The moment the temperature starts to drop I crave a warm, comforting bowl of soup. This creamy butternut squash soup with crispy sage garnish checks all the boxes. Simple to cook yet impressive to serve. It is delicious on a lazy Sunday afternoon or as the starter for a dinner party. The rich sweetness of…
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La Soupe au Pistou
La Soupe au Pistou – Provençal Summer Soup Soupe au Pistou – the definitive Soup of the South of France – is one of my favorites and a classic of French Riviera and Provençale Cuisine. Not to be confused with “Pesto” , “Pistou” soup is a hearty yet summery bean soup packed with mixed vegetables,…
Healthy and easy school lunch ideas
In this article I share my 5 favorite healthy and easy school lunch ideas. Does the thought of making packed lunches again every day for your kids make you shudder? Trying to make a healthy, balanced lunch (that they actually eat) on top of everything else that you have to do? For me, getting back…
Fresh Fig and Goat Cheese Salad with amazing honey dressing
This Fresh Fig and Goat Cheese salad is UNBELIEVABLY GOOD. The beauty of the fresh figs, the soft decadence of the goat cheese, the sweetness of the honey dressing. YUM! Perhaps made even more special that fresh figs , in the North East USA, are not very easy to find. When I stumble on Fresh…
Les Petits Farcis Niçois (or Petits Farcis à la Provençale)
Step by step instructions to make my favorite French Riviera dish – Les Petits Farcis Nicois. Rich and hearty with fresh summer vegetables – a showstopper!
Foolproof Eggplant Lasagna Recipe
Lasagna is one of my favorite dishes of all time. I can eat half a tray in one setting, easily! This foolproof eggplant lasagna recipe makes me feel a little better about eating all of the gooey, yummy cheese. I substitute the lasagna noodles for eggplant slices and the dish becomes gluten free as well….
Fresh Fennel and Tomato Salad
Have you ever passed by a display of fennel and wondered “what ever would I do with that”? Guess what? You are not alone! A recent survey on my instagram revealed that 88% of respondents weren’t sure how to slice fennel. Fennel can be an intimidating vegetable to cut into, but it is absolutely worth…
French Salade Niçoise Recipe
Here is a simple, tasty French Salade Niçoise recipe that you will love! One of my all-time favorite salads that is full of protein and with lots of good veggies. It is simple to make yet impressive to serve and is perfect for picnics or long lunches in the sun. It is a guilt-free lunch…
Simple Confit Bayaldi Recipe
Remember that scene in the Disney movie Ratatouille when the food critic samples the heavenly “Ratatouille”? It is actually Chef Thomas Keller’s interpretation of the classic French Riviera recipe, Confit Bayaldi, that is shown in the movie! No stranger to a Bayaldi – Le Chef used to present this recipe during his cooking competition days….
5 tips for a French Riviera Themed Mother’s Day at home
If you have a Francophile Mom in your life, she would love to have a French Riviera themed Mother’s Day. To spend an afternoon in the sun, a glass of Rosé in hand, enjoying delicious food while being pampered by the ones she loves. The French Riviera for me is more than a destination, it…
5 lessons I learned cooking live for the first time
This past Saturday I held my very first LIVE cooking demonstration. Sure, I have been food blogging for several years now and have often shared videos of my recorded recipes on instagram or facebook stories. However, never ever have I logged in to zoom to find a “room” full of people, looking back at me…
Simple French Riviera Spring Menu
On Saturday, April 17th I will be hosting a cooking demonstration for Alliance Française, Washington DC Chapter. (Link here to register before it is too late!) It got me thinking about all that I love to cook in spring time. After months of soups and slow-cooked meals that bring warmth and comfort in winter, in…
Authentic Olive Tapenade
Tapenade aux olives provençal or, Authentic Provençal Olive Tapenade, is a delicious spread of olives, garlic, capers and often anchovies, that is served in the South of France. Most restaurants and market bistros will serve a small dish of tapenade accompanied with totis (Provençal for small slices of toasted baguette) or vegetable spears the moment…
Easy Branzino with Vierge Sauce
“Loup de la Mediterranée” is one of Le Chef’s favorite fishes and one of my go-to dishes to serve for a special Brunch/Lunch or when we have friends over. Branzino, as it is known in English, has a very delicate taste that pairs beautifully with the zing of a beautifully balanced Vierge Sauce. Juicy cherry…
