Blog
Join me as I share the insights I’ve gathered on the French approach to food and meals.
Herbes de Provence: A Versatile French Herb Blend for Your Pantry
Bring The South of France to Your Kitchen Without Leaving Home!
Start your day off right with a great French artisanal jam
The French know how to start their day off right: They have great baguettes, croissants and real full-fat butter, as we all know. But they also have delicious French artisanal jams. They serve them at breakfast, brunches, with cheeses and certain desserts. And they...
Recipe for Fish Soup from Brittany: La Cotriade
An old saying states 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. So here's a traditional fish soup recipe from Brittany, called "Cotriade" to...
Easy French Barbecue Marinade Recipes
Marinades are a great resource to have on hand for barbecues. They're easy to prepare and will quickly up-level the flavor of your meals. I've highlighted just 4 ingredients from the French Pantry Checklist to use in the 2 marinade recipes below. But you can...
Tomato Salad: An Easy French Recipe for Summer (with a twist!)
Tomatoes aren't fully in season in France until July, but that can extend from June into September if the weather stays warm. An Easy Starter Recipe for a Summer Meal: Simple French meals often begin with a light Starter dish made of raw vegetables, especially in the...
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 100°F (38°C) outside. The French get around this situation by having on hand chilled soup recipes. They use them...
RECIPE: Summer Fruit Salad with Grand Marnier Sauce
A Fruit Salad of Colorful Summer Berries A fresh fruit salad is one of the delights of summer. So many colorful and healthy berries are in season and easily available at this time of year. However, it can quickly get monotonous unless you add something special to...
French Ice Cream 101: An introduction to French ice cream and sorbet
We all know that food is taken very seriously in France. But did you know there are even strict guidelines for French ice cream and sorbet? There's not just one French ice cream, but several, depending on how they're made and the ingredients in them. What is French...
Thomas Jefferson: Founding Father & French Foodie
Thomas Jefferson With the celebration in the United States of Independence Day on the Fourth of July, my thoughts always turn to the fascinating lives of our Founding Fathers. They are all interesting in their own right. My favorite, however, is Thomas Jefferson....
An Easy French Carrot Salad Recipe
The French Love Salads! While growing up in the U.S., my salad repertoire was limited to iceberg lettuce, tomato, and cucumber or eventually a Ceasar salad made with romaine lettuce. Surprisingly, I discovered a large variety of salads when I came to France. (I'd...
French Saffron Guide: The Ultimate Resource for Buying, Storing, & Cooking With This Premium Spice
How The French Use It To Take Simple Ingredients From Average To Fabulous
Spices Used in French Cuisine: Cumin – A Spice Borrowed from Morocco
When we think of French cuisine, spices don’t immediately come to mind. But look a little deeper—especially in cosmopolitan cities like Paris—and you'll discover spices are used quite often. One such example is cumin, a spice that traveled from North Africa and has...
French Fruit Salad with Rose Water Recipe
In France, even a simple fruit salad can feel refined when it is prepared with a beautiful ingredient like rose water. This French fruit salad with rose water is fresh and light, making it a wonderful dessert for warm days, casual lunches, or a pretty brunch table. It...
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 always associated different chili peppers or "piments" with...
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 don't know is that many young Japanese chefs and pastry...
What’s in season at French markets in March?
March 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 produce arrive late at French markets during this time. That said, a large variety of fresh seafood is still abundantly...
Bouquet Garni 101: How To Use These Traditional French Herbs
Bouquet garni is a classic herb bundle used in French cuisine to flavor soups, stews, stocks, and braised dishes. It can be made with fresh herbs tied together or with dried herbs wrapped in cheesecloth. In France, fresh herbs are a staple of everyday cooking. French...
French “Pot au Feu”: A Classic Beef Stew Recipe for Winter
This is the perfect time of year for a classic cold-weather recipe: French "Pot au Feu" (literally a "Pot in the Fire"). This French beef stew is a great winter dish of stewed meats, beef broth, and vegetables. It's simple to put together, but it does take a few hours...
French Master Chocolate Maker: A Path to Excellence
When you arrive in Paris, you'll notice many of France's chocolate boutiques are in the elegant sections of town. They're the shops of the French master chocolate makers, the best of the best for French chocolate. The French offer chocolates on all the major holidays...
What’s in season at French food markets in February?
February makes the winter feel even longer. And February at food markets in France means the season for game is over (think pheasant or boar, not football), but there's still a lot of chicken, duck, and other meat around. The French pay attention to seasonal...
What’s in season at French markets in January?
Is there anything seasonal to eat in France in the middle of winter? Like in other months, products are coming into season at French markets in January, others are at their best, and some are going out of season. But do the French want to eat anything after...
5 Healthy French-Inspired Food Resolutions for 2026
Start 2025 off right by upgrading your habits around meals. Here are my 5 New Year’s Food Resolutions inspired by observing French home cooks.
Dijon Mustard: the specialty of the Edmond Fallot Company
Surprisingly, at the beginning of the 20th century, there were 33 master artisans producing mustard in Beaune. Today, the Fallot company is the last independent, family-owned and operated mustard producer in the area.
A Traditional Christmas Dinner in France
A traditional French Christmas dinner is what most closely resembles a "repas gastronomique français," the traditional grand French meal. What makes it traditional and grand at the same time? Hint: It's not just the food. 3 Key Characteristics of a Traditional French...
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 the dishes they make with them change from season to season, just as we change our clothes. This...
French Christmas Traditions – Celebrate the Holidays à la Française
If you’ve ever wondered how the French celebrate the Christmas season, you’ll quickly discover a blend of beloved French Christmas traditions—some charmingly familiar, others uniquely French. From festive customs to small cultural details, many of these traditions...
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 together in this Gilded Chicken Breast recipe: Dijon mustard and authentic...
The French Pantry Checklist: Let great ingredients do the work for you
Easily improve your daily meals Delicious home-cooked meals are easier with the French Pantry Checklist. This guide lists the high quality ingredients used by cooks in France. The belief behind it? If you start with really good ingredients, you don't have to do much...
French Christmas Gifts: Gourmet and Kitchen Products to 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 of gourmet gifts from some of France's top food artisans that you can find on Amazon.com. You know...
Walnut Oil: How To Up-Level Simple Meals The French Way
Bored with olive oil and the Mediterranean diet? Running out of quick, healthy recipe ideas? You may want to mix it up a bit with walnut oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar: The Classic Vinegar That Adds Flair To French Recipes
Delicious in vinaigrettes for simple vegetable recipes, it also gives a wonderful aroma to traditional cream-based sauces
Pistachio Oil: How To Up-Level Simple Meals The French Way
The French add unusual ingredients to everyday foods, making them instantly and easily restaurant quality. In this way, they keep dishes simple, healthy and quick to prepare. They’re also less tempted to reach for takeaway or packaged food. A case in point is the fragrant, emerald green pistachio oil.
How The French Use Herbs In Daily Cooking: Tarragon
A Best-Kept Secret to Up-Level Your Meals the French Way
French Red Wine Vinegar: Want to Up-Level Your Pantry? This is a Must-Have
You’ll reach for it often to make delicious salad dressings and to spice up side dishes or sauces.
Japanese Misho: A rare citrus fruit is coming to France
Japanese citrus fruit named Kawachi Bankan will be sold in Europe under the name of "Misho" A rare Japanese citrus fruit is coming to France! Its plant name is Kawachi Bankan but it will be sold in Europe under its traditional name of "Misho." What is Misho fruit from...
Dill: Use It The French Way
It’s No Longer The “Scandinavian Herb”
French White Wine Vinegar: Add This French Magic to Your Pantry
Bored with your food? A top white wine vinegar will up-level a simple salad, fried egg or butter sauce
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 order take-out." That's why I rely on artisans who specialise in spices to keep my pantry well-stocked and my home cooking varied, healthy, and delicious. The Thiercelin family in France is a...
