Recipezaar: French,Historical/Traditional recipes

Bohemian Mule

Tue, 17 Aug 2004 19:59:58 -0400

This coctail has roots in the French Bohemian revolution.The main ingredient, Absinthe was a favored drink of notables such as Lord Byron, Edgar A. Poe and even Ernest Hemingway!This mule has a kick! Not for the faint of heart. -- posted by Amanda in Aberdeen

Hippocras (Non-Alcoholic)

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 15:12:37 -0500

Hippocras is a medieval spiced drink traditionally made with wine, but the Society for Creative Anachronism feast we attended served this non-alcoholic version of it. I imagine would be as delicious hot as it was cold! A yummy and unique alternative to iced tea or mulled cider. -- posted by Anissa Wolf

Mocha Souffle

Sat, 17 Jun 2006 20:25:05 -0400

From BHG. No egg yolks make this coffee-flavored chocolate souffle almost fat-free. -- posted by Baker*Chick

Boeuf En Daube - French Beef Burgundy in the Crock Pot

Tue, 04 Jul 2006 19:00:59 -0400

A delicious & heady combination of good red wine, prime beef, smoked bacon, dried orange, shallots, garlic & cepes - dried forest mushrooms! A traditional French recipe with a twist - cook it in the crock pot for ease and convenience. Wonderful in the depths of winter, but equally lovely with crisp salads,crusty bread & baked potatoes during the summer - the addition of orange making it a lighter beef dish than the more usual Beef Daube or Beef Burgundy. An excellent choice for a family reunion or celebration, as it is VERY well behaved! It also freezes well and is a great pie filling idea. -- posted by French Tart

Fennel in Sherry

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 21:28:22 -0400

Scrumptious braised fennel in a light cream sherry sauce - to die for with roast turkey or chicken. Choice of sherry is up to you, Amontillado will give a sweeter slightly smoky flavour, dry a nice crisp bite. -- posted by lindseylcw

Puree of Beans and Garlic

Sun, 08 Oct 2006 21:29:17 -0400

From the second Elle cookbook, this puree is great served warm with any grilled or roasted meat or wonderful as a dip. -- posted by lindseylcw

Titanic 1st Class Menu: Poached Salmon With Mousseline Sauce

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 14:46:51 -0400

. -- posted by Mimi Bobeck

Titanic 1st Class Menu: Parmentier and Boiled New Potatoes

Thu, 19 Oct 2006 17:02:44 -0400

. -- posted by Mimi Bobeck

Sheepherder's Bread

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:26:39 -0500

A wonderful, fine textured bread baked in a iron Dutch oven. this is an old Basque sheep herder's recipe. originally it was baked over an open fire, out on the range using hot coals on top and bottom of Dutch oven. it is enormous, but well worth the time and labor of love to make it. -- posted by mama blue

Auberge Creamed Carrots With Basil and Garlic

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 12:44:43 -0500

One of the most requested vegetable accompaniments that I serve in the Auberge; simple & easy to adapt to personal tastes - they are finished off in a flash before serving. If you are not fond of garlic, don't add it......the same with basil, it's just that I find the two work very well together with the sweetnes of the carrots! -- posted by French Tart

Chardonnay Poached Leeks and Crème Fraiche Dressing

Sun, 04 Feb 2007 13:00:16 -0500

I sometimes struggle to come up with innovative & seasonal vegetable accompaniments; this recipe was devised when I had about 4 leeks left after making Leek & Potato soup, and about half a glass of Chardonnay!! It's a cross between poaching & steaming them in the Chardonnay, you don't want too much liquid. When you are ready to serve the leeks, add your creme fraiche & seasonings and you have an elegant & easy vegetable side dish! Try and use thin leeks rather than the tougher & larger leeks. Measurements are based on 4 people - I have allowed one leek per person, based on the fact that there will be other side dishes & maybe potatoes served as well. -- posted by French Tart

Soupe De Poissons Dieppoise - Spicy French Fish Soup

Sat, 03 Mar 2007 16:27:59 -0500

Most coastal regions in France have their own special seafood & fish recipes; this is an incredibly tasty soup from the Northern French port of Dieppe. It is a meal in itself - a tangy fish soup served with Rouille, garlic croutons and grated Gruyere or Emmenthal Cheese. There is a hidden "kick" by way of the added Cayenne pepper, which marries so well with the tomatoes & fish. I have posted a recipe for Rouille in RecipeZaar - this is an essential extra, the literal translation meaning "Rust" which points towards the colour - it is a very garlicky & hot mayonnaise based sauce. -- posted by French Tart

English Cream of Sorrel Herb Soup

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 22:55:20 -0400

Sorrel is a very old herb that has been used throughout the centuries in England, as well as the rest of Britain and Europe - especially France. I have called this an English soup, as it does not contain any egg yolks, as French Sorrel soup often does. It can be served chilled or hot, and is also delicious made with a combination of sorrel, watercress and other green herbs. You must try to use the small round tipped sorrel leaves, as the large pointed leaves are very bitter! Sorrel is a purgative and an excellent detoxification herb, so you can enjoy your soup as well as cleansing yourself!! Garnish with croutons and finely chopped sorrel leaves. -- posted by French Tart

Leek and Potato Soup

Fri, 25 May 2007 09:44:35 -0400

This is traditional soup of France. I got the recipe from cook book "The Food of the World". It seems easy and yummy! -- posted by tomoko matsunaga

Classic French Pot Au Feu - Crock Pot or Le Creuset

Thu, 31 May 2007 10:39:21 -0400

Pot au Feu is French for pot on the fire. In other words, a stew or stock pot which is left cooking over the fire. In previous times, it may simply have been a cooking pot which was left over the fire, into which was thrown whatever food and scraps happened to be available. Often the meat was either scraps, or relatively poor cuts which needed a long time to cook in order to be tender. In historical terms, it was a dish for relatively poor people. Today in France, you can buy pot au feu meat. Expect this to be meat which reflects the historical background of this dish: relatively inexpensive and inferior cuts, which will soften with long slow cooking. While such meat is quite adequate for a Pot au Feu, feel free to use better cuts if you wish. As a Pot au Feu is historically a stew-like dish of whatever meat and vegetables were available, there are no absolute guidelines about what it should contain. However, in general it will contain beef, some bones (such as ox-tail), vegetables (such as potatoes, carrots, onions, leeks, turnips) and herbs. -- posted by French Tart

Bastille Burger - Bearnaise, Blue Cheese and Red Onion Burgers

Sun, 15 Jul 2007 15:41:25 -0400

A home-made burger with three of my favourite French elements included in the ingredients, Bearnaise sauce, French blue cheese and sliced red onions! I made these for a quick lunch on Bastille Day - 14th July, hence the name! I used our excellent local Charolaise beef, a salt marsh beef which is superb, with a good fat to muscle ratio, and a slight tang of herbs and salt. If you want to cut down on the carbs, just have this burger "Naked" without the bun! Likewise for low fat - omit the Bearnaise sauce and chop some fresh tarragon up and mix it with the minced/ground beef. I am not a great lover of commercial burgers, but I do like home-made burgers - and these are now a firm favourite with all my family & friends! This recipe is for 2 people - just increase the ingredients for more people. -- posted by French Tart

Classic Pommes Boulangère - French Gratin Potatoes

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:47:04 -0400

This classic French potato gratin dish literally translates as "Potatoes in the Style of the Baker's wife". The story is, that in the past, a French family would prepare these potatoes and then take them to the local boulangerie, the baker, to be cooked in the even heat of his oven, hence the name. Any sort of good quality stock will do, chicken, lamb, beef or vegetable. For a richer taste, a ratio of 50% hot stock and hot milk/cream can be used. If using lamb stock, it is nice to sprinkle the top of the potatoes with fresh Rosemary, and I often add a sprig of thyme to my potatoes when baking them. I have found that melted butter gives a better result than dotting butter, no burned and upturned edges anymore! -- posted by French Tart

Classic Bistro Style Gratin Dauphinoise - French Gratin Potatoes

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:49:02 -0400

This classic French potato gratin dish is world famous, and rightly so! I am quite happy to have this as a main meal, with just some crusty bread and a large mixed salad on the side. I have heard that this famous dish was created as a way of encouraging the "Dauphin" (the young prince destined to become King Henri II), to eat up his vegetables, hence the name! Maybe - it is certainly just as popular with children, as it is with adults. Try to slice the potatoes as thinly as possible for the best results. A wonderful accompaniment for all sorts of roast meats, stews, casseroles and poultry. -- posted by French Tart