Spring Asparagus Recipe with a Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette
This article and recipe for Spring Asparagus with a Champagne Citrus Vinaigrette first appeared in the Spring 2020 issue of Edible DC Magazine. Photography by Jennifer Chase. Words and recipe by Anina Belle Giannini. Le Chef, as I lovingly refer to my husband, and I used to live in his native South of France. We…
Le Chef’s Wife Essential Kitchen Tools
One of the upsides of being a Chef’s wife is that, little by little, I have amassed a kitchen filled with super functional tools that I love. My husband has lovingly stocked our kitchen with professional grade tools that are practical for home cooks like me. I realized, after many messages from you, chers amis,…
Healthy Potage aux Légumes – French Vegetable Soup
Potage aux Légumes is a French vegetable soup that has been blended until there are no visible chunks left. It can also be known as soupe passée or soupe moulinée. Similar to a creamed soup, except that there does not need to be any cream. My French Grandmother-in-law loves to serve a Potage aux Légumes…
Seared Scallops and Leeks in White Wine Recipe
Noix de St. Jaques poêlées Sifflés de Poireaux au Vin Blanc Pan Seared Diver Scallops and Leeks in White Wine make for a delicious and elegant French-inspired appetizer. The sweet, buttery taste of the scallops pairs beautifully with the slight tang of leeks. This dish is super simple to make and yet is impressive to…
Healthy Freezer Meal Batch Cooking
How I cook 24 made-from-scratch meals in one hour with my healthy freezer meal batch cooking technique As a working mom with two kids I don’t have a lot of time to be cooking every day. However, it is a priority for me to be able to serve healthy, tasty meals to my family. I…
Vin Chaud au Grand Marnier Recipe
A luxurious Après-Ski drink When Le Chef was beginning his culinary career in France he used to work all summer long on his native French Riviera, an iconic tourist destination for the wealthy. In the winter, when the jet set flocked to chic ski resorts, Le Chef was employed in the epicenter of the French…
French Themed New Year’s Eve at home
It goes without saying that New Year’s Eve this year will be very different for most people. Many of us will be ringing in the New Year from home. To be honest, it is exactly how I have always loved to celebrate the holiday and this year is no exception. After the year we have…
Easiest Lemon Cranberry Cake Ever
Cranberry cake has always been synonymous with the Holidays to me. The tart, tangy cranberries are the perfect complement to a creamy, moist cake brightened by citrus. When I couldn’t find our family’s classic Cranberry Cake recipe I begin testing recipes and played around ingredients to come up with the closest possible resemblance to our…
Best gifts for home cooks under $25
This Christmas I have vowed to give my family useful gifts. We don’t know when we will wear nice shoes or dress clothes again, but I do know that I have been spending A LOT of time in the kitchen. As a Chef’s Wife I am lucky to have some pretty cool tools in my…
Le Chef’s Mashed Potatoes
Decadent, buttery , restaurant-worthy mashed potatoes are simpler than you think to make. The other day I observed my husband (Le Chef) making his signature mashed potatoes and I was determined to write down every step to share with you all. I have had these potatoes many times over the years and their simplicity is…
Le Chef’s French Onion Soup Gratinée
I Love EVERYTHING about French Onion Soup Gratinée. The rich, comforting broth. The ooey-gooey cheese pull. The bits of crispy cheese that stick to the edge of the bowl (you know you eat those too!). I also love the warm conviviality of the dish. It is impossible not to laugh and make mmmmm sounds as…
6 Birthday Cake Baking Fails and how to fix them
It all started when I called our local cake shop to have a cake made for Valentina’s Birthday. My soon-to-be 3 year old daughter asked for a Ballerina cake and I, knowing absolutely nothing about cakes except from what I learned watching Neurotic Mom‘s instagram videos, chose the most beautiful cake with the fondant ballet…
French Lentil Soup Recipe
The French adore lentils! Judging by the way my husband’s eyes light up when I say I am making my Lentil Soup, I know I have a winner. This French Lentil Soup recipe is surprisingly easy and quick to make. 10 minutes of prep time, 45 minutes of simmering time and you have a healthy,…
Easy Fresh Fruit Compote Recipe
Observing Le Chef prepare breakfast one morning I realized there was a much simpler way to use overripe fruit. Fresh fruit compote! So quick to prepare and it can be done in small batches which you can easily freeze.
