As I stood in my Chicago kitchen, the aroma of garlic and saffron transported me back to a sun-drenched afternoon in Marseille. It was there, in a tiny seaside bistro, that I first tasted bourride – a Provençal fish stew that would forever change my approach to seafood. This humble yet luxurious dish, with its … Lire plus
The aroma of bubbling cream and garlic wafts through the kitchen, transporting me back to my childhood summers in the French countryside. As I slice into the golden crust of my Gratin Dauphinois, revealing layers of perfectly tender potatoes, I’m reminded why this dish has been a cornerstone of French cuisine for centuries. Today, I’m … Lire plus
The Story Behind Huîtres Gratinées: A Taste of French Coastal Luxury The salty breeze of the Atlantic coast fills my senses as I recall my first encounter with huîtres gratinées. It was a crisp autumn evening in a small bistro in Arcachon, where the oyster beds stretch as far as the eye can see. The … Lire plus
The aroma of roasting capon and chestnuts wafting through my childhood home in New Orleans is a memory I’ll cherish forever. My French father, a classically trained chef, would prepare this magnificent dish every Christmas, blending his Gallic heritage with our American surroundings. Today, I’m thrilled to share my take on Roast Capon Stuffed with … Lire plus
As I stood in my Chicago kitchen, the aroma of simmering veal and aromatic vegetables transported me back to my childhood in New Orleans. My father, a French chef, would often prepare Blanquette de Veau on chilly Sundays, filling our home with the comforting scent of this classic French dish. Today, I’m excited to share … Lire plus
As I stand in my Chicago kitchen, the aroma of cocoa and vanilla transports me back to my childhood Christmases in New Orleans. The Bûche de Noël, or Yule Log Cake, was always the pièce de résistance of our holiday table. This French classic, with its roots in ancient Celtic traditions, has become a beloved … Lire plus
As I stood in my grandmother’s Parisian kitchen, the aroma of sizzling butter and garlic filled the air. It was my first time learning to make Coquilles Saint-Jacques au Gratin, a dish that would become my signature as a chef. The delicate scallops, swimming in a creamy sauce flecked with herbs, promised a taste of … Lire plus
The aroma of sizzling garlic and herbs wafted through my childhood kitchen in New Orleans, transporting me to the bistros of Paris. My French father, a classically trained chef, was preparing his signature Escargots à la Bourguignonne. As he masterfully combined butter, garlic, and parsley, he’d regale me with tales of this dish’s origins in … Lire plus
The aroma of sizzling foie gras and caramelizing figs wafts through my kitchen, instantly transporting me back to my childhood summers in Gascony. As I prepare this luxurious Foie Gras Terrine with Fig Jam, I’m reminded of the first time I tasted this decadent delicacy at my grand-mère’s table. The rich, buttery foie gras paired … Lire plus
The Story Behind Bell Pepper and Chickpea Salad: A Vitamin-Packed Mediterranean Delight The aroma of roasted bell peppers always takes me back to my childhood summers in Provence. My father, a French chef with an uncanny ability to transform simple ingredients into culinary masterpieces, would spend hours in our sun-drenched kitchen crafting vibrant salads bursting … Lire plus