This post includes everything you need to make a perfect French Cheese board. With a focus on quality, not quantity, a French board is simple to make with a few tips! 3 well chosen cheeses, a few slices of apple and some dried fruits, a little bowl of honey and perhaps some fig jam et […]
How to host a Thanksgiving Dinner Party
Here are some expert tips on how to host a Thanksgiving dinner party. Whether this is your very first time hosting or you would like to try it again, here is how to host Thanksgiving like a Chef. The best thing about being the host is that you get to decide the menu! Let's channel […]
St-Germain Spritz
This St-Germain Spritz recipe is so easy to prepare but will make you say "oh la la " with the first sip! Light, refreshing and festive, the St Germain Spritz is a great cocktail to serve at a dinner party or for happy hour. Many know this cocktail as a summer spritzer (it pairs perfectly […]
Roasted pork tenderloin with apples
Roasted Pork Tenderloin with apples is a comforting taste of fall in every fork full. The roast pork tenderloin is moist and juicy while the baked apples and sage complement the flavor of the meat to perfection. Roasted Pork tenderloin with apples and sage is easy enough to make on a Tuesday night for a […]
French Dinner Recipes
Do you want to create the sensation of a cozy French Bistro within your own home? Here are over 30 French dinner recipes that I have written over the years on this blog that you can succeed at home with little to no culinary experience. Choose just one for a delicious meal, or else you […]
Coq au Vin Blanc
Coq Au Vin Blanc is a succulent chicken stew made with white wine instead of red wine like its more famous cousin, Coq au Vin. A classic French dish, each forkful melts in your mouth and is so fragrant and flavorful. I confess, I actually prefer Coq au Vin Blanc to the traditional Coq au […]
French Spinach
This French Spinach recipe made with sautéed garlic and butter is a bistro classic and one of my French Chef husband's favorite dishes. This dish is incredibly easy to make, only takes a few minutes and adds incredible flavor to any meal. Plus you get the added benefits of eating lots of leafy greens. Julia […]
Wagyu Steak
Wagyu steak is a delicacy. The perfect steak. Incredibly tender meat with a buttery flavor and melt in your mouth texture you have to taste to believe. Wagyu beef has a distinct silky feel from its intense marbling and rich beefy flavor which results in an unrivaled eating experience. Many fine restaurants feature Wagyu beef […]
French Mashed Potatoes
This French Mashed Potatoes recipe makes the most decadent, buttery, melt in your mouth mashed potatoes that everyone will love. Have you ever had mashed potatoes in French restaurants that were so creamy that you couldn't help but wonder "how on earth do they make these?" Well, I will let you in on the secret! […]
Grilled Peach & Shrimp Salad
This grilled peach & shrimp salad has all the best flavors of summer. Juicy peaches, tender shrimp, crunchy cucumber and melt in your mouth goat cheese, topped with a decadent Rosé vinaigrette. Oh là là! So fancy that we named it after the French Riviera city of Saint-Tropez, yet it is really easy to make! […]
Duck Magret with fresh figs
This Duck Magret with roasted figs and eggplant is perfect for a late summer dinner party. The duck breast is seared to perfection, tender and juicy. The sautéed figs and eggplant melt in your mouth and bring a just the right level of sweetness to the dish. The combination of flavors will remind you of […]
Chantilly Cream
Looking for a no-fail recipe for fluffy, silky, Chantilly Cream? The perfect topping for fresh fruit, pie, crèpes, French Toast or hot cocoa...all of the delicious things in life! This Chantilly cream recipe is super easy dessert to make in just a few minutes. This is my favorite dessert to serve the end of a […]
Smashed Mini Potatoes
These smashed mini potatoes with rosemary and roasted garlic are so tasty - I dare you not to eat them directly from the pan! Crispy and flavorful on the outside, pillowy deliciousness on the inside - these potatoes are the perfect side for any grilled or roasted meats. Bonus - this recipe is a vegan […]
Fresh Fruit Compote
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.