Classic Pommes Anna - Simple French Gratin Potato Cake

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 03:19:22 -0400

In the recipe for "Potatoes Anna", I have always been unsure who "Anna" was. I now have the answer.......Browsing through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 2; I found this historical note about Pommes Anna: "It was created during the era of Napoleon III and named, as were many culinary triumphs in those days, after one of the grandes cocottes of the period. Whether it was an Anna Deslions, an Anna Judic, or simply Anna Untel, she has also immortalized the special double baking dish itself, la cocotte a pommes Anna, which is still made and which you can still buy at a fancy price". Sounds like a mandatory piece of kitchenware for all dedicated chefs and cooks to me!! This simple recipe is all in the preparation and presentation, and the use of very, very thinly sliced potatoes, that's the key to success. Since the dish is inverted, it is important that the first layer of potatoes be attractively arranged. Select perfect slices, and overlap them carefully. It is best cooked in a copper or cast iron omelette pan. If you don't have an "omelette pan" which is ovenproof, use a deep pie plate. Keep in mind the final shape makes the presentation. A watercress or parsley garnish adds colour. Serve warm and cut into wedges, like a cake or quiche. -- posted by French Tart

Fresh Fig and Feta Salad With Toasted Walnuts

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 12:03:09 -0400

It's fig time here in SW France, and I have been busy making up new fig recipes, as well as making jams, pickles, alcohol steeped figs and chutneys with all our harvest! This was thrown together one Sunday afternoon as a starter for a lazy Al Fresco Sunday lunch - and since then I have had requests for it nearly every day! If you are lucky enough to have a fig tree, try and garnish the individual plates with a couple of washed leaves - it really adds a certain panache to the appearance of the salad! I have made this with Chevre - Goat's Cheese as well as Feta, and it was just as delicious. Amounts given are for a starter for 6 people - and assuming that the figs are medium to large in size; please adjust the quantities if necessary. Toasting the walnuts beforehand is well worth the effort, and if you toast more than is needed, any excess can be stored in an airtight container. -- posted by French Tart

Auberge Fig and Ginger Jam - Confiture

Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:45:56 -0400

We have a wonderful fig tree in our back garden, and this year I cannot keep up with all the fruit! We have had figs in salads, baked figs, figs and cheese - I have made fig chutney, bottled figs and figs in Armagnac...finally, I thought up this idea for a jam, as I think figs and ginger go so well together. It is delicious - and such a wonderful rich colour! Not only is it wonderful spread on toast or bread, but it is lovely dolloped on ice cream and hot desserts, or for steamed puddings! You need to use fresh figs for this recipe - you dont get the same results with dried figs. -- posted by French Tart

Warm Lemon, Lime and Lovage Prawns With Pineau Des Charentes

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:14:50 -0400

A delectable starter or luncheon dish that I devised for the Auberge. King prawns, in their shells or with the tails still intact - pan fried in a warm dressing of lemon, lime and lovage with Pineau des Charentes and crème fraiche! Convinced? Here is the recipe! Serve with Mesclun or mixed salad leaves of your choice and lots of crusty bread for mopping up those juices! In the event you cannot get hold of Pineau des Charentes, use Port of Fino Sherry instead. -- posted by French Tart

Auberge Chorizo, Goat's Cheese and Onion Pizza - Thin Crust

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:25:07 -0400

This is the pizza I make the most often at home. It has a thin pizza crust base, which we all prefer, and all our favourite toppings! Try to use high quality Chorizo sausage for this; also, fresh goat's cheese without a rind is the best. When I have time, I like to caramelise the onions first by frying them in a couple of teaspoons of olive oil and a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar - try it as an option. It also works well with ready made onion confit/onion jam as a topping. The sauce used and shown in my photoes, is Leggy Peggy's wonderful Recipe #210246. -- posted by French Tart

Twice Baked Outdoor BBQ Baby Potatoes

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:29:16 -0400

This is how we cook our leftover baby spuds, when we have any leftovers that is! Therefore, I often find myself cooking up a pan of these potatoes, in order for them to be grilled or baked on the BBQ! Quantities given are assuming that there will be other accompaniments - please feel free to increase or decrease the amounts listed. Split them open once baked/grilled and spread with butter and a good twist of sea salt plus some ground black pepper - no other embellishments are needed for these delicious potatoes! When the potatoes are VERY baby in size, I cook these in an old cast iron pan which is used just for the BBQ - they still come out smoky and delectable! -- posted by French Tart

Madeleines - Mini Ones!

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:39:11 -0400

This comes from the Cookshops.com website where I bought my mini-madeleine mould! The timings don't include the hour the mixture spends in the fridge! -- posted by Tina and Dave

Alsatian Goose With Pears

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 01:15:20 -0400

My Granny used to make this dish. She came from Alsace in France and learned this dish from her mother. -- posted by Celticevergreen

Coeurs De Palmier En Vinaigrette (Marinated Hearts of Palm)

Wed, 17 Oct 2007 00:14:37 -0400

Veganized from a old family recipe. It's a really yummy and creamy appetizer. Cooking time is chilling time. -- posted by Mad Maryno

Auberge Spiced Olives With Garlic, Orange and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:33:26 -0500

Lightly spiced with toasted coriander seeds and doused in an olive oil dressing with orange, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, these are always a huge hit in the Auberge! Serve them with Cocktails, Aperitifs or assorted Hors D'oeuvres. They also make wonderful gifts - place them up in an attractive jar or container, add a ribbon with an olive wood spoon and a cocktail recipe - I always receive HUGE thanks for these! -- posted by French Tart

A Partridge in a Chocolate Truffle Tree!

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 19:58:52 -0500

This is such a wonderful way of serving your chocolate truffles at Christmas or New Year - or indeed any special winter festival! I do make my own truffles for this, but you can buy ready-made truffles for ease and speed of course! I love to see my family and friend's faces when I bring the coffee and "chocolates" out with this Truffle Tree! Allow yourself plenty of time to assemble this, the plant pot and the tree "trunk" can be prepared beforehand; once the chocolate truffle tree has been assembled, it will be fine for up to 2 days before you need to serve it, stored in a very cool and dry place - NOT a fridge however. I have made this with a well-known gold wrapped chocolate nut truffle before, as well as the white chocolate and coconut version by the same company! The truffles shown in my photos are local hand-made truffles, but any "firm" high chocolate truffle is fine. I have my own truffle recipe posted on zaar, Recipe #271012 which also works very well with this tree! Have fun - and just watch your guest's faces when you bring this out!! NB: You can also make this with marshmallows and other suitable sweets or candy, especially for children. -- posted by French Tart

Moules Frites - French Bistro Style Mussels and Chips/Fries

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:33:15 -0500

I adore Moules Frites - for me it is quintessential French Bistro food at its best - plus I love tactile eating! You can treat yourself to Moules Frites anywhere in France, and for most of the year. I often make the "Moules" part at home - Moules Marinière - but now and then, for a treat I also do the "Frites" bit as well......chips or French fries! Serve these with lots of paper towels or napkins, and a glass of chilled white wine would be the perfect accompaniment! I bought special Moules Frites dishes, as shown in the photos, but a couple of bowls would be fine - and don't forget a large bowl for the shells. If you really want to be 100% authentic, it is de rigueur to serve the frites with mayonnaise my dear.....sinfully good! Vive la France! -- posted by French Tart

Celebration Hot Rum Buttered Cider - Cider Hot Toddy

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:09:24 -0500

This spiced and hot rum buttered cider toddy is a wonderful drink throughout the cold winter months, and is perfect during the Festive Holiday Season as well. I use Scrumpy or local French Breton cloudy cider for this, which I believe is called Hard Cider in North America. Serve the hot rum buttered cider toddy in attractive warmed glasses and float a cinnamon stick on the top for that extra touch! -- posted by French Tart

Auberge Cheddar Cheese and Ham Breakfast Buns - Muffins

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:21:52 -0500

These are what the French call "cakes" - they are little savoury buns or muffins - and are always requested for breakfasts in the Auberge. They are delicious split and spread with herb and garlic cheese when warm - or serve them alongside hot soups, stews, chilli or casseroles! I have also made these with grated Gruyere cheese as well as Emmenthal....the trick is to use a mature and strong tasting cheese. I have suggested using smoked ham in this recipe - it just gives a wonderful extra flavour to these delicious buns/muffins. They freeze well and are easily reheated, if you have any left! We often have these for Christmas morning breakfast or brunch with the optional chives added, and then spread with smoked salmon butter - divine! -- posted by French Tart