Creme Fraiche versus Sour Cream
People often think that sour cream and crème fraîche are the same. But there are differences in taste and texture which will determine how you use them in your cooking. It's worth noting that 92% of all French people have crème fraîche in their kitchens. So it's safe...
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 Arc. So how and why did Orléans also become France's capital of vinegar-making?...
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 in both savory and sweet dishes. Its delicate aromas will jazz up any classic recipe with...
How to choose the best Piment d’Espelette
February is the month of the French National Agricultural Fair in Paris. French agriculture - and all that it produces - is the star of the show. There's a 150-year-old competition within the Fair called the "Concours Général Agricole" (CGA). It designates the best of...
Tahitian Vanilla Bean- A Great Addition to Your … Vegetables
Surprisingly, a high-quality Tahitian vanilla extract can be used not only for desserts, but also to enhance savoury dishes.
From French Economist to Master Vinegar Maker
Have you ever had a dream project that made you want to quit your day job?
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 at the grocery store. That changed once I tasted and understood how artisanal vinegar is made. Now I buy only from people specialised in producing this delicious product, like...
Almond Oil: How To Up-Level Simple Meals The French Way
Tempted by takeaway or packaged food at the end of a long day? Try using a high-quality almond oil to elevate simple vegetables, salads or fish to restaurant quality.
Hazelnut Oil: How to Up-Level Simple Meals The French Way
The French add unusual ingredients to everyday food, making them instantly and easily restaurant quality. That’s how they avoid sliding into a takeaway food habit.
Why buy French olive oil? Here are 4 reasons
A bottle of French olive oil
French Raspberry Vinegar: You’ll Fall In Love With Salad Again
Paired with good olive oil, it magically spices up green salads to make them taste extra special.
One Easy Fix for Delicious Cooking: Artisanal French Olive Oil. How to Select the Best
Two things that surprised me about French olive oil For a long time, I thought the French olive oil I bought in the Paris supermarket was terrific. Then I had two surprises: When I read the label in detail, nothing said the olive oil was actually from France! The fine...
French Jam 101: The top flavors in France
amzn.to/3GLY5ss↗ There are so many jam flavors to choose from in France! Here's a quick tour of the 5 favorite jams the French love most. I also cover a few unusual flavours and the various ways they're used: from brunches on Mother's Day, to accompanying a cheese...
Le Misho Japonais: Un agrume rare débarque en France
L'agrume japonais Kawachi Bankan sera vendu en Europe sous le nom traditionnel de "Misho" Un agrume japonais rare débarque en France ! Son nom de plante est Kawachi Bankan mais il sera vendu en Europe sous son nom traditionnel de « Misho ». Qu'est-ce que le fruit...
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 of it. Processed foods are habit-forming. And you thought it was your lack of willpower!...
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 in, or you get the family into the car and go out to a restaurant for supper. Sure, it makes the evening a bit easier and you’re spared...
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 use it to refer to the unwanted bulge around our waistlines as well as for an ingredient that amplifies flavor and makes food taste great....
Vitamin D – The Misnamed Nutrient
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 doing just one thing, improving or "optimizing" your vitmamin D levels is it. Many people have read about...
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 pure stevia as a sweetener (see my blogpost on "Why you should (finally) abandon artificial sweeteners")....
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 are to lose weight and get in shape, both of which usually involve going on a diet. If you're thinking about...
“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 Lanne show. As a child I thought this was silly, but my grandmother wanted to lose weight and stay slim. This...
Want To Lose Weight? Sleep More!
It would seem logical that the less you rest, the more you burn calories, right? But that's not how the body reacts to a lack of sleep. You might not believe that increasing your sleep time would help you lose weight. However, scientists from Europe to North America...
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 poor quality. But as a wine enthusiast, I usually drank good wine at dinner. And yet I still needed 2 aspirin...