About French Food

Lobster in Calvados Butter Recipe

2009-07-02T09:30:46Z

French apple brandy gives a special flavor to braised lobster meat in this lobster in Calvados butter recipe. This refined dish is exceptionally easy to make; simply bake petite lobsters and butter in the oven, adding Calvados and a pinch of sugar halfway through the cooking process. The scrumptious, unexpected combination of ingredients make it a sure-fire success for special occasions. Bon appetit!

Lobster in Calvados Butter Photo: Tom Mascardo

Recipes from Beautiful Martinique

2009-07-01T09:30:11Z

Heavy sauces, rich chocolate, and fine wine usually come to mind when thinking of classic French recipes. Put those notions aside for just a moment, and conjure up images of kicking back on a sugar sand beach, rum cocktail in hand, inhaling the warm trade winds of a tropical ocean. France probably doesn�t come to mind, but Martinique is an overseas department of the country.

A small island in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, it�s also home to a magical blend of proper French and tropical Creole cuisines. To add a bit of tropical magic to a weeknight meal, make easy balsamic peppers. They�re incredibly simple to prepare and add a nice dash of color to your menu. The fact that the balsamic glaze paired with lightly sautéed bell peppers is so healthy is almost an aside. Bon appetit!

More delicious recipes from Martinique!

Balsamic Peppers Photo: Lyn Belisle

Easy Weeknight Meal

2009-06-30T09:30:09Z

This meal puts a sophisticated French twist on the classic meat and potatoes family pleaser. What could be better than roasted, herbed potatoes, seasoned carrots, and steak with Cognac sauce? Follow it with a homemade dark chocolate torte and you have your own family favorite!

Hint: Although the chocolate torte recipe calls for a homemade fruit coulis, you can easily use a little heated jam as a fine substitute.

Steak au Poivre Photo: Clint Rankin

Herbes de Provence Recipe

2009-06-29T09:30:00Z

Herbes de Provence is a classic herb blend using fresh or dried herbs. Very popular in the Mediterranean South of France, it is used to season everything from soups to grilled chicken. This traditional version uses lavender. Although purists will argue against the exclusion of the herb, one absolutely can omit it from this recipe and still have a delicious and authentic Provencal herb blend. Bon appetit!

Fresh Herbes de Provence Photo: Amanda Wray

Classic Vinaigrette Recipes

2009-06-26T09:25:41Z

Vinaigrette is a popular, versatile salad dressing that lends itself to many flavor variations. It can be a quick and humble mix of vinegar, oil, and mustard, or a meticulous combination of herbs, oils, and acids. In French kitchens, vinaigrettes are so popular that they are commonly made in huge batches once a week. Bon appetit!

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Vinaigrette Photo: ©Claude CF

Honey Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

2009-06-25T16:38:02Z

This honey vanilla ice cream recipe takes pure vanilla bean ice cream and turns it sublime with the addition of rich honey. Serve a scoop of it along with coffee for a wonderful dessert or with a plate of madeleines for a relaxing, afternoon tea time. Bon appetit!

Honey Vanilla Ice Cream Photo: Â©Allie Pasquier

Chocolate Cr�me Anglaise Recipe

2009-06-18T11:10:22Z

Semi-sweet chocolate combines with a velvety custard sauce in this rich chocolate crème anglaise recipe. Serve it with cake, berries, or ice cream for a delectable dessert course. If you�re cooking for a crowd, make a double batch of this recipe, because crème anglaise can be used as a base for homemade ice cream. Bon appetit!

Rum Baba Recipe

2009-06-11T09:31:35Z

Babas au rhum are lovely yeast-risen cakes studded with dried fruit and soaked in hot rum syrup. This recipe features the delicate flavor of citrus, imparted by just a hint of orange and lemon zest. Likewise, a small amount of warm vanilla has been added to the soaking syrup to cut down on the rum�s boldness. The result is a baba rum full of complex layers of flavor, while still holding to the traditional French recipe. Bon appetit!

Strawberry Rhubarb Compote Recipe

2009-06-10T09:30:12Z

Dessert sauces are an easy way to get creative in the kitchen and help you look like an expert French gourmet, even if you�re not one. Roasting rhubarb with orange juice and sugar before adding it to the simmering sauce really enhances this simple strawberry rhubarb compote recipe Serve it warm or chilled over ice cream, Belgian waffles, or crepes for a delightful dessert. Bon appetit!

Fennel and Melon Soup Recipe

2009-06-09T09:30:04Z

If you�re longing for the fresh taste of summer without the cloying sweetness of a dessert fruit soup, this chilled fennel melon soup recipe is for you. Boasting an incredible garden-fresh flavor, this recipe is an easy preparation of blending fennel and melon with French anise liquor and rich crème fraiche. It makes a particularly impressive presentation when served at special occasions. Bon appetit!