Lemon Infused Buttered Brussels Sprouts W/ Crisp Peppered Bacon

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:24:45 -0500

A wonderful way to cook and serve Brussels sprouts, the much-maligned vegetable of the Christmas table! Just steam or boil them until slightly tender and then toss them in lemon infused butter and top with peppered crispy bacon - that should cure most "sprout haters"!!! The lemon cuts through the butter and bacon to give a clean and fresh flavour, which is great if these are being served with lots of rich food. Get ahead by juicing and zesting your lemon; you can also pre-cook your sprouts and then plunge them into boiling water for a minute or two before serving. The lemon butter can be heated up gently in the microwave. -- posted by French Tart

Tourtiere Turnovers

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:35:25 -0500

A French Canadian holiday tradition gets a cocktail party makeover. Serve with Chili Sauce as a cocktail or serve hot with a pork or beef gravy for dinner. Makes 40 plus cocktails. Per piece:about 95 cal,3g pro,6g total fat(3g sat.fat),7g carb,trace fibre,25mg chol,130mg sodium,%RDI: 1% calcium,4% iron,2% vit A,9% folate. Recipe taken from Canadian Living Holiday Baking Fall 2006. Well worth the effort. I've made these many times and have always recieved great reviews. -- posted by Chef #642925 Gertrude from the Granite Planet

Gigot a La Cuillère - French Slow Cooked Spoon Lamb

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:05:55 -0500

A classic French Bistro recipe, and one that is SO easy to cook; the lamb in this recipe is cooked after 5 or 6 hours, but 7 hours is the traditional French timing for 'gigot a la cuillère' - a joint that can be carved with a spoon, hence its name! You will need a very large ovenproof casserole with a lid or a large, deep roasting tin, which you can cover tightly with tin foil - or, this can be cooked with GREAT success in the crock-pot. This lamb is just divine when served alongside gratin Dauphinoise and steamed haricots verts. I add lots of garlic for quite a pungent flavour - adjust the garlic and seasonings to personal taste. -- posted by French Tart

Auberge Roast Chicken Rillettes With Armagnac, Thyme and Garlic

Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:37:58 -0500

This is my "secret" recipe, that I make for the guests who stay in our Chambres D'Hotes - Bed and Breakfast! (Not so secret anymore!) It is always popular, and makes a nice change from the usual pork rillettes, and it is MUCH lighter in fat as well. Serve these rillettes as I do, with triangles of hot toast and a selection of cornichons, pickled onions and a good quality or home-made confit d'oignons.......a good Dijon mustard is also "le Must Have" as well as a selection of salad leaves! I have a recipe for confit d'oignons posted on Zaar: Recipe #211001 -- posted by French Tart

Quatre Épices - French Four Spice Mix from the Auberge

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:48:48 -0500

The literal translation of quatre épices is four spices; however, quatre épices rarely contains JUST four spices, but can have anything up to five or six spices in the mixture! This is my own version of quatre épices, a spice mixture that I find invaluable in the French kitchen, especially for charcuterie such as terrines, pates, sausages and rillettes. This spice mix is also that quintessential ingredient when added to deep, dark slow cooked beef and game dishes, especially when they contain wine. There is a school of thought that suggests the need for a "sweet" quatre épices spice mix as well a "savoury" quatre épices spice mix; I have never bothered to deviate from this basic recipe, which is equally delicious in savoury dishes (as mentioned above), and when used with moderation in sweet puddings, rich cakes and biscuits. My recipe contains five spices and will keep for a several weeks in an airtight tin or jar. This spice mix also makes a thoughtful gift for a foodie friend or host and hostess! -- posted by French Tart

Pancakes With Lemon and Sugar for Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day

Sat, 02 Feb 2008 23:42:28 -0500

This is my family's old recipe for traditional English pancakes - served the way we like them in the Britain - with a squeeze of fresh lemon and sprinkled with sugar! Please note, that these are NOT thick pancakes, but thin and lacey - more like a French crepe. Scotch pancakes and Welsh cakes are also different - they are thicker, and belong to the family of griddle cakes, and drop scones. These are what we will be making and eating on Shrove Tuesday - Pancake Day! The only accompaniment that is needed, is a fresh lemon or two and caster sugar.........some people have jam , honey or syrup with their pancakes, although that is not traditional! Now - how to TOSS that pancake without it landing on the floor, and will I WIN the Pancake race this year??!! A little information about this great British tradition: Origins - Pancake Day, or Shrove Tuesday, is the traditional feast day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. Lent - the 40 days leading up to Easter - was traditionally a time of fasting and on Shrove Tuesday Christians went to confession and were "shriven" (absolved from their sins). It was the last opportunity to use eggs and fats before embarking on the Lenten fast and pancakes are the perfect way of using up these ingredients. Pancake Tradition - A thin, flat cake, made of batter and baked on a griddle or fried in a pan, the pancake has a very long history and featured in cookbooks as far back as 1439. The tradition of tossing or flipping them is almost as old: "And every man and maide doe take their turne, And tosse their Pancakes up for feare they burne." (Pasquil's Palin, 1619). Tossing pancakes - Certainly these days part of the fun of cooking pancakes is in the tossing. To toss a pancake successfully takes a combination of the perfect pancake and good technique - it's so easy to get it wrong and end up with half the pancake still stuck to the pan while the other half is stuck to the ceiling or floor. All in all, it's probably best to practise a few times without an audience. Pancake races - In the UK, pancake races also form an important part of the Shrove Tuesday celebrations - an opportunity for large numbers of people to race down the streets tossing pancakes. Mardi Gras - The French name (literally "fat Tuesday" ) for Shrove Tuesday has been given to a number of Mardi Gras carnivals around the world. Among the most famous are those of Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans -- posted by French Tart

Canelés De Bordeaux - French Rum and Vanilla Cakes

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:35:52 -0500

Canelés de Bordeaux, also know as cannelé Bordelais, are magical French bakery confections, little fluted cakes with a rich rum and vanilla interior enclosed by a thin caramelised shell. This brilliant recipe was developed a long ago by an anonymous Bordeaux cook, whose innovation has been subjected to 300 years of refinements. Glossy and dark brown almost black at first sight, bittersweet at first bite, the crunchy burnt sugar canelé-shell makes an exquisite contrast to the smooth, sweet filling, fragrant with vanilla and rum. These little cakes have recently gained cachet after years of neglect, to the extent that they may one day rival the popularity of crème brûlée in the category of caramelized French desserts. Baked in special tin-lined copper moulds, these delicious dessert cakes are often served with Cognac and Wine if you partake of a local degustation! The copper moulds are quite hard to find even in France - if you cannot find them, then these cakes can be made in individiual dariol moulds, small pudding basins, or the silcon moulds which are quite easy to find. This recipe makes 12 to 16 canelés, depending on the size of your moulds. Traditionally beeswax is used to line the moulds, I have dispensed with this and have suggested a sprinkling of sugar inside the well buttered moulds. -- posted by French Tart

Choucroute Garnie a L'alsacienne (Alsatian Pork W/Sauerkraut)

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 00:00:49 -0500

Was served this recipe by friends. Favorite of the family! -- posted by Celticevergreen

Paupiettes De Porc - French Stuffed Pork Fillet Parcels

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:17:03 -0500

A wonderful and very elegant dinner party dish, and one that will impress your family and friends! These little parcels can be made ahead of time and frozen uncooked. In France you can buy these ready made in most supermarkets and butchers - but these are so easy to make, that I often make my own. You can also use turkey or veal escalopes - the sauce remains the same. Serve these little parcels with seasonal vegetables, gratin potatoes or rice and pasta. -- posted by French Tart

Creamy Chicken and Garlic Picnic Pasties-Parcels With Boursin

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:46:10 -0500

Delectable litle pasties or pastry parcels filled with tender chunks of chicken breast and French Boursin cream Cheese, delicious! These are so easy to make, as they use cooked chicken breast, making them very handy for any leftovers you might have. France meets England in these pastry parcels, I have taken the idea of a traditional pasty, then added a little French touch with the Boursin cheese, thus dispensing with any need to make a white sauce to bind the chicken! Great for lunch boxes, picnics, lunch, supper or a light meals or snacks.NB: (I would not advise re-heating these, as the chicken has already been cooked twice before - they are just as delicious warm or cold.) -- posted by French Tart

Elizabethan English Herb and Flower Salad With Honey Dressing

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:11:40 -0500

An old Elizabethan salad recipe, but with an air of modernity about it, as our interest increases in herbal and floral remedies in today's busy, stressful and hectic world. I have made some suggestions about which flowers and herbs to use - but PLEASE do check that the flowers and herbs you choose to use are edible!! The French also use flowers in their salads, and although the title suggests this to be an English recipe, this style of herbal and floral salad will have been very common throughout Medieval Europe. I serve this at the Auberge when the flowers and herbs are in season - freshly picked from my garden; it is always enjoyed with great relish and is a vibrant topic of dinner party conversation! It makes a lovely appetiser or can be served with the cheese course for an unusual and pretty accompaniment. Make sure that your flowers and herbs are insecticide free, and are not traffic polluted as well.........wipe them or wash them gently, allowing them to dry before using them. -- posted by French Tart

