Creme Fraiche versus Sour Cream
People often think that sour cream and crème fraîche are the same things. But there are differences in taste and texture which will determine how you use them in your…
French Raspberry Vinegar: You’ll Fall In Love With Salad Again
Before moving to France, I never realized there were so many kinds of vinegar to choose from. Most French families have at least 3 different types of vinegar in their…
French Raspberry Vinegar: You’ll Fall In Love With Salad AgainRead More
French Fruit Salad with Rose Water
When a bland dish was served for dinner, my mother always told me “Don’t play with your food – just eat it!” If there had been flowers in it, I probably…
The French Pantry Checklist: Let great ingredients do the work for you
Delicious home-cooked meals are easier with the French Pantry Checklist: a guide to stocking your pantry with quality ingredients used in France. The belief behind it? If you start with…
The French Pantry Checklist: Let great ingredients do the work for youRead More
French Pastry Meets Japanese Technique for Easter
Paris-Tokyo: A Sweet Love Affair: French pastry chefs and master chocolate makers get busy around Easter, wowing everyone with their special desserts and chocolate sculptures. What some visitors to France…
Piment d’Espelette: The Black Beret of French Spices
Do you know that black beret you think is so Parisian? It’s actually from the Basque region of southwestern France. Just like the French chili pepper spice called “Piment d’Espelette.” I’ve…
Piment d’Espelette: The Black Beret of French SpicesRead More
The French and their Jams: Their Favorite Flavors and Ways to Use Them
There are so many jams to choose from in France! Here’s a quick tour of the top 5 favorites the French love most. There are a few unusual flavors, some…
The French and their Jams: Their Favorite Flavors and Ways to Use ThemRead More
French Master Chocolate Maker: A Path to Excellence
When you arrive in Paris, you’ll notice there are quite a few of France’s best chocolate boutiques in the elegant sections of town. They’re the shops of the French master…
French Master Chocolate Maker: A Path to ExcellenceRead More
Start your day off right with a great French artisanal jam
The French know how to start their day off right: Not only with a great baguette, toast, or croissant, and real butter but also with French artisanal jams. They consume…
Start your day off right with a great French artisanal jamRead More
5 Healthy French-Inspired Food Resolutions for 2021
It’s that time of year when we all want to start 2021 off right by upgrading our habits. So here are my 5 New Year’s Food Resolutions inspired by good…
5 Healthy French-Inspired Food Resolutions for 2021Read More
A Traditional Christmas Dinner in France
Christmas is one of those special occasions in France where you have what most closely resembles a “repas gastronomique français,” the traditional grand French meal. What makes it traditional and…
French Gifts for Christmas: 3 gourmet products you can order online
Authentic French gifts for Christmas can be ordered easily online. And a gourmet food gift from France doesn’t need to be limited to wine or cheese. Here are 3 types…
French Gifts for Christmas: 3 gourmet products you can order onlineRead More
Why buy French olive oil? Here are 4 reasons
Often when someone thinks of buying olive oil, their thoughts go to Italy or Greece, perhaps Spain. They don’t usually think of buying French olive oil. However, it’s not a…
Recipe for Fish Soup from Brittany: La Cotriade
The saying goes that in Brittany, Bretons have a Celtic soul and a sailor’s heart. And that sailor’s heart is probably why they’re excellent fishermen and have wonderful seafood recipes.…
Summer Fruit Salad with Grand Marnier Sauce
A Fruit Salad of Summer Berries A fresh fruit salad is one of the delights of summer since so many berries are in season and easily available. However, things can…
Thomas Jefferson: Founding Father & French Foodie
Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson, a man of varied talents and interests, was also passionate about food. The time he spent in Paris added to this enthusiasm. As America’s third president…
Dijon Mustard Recipe: “Gilded” Chicken
We all need new recipes to add variety to our home-cooking choices. This Dijon mustard chicken recipe came to mind because it’s a French-Italian mix: Two iconic kitchen ingredients come…
Dijon Mustard: the specialty of the Edmond Fallot Company
Edmond Fallot is the last independent Dijon mustard mill in Burgundy. The original mill was founded by a local family from Beaune in 1840 near the city of Dijon, France’s historic…
Dijon Mustard: the specialty of the Edmond Fallot CompanyRead More
What’s in season at French markets in March?
This month was chosen as the first month of the year on the Roman calendar, as a sign of renewal at the end of winter. However, Spring and its abundant…
Chocolate Mousse Recipe with Piment d’Espelette
The French red chili pepper Piment d’Espelette is not the first thing you’d associate with a chocolate mousse recipe. But this spice from the Basque region of France is used…
How to choose the best Piment d’Espelette
How to choose the best Piment d’Espelette? What characteristics have I learned are indicators of the best Piment d’Espelette? Before even tasting this French chili pepper, here’s a quick summary…
What’s in season at French food markets in February?
February makes the winter feel even longer (especially when it’s a leap year, like 2020!) And February at food markets in France means the season for game is over (think…
What’s in season at French food markets in February?Read More
Study shows heavily processed foods encourage you to overeat
Here’s good news if your 2020 Food Resolutions are starting to go belly-up: a landmark scientific study suggests that the industrial processing of food makes us want to eat more…
Study shows heavily processed foods encourage you to overeatRead More
French “Pot au Feu”: A Classic Beef Stew Recipe for Winter
This is the perfect time of year for a classic winter recipe: French “Pot au Feu” (literally a “Pot in the Fire”). This French beef stew is a great cold-weather…
French “Pot au Feu”: A Classic Beef Stew Recipe for WinterRead More
What’s in season at French markets in January?
Is there anything seasonal to eat in France in the middle of winter? And do the French want to eat anything after all those long, rich meals they had for Christmas and…
French Christmas Traditions
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like in France during the Christmas holiday season, here are a few things you’ll notice that are French traditions at this time of year.…
What’s in season at French markets in December?
The French are known for their attention to seasonal ingredients, and they have a huge variety of recipes as a result: the ingredients savvy French home cooks shop for and…
Orléans, France: The Historic Capital of French Vinegar-Making
The city of Orléans, France – the sister city of New Orleans, Louisiana – is known historically for its university, Gothic-style Cathedral Sainte-Croix, and the heroic exploits of Joan of…
Orléans, France: The Historic Capital of French Vinegar-MakingRead More
Want an extra $2000 this year? Then stop eating out at the last minute.
We’ve all been there – it’s the end of a long day and the last thing you want to do is cook. So, you grab the takeout menu and order…
Want an extra $2000 this year? Then stop eating out at the last minute.Read More
Chilled Soup Recipes: Potage Crécy Carrot Soup
What to eat when it’s too hot to cook? Unusually hot summer weather makes cooking – and even eating – a real chore: your appetite isn’t the same when it’s…
An Easy French Carrot Salad Recipe
Can Eating Carrots Make You More Loveable or Just More Beautiful? In English speaking countries parents will tell their children: “Carrots will make your hair go curly” or “Carrots will…
Tomato Salad: Easy French Recipe for Summer (with a twist!)
I may be jumping the gun early because tomatoes aren’t fully in season until July, but the weather so far this year has been strange and the winter long. So…
Tomato Salad: Easy French Recipe for Summer (with a twist!)Read More
Thiercelin Spices: Saving France from Bland Meals for 200 Years
Great spices can save you from a boring meal faster than you can say “Let’s get some take-out.” That’s why I rely on artisans who specialize in spices to keep…
Thiercelin Spices: Saving France from Bland Meals for 200 YearsRead More
Spices Used in French Cuisine: Cumin – A Spice Borrowed from Morocco
Who would think that in moving to Paris you’d learn about cuisine from North African countries like Morocco?But Morocco was a French Protectorate until the 1950s, and the traces of…
Spices Used in French Cuisine: Cumin – A Spice Borrowed from MoroccoRead More
Saffron-An Exotic Spice Grown in France
I’d always thought of Iran or the Kashmir region of India as a source of Saffron, but not France. However, Saffron is believed to be a European spice and its…
Dill: Use It The French Way
The French used to think of dill as “the Scandinavian herb,” because it’s often used in the Northern countries with fish. (It was introduced to Europe by the Romans who…
Bouquet Garni: The Herbs That Make Classic French Recipes Outstanding
French women will regularly pick up several different types of herbs when food shopping, either in bunches or in small flower pots for their kitchens. Fresh herbs have a natural…
Bouquet Garni: The Herbs That Make Classic French Recipes OutstandingRead More
Herbes de Provence: A Versatile French Herb Blend for Your Pantry
Many people are trying to decode the French secret of staying slim even while eating well. One secret is, in my opinion, their use of fresh and dried herbs in…
Herbes de Provence: A Versatile French Herb Blend for Your PantryRead More
How The French Use Herbs In Daily Cooking: Tarragon
Looking back on my childhood in the U.S., I don’t ever remember my mother using fresh herbs in cooking. She would occasionally use rosemary when cooking lamb (at Easter), but…
How The French Use Herbs In Daily Cooking: TarragonRead More
French White Wine Vinegar: Add This French Magic to Your Pantry
Have you ever had a simple salad at a really good restaurant and found that it tasted out-of-this-world delicious? Maybe you’re like me and asked yourself “Is it magic? How…
French White Wine Vinegar: Add This French Magic to Your PantryRead More
Apple Cider Vinegar: The Classic Vinegar That Adds Flair To French Recipes
Almost everyone has heard of the benefits of apple cider vinegar. So it’s always nice to be able to include such a healthy ingredient in daily cooking. Most French home…
Apple Cider Vinegar: The Classic Vinegar That Adds Flair To French RecipesRead More
French Red Wine Vinegar: Want to Up-Level Your Pantry? This is a Must-Have
It’s not easy to eliminate processed foods from our pantries: they’re always ready-to-go and their taste is familiar. But if you want to eat healthier, have a few more meals…
French Red Wine Vinegar: Want to Up-Level Your Pantry? This is a Must-HaveRead More
Almond Oil: How To Up-Level Simple Meals The French Way
Spoiler Alert: Not everyone in France is a great cook! But I’ve noticed one thing they do have going for them: The French add unusual ingredients to everyday foods, making…
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Walnut Oil: How To Up-Level Simple Meals The French Way
I’ve noticed a hack the French use to elevate their everyday meals to fantastic while keeping them healthy and easy to prepare: They add an unusual, high-quality ingredient to a…
Walnut Oil: How To Up-Level Simple Meals The French WayRead More
Hazelnut Oil: How to Up-Level Simple Meals The French Way
No time or energy to cook? Tempted by takeaway and packaged food even though you know it’s not healthy? It’s not easy putting together a healthy meal at the end…
Hazelnut Oil: How to Up-Level Simple Meals The French WayRead More
Pistachio Oil: How To Up-Level Simple Meals The French Way
Tired of the same old recipes on repeat? I’ve noticed the French add unusual ingredients to everyday foods, making them instantly and easily restaurant quality. In this way, they keep…
Pistachio Oil: How To Up-Level Simple Meals The French WayRead More
Vanilla from Tahiti- A Great Addition to Your … Vegetables
Most often when we talk about good vanilla extract or vanilla beans, we picture using it to make a great dessert. We associate it with something sweet and can’t…
Vanilla from Tahiti- A Great Addition to Your … VegetablesRead More
From French Economist to Master Vinegar Maker
Have you ever had a dream project that made you want to quit your day job? Despite his training in statistics, economics, and finance, and several years spent working for…
French Artisanal Vinegars: Trending for Over 400 Years
Who knew vinegar could make or break a salad? I used to buy whatever vinegar was available in the grocery store. That changed once I tasted the good stuff and…
French Artisanal Vinegars: Trending for Over 400 YearsRead More
One Easy Fix for Delicious Cooking: Artisanal French Olive Oil. How to Select the Best
For a long time, I thought the olive oil I was buying in the supermarket here in France was terrific. Then I had two surprises: When I read the label…
One Easy Fix for Delicious Cooking: Artisanal French Olive Oil. How to Select the BestRead More
Vitamin D – The Misnamed Nutrient
It’s not just another vitamin, but a pro-hormone central to your health If you want to improve your health now and your chances of a long healthy life later by…
5 Swaps You Can Do Now to Start on a Path to Healthier Eating Habits
Are Your New Year’s Resolutions to Eat a Healthier Diet Losing Steam? Here are 5 Quick Changes You Can Make to Get You Back on Track Swap artificial sweetners for…
5 Swaps You Can Do Now to Start on a Path to Healthier Eating HabitsRead More
Why (the right) Fat in Your Diet is Your Friend
Fat in our diet has gotten a bad reputation but is now known to be a key to long term health Fat is not very lucky as a word: we…
There is No Single Diet That is Right for Everyone
If your New Year’s resolution is to change your diet to follow the latest trend, you may do more harm than good. Some of the most common New Year’s resolutions…
Why Sitting is the New Smoking
Image courtesy of Geerati at FreeDigitalPhotos.net How to diminish back pain, weight gain and lengthen your lifespan at the same time: They are all linked, according…
What Does a Good Morning Ritual Look Like?
Mornings should not be frantic, but instead a time of renewal. That’s quite a shift in perspective for most of us right there. In my previous blogpost, Why You Need…
“Nutrition is King, Exercise is Queen, put them together and you have a Kingdom”-Jack LaLanne
My grandmother used to do her daily exercises in front of the television in the 60’s and 70’s, guided by Jack LaLanne during his morning show, the Jack La…
Do You Know Your Personal Health Numbers?
If you’re wading through a ton of information online about improving your health but don’t know where to start, you may want to find out these numbers first. Some of…
5 Food Rules for Better Health-Simple Keys to a Healthy Life According to what Science Knows Now
So much has changed in the health fields in the past 15 years due to technological advances (like the widespread use in research of the Functinal MRI machine) as…
Want To Lose Weight? Sleep More!
Scientists Now Know That Sleep Deprivation Is Contributing to the Obesity Epidemic You may not have the impression…
How To Know If You’re Protein Deficient: Here are the Top 6 Warning Signs
Fat around your waistline that won’t go away and chronic fatigue: these are just 2 of the annoying symptoms of a possible protein deficiency. But getting the right amount…
How To Know If You’re Protein Deficient: Here are the Top 6 Warning SignsRead More
Why You Should Avoid These 6 “Healthy” Foods
The Food Industry Portrays Them As Being Good For You But They Are Not. Here’s Why: The irony was not lost on me: the food industry produces food we eat…
Fat Doesn’t Make You Fat, Sugar Does.
For Most People Low-Fat Diets Are A Mistake It’s counter-intuitive, and for most of us it’s going to take a long time to get used to the conclusions of scientific…
3 Food Myths That Are Keeping Us Fat: What Science Knows Today about Eating Better and Losing Weight
A lot has changed in nutritional science in just the last 15 years. Beliefs about diet that were previously widely accepted are now open for debate. Previous scientific studies…
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: Why You Should Be Concerned No Matter What Your Age
I watched helplessly as my Grandmother progressively lost her memory after turning 80. She could no longer do her usual long drives from Virginia to New York to…
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: Why You Should Be Concerned No Matter What Your AgeRead More
Why you should (finally) abandon artificial sweeteners
Mysterious Headaches? I couldn’t figure out why I always had headaches after dinner. I’d heard that drinking wine could cause them if the wine was of…
Why you should (finally) abandon artificial sweetenersRead More
