Monthly Archives: May 2013

Soupe de rhubarbe aux fraises

Full disclosure: I first tasted this fresh spring dessert at the home of a French ambassador. His chef whipped it up one morning while we were visiting. When I brought the spoon to my lips, there was a surprising burst … Continue reading

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Soupe à l’oseille

I’ve always loved sorrel, ever since first encountering it in France as a young woman. It’s fresh and lemony, a herald of spring, somewhere between an herb and a vegetable — the kind of plant women used to gather from … Continue reading

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Dorade au four au pistou

The first question: What exactly is this fish? Dorade, sometimes written daurade in French, has many appelations in English, among them porgy and bream. From a cook’s point of view, it doesn’t much matter – as this recipe works well … Continue reading

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Risotto aux asperges et petits pois

Yes, it’s spring. Don’t let anyone try to tell you otherwise, even if you happen to live in a part of the world where it’s been raining nonstop since October. Like Paris, and in fact quite a large swath of … Continue reading

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Salade verte à la française

I’ve been wanting to post this recipe for ages but put it off, daunted by what I expect could be the reaction of many. What’s so special about green salad, I hear you saying. Ah yes, mes amis, but this … Continue reading

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Crumble à la rhubarbe

Is rhubarb a fruit or a vegetable? I’ve always considered it a fruit, as it’s used in tarts, cakes and compotes, never served as a veggie to my knowledge (and please correct me if I’m wrong). But I just checked … Continue reading

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Salade d’épinards aux fraises et pignons de pin

This is a salad I dreamt up the other day after meeting two cool French guys in a Paris café. It combines baby spinach, red onion, pine nuts and strawberries, dressed with a balsamic vinaigrette, for a light starter with … Continue reading

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Porc grillé aux herbes de Provence

At last it’s barbecue season. The time of year when sunsplashed afternoons segue seamlessly into rosé-splashed evenings, when lighting the coals becomes a ritual that harks back to a previous era when families gathered around a fire to prepare their … Continue reading

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Gateau aux noix avec fraises

The blush of red, the burst of sweetness: with strawberries in season, it’s tempting to make them part of every dessert. And why not? They add that little je-ne-sais-quoi to whatever you may be serving, for example a simple but … Continue reading

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