Winter

Freshly-baked, deliciously flaky and buttery classic French Croissants, made from scratch in the comfort of your own kitchen… Could there be anything better? With their thin crisp layers, light chewy crumb and complex butter notes like no other, these iconic pastries are the star of all French breakfasts and likely one of the most sought after treats in the world. Likewise, making classic French Croissants at home from scratch, has a reputation for being a lengthy and intricate process, with a few too many steps and baking skills to own. …

This quick version of my Classic French Croissants recipe includes a few short cuts, takes only 7 hours to make (with extended inactive period of times) and still gives billowy, flaky, buttery croissants.   In comparison to my 2-Day version or 3-Day version, these croissants are more buttery, with smaller air bubbles inside and a satisfyingly chewy crumb. A great compromise if you don’t have two or three days to create the real deal! 

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 …

As an eternal French kid at heart, French Madeleines are always on my mind. These small tea-cakes (often referred to as cookies in North-America) are elegant, timeless and always sure to please. They’re also suited to any season and any occasion, and invite creativity.