"madeleines"

Quintessentially French, Madeleines are dainty bite-sized cakes that yields a soft middle, crispy edges, and a distinctive buttery taste. Easy and fun to make at home, they are best known for their shell-like shape and their signature bump at the top. I am sharing my tips (and the bump secret!) to master madeleines at home.

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.

The Classic French madeleines get a Holiday twist, and an American twist too!  Yes, most of you might not know it, but eggnog (in french “lait de poule”) is not common at all in France, apart from in the French Caribbean Islands. But while “French Christmas” and “eggnog” are terms usually not associated with one another, these French Eggnog Madeleines are the exception to the rule… And they are a match made in heaven!

A delicate texture, a buttery-nutty flavour and a signature bumped top make the French Butter Madeleines an essential of French Baking.  Once in a while, going back to basics is essential. Especially in baking. Some people’s basics will be chocolate chip cookies, some others’ will be bran muffins or brownies. For me, it’s crepes and French butter madeleines. The warm nutty smell of butter wrapping up the whole kitchen while baking madeleines always brings me back to my French childhood. And every bite taken into these small cushiony cakes always …

This simple starter of White Asparagus à la Grenobloise is a French Spring classic. Tender and slightly sweet white asparagus, which are incredibly popular in France, are doused with a tangy Grenobloise sauce of butter, lemon, capers, parsley and crunchy croutons. This delightful dish is on the table in just 20 minutes, making the most of asparagus season.

The Holidays are just around the corner! For all your holiday baking inspiration, I have gathered the most delicious cookie recipes from the blog that are very popular around the Holidays in France- and easy to make at home. I included classics like the Butter Sablés from Alsace (Butterbredele) and lesser-known recipes like the Cocoa and Almond Thumbprint Cookies from Alsace (Linzele).

Classic French Sole Meunière may sound fancy – but it’s far from it. I promise. This staple of the French repertoire features simple sole fillets lightly dredged in flour, pan fried and bathed in a brown butter sauce with lemon and parsley. The zesty lemon cuts through the richness of the butter, allowing the delicate flavors of the sole to shine and create a fish dish that’s zingy, moist yet somehow crisp – an ultimate dinner for the whole family. 

For any lover of French cooking -beginner or connoisseur- building a French cookbook library is the key to increasing skill and having a reliable source of cooking inspiration and knowledge on hand– even in the era of Pinterest and food blogs.

With the festivities just a few days away, here is a little roundup of my favorite Winter Holidays-inspired recipes from the blog: Appetizers & Starters; Breads, Breakfasts & Brunch; Mains & Sides; Desserts & Cookies. Take your picks, Happy Cooking, Happy Baking, Happy Holidays and Bon Appétit!