Category Archives: 1. Starters

Tapenade verte

Posted on July 11, 2025 by Meg

The green olive spread from Provence known as tapenade verte is delightful at cocktail hour on warm summer evenings. Like its cousin, tapenade noire, it is usually served on toast, accompanied by a chilled dry rosé or white from the … Continue reading →

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Moules gratinées en persillade

Posted on January 31, 2025 by Meg

Mussels filled with garlicky parsley butter and baked until bubbly and golden make a great start to a meal. They may be served with cocktails as a palate teaser (amuse-bouche) or as a first course at the table. By taking … Continue reading →

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Coquilles Saint-Jacques au Champagne

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Meg

And so we end the year with an ultra French, ultra elegant starter of sea scallops in Champagne sauce to grace your table during the festive season. The scallops are sautéed in butter, deglazed with Champagne, bathed in a creamy, … Continue reading →

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Salade de hareng fumé

Posted on September 27, 2024 by Meg

This zingy smoked herring salad proved a winner when I was asked to cook for 50 people at a party in Normandy in late August. It was meant to be served on the night of the party as part of … Continue reading →

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Poireaux vinaigrette

Posted on January 12, 2024 by Meg

A classic French bistro dish that’s particularly pleasant in winter is leeks in vinaigrette sauce. It’s incredibly quick and easy to make at home, and there are many variations: with mustard vinaigrette, balsamic vinaigrette, lemon vinaigrette, topped with shallots or … Continue reading →

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Rouleaux de printemps

Posted on May 12, 2023 by Meg

What better time than spring to make fresh spring rolls? In this Vietnamese-inspired recipe, a very thin rice-flour crepe is rolled up around lettuce, mint and the zesty filling of your choice: shrimp, chicken or mango, mixed with Asian flavorings, … Continue reading →

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Hoummous au basilic

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Meg

Basil hummus? Why not? I discovered this recipe thanks to my friend Yana, a Ukrainian artist who’s lived in Paris for the last 30 years. What she makes is idiosyncratic, often with an artist’s touch. Her anchovy dip is fantastic, … Continue reading →

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Radis au beurre

Posted on April 22, 2022 by Meg

A quintessentially French dish that comes into its own in springtime is radis au beurre, or radishes with butter and salt. This traditional bistro fare makes a great start to a meal. I often serve radis au beurre at cocktail … Continue reading →

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Aubergines farcies aux noix

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Meg

High summer is the time to make and enjoy this dish of roasted eggplant topped with a pungent walnut sauce. Traditionally served as a starter, it also makes a fine side dish or the star of a mezze spread. The … Continue reading →

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Purée de haricots blancs

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Meg

The idea for this Mediterranean-style dip came my way the other day when a friend brought me a packet of beautiful dried white broad beans. I wanted to use them quickly, but they were so large that I feared they … Continue reading →

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