Bone in Ribeye Steak Recipe
Do you want to cook a Bone-In Ribeye steak at home that tastes just like it does in a fancy restaurant? This recipe is the best way to cook a steak like a Chef. As a Chef's wife I have been lucky to eat delicious steaks at home that are seared on the outside and […]
Merguez Sandwich
The Merguez sandwich is also known as the French Hot Dog. You will find them at every BBQ and picnic from May to September. The spicy, juiciness of the Lamb Merguez sausage hot off the grill, the sweet smokiness of a freshly made Piperade sauce and the crunch of a toasted baguette. A perfect bite […]
Taboulé: Couscous Salad
This Taboulé, or Couscous Salad is super simple to make, is full of healthy vegetables and stores very well in the fridge. The perfect side for a summer BBQ that you can continue eating all week long as a hearty and satisfying meal in a bowl. Taboulé pairs beautifully with a Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken […]
Fig and Prosciutto Tartine
This fig and prosciutto tartine recipe is perfect for a special light lunch or an elevated appetizer. The saltiness of the prosciutto, the decadence of the fresh figs and the creaminess of the goat cheese over grilled sourdough baguette is a memorable combination. Add a drizzle of honey and few fresh basil leaves and each […]
Prosciutto Salad with Melon and Burrata
This Prosciutto salad with Melon and Burrata instantly takes me back to the South of France. One bite and I can almost feel the warm sand under my feet and hear the clink of glasses of Rosé at one of those idyllic beach-side restaurants that lulls you into a seaside bliss. If you can't already […]
French Tartines Recipe
A Tartine is an open face sandwich, very popular in France. Go to any bistro at breakfast or lunch and you will see Tartines offered on the menu. Tartines are not as popular in the United States yet (we love our sandwiches between two slices of bread!), but I love this lighter and sometimes more […]
French Cooking Classes
If you are looking for an introduction to French cooking, look no further. Below are 8 hours of French cooking classes that Le Chef and I have hosted over the past 2 years with Alliance Française Washington, DC. In celebration of our 2nd anniversary of cooking with Alliance Française DC I wanted to share the […]
Roasted Fennel
Roasted fennel is healthy side dish that pairs beautifully with fish or chicken. If you are interested in healthy eating this is one of my favorite ways to serve a light, satisfying dish. Roasting the fennel bulbs with simple ingredients, a little bit of olive oil and a sprinkling of fresh herbs is the best […]
Garlic Roasted Potatoes with Rosemary
These Rosemary Garlic Roasted Potatoes are incredibly tasty. Crisp and golden brown outside, light and fluffy on the inside with plenty of flavor. You will love this roasted potatoes recipe. This dish is a family favorite because the crispy wedges almost feel like French Fries or oven fries. With just a few basic ingredients you […]
Creamiest homemade Lobster Mac and Cheese
This recipe makes the absolute creamiest homemade lobster mac and cheese I have ever had. With the addition of lobster, it becomes an elevated comfort dish that you could serve at a chic brunch or dinner party with friends at home. Did you know that the trick to making an incredibly creamy mac and cheese […]
Sautéed Haricots Verts (French Green Beans)
Sautéed Haricots Verts (French Green Beans) are a great side dish. So good that they deserve to be the star attraction! The melt in your mouth texture, the tang of the garlic butter and the zest of fresh herbs make sautéed haricots verts a dinner time favorite. You will love this green beans recipe! The […]
Surf n Turf
Surf 'n' Turf, or Steak & Lobster dinner, is a romantic dish to serve to your loved one. An American steak house classic, but this recipe has a French twist with a decadent Champagne, shallot and herb butter that you will want to pour over everything! Not to mention a generous serving of perfectly sautéed […]
The Best Lemon Sugar Crêpes Recipe
Lemon sugar Crêpes (Crêpes Citron Sucre) is one of my favorite treats in France. One bite and I am immediate transported to this little Crêperie in the old town of Nice. The zing of the lemon matched with the sweetness of the sugar and the heavenly buttery richness of the Crêpe is the perfect combination. […]
Best Broccoli and Blue Cheese Soup
This Broccoli and Blue Cheese soup is a creamy, comforting soup with a just a bite of blue cheese that adds a certain "je ne sais quoi" to the dish. Simple enough to be made on a week night, but special enough to serve at a delicious lunch or dinner party. I first made this […]
Kir Royale Cocktail
The Kir Royale Cocktail is chic and refreshing. My favorite cocktail, made with champagne and crème de cassis, as seen on the latest season of Emily in Paris. Most French Café menus feature this delicious cocktail, it is a favorite for an afterwork apéro (cocktail hour) with friends. I personally love to welcome guests to […]
Soup Sunday Challenge
Eating better, one pot of homemade soup per week at a time. Join me for year two of the Soup Sunday Challenge! You were hundreds to sign up and use the hashtag #soupsundaychallenge to share your weekly soups. "I LOVED the Soup Sunday Challenge! I looked forward to your live cooking demonstrations every week - […]
French Holiday Recipes
French Holiday Recipes to cook between Christmas and New Years. Looking for some inspiration for your holiday menu? Over the years I have written lots of recipes for Christmas eve and Christmas Day but what about that delicious expanse of time that is between Christmas Day and New Years? The one week in the year […]
Christmas Capon
This Christmas Capon Recipe is our holiday favorite. The Capon is tender and juicy and oh so flavorful, sprinkled with Herbes de Provence. Its size is impressive and perfect for feeding 8 guests. Served with a luxurious mushroom, white wine and cream sauce, the Christmas Capon is decadent and deliciously festive - perfect for the […]
Classic Beef Bourguignon
This Beef Bourguignon, or "Boeuf Bourguignon" dish is one of the grand classics of French Cuisine, for good reason. Tender chunks of braised beef that melt in your mouth. A rich, winey sauce that envelops the beef and the supple vegetables. A dish you can't resist saying "yum" after just one bite - just like […]
French Christmas Traditions: The French Riviera
Have you ever been to France at Christmastime? There is something so incredibly magical about French Christmas Traditions. The French Riviera, in particular, does Christmas so well. The backdrop of the mediterranean sea, the convergence of cultures, (Provence! Italy! North Africa!) and the glitter of the Riviera makes for a stunning month of December. That […]
Quick Easy French Baguettes (Baking Baguettes for Beginners)
This is the best quick, easy French Baguette recipe ever! Want to learn how to make the most beautiful, crusty French Baguettes even if you are a complete beginner at baking? This French Baguette recipe will immediately add a "je ne sais quoi" to your meal. The perfect accompaniement to a French cheese board or […]
French Cuisine Gift Box
I am so thrilled to introduce you to our French Cuisine Gift Box. The perfect gift for the Francophile Foodie. A collaboration between myself & Best French Forever, to bring a taste of Provence home. The French Cuisine Box is a curated selection of beautifully handcrafted, made in Provence items to enjoy in the kitchen. […]
Easy Hazelnut Brittle
This easy hazelnut brittle is a holiday favorite. A rich buttered caramel with the crunch of lightly toasted hazelnuts, this brittle is amazing on its own or as a decoration for your favorite desserts. I love to put this brittle in little sachets to give to neighbors and friends over the holidays or else use […]
The Best French Dark Chocolate Ganache
This recipe is for the best French dark chocolate Ganache you have ever tried. The surprising part? It is incredibly simple to make. The ganache is rich, not too sweet, and decadently unctuous. This recipe does not call for sugar. The cream and the chocolate make the ganache so velvety and smooth, no sugar is […]
Roasted Duck Magret with Apples and Squash
This Duck Magret with apples and squash recipe tastes like Fall and is perfect for a dinner party. The duck breast is seared to perfection, tender and juicy. The sautéed apples and delicata squash melt in your mouth and bring a just the right level of sweetness to the dish. The combination of flavors will […]
The best Tomatoes Provençale Recipe
This Tomatoes Provençale recipe is incredible. Melt in your mouth, velvety tomatoes with a vibrant pesto, made from scratch. Even out-of-season tomatoes are rendered sublime with this recipe. The best part? No one would ever know they are vegan! You can make all of your friends happy with this festive Thanksgiving or holiday side dish […]
Lemon Thyme French Roast Chicken (Poulet Rôti)
This Lemon and Thyme French Roast Chicken Recipe (Poulet Rôti au thym et citron) with Roasted Garlic is one of our family's favorite dishes. The meat is juicy and tender with the delicate perfume from the lemons, garlic and thyme. The skin is crispy and flavorful. Simply exquisite as well as super easy to make! […]
Coq au Vin made simple
Coq au Vin sounds fancy but the dish can actually be made rather simply. The chicken is seared, then braised in a rich red wine sauce with bacon, mushrooms and beautiful pearl onions that infuses it with so much flavor, you will say, "mmmmm" with every bite. Elevated to a French Culinary superstar recipe by […]