Makes 10 servings Ingredients 10 tablespoons sugar 1 1/2 cups (24 tbsp/3 sticks) butter, cubed 1 tbsp orange zest 3/4 cup fresh orange juice 30 Crêpes 3/4 cup Grand Marnier 3/4 cup brandy or cognac 1 orange, sliced into segments or supremes Whipped Cream, as needed Directions Sprinkle the sugar […]
Croque Monsieur (Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich) Makes 8 servings Béchamel Sauce Ingredients 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 4 cups whole milk Directions Melt butter in small saucepan over medium heat and whisk in flour. Cook flour until raw smell is gone, about 2 minutes. Whisk in […]
Béchamel is classical white sauce that is made with milk thickened with a roux. Blond roux is traditionally used, and the amount of roux will determine the sauce’s consistency. Vegetables or aromatics are sometimes added to strengthen the flavor, but they are normally strained out after cooking to preserve the […]
Makes about 4 cups Diplomat Cream, a blend of pastry cream and whipped cream, can be used as a filling for cream puffs or chocolate éclairs, or as a layer in a trifle or icebox cake. The pastries should be baked and cooled before you make the diplomat cream; once […]
Makes 4 servings The traditional confit cooking method for duck is a method of preservation. The duck is cured, cooked very slowly in its own fat, and then stored, covered with that fat. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 months, so prepare more than you need. Keeping […]
The term Mediterranean cuisine might leave anyone living in one of the many countries that surround the Mediterranean Sea scratching their heads. This is because the region is culturally and geographically diverse; twenty-one countries border the Mediterranean, among them France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Algeria, and Egypt. What we consider Mediterranean cuisine […]
Makes about 24 cookies Chef’s Note: You may substitute canned pineapple that has been drained and patted dry.
Makes one 8-inch cake Ingredients 5 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter plus extra for greasing 10 large eggs (divided use) 2/3 cup sugar (divided use) 1/4 cup Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting (optional) Directions Preheat the oven to 375°F. […]
If you have been to France, you know that the bars there bear little resemblance to American watering holes. Over there, when you go into a bar for something to drink, you’ll most likely be enjoying coffee, water, or what the French drink before dinner–an aperitif. Since aperitifs precede dinner, […]
French may be the language of love, but for us, French food is our love language. Try one (or more) of these classic French recipes to wow your love for un dîner romantique. Duck Confit Duck confit is rich duck legs cooked completely submerged in duck fat. After a nice […]
Makes 6 servings This is a classic bistro salad that you will love from the first bite. The slightly bitter frisée pairs really well with the smoky, salty bacon, and the crunchy texture of both components is set off by the unctuous soft yolk of the olive oil–poached egg. The […]
It may seem like rosé has become extra trendy in the last few years (rosé all day!), but come summertime along the coast of France (and, well, all over Europe!), rosé is simply a fact of life. And why shouldn’t it be? Rosé (rosato in Italy and rosado in Spanish-speaking […]