Tag Archives: Christmas

Choux de Bruxelles à la française

Posted on November 21, 2024 by Meg

With Thanksgiving arriving and Christmas not far behind, this may be a good time to try your hand at Brussels sprouts, French style. This savory dish — in which the sprouts are halved and sautéd with bacon, with carrots, with … Continue reading →

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Pastilla

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Meg

Pastilla, a splendid savory pie, is worth a thought for a festive dinner as we gallop toward the holiday season. Crisp pastry encases chicken and almonds simmered to melt-in-your-mouth tenderness in exotic spices. The pie is sprinkled with powdered sugar … Continue reading →

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Langouste beurre blanc Noilly

Posted on December 6, 2019 by Meg

Lobster is a rare treat in Paris, largely because of the price. At my local farmers market the other day, they were selling small live lobsters for 30 euros a piece — far more than you would pay in other … Continue reading →

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Oie rôtie de Noël

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Meg

Roast goose was a traditional Christmas dish in France for many years, probably for centuries, but it is rather rare on holiday tables these days, having ceded its place to turkey, capon or duck. Nonetheless, roast goose is delicious. This … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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Dinde à la française

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Meg

It’s the time of year when roast turkey appears on many holiday menus, including in France, where a meat stuffing is often used. Two years ago, I had the pleasure of traveling to Vonnas, north of Lyon, to attend a … Continue reading →

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Mendiants

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Meg

Sometimes words beggar translation. I can remember, as a student of French, being taught that gourmet meant someone with a discriminating palate, but gourmand meant a glutton. So you can imagine my confusion when, aged 25, out to dinner in … Continue reading →

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Joyeuses fêtes!

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Meg

Better late than never. As it’s not quite the night before Christmas, I’m posting some holiday menus for fabulous feasts with a French touch. They each feature a first course, and sometimes a second, before a spectacular main dish and … Continue reading →

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Charlotte glacée aux framboises

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Meg

Here’s a holiday dessert that’s fun to prepare and makes a light change from fruitcake or mince pies or yule log. Three layers of ice cream and sorbet are encased in ladyfingers (boudoirs in French), inverted onto a lovely plate, … Continue reading →

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