Roasted Plum, Goat Cheese & Lemon Thyme Salad Recipe
Long, languorous lunches outdoors is what the best summer memories are made of, in my opinion. A chilled bottle of Rosé, a crusty baguette and a dish made with care that is as lush as it is light. This is how I loved to spend my summer afternoons with Le Chef when living in the…
Sparkling Rosemary Peach Piscine Cocktail
On a recent trip to Balducci’s Food Lovers Market, the towering display of ripe peaches inspired me to make this refreshing drink. One sip of this Sparkling Rosemary Peach Piscine Cocktail immediately brings me back to beach days on the French Riviera. Legend has it that Brigitte Bardot herself coined the term “Piscine” to refer…
Easy Spring Asparagus Soup Recipe
Easy spring asparagus soup recipe. Flavorful and rich, no cream needed. 4 main ingredients: Asparagus, potatoes, onion and garlic. Bon Appétit!
Baking Baguettes for beginners
At the beginning of quarantine I learned to bake bread with Le Chef. I am almost embarrassed to say that this is the first time that we ever baked bread together, but I suppose it is one of the upsides of 2020. I made my first attempt using the recipe that my friend Julie-Anne (@eat.love.montreal…
French Easter Traditions
French Easter Traditions in the South of France France, and especially the South of France, has a strong catholic heritage and Easter weekend is not only a three but a four day public holiday. With the temperatures between the high 60s and mid 70s in April on the French Riviera, you can imagine how busy…
Introducing Le Chef’s Baby Books – A children’s book series for foodies.
Follow along on our journey to publish a children’s book series about good food and healthy eating habits with a francophile twist, bien sûr! Almost two years ago I began working on a children’s book series together with my husband and the exceptionally talented illustrator, Elena Fay. In reading bedtime stories to my daughter I…
6 Tips for Hosting a Chic French Themed New Year’s Eve Party
Read below for 6 key ingredients to add a French Chic feel to your New Year’s Eve party. Before I launched lechefswife.com I was graciously invited by the fabulous Ashleigh of @pearlslaceandgrace to write a guest post for her blog about how to host a French themed New Year’s Eve party. I was so intimidated,…
Romantic Day Date in DC
French Inspired Romantic Day Date with Le Chef in Washington, DC After the birth of our daughter, a romantic day date in DC has become our favorite way to reconnect. Around the holidays, we love going downtown in DC. With all the decorations and the chic French shops – add in a stop at Le…
How to host a Bastille Day Celebration
La Fête de la Bastille – le 14 Juillet How to host a French Riviera-style Bastille Day celebration. This year, Bastille Day falls on a Sunday so there is no better excuse to hang on to your red, white and blue decorations for a little longer and throw a French Riviera-style chic summer soirée! “Bastille…
Fête de Fiançailles – Engagement Party
My engagement party to Le Chef in the South of France and what I learnt about entertaining “à la Française”.
Prendre L’air
While living on the French Riviera “Aller prendre l’air” was a magical cure-all for so many things.
It means to go out and take in air. Such a simple concept but it was part of our every day life. The hour long lunch breaks at work always included stepping out of the office and having a coffee (espresso, of course) next to the sea.
Easy French Crêpes Recipe
My Grandmother’s Crêpes are as easy to make as 1-2-3. 1 Cup of flour, 2 cups of milk, 3 large eggs. Et Voilà!
How we met – Notre Rencontre
Twenty-three years old and in my last year of business school I went on a study exchange to a university in Nice, France. I had visited Nice while backpacking through Europe with a friend of mine and had immediately known that I wanted to go back. Only a few weeks into my exchange, the professor…
The 5 best healthy French summer salad recipes
A trip to your local farmer’s market will show you – in North America everything is in season right now! Tomatoes are fragrant and juicy. Cucumbers are crisp and sweet. Peppers are crunchy and tangy. It is the best time of year to make salads – truly any single ingredient drizzled with a little olive…
Le Grand Aïoli, made simple
Le Grand Aïoli. This classic dish is everything I love about summer dining in the South of France. A sophisticated take on a dipping platter with summer vegetables, seafood and a delicious homemade garlicky mayonnaise. Each individual ingredient shines beautifully and the presentation is artful yet casual. Perfect for a luxurious picnic or a long…
Tomato Burrata Salad with Basil and Orange Zest
A fresh twist on a familiar favorite – this Tomato Burrata Salad recipe with basil and orange zest is beautiful to serve and has a delicious, decadent flavor from the creamy burrata and the orange zest that will surprise and delight. Adding fresh citrus to a familiar dish is one of the easiest ways to…
