concombre à la Crème” is an easy-breezy recipe that you can often find on French tables during Summer time. This delicious chilled salad features crunchy cucumber, tangy shallots and herbs all tossed together in – you guessed it – smooth crème fraiche. This is a quick and easy recipe to have on hand as it’s so refreshing and the perfect accompaniment to your grilled meats, fish or to pack up for a sunny picnic or potluck.

We’re putting yet another French twist on an American classic! Today’s recipe revisits classic fudgy Brownies, but with the addition of pecans and Fleur de Sel – a star ingredient of French cuisine. These brownies are deeply chocolatey, chewy in the center with crunchy bits of pecans, and topped with that shiny crackly top we all love. Fleur de Sel also sprinkled over top makes all the flavors pop and makes them even more addictive.

A “moelleux” is a very casual yet scrumptious French cake made with the simplest of ingredients and a generous amount of butter, for a melt-in-your-mouth texture. The crumb is rich and a little dense, which makes it the perfect vessel for ripe Summer berries or stone fruits. After last Summer’s success of my Plum Moelleux Cake recipe, I present today my Fresh Strawberry Moelleux Cake – just as easy to make and equally delicious. 

As simple as it is, a good French vinaigrette can truly make a dish. With just a few ingredients, it brightens up a dull bowl of mixed greens and turns an unassuming plate of raw vegetables into a crowd-pleasing starter. Whether you enjoy it as a dip or a dressing, mastering the art of a good French Vinaigrette is an essential everyday skill to have on hand.

Easier than pie but just as delicious, this Strawberry Rhubarb Galette features a flaky all-butter crust, folded in a free form manner over a sweet filling of ripe strawberries and tangy rhubarb. It is an uncomplicated dessert that doesn’t require much time to assemble nor does it require a pie dish. It’s the perfect kind of laid-back dessert to throw together in a pinch, when strawberries and rhubarb are bountiful and days are getting sunnier.

This Frisée Salad with Bacon, Egg and Croutons, also known as a “Salade Lyonnaise” is a bistro classic from the city of Lyon, in southern France, renowned as being the gastronomic capital of the country. As a representative of its origin city’s cuisine, this simple recipe relies on everyday ingredients—leafy greens, bacon, bread, and eggs—thoughtfully combined to create a timeless dish.

An easy, one-pan fish dish that can be ready for the table in less than 30 minutes is always a good recipe to have in your repertoire. This classic Cod Provençal recipe boasts meaty cod loins, simmered in a spicy tomato sauce nestled with salty capers and black olives. This is a quick, simple and healthy one-pan dish that is incredibly flavorful and perfect for busy weeknight dinners.