Petits Pois à La Française - French Style Peas

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 23:56:59 -0400

A delicious combination of peas, onions and lettuce which are gently poached in a buttery sauce with crème fraiche and vegetable stock; this classic French recipe is a wonderful way to serve tender little peas, petits pois. This recipe makes a delightful accompaniment to any type of main meal, and adds a real splash of colour. I have stated fresh OR frozen peas in the recipe - frozen peas can be used to great effect out of season. In the absence of small silverskin onions, spring onions (green onions) can be used, making this a very versatile recipe to serve throughout the year. Cut back on the butter if you are on a low fat diet - the taste will be less rich, but still as delicious! -- posted by French Tart

Butter Me Up! Baked Butter Bean, Bacon and Thyme Cassoulet

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:21:32 -0400

A delicious combination of butter beans baked au gratin with crisp bacon, onions and thyme - all bound in a tomato, crème fraiche and wine sauce! This should also be known as Fragrant Savoury Room Scenter - as the smell as this cooks is divine!! This recipe is real European fusion cuisine - the cassoulet idea from France, with the parmesan and wine sauce from Italy, and the crispy smoked bacon rashers from England. Serve this as a main meal for supper or lunch with salad and crusty bread, or as an accompaniment for sausages, stews, casseroles or roast meats........the bacon can be left out if you are serving it as an accompaniment. NB: This recipe was born when I tried to follow a recipe posted here on Zaar, Recipe #263905 - posted by Lindsey and originally a Nigel Slater recipe; I had no haricot beans, but I did have butter beans and lots of other bits and bobs to use up! I LOVE Lindsey's recipe - but feel that this recipe is different enough to warrant posting it - so, thanks to Linds and Nigel for the original idea! Preparation time includes cooking the bacon and the onion. -- posted by French Tart

Bread and Butter Pudding French Toast Sandwiches

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:03:10 -0400

Yes really! This is a pan-fried version of bread and butter pudding, made in the method of a French toast sandwich! A wonderful recipe, which is just the ticket for a lazy weekend breakfast or brunch, OR as a mid-week quick and easy dessert. Although it is not necessary to stamp out the rounds of bread, it DOES look so much nicer - you can use the excess bread to make breadcrumbs for baking, I never seem to have enough! I have also made this recipe with sliced brioche, now that is TOTALLY delicious, especially when served as a dessert with jam, whipped cream or even custard! You can "lighten" this recipe very easily by using low fat cream, low fat spread and fat free milk, then spray the pan with low-fat cooking spray. -- posted by French Tart

Brulot Charentais - Angel's Flames - French Flambé Coffee

Mon, 12 May 2008 18:52:57 -0400

Our local and very dramatic end of meal coffee - La Flamme des Anges - Angels Flames or Brulot Charentais certainly provides for lively end of dinner conversation! The sumptuous combination of fine quality Cognac, rich brown coffee and dramatic blue flames provides a memorable end to a special evening. Whether you be celebrating Christmas, New Year, Easter or something more personal such as a birthday, anniversary or simply a special dinner, a Brulot Charentais can brighten up the occasion and turn it into something special. History of Brulot Charentais: Brulot Charentais is 3 centuries old! In times gone by, most people used to take a hot drink or infusion, before going to bed. In the Cognac area, many opted for a wine topped off with burning alcohol, which had the effect of producing 'mulled' wine. The flames symbolised 'festivity' either during or after a meal. For special occasions - baptisms, communions, marriages, birthdays, Christmas, Easter and the like, the Charentais wine farmers, would add a slug of neat Cognac, straight from the cask, to the surface. This Cognac, strong in alcohol, was set alight, reducing its strength and producing striking blue flames. Thus Brulot Charentais was born. The sugar in the saucer would soak up any 'stray drops' of Cognac which also combusted, and blended together, formed a liqueur rich in Cognac flavours. The coffees taste was transformed by combining with the sugar and Cognac. The coffee reaches drinking temperature due to the combustion. The recipe preserves the aroma and flavour of the Cognac, whilst reducing the strength (down to about 2 - 3 percent). Make your 'soirées' more festive with a cup of flaming Brulot Charentais! The recipe ingredients are for one person - please increase the quantities as necessary. Why not end your celebration the Charentais way? -- posted by French Tart

Cheese Twists

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:22:37 -0400

Served in a napkin-lined basket, these are so attractive on your buffet or serving table. -- posted by JackieOhNo!

Cold Double-Berry Souffle

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:26:38 -0400

Souffles are generally for the ambitious, but they are well worth the effort. While this one is not your traditional kind (there is no rising involved and worries that it will collapse), this one can be made ahead and brought out for a show-stopping finale to your summmertime get-together. Prep time does not include 2 hours to chill. Adapted from Good Food Magazine, July 1987. -- posted by JackieOhNo!

Beef and Vegetable Aioli Platter

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:45:26 -0400

This is basically poached meat and vegetables that takes on an air of elegance and sophistication. A nice change of pace to serve at your summer get-together. Adapted from Good Food Magazine, July 1987. -- posted by JackieOhNo!

Marinated Olives

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:54:37 -0400

There is a lovely little French cafe I have been to that serves the best olives on the table. The secret is in the marinade. Instead of purchasing seasoned olives from your local olive bar, try seasoning them yourself. You'll be very pleased with the outcome. Also makes a lovely gift. -- posted by JackieOhNo!

Drunken French Country Chicken Au Gratin

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:41:49 -0400

An easy and delicious chicken dish with a few elegant touches here and there! The chicken is jointed (cut into pieces), sauteed and then grilled like a potato gratin in a sauce of cognac, wine, mustard and cheese. Serve this with a crisp fresh salad and pasta, or with seasonal steamed vegetables and rice. You can omit the cognac and wine and use apple juice if you wish - the taste will not be as sophisticated, deep or intense, but the chicken could be served to children this way! An ideal dinner party recipe or Valentine's day meal for two - just reduce the ingredients, or make the full amount and freeze the remaining portions. Recommended wine: Saumur Champigny. -- posted by French Tart

Summer Time Easy Courgette - Zucchini Carpaccio

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:49:09 -0400

A delightful and very elegant summer starter dish that is fresh and easy to make. The combination of the parmesan cheese with the hazenut oil and black olives is a very sophisticated flavour, making this a wonderful dish to serve before any special summer dinner party. If you cannot get hold of hazelnut oil, walnut oil would be a good substitute. Green olives can also be used, but the colours will not be so dramatic! Try to use FRESHLY grated/shaved parmesan cheese from a block, the taste is far better than the pre-packed grated cheese. Wine suggestion - a chilled Chablis or Chardonnay. -- posted by French Tart

Minty Fresh French Aperitif and Appetiser Charentais Melon Bowls

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:47:13 -0400

An appetiser and aperitif all in one sunny melon bowl - I use the local Pineau des Charentes to fill up these charentais melon starters, but white port, fino sherry or any fortified wine would be just as good. Charentais melons are grown mainly in SW France and Spain and have a smooth pale green to creamy yellow skin. The very juicy flesh is deep orange in colour and it is one of the best dessert melons; they are also great in fruit salads, as well as being used as a refreshing starter course - as in this recipe. Preparation time includes the 4 hours to chill prior to serving them. If you cannot get fresh mint sprigs - use any attractive, edible leaves or herbs - maybe even a flower. -- posted by French Tart

Méli-Mélo:a Muddle and Medley of Heirloom Tomatoes

Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:01:59 -0400

Méli-Mélo is a wonderful French word which simply translated means a mixture, medley, assortment. selection or to use the old English word, a Muddle! This is a simple and yet stunning tomato salad, which relies heavily on assorted sun-ripened tomatoes, sea salt, herbs and good olive oil. It makes a "stand-alone" meal or a wonderful accompaniment. The tomatoes I used in the salad in my photographs were good old fashioned heirloom tomatoes called: Pineapple (yellow and mottled red inside - sweet and fruity flavoured), Black Krim (black-ish skin and dark purple inside - tangy taste), Marmande (Traditional French toms with a beefy taste and texture), Brandywine (dark Bordeaux colour with superb flavour), Moneymaker (traditional English toms - a gardener's favourite - full of flavour) and Auriga (medium orange tom with a sharp and tangy flavour). Try to use a selection of different shapes, colours and flavours when you make this salad. Do NOT omit the salting process it is essential to this recipe as it brings out the flavours to their fullesttrust me; this salad is NOT salty as the salt drains away with the excess tomato juices! Serve this with grilled artisanal breads such as boule, couronne, ciabatta, cottage loaf, home-made breads or crusty rolls. Grilled cheese or fresh goats cheese is also a wonderful addition to this salad. Alternatively, serve it alongside grilled or barbecued meats or with pasties, pies or quiches it really is simply delicious just by itself however! -- posted by French Tart

The Wedding Bouquet Vegetable Platter or Romanesco Romano!

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:44:18 -0400

Thanks to Chef #37636 and Chef #47892 for giving me the zany recipe title ideas! Yes, this beautiful vegetable does indeed look like a wedding bouquet, or maybe even a collection of small Christmas trees.........it is the most beautiful looking vegetable in the world, in my humble opinion! However, never mind its looks - it tastes wonderful, having a nutty and buttery taste and holds its shape better than cauliflower or broccoli when cooked. A little more information on this gorgeous vegetable: Romanesco is an unusual crop. Not quite a calabrese and not quite a cauliflower but with aspects of both. It has a taste and texture exceeding the finest broccoli and is a member of the Brassica family. Romanesco broccoli was first documented in Italy (as broccolo romanesco) in the sixteenth century. It is sometimes called broccoflower, but that name is also applied to green-curded cauliflower cultivars. Romanesco is best steamed rather than boiled as it will retain its flavour and texture better. Small spears can also be stir-fried or even eaten raw in salads or with a dip as crudities. This recipe is simple and keeps the full flavour of the romanseco; use any Italian cheese you have to hand - I used Parmesan cheese in the photos I posted, a few toasted hazelnuts may also be a fine finishing touch. One more piece of useless information (!!), the fractal spiral of this vegetable is an example of the golden ratio, which is linked mathematically to all kinds of interesting things, such as the proportions of human faces - I told you it was an amazing vegetable! -- posted by French Tart

James Martin - Pan Fried Cod With Gremolata & Sauce Vierge

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:48:40 -0400

Another wonderful James Martin recipe for two people. The full name if this recipe is ''Pan-fried cod with gremolata, new potatoes and sauce vierge'' but it would fit! -- posted by Um Safia

Ahoy There! Moules Marinières - French Sailor's Mussels

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:54:18 -0400

I adore moules, mussels, and this is the classic French recipe for them. Moules Marinières is also commonly known as Sailor's mussels or Mariner's mussels. The dish consists of delicately steamed fresh mussels in a white wine, garlic, parsley, butter, onion and cream sauce. Moules Marinières can be served as an appetising starter or even a light main meal. It is delicious served with fresh crusty bread or with frites (chips/fries). There is nothing more mouth-watering than a huge bowl of artistically presented mussels, yet the fun part is eating them. The best way is to use an empty mussel shell as the "spoon" in which to pick the remaining mussels from their shells and then eat them. It's a brilliant excuse to use your fingers to eat rather than the usual knife and for - very tactile! A traditional French recipe will use butter, however the butter may be substituted for a few tablespoons of olive oil for a healthier option - I sometimes use a mix of butter and olive oil I hope you find the step-by-step photos helpful, this recipe was used in the September 2008 Cooking School for the TOTM - hopefully, the photos will debunk the myth that mussels are hard to prepare and cook, NOT so! Bon Appétit! -- posted by French Tart

Traditional Buttery French Croissants for Lazy Bistro Breakfasts

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 18:46:30 -0400

I do not profess to make these all the time; living in France gives me access to wonderful croissants and other French breakfast pastries, However, these are even BETTER than MOST I can buy at the boulangerie, really! It is a time consuming process to make them, but the results are well worth the effort. The butter-enriched dough can be made the night before and stored in the fridge, and it can also be frozen. Once you have the hang of adding the butter to the dough and turning and rolling it to trap the air in between the layers, you are nearly there with the technique. This is my own recipe for croissants, and the quantity yields between 8 and 12 croissants, depending on how accurate you are with the measurements of the triangles before they are rolled. I usually start my dough off in my bread machine for the mixing, kneading and proving - it just gives me more time in the kitchen to get on with other things. I have also given the traditional method by hand, and the dough can also be mixed with a dough hook in a food mixer - choose whatever method is best for you! These croissants can also be frozen - before being baked; defrost overnight in the fridge before baking as normal. Eat these with freshly ground coffee, freshly squeezed orange juice, fresh butter and a selection of confitures, jams and conserves. -- posted by French Tart

French Chocolate Cake for Historic Recipe Buffs

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:35:30 -0400

We found this recipe torn from an old Sunday insert called "The American Weekly," dated August 31, 1952. (Online, I learned that this Sunday newspaper supplement was published by Hearst from 1896 to 1963, when it became "Pictorial Living" until its demise in 1966). The 5"x6" scrap had somehow gotten stuffed in between the floor joists of our attic. Our house was built in 1951 and we are the 4th owners, so the recipe may have been lost by any of the previous occupants. Beneath the recipe is partial information for ordering something that ends with, "[.]arty Cakes Fancy-Plain." The address is incomplete, but the recipe (or collection) cost 5 cents each. On the reverse of the recipe is an ad for the "new" James Cagney movie, "What Price Glory." On the same side as the recipe are 2 little notations, perhaps upcoming features, the first about Norman Rockwell (including "the story of the two old cronies and the mongrel dog who posed for" his four newest paintings); the second is headlined, "When Love Needs a Doctor," and advertises "Sound advice from an eminent psychiatrist that should bring comfort and hope to thousands of husbands and wives who are confused by the marriage relationship." The answer, of course, is to feed each other chocolate cake ;) This recipe doesn't seem much different from modern recipes, except that it calls for pastry flour "sifted 4 times" with salt. In the 1970s, my Home Ec teachers taught that flour no longer needs to be sifted because it is treated to make it flow more readlily and be less susceptible for forming lumps. Current cooking shows do sometimes recommend sifting certain ingredients together to distribute them evenly, so it's probably a good idea to sift the flour and salt at least once. Bon apetit! -- posted by Kimberly Annette

Tartiflette - Alpine Melted Cheese, Bacon and Potato Gratin

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:10:12 -0400

Fast becoming a classic, Tartiflette is the perfect palliative supper dish for chilly autumn and winter evenings. This delicious, rich and hearty dish hails from the Alpine Haute Savoie region of France. For authenticity's sake, try to get hold of a whole Reblochon cheese. Reminiscent of Camembert or Brie in flavour, texture and shape, Reblochon has the perfect melting quality for Tartiflette. In addition, as this dish can be prepared a day or so ahead, it could make the ultimate Bonfire Night or Halloween centrepiece! This is a truly indulgent dish, which is best appreciated after a strenuous morning on the ski-slopes or at least a brisk winters morning walk. It is important to use a ripe Reblochon, preferably bought a few days in advance and left to reach maturity out of the fridge. For this to happen, it should be uncategorised. Of course, if you have a good cheese monger you will be able to buy one ripe and ready to eat. Serve the Tartiflette hot and straight from the gratin dish with fresh salad, crusty bread and assorted pickles. Edited to add: One reviewer made a comment that you should fry the bacon and discard the fat - it IS stated in the main instructions to do just that! Also, if your potatoes are not cooked after 15 minutes plus 25 minutes in the oven, you have not cut them thin enough - try to cut them quite thinly, as shown in all the photos. Reblochon cheese is a very STRONG cheese - do not try this recipe if you are not a lover of strong cheese! Merci:-) -- posted by French Tart

Topsy Turvy Crispy Roast Chicken With Salt Crust Seasoning

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:50:12 -0500

A great method for cooking a perfect whole roast chicken - no dried out breast meat and no half raw leg and thigh meat, just moist chicken with crispy, seasoned skin. I like to use corn-fed chickens for a truly lovely texture, flavour and colour. The salt crust and seasoning mix that I suggest, really gives a great flavour and crispy finish; however, if you have your own favourite seasoning mix, please use that instead. Salting chicken before cooking draws out excess moisture, making the flesh firmer and the skin crispy. Serve this roast chicken with traditional accompaniments such as roast potatoes, stuffing, fresh seasonal vegetables and gravy. (It is nice to buy and cook organic or humanely produced chickens; I realise that they cost a little bit more, but the taste is superior and you will not be supporting a cruel and unnecessary way of animal husbandry - you taste what you pay for!) -- posted by French Tart

French Tart's Classic Madeleines: Madelines: Little Fluted Cakes

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:52:55 -0500

These are one of my favourite French cakes; delicate little light sponge cakes, baked in special fluted trays and sprinkled lightly with icing sugar, so elegant, light and airy! Some are flavoured with vanilla extract only, whilst other recipes suggest using lemon or orange; my recipe uses a combination of vanilla extract and lemon. These are ideal served with afternoon coffee or with a glass of dessert wine after a meal, just as the French serve them. You can also dip the tips into melted chocolate, but I prefer mine to be a little more subtle - but it is up to you! -- posted by French Tart

Our Daily Bread in a Crock - Weekly Make and Bake Rustic Bread

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:41:50 -0500

Make up a large batch of rustic artisanal bread dough, store it and then bake a loaf each day you need fresh bread, amazing but true! This is a hodge podge of old fashioned English and French rustic bread recipes; the bread dough is made up ahead of time and stored (in the old days) in an earthenware crock or bowl, with a lid. You tear a piece of the dough off as and when you want to bake a loaf of bread. Easy! I use this style of bread dough regularly in the B and B, so I can always have fresh bread or bread rolls on hand for breakfast. You can add other types of flour to the basic white batch, as long as the ratio remains the same - you can mix rye or wholewheat flour with the white, or add herbs, onions, seeds, fruit and other flavourings. The dough can be used as soon as the initial proving has finished, but it will keep in a cool place or a fridge for a week or two - I do not recommend longer than 2 weeks however. The dough can be used for free form bread loaves, in bread tins, as rolls or other shapes. I have kept this technique and recipe to myself for a while, but I have decided to share it on Zaar now, mainly as my daughter keeps asking for the basic dough recipe! I notice that this type of long-term or long-life bread dough has made a revival in a new book called Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day; this recipe however, is a very old technique and method, dough was always made up for the week and then kept in the cold room or pantry for daily baking. My grandmother who lived in a 600 year old cottage in Northern England, used to have a stone slab in the Pantry where she kept her crock and dough, I remember sticking my finger in it!! This amount makes about 4 to 5 loaves of bread, depending on the weight and shape of the bread that you bake. -- posted by French Tart

Champagne Mousse Moët & Chandon

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:35:40 -0500

This recipe was obtained from the champagne house of Moët & Chandon many years ago and would be something that just fits for the Holiday season. Use a good quality champagne in making this. Recipe will provide 12 servings. I have not included the cooling or chilling time. -- posted by Dan-Amer #1

Drop Dead Gorgeous - Garlic Studded Roast Leg of Lamb

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 20:56:14 -0500

This is the name my daughter came up with when I served this roast leg of lamb for Boxing Day this Christmas holiday! We love roast leg of lamb and this was a variation on my normal way of roasting it. I would have studded the leg with fresh rosemary as well as garlic, but I could not find it under the snow and heavy frost, another time! I am spoilt for choice with fresh lamb in France (and when I go home to the UK), but when I cannot get hold of fresh local lamb, I buy frozen New Zealand or Australian leg of lamb - which is always excellent. One tip I would like to share is ALWAYS allow the meat to rest for at least 10 minutes before carving - it allows all the juices to run back into the lamb and makes it moist, tender and easier to carve. Serve the slices of meat on hot dinner plates with lashings of piping hot gravy and you're done! Roast leg of lamb will go nicely with roast, mashed of gratin potatoes and a medley of fresh seasonal vegetables, especially green beans. Save the roasting juices to make your gravy - allowing them to cool slightly before skimming off the fat that will rise to the surface. This would be an ideal meal for Mother's Day and Easter - Spring lamb is delectable if you can get hold of it fresh. -- posted by French Tart

Traditional Algerian Sables (Cookies) - Like Linzer Augen

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:42:52 -0500

This is my own family recipe for the traditional Algerian 'Sables' cookies. These sables are very easy to make & are a real favourite in our home. We like them with strawberry jam filling & icing sugar dusting or with apricot jam filing & dessicated coconut finish... but you can use any of your favourite preserves (if they have fruit pieces in you should sieve them before using. I have a special 4cm fluted sables cutter but you can use any cutters. I oftern use star cutters then punch out the small round centre by using a small metal bottle top (like on food colourings), or round cutter & using a small star, heart or flower cutter for the centre. These sables freeze nicely in layers separated by parchment or waxed paper in an airtight container. Allow to defrost in a single layer then dust the tops & fill with jam. -- posted by Um Safia

Boeuf En Daube - Classic French Beef Burgundy Stew (Bourguignon)

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:26:26 -0500

Rich, savory stew of beef in red wine--a French classic! Great served with a rustic country bread, tossed green salad, and a platter of cheeses. Can be made in the crock-pot. Freezes and reheats beautifully, and leftovers make a lovely recipe #355446 #355446. Adapted from Williams-Sonoma. -- posted by BecR

Summer Memories: Jumbleberry Crumble With Shortbread Topping

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:32:50 -0400

This was a quick throw it together Sunday Lunch pudding idea - raid the freezer for all the nearly used bags of frozen summer fruits, such as cherries, raspberries, blackcurrants, redcurrants, bilberries (blueberries), blackberries and strawberries. Fling them all into an ovenproof gratin dish; whizz up a shortbread crumble topping - and Bob's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt, as we say down our way!!!! We loved it, the combination of fruits was wonderful - and it is a great idea for using up whatever fruits you have lurking in your freezer. I am sure that fresh fruit would also be suitable. We like our fruits to be on the tart side - so pleased add sugar to taste! Serve the crumble with hot custard, cold custard, cream, ice cream, crème fraiche or whatever you fancy! -- posted by French Tart

Auld Alliance: Potted French Blue Cheese and Scotch Whisky Pate

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:36:45 -0400

The Auld Alliance is the historic friendship between Scotland and France, as well as a traditional cheese and whisky recipe. Here is a modern version of my Scottish grandmother's recipe for Auld Alliance. I have used Scotch whisky and a lighter French blue cheese, Fourme d'Ambert, instead of the usual Roquefort, which I find very salty. This makes a fabulous appetiser or an alternative cheese course. Choose a blue cheese and Scotch whisky of your choice; blends are better than malts in this recipe. A Potted History! Scotlands most famous connection with Europe was the Auld Alliance with France. First agreed in 1295/6 the Auld Alliance was built on Scotland and Frances shared need to curtail English expansion. Primarily it was a military and diplomatic alliance but for most of the population, it brought tangible benefits through pay as mercenaries in Frances armies and the pick of finest French wines! The preparation time includes the chilling time. -- posted by French Tart

Spinach Tart

Thu, 19 Mar 2009 01:32:50 -0400

This recipe has earned a gold star in my personal cookbook. Not only is it a vegetable dish that most people seem to like, it travels well in a cooler, it can be served cold, and it's tidy enough to be eaten without utensils. Best of all, with a couple of changes it becomes incredibly easy to make and still retains its medieval flavor. Since beet leaves aren't available at the local grocery, I normally use only spinach. -- posted by Wylder

Snails Bourgugnonne/Escargots a La Bourguignonne

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:34:04 -0400

I reviewed this Recipe #319778 wanting it lower in cholesterol adding more veggies for better health.Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants. Don't get me wrong these are still fattening but delish and healthier then all butter. I bought the Canned French escargots with empty shells for serving, in a speciality store. If using mushroom caps you can pre-cook a couple minutes for softer mushrooms or if you like them raw to firm stuff then cook. A May celebration "Aplec del Caragol" (the Snail Festival) The Aplec festival is now well-known throughout Spain and the rest of Europe, and has even been sistered with other festivals. -- posted by ~Rita~

Algerian Broad Beans & Garlic ( Fèves En Sauce )

Sun, 12 Apr 2009 02:13:39 -0400

Here is my traditional recipe for Ros Bratel, which is a very old recipe from Algeria. It is simple to make with just a few ingredients & is really delicious. Eat it with plenty of fresh crusty bread for an inexpensive, light meal or have it as a side to roasted meats etc. -- posted by Um Safia

Sacré Buf! Sirloin Steak Topped With Mustard Herb Butter

Fri, 15 May 2009 10:56:04 -0400

A delicious and lucky discovery, I found this recipe in a Maille (pronounced "My" ) French Mustard leaflet.This recipe has been slightly adapted to suit our own personal tastes.It's very easy to prepare and is a winning French classic; wonderful when served with chunky chips (fries) and grilled tomatoes for a hearty Bistro style main course. Sacré Bleu!! -- posted by French Tart

Can-Can Canapés! Boursin Baguette Bruschetta

Sat, 16 May 2009 10:43:39 -0400

Ooh la la! Let's do the can-can, have our canapés and eat them with wild high-kicking abandon! The full flavour and creamy texture of Boursin cheese makes an ideal ingredient for party nibbles. These bruschetta are quick and easy to prepare and hit the nibbles and aperitifs spot! High kicks and dancing are not compulsory, as you might spill your drink and drop your bruschetta! -- posted by French Tart

Galette Des Rois

Tue, 19 May 2009 01:58:26 -0400

This is from allrecipes.com. I haven't tried it yet. I can say, however, that an almond filling inside of good bread is very good indeed, having made something like that in the past. -- posted by Debbie R.

