Author Archives: Meg

Crème de chou-fleur

Posted on February 3, 2017 by Meg

The humble cauliflower takes on elegance and class when transformed into crème de chou-fleur, a magnificent winter soup that is both light and packed with vitamins. It is essentially a purée of cauliflower with a spoonful of cream. Ground coriander … Continue reading →

Posted in 2. Soups | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Strudel aux pommes

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Meg

Some days you just need comfort food — so why not make an apple strudel? This delightfully flaky dessert has been popular in France since it was introduced at Versailles by Marie-Antoinette, who came here from her native Austria after … Continue reading →

Posted in Desserts | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

Endives gratinées au jambon de pays

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Meg

This recipe adds a couple of twists to a French classic, endives au jambon, which is enjoyed across the north of the country in the winter months. Twist Number 1: Dry-cured ham is used instead of the traditional baked ham. … Continue reading →

Posted in 8. Vegetables | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Galettes de pomme de terre

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Meg

There is an art to making potato pancakes, known in French as galettes de pomme de terre, or potato flat cakes. The basic recipe is very simple — grate the potatoes, mix with a beaten egg, season with salt and … Continue reading →

Posted in 8. Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Canard rôti au miel et au thym

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Meg

Roast duck is a festive dish in any season, but perhaps never better than in winter, enjoyed with a glass of hearty red beside a crackling fire. In this recipe, the duck is coated with a glaze of honey, thyme … Continue reading →

Posted in 6. Poultry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Deux tartes fines

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Meg

We’re galloping toward the holiday season, so this post kicks off a series of recipes that you may enjoy pre-, post- and during the end of year festivities — beginning with two tartes fines, the French version of pizza. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 4a. Savory Tarts and Tartines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Risotto au potiron et au thym

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Meg

A couple weeks ago, on a bright October day, I made this dish for a friend who was coming to dinner. I’d had pumpkin risotto at lunch that week at Merci, a café with creative cuisine across the street from … Continue reading →

Posted in 9. Pasta, Rice, Grains | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Crème aux herbes potagères

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Meg

This fantastic recipe comes to me from Rodolphe Paquin, chef at the bistro Le Repaire de Cartouche down the street from me. Its genius is not just the use of garden clippings that are normally discarded, but also the addition … Continue reading →

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Poule au pot

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Meg

Every French school child learns that, back in around 1600, ‘good King Henri IV’ wanted to put a chicken in every pot. How much truth there is in this legend is still being debated by historians. What is incontestable, though, … Continue reading →

Posted in 6. Poultry | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Soufflé au fromage

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Meg

Soufflés are often regarded as too difficult to attempt at home. I found this to be true when, as a young woman inspired by Julia Child, I set out to make one. Julia’s recipe for cheese soufflé in Mastering the … Continue reading →

Posted in 4. Omelets, Soufflés, Quiche | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments