Author Archives: Meg

Petite friture

Posted on April 13, 2018 by Meg

This quintessential French dish evokes happy days at the seaside, where plates of small crispy fish are served up along with a chilled bottle of white or rosé. For me, petite friture inevitably makes me think of summer, which is … Continue reading →

Posted in 5. Fish and Shellfish | 2 Comments

Charlotte aux fraises

Posted on March 30, 2018 by Meg

There’s an easy way and a hard way to make the delectable French strawberry dessert known as charlotte aux fraises, as I learned when setting out to make one for this post. A charlotte is an unbaked cake of ladyfingers … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Epaule d’agneau rôti à l’ail

Posted on March 16, 2018 by Meg

Roast shoulder of lamb makes a fine centerpiece at Easter, Passover or any time of the year. In this recipe, the meat is surrounded by whole cloves of garlic, which soften while roasting into a sweet, succulent paste. The garlic … Continue reading →

Posted in 7. Meat Dishes | Leave a comment

Avocat au saumon fumé

Posted on March 2, 2018 by Meg

Here’s a fresh take on avocat vinaigrette, a popular starter on bistro menus when I arrived in Paris 40 years ago. In the original, avocado halves were filled with a thick, mustardy sauce. This version is both lighter and prettier, … Continue reading →

Posted in 1. Starters | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Poireaux au gratin

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Meg

Leek gratin is traditionally made with Reblochon, a pungent cheese from the French Alps, but it has been snowing in Paris. The snow brought the city to a standstill, and by the time it stopped the stores were empty. No … Continue reading →

Posted in 8. Vegetables | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Risotto de langouste

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Meg

The lobster known as le homard — the one with alarming claws — is hugely expensive in Paris, and so is its kinder, gentler cousin, la langouste (no pinchers). But this winter frozen langouste tails began appearing at a reasonable … Continue reading →

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Velouté de butternut

Posted on January 19, 2018 by Meg

Butternut soup is suddenly the rage in Paris. Walk down any street and you will see it listed on menu-of-the-day chalkboards outside bistros. This is all the more surprising given that butternut squash was virtually unknown in France until a … Continue reading →

Posted in 2. Soups | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Parmentier de canard

Posted on January 5, 2018 by Meg

Here’s a cold-weather dish that is both sophisticated and supremely French. Duck parmentier — shredded duck confit topped by puréed potatoes — has turned up on Paris bistro menus recently and I was lucky enough to be served this version … Continue reading →

Posted in 6. Poultry | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

Butterbredel

Posted on December 8, 2017 by Meg

I had a surprise recently when a friend from Alsace presented me with a recipe for butterbredel, small butter cookies in festive shapes that are traditionally served over the holidays. They’re not just pretty but incredibly easy to make. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Plateau de fruits de mer

Posted on November 24, 2017 by Meg

Sharing a shellfish platter in fond company is one of the great pleasures of life in France, particularly if you happen to be enjoying it by the sea. Add a bottle of crisp white and the sound of waves breaking … Continue reading →

Posted in 5. Fish and Shellfish | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments