France is bound by Italy to the southeast, and needless to say that in France we love pasta! Pasta is super versatile and most of the time ready in a few minutes. Today, I’m sharing with you my easy dinner pasta recipe that I’m often making on weekdays: Beef Ragu Pasta. I’m sure you know that time of the day too; when you don’t have time and you just don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. So here’s my under 20-minute Beef Ragu recipe with a French twist, of course! Preparation Time: 5 min Cook Time: 15 min Ingredients for 8 1 lbs pasta 1 lbs ground beef 1/2 large onion, chopped 2 medium tomato, chopped 1 jar of Eggplant & Red-Pepper Bruschetta 1/4 tsp freshly ground…
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How To Eat Oysters Like A French
There’s no wrong way to eat oysters – as long as you enjoy it – but here are a few tips from a French girl who had her first oyster at 3 years old -aka me! Oysters can be intimidating. I heard you, and I’m happy to share with you my knowledge of the Ocean Pearls, so you can now crush that oyster game. It’s ok to eat them all year long The saying goes that you should only eat oysters in months that contain the letter “r” (from September to April), but that’s not true anymore. Actually, this saying dates back -at least in France- to 1700’s, when Louis XV, oyster lover, forbid the transportation of oysters during the warm months. At that time, we didn’t have…
Honey-Roasted Plums
Last weekend I found myself with overripe plums in my kitchen. I didn’t want to go super fancy and make a Clafoutis or a Crumble (here’s my recipe for the savory Crumble -perfect to pack for work & lunchbox duties!). But then it hits me! My mother used to make us roasted plums almost every Sunday nights. It’s quick and easy, but looks pretty fancy too. To keep it healthy, my hack is to replace the sugar with some honey. Like this, you’ve got all the benefits from natural honey and not the negative effects of the refined sugar. Anyway, let me introduce the honey-roasted plums recipe. After being roasted, the plums are packed with intense-sweet and juicy flavor. The Crème fraîche brings a nice refreshing taste of…
Blueberry Fizzy Cocktail
This cocktail is definitely an unconventional mix for a cocktail, but I wanted to try something really different. And when my local grocery store was offering huge deals for this blue gems, I couldn’t resist buying a ton! So here I am with my 2 lbs of Blueberry in the fridge, wondering how I can eat all of them before they turn bad. Also looking at a very hot weekend… And I’m like why don’t I turn them in the perfect way to cool down on a hot day aka drinking cocktails! I love the wonderfully fruity and sweet taste from the plump juicy blueberries associated with the kick of limes. So here’s a quick cocktail recipe of the Blueberry Fizzy Cocktail for the perfect warm day, enjoy! Ingredients for…
Homemade Baguette Recipe
The last time I introduced a post about the Baguette it was for the Apéritif (French Happy Hour with wine and more food!). But the Baguette is so versatile. From the breakfast to the dinner it makes everything taste better! In the morning, I love to spread some butter and natural jam on my tartine (like a lot of French people). For lunch or dinner, the French bread is perfect with a salad or any meat dishes “en sauce” such as boeuf bourguignon. And for a quick, yet yummy snack, top your Baguette with some butter and dark chocolate. Now you understand what French people traveling abroad are missing the most… Their bread! Anyway, making a homemade Baguette is not as hard and time-consuming as you can expect….
Traditional French Ratatouille
Ratatouille is not only this gifted rat from Pixar, it’s also a delicious dish that originates from Provence, South of France! It came to exist over centuries of vegetables foreign to the region making their way to France, and French chefs doing the rest of the work. The various vegetables are arranged in a beautiful bouquet and cooked and drizzled with a luxurious sauce, making it a culinary work of art. It’s easy, healthy and the perfect side dish for your summer BBQ. Whether it’s an old family recipe, or you’re just trying it for the first time, you’re bound to love making Ratatouille. Just gather fresh ingredients and you’re ready to go! Preparation Time: 1h Cook Time: 1h Ingredients for 6 3 zucchinis thinly…
Zucchini Crumble recipe
You all know the delicious sweet crumbles with fruits or jam and cinnamon but, have you ever tried the savory version? This Zucchini Crumble recipe is healthy, easy-to-prepare and so delicious. My little trick is to mix crushed Cheese Crackers with regular wheat flour to have a crunchier and tastier Crumble! Preparation Time: 15 min Cooking Time: 30 min Ingredients for 4 servings 1 bag of Cheese Crackers 2 large zucchinis 5 oz butter 5 oz wheat flour 1 clove of garlic Olive oil Salt pepper Preparation Preheat your oven to 350°F. Peel the zucchinis, then cut them into cubes. Chop the garlic, put it in a pan with olive oil over high heat. Once hot, put the zucchinis inside and brown them. Crush the Cheese Crackers into small…
Raspberry Dark Chocolate Mousse
When chocolate was brought to France in the 1500s, chefs and bakers began to experiment and create new desserts, which led to the creation of this delectable treat centuries later. Today the Mousse Au Chocolat is a favorite in France, and my favorite variation of this dessert includes raspberry toppings. I love getting creative with the presentation of this treat by putting in different containers: think anything from muffin tins, to mini cocottes, to chocolate shells. This recipe is perfect for the next occasion you want to outshine the main course of a dinner with a sweet yet refreshing dessert. Preparation Time: 1h Ingredients for 8 4 3.5-oz 75% dark chocolate bars 6 egg whites 6 egg yolks ¼ cup of butter Pinch of salt 4…
French Onion Soup
When people think of French cuisine one of the first dishes that will come to mind is the classic Onion Soup. What makes French onion soup a delicate dish with unparalleled flavor is the technique used to make it, by taking the time to caramelize the onions and draw out their naturally sweet flavor. Later the soup is famously topped with bread and French gruyère cheese and broiled in the oven to perfection. Made for the first time in Paris during the 18th century, we are sharing today a family recipe that was passed down from generations to generations. And for an extra kick of onion, Zoe’s grandma used to add onion confit spread to the slice of rustic bread on top, just before the cheese….
Hibiscus-Jasmine Blend Cocktail
Early Fall is one of my favorite times of year because the weather is still warm and you can still find time to relax and unwind before the hectic holiday season. It’s also ideal for trying new iced drinks before the temperature starts dropping. With this unique cocktail recipe, you get the best of both worlds of herbal and green tea flavor, brought out by elements of citrus. The distinctive flowery taste of the tea leaves creates a one of a kind beverage like you’ve never had. You really can’t go wrong with iced tea, so why not try it with alcohol? Ingredients (Serves 6) 2 cups chilled Jasmine Green Tea 2 cups chilled hibiscus tea 2 cups vodka 1 cup lemon juice 1 lime…