I used to love Granola when I was younger, but I stopped eating it when I finally read the ingredients listed on most packages. Store-bought granola often has a large amount of refined sugar in it, and I decided I didn’t want to start the day off with a big breakfast bowl of sugar-filled granola.
Outside of France, for some reason, Pots de Crème are the underdog of French custards. They don’t receive nearly as much love as crème brulées do – but if you go to France, it’s a whole different story. The French love their dairy products: yogurts of all kinds and what we call the “crèmes desserts”. If you ever visit a French supermarket, you will assuredly stumble on our entire refrigerated aisle(s) devoted to yogurts, fromages blancs, flans, mousses, faisselles and all kinds of custards and heavenly pots de crèmes. When …
Wine-braised chicken has to be one of the most beloved comfort foods in France – with probably as many variations as grandmothers in the country. The concept of browning meat in a bit of oil, and then cooking it in liquid (ie. wine) always makes for incredible flavors, and meat that is fork-tender. And if you ask me, I find braised meat slightly more sophisticated than stews, yet just as comforting. In this favorite braised recipe of mine, onions and loads of garlic are caramelized in butter, and plump chicken …
A tender, buttery, rum-flavored crumb nestled with big chunks of apples makes the Classic French Apple Cake a delicious staple. Right before baking, the cake gets dusted with sugar to create a signature crackly top that makes it even more unique, all while letting the apples shine beautifully. It is a simple and timeless cake recipe, just sweet enough and with a delightful more-apple-than-crumb-ratio. A must for your French baking repertoire.
The kick-off to patio season has to be celebrated with a great appetizer, right? Which is why today’s recipe is perfectly suited. This Ham, Olive and Cheese Bread is very popular in France, and a French aperitif favorite. Known in French as a “cake salé” (savory cake), you’ll often find this type of rustic bread/loaf served at friendly get-togethers or for pre-meal snacks and drinks in France. They come in all variations and are traditionally cut in thin slices or cubes for guests to pick at, while mingling before dinner. …
The traditional lamb is a must on every Easter table in France. And although it usually presents itself in the form of a glorious Gigot d’Agneau (roasted leg of lamb), you’ll find that variations are totally acceptable nowadays. So since I like to keep holidays stress-free (and sheet pan recipes seem to be all the rage this year), I decided that a one-pan-lamb-and-all-the-Easter-fixings would be my choice for this holiday. This One-Pan Garlic Lamb Chops with Potatoes and Carrots recipe is quick to assemble and -bonus! – a snap to …
Just like Crêpes or the Apple Tarte Tatin, this Orange Yogurt Cake is a must-have in your baking repertoire if you are French. It is one of the most popular cakes to bake (and eat) in the country, as it is a perfect heirloom recipe: it is simple, but it just works so well. A “Gâteau au Yaourt” is actually the first cake I ever baked. One day in primary school, our teacher brought a pack of yogurt cups and we all gathered around a table to make the simplest …
Fork-tender beef in a rich red-wine gravy and nestled with veggies makes the Beef Bourguignon one of the most adored French recipes in the world. But beyond being a pilar of Classic French cooking, the Beef Bourguignon also embodies the essence of “French slow-cooking”, where one takes their time in the kitchen and enjoys the process every step of the way. And I truly adore this concept, I really do. But sometimes, opting for short-cuts or more convenient solutions, like a slow-cooker, is just the way to go. The truth …
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.
Apple season holds a very special place in the hearts of the Brittany and Normandy people. At this time of year, both regions boast orchards of blooming apple trees of all varieties and hence nurture an extensive repertoire of apple recipes – be it sweet or savory. Countless apples pies, chicken and pork roasts with stewed apples, apple cider in Brittany, Calvados in Normandy… apples are the Queen of the local gastronomy year-round. And frankly, as a Brittany native, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of cooking and baking …
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