Lemon Verbena Syllabub for Lazy Summer Days or Dinner Parties!

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:30:22 -0400

Just the job when it is hot and humid, a simple and elegant dessert to finish off a special summer dinner party outside and under the stars! This is also a wonderful accompaniment for fresh summer berries or gently poached fruits. Try to make sure that you give these little syllabubs plenty of time to chill and set before serving. Serve with a squirt of Chantilly cream and some fresh Lemon Verbena leaves as a garnish. Lemon Verbena is a very lemony herb, think of fizzy lemon sherbet (as in Barratts Sherbet Dipper) and you will have an idea of the taste! -- posted by French Tart

Rose Cottage Fragrant Old English Rose Liqueur Syrup

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:46:43 -0400

This is my mum's recipe for rose syrup - and the name of their cottage in England! Try to use old English shrub roses, as they are highly fragranced and impart a delicate flavour to the syrup. The correct word for this recipe would be a Shrub or a Ratafia, as it is fortified with brandy - however, Ratafia would also have fruit or almond kernels added; it would have been offered as a refreshing "pick-me-up" to gentile ladies - with water or lemonade added of course! This recipe is well over 100 years old and a bottle of this would make an unusual and delighttful gift. -- posted by French Tart

Lemon Verbena Ice Cream from a French Country Herb Garden

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:53:00 -0400

I grow many old fashioned and unusual herbs in my garden in France, and although many people know Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena is not so well known, which is such a shame! For me the flavour is MUCH more lemony and intense than Lemon Balm - think lemon sherbet, and you have a good idea of what to expect! The plant has graceful pointed leaves that are a gorgeous pale green in colour. Just scrunching a leaf in your hand to release the aromas can help fatigue or a headache. This is an ice cream I came up with to refresh and revive even the most jaded of palates refreshing and with an amazing lemony zing! You should be able to source Lemon Verbena at any good Farmer's Markets - alternatively, make friends with someone who grows it! (Prep time includes the time to infuse the leaves to extract the flavour.) -- posted by French Tart

Chilled Summer Lettuce, Lovage and Garden Pea Soup

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:25:38 -0400

A delightful and refreshing chilled soup for summer - this savoury soup takes its flavour from freshly chopped lovage leaves, which impart a savoury, lemony and celery-like taste. I like to serve this pale green soup in clear glass bowls for maximum impact, with a few chopped leaves sprinkled on top and a swirl of cream. This soup makes an elegant starter for any summer event or a light luncheon dish. Do not be tempted to add more lovage then is suggested, it is a very strong flavoured herb and can be overpowering if used with a heavy hand! -- posted by French Tart

Tarte Aux Abricots - Glazed French Apricot Tart With Almonds

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:12:06 -0400

This is my favourite type of French fruit tart, even more so than apple tart! Our local Patisserie makes a wonderful Tarte aux Abricots, but they are quite expensive and VERY large, much too big for the two of us when we have no B and B guests! So, I have been tinkering in the kitchen again, and have come up with this recipe. You MUST use fresh apricots for this - tinned ones are too soft and too sweet. Plus, I love the slightly tart flavour that the fresh apricots lend to the flavours of this tart. The ground almonds are scattered over the base of the short crust pastry case to stop it becoming soggy during cooking; they also provide a complimentary flavour to the apricots. A classic French tart that will make a delightful ending to any special meal or for afternoon tea. Serve this tart with fresh whipped cream or crème fraiche. -- posted by French Tart

Old-Fashioned English Summer Berry Jelly and Ice Cream!

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:17:56 -0400

Little wibbly-wobbly ruby red jellies with mixed summer berries, so cooling and great with ice cream. There is nothing I love more than taking a basket to the end of my garden to pick an assortment of ripe summer berries when they are in season! The sense of satisfaction at picking your own fruit is wonderful. Although I have called these little jellies English summer berry jellies, I DO make these in France of course - it's just that the berries remind me of my grandparent's gardens and picking the fruit when I was little...plus, the combination of berries is the same as a traditional English Summer Pudding recipe! I make these in little vintage metal moulds, they look so pretty served this way; you can of course make this recipe in a large mould, but DO allow extra time for the jelly to set. -- posted by French Tart

Chicken Salad in a Creamy Chive and Lovage Dressing

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:55:21 -0400

I love my lovage! Moreover, this is a delectable way to use up cold cooked chicken with this wonderful old-fashioned herb! This salad would be perfect for a light luncheon dish or an elegant dinner party starter. I have also made this to take on picnics with great success. Lovage is one of my favourite herbs and I have been growing it for the last 20 years in my herb garden. It is only now regaining its popularity - however, it was a much-used herb in medieval times, and later on, it was often used as a salt substitute. The leaves have a slightly salty, savoury celery-like flavour and are very pungent, so they mused be used carefully in cooking. Anything more than 2 tablespoons of chopped lovage in this dressing will totally overpower all the other flavours - I know this to my cost! An obscure little-known fact! Culinary celery salt and celery seeds are nearly always made with ground lovage seeds, as lovage seeds have a more distinct celery flavour than celery seeds! I am a mine of useful or useless information! -- posted by French Tart

Fresh Fig and Ginger Chutney from the Auberge

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:06:24 -0400

When my two fig trees are in season, I struggle to cope with the amount of fruit they produce..........a rather nice problem I have to admit! We eat figs fresh with nearly every meal; I make jams, conserves and also bottle the fruit in liquor. However, this is one of my favourite ways of using some of my fresh figs, and this chutney is just amazing when served with the cheese board or with cold meats and charcuterie. Ginger has a natural affinity with fresh figs and gives this chutney an extra layer of flavour. This chutney does not keep as long as some other fruit chutneys, but that never seems to be a problem, as we eat most of it quite quickly and I always have numerous requests from family and friends for a pot or two when I make it! This intense chutney really captures the fruits rich sweetness perfectly and is capable of turning a simple toasted sandwich into something rather special.......it's great with all types of cheese. -- posted by French Tart

Bergamot Fresh Fruit Salad With Scented Pelargonium Leaves

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:58:43 -0400

This fruit salad is amazing, and all the more for the addition of bergamot leaves and flowers! The fragrant leaves of this versatile herb delicately flavour the syrup whilst the gorgeous shaggy red flowers and scented pelargonium leaves decorate it for the final finishing flourish! If you are a lover of Earl Gray tea, you will instantly recognise the flavour of this herb, as it is used to flavour this famous and popular tea blend. NOTE: Bergamot, often referred to as bee balm, became distinguished as "Oswego Tea" when a Quaker botanist, John Bartram, sampled a tea made from the leaves. A Bergamot lemon is a small yellow sour citrus fruit similar to an orange, mostly cultivated in Calabria in Italy. The rind contains an essential oil used in perfumery (the basis for eau-de-cologne), confectionary and Earl Grey tea. The zest is also used in pâtisserie. NB: Prep time includes cooling time. -- posted by French Tart

Mixed Herb Salad With Borage : La Salade De Plusieurs Herbes

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:58:51 -0400

A delightful old French salad recipe, which uses fresh aromatic herbs with fresh lettuce leaves and a simple dressing. Serve this with poached salmon or cold chicken for an elegant dinner party dish. Adapted from a 16th century French translation of a book originally written in Latin in 1474. NB: Borage is an excellent culinary herb and can be used in a variety of ways. Borage is far better used fresh, as the flavour and colour deteriorate when dried and some essential oils lost. Traditional recipes recommend borage leaves and seeds, together with fennel in salads for increasing the milk supply in nursing mothers. The leaves and flowers are still added for flavour and garnish to wine cups, Pimms and gin-based summer cocktails and the flowers are still candied for confectionary as cake and ice cream decorations. -- posted by French Tart

Saffron Scented Fresh Figs With Cinnamon and Honey

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:12:33 -0400

A delectable dessert that makes full use of fresh, luscious, ripe figs with a sophisticated saffron and honey syrup. This is often on my dessert menu when my figs are in season, and is an easy and yet impressive end to any special meal. Although I have suggested that you serve this warm, it is also lovely when served at room temperature or just slightly chilled. Food of the Gods and Goddesses! -- posted by French Tart

Fresh Peaches in Sauternes Soak With Angelica and Lavender

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:32:34 -0400

This is a wonderful, light summery dessert, which never fails to please my guests, as well as my family and friends! Fresh peaches are soaked in sweet Sauternes with angelica leaves and lavender flowers tucked amongst them. Angelica is an interesting, aromatic tasting herb, and although I normally only use the stems to candy or crystallise (Recipe #248003) I have discovered that the leaves also make a great accompaniment when used with fresh fruit. Try to serve this fresh fruit salad in a large clear glass bowl for maximum impact; it just looks so pretty with the light shining through the fruit, juices and herbs! I find that the only thing that is needed to serve this is a good dollop of crème fraiche. I have also made this with apricots and melon for a slight change. I like to use a combination of white and yellow peaches for this recipe but please use local and fresh peaches regional to your area. Prep time includes the minimum "soaking" time. I have not tried this with tinned peaches, but suspect that they may be too "soft" to hold their shape for prolonged soaking. -- posted by French Tart

Little Wild Sorrel and Herb Tarts With Melted Goat's Cheese

Sun, 26 Jul 2009 10:12:12 -0400

A delicious and different way to use sorrel leaves - sorrel is usually used in soup and omelette recipes. These little herb tarts are so summery and make wonderful picnic food, as well as interesting appetisers. I have wild, woodland and cultivated sorrel in my garden, but prefer the tangy almost lemon and vinegar taste of wild sorrel leaves in these little tarts. Serve these warm or at room temperature with lightly dressed salad leaves and a glass of crisp, chilled Chablis or Chardonnay. Notes on using sorrel leaves: Sorrel is one of those ingredients that feature all too rarely in our kitchens, yet its bite and acidity make it one of summer's top temptations. When you're cooking the larger, mature leaves, strip out and discard the stalks, just as you would with spinach, before cooking. Avoid aluminium or cast-iron pans, though, because the oxalic acid in the leaves reacts with the metal and affects the flavour. -- posted by French Tart

River Cottage Sorrel Pesto With Goat's Cheese

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:10:48 -0400

Tangy, freshly made pesto with sorrel leaves and goat's cheese. A WONDERFUL recipe from River Cottage and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and one that I use regularly! This pesto is stunning when added to gnocchi and all types of pasta, as well as grilled chicken and fish. So simple and full of summer flavours! It also makes a great gift for a dinner party host/ess, or for a foodie friend; put the pesto in an attractive jar with a recipe suggestion label and a wooden spoon. -- posted by French Tart

Peachy Fresh Fruit Salad With a Flourish of Angelica and Mint!

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:00:08 -0400

This was the first thing I was taught to make at secondary school in Domestic Science! We were all taught to make basic lemon syrup for the fruit salad, a great classic and a standard recipe that I have never forgotten! However, here I have deviated a little and have taken advantage of some excellent local peach syrup instead of the homemade lemon syrup I usually make; and I have garnished the salad with mint and angelica from my herb garden. I have suggested certain fruits to use, but the beauty of a fresh fruit salad is that you can always rustle one up with whatever you have locally and to hand. Serve with fresh pouring cream for a real treat! -- posted by French Tart

Lavender, Lemon and Honey Tea from Wolds Way Lavender Farm

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:14:35 -0400

A wonderful recipe that I discovered on a recipe card from Wold's Way Lavender Farm in North Yorkshire, England! This magical lavender farm is just down the road from my parent's house and is high on my "must visit" list when I go home to England. I have found that this tea is a miracle worker for headaches, head colds and colds in general........the soothing honey helps sore throats whilst the lemon contains essential vitamin C, and the lavender provides a calming and refreshing element to this herbal tea or tisane. Although this is mainly served hot, I have made this during the summer months as an iced tea, as it's perfect for hot, sultry days. -- posted by French Tart

Lavender and Strawberry Fruit Cup from Wolds Way Lavender Farm

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 02:14:53 -0400

A boozy lavender fruit cup made with vermouth, herbs and fresh strawberries! How good is that! This is another gem of a recipe that I discovered on a recipe card from Wolds Way Lavender Farm in North Yorkshire, England which is just 10 minutes from my parent's cottage. The delicately flavoured drink is the perfect way to unwind after a long, hard day........It is almost better than Pimms, and, as Pimms is my favourite summertime tipple, that is really saying something! Sit back, relax, sip and enjoy! -- posted by French Tart

Honey-Roasted Pear Salad With Thyme and Verjus Dressing

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:33:56 -0400

An elegant and sophisticated salad that makes good use of verjus (verjuice) in the dressing. I use a local blue cheese, such as Roquefort in this salad; however, please do use a local blue cheese of your choice - any creamy or robust blue cheese will marry well with the pears and tart dressing. Verjuice, or verjus, is the juice of unripe grapes. This staple of French provincial cooking, a key ingredient in Dijon mustard, has the tartness of lemon juice and the acidity of vinegar, but the harshness of neither. Its delicate flavour is ideal for everything from stocks to sweet syrups - as long as you know what you're doing. Verjus was also a common ingredient used in English cooking throughout the Middle Ages. I try to make a batch of verjus every year with the green grapes from my non-dessert grape vine - as I love cooking with it. This recipe came from an old copy of Bon Appetit magazine from 2005. Prep time includes the time it takes the pears to cool. -- posted by French Tart

Grandmother's Strawberry Jam

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:02:59 -0400

Old fashioned strawberry goodness! This delicious jam with its rich, fruity Strawberry flavor is lovely served on warm buttered scones with Devon or Cornish cream for a traditional English Strawberry Cream Tea. An updated old family recipe. Enjoy! -- posted by BecR

Traditional Jersey Bean Crock: the Original Baked Beans

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:25:13 -0400

Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands.The island is usually the hottest place in the British Isles during the summer months, with the temperature averaging a few degrees higher than the mainland. As the island is neither part of the EU or the UK, it is a popular 'duty-free' destination. Jersey has a rich and varied history, with several wars and invasion attempts over many centuries.The island was part of the Duchy of Normandy in the 10th century and became part of the Anglo-Norman realm in 1066. The island's history is reflected in the French road names and typical Jersey surnames, as well as in the many historical French artefacts and monuments that can be found around the island. This is a traditional recipe, and no self-respecting Jersey woman would be without her earthenware bean crock, or casserole, in which to cook one of the most filling and tasty of all the island's recipes. So popular was this bean dish that every farmhouse had its bundles of drying French beans hanging from the rafters waiting to be shelled in the long winter evenings. Town folk used to hang their beans in the garage. For some Islanders this was a traditional supper dish; others had it for Sunday breakfast. Mr. Heinz is supposed to have taken the idea for his famous baked beans from the bean crock of Jersey emigrants in Canada. Prep time includes the overnight soaking for the beans. (This adapted recipe is originally from the Jersey Tourism Website.) -- posted by French Tart

Fresh Figs With Stilton and Walnuts in a Honey Drizzle Dressing

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:59:58 -0400

A new fig recipe for this year! Similar to my Recipe #250866 but with blue cheese and a honey drizzle dressing. I like to tuck a few fig leaves amongst the salad for colour........but please do wipe them first! Serve these figs with crusty bread, some mixed herb and salad leaves.......and a glass of chilled wine. Quantities for figs depend on the size; allow one or two large figs per person or, between three and six for medium to small figs.This makes a fabulous dinner party starter, or a light salad for lunch..........I sometimes serve this for the cheese course too, for something a little different. -- posted by French Tart

Inspirational Goat's Cheese on Garlic Ciabatta Toast

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:18:49 -0400

Toasted goat's cheese on toast that has been spread with garlic paste.......and then served on mixed salad leaves - brilliant! I am hooked on Nigel Slater's new programme, "Simple Suppers", where he prepares and cooks food just the way I like it...........fresh, seasonal, unpretentious, flexible and hearty. This is one of Nigel's "Inspirational" recipes that was shown on his first programme. In the absence of ciabatta bread, I would be inclined to use any rustic bread........with lots of body! (Recipe from NIgel Slater's Simple Suppers and the Digin site.) -- posted by French Tart

Spiced Autumn Walnut and Golden Syrup Tart-Pie

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:58:40 -0400

This sticky and lightly spiced walnut tart is absolutely perfect for any autumn gathering, especially Thanksgiving, Halloween or Bonfire Night. It combines walnuts together with warm spices and a hint of orange, which are all bound together in a buttery syrup filling.......if you cannot get hold of golden syrup, you can use honey instead. Serve this pie with a dollop of cream, crème fraiche or yoghurt. -- posted by French Tart

French Pear Hot Toddy

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 20:13:33 -0500

A delicious hot-coffee drink in the French style, made with apricot brandy and Poire Willliam eau de vie. This is a variation of a very old French recipe. -- posted by BecR