Peasant Beef Stew (Great for Poor Students too!)

I imagine in the 'peasant' era that once in awhile they would get some beef... and make a stew!  Stews are filling and warm.  This stew is inspired by those people and while it turns out colorless and unattractive, it's so delicious with a crusty bread.  Plus it's really fun to pretend you're a peasant in France.

Category: Beef, Dinner, Stew

Frenchman Rating/Comments:  8.5/10,  "It's good but it's missing something.. like a deglaze or more wine."

Cost per Serving: Serves around 4 people.. so.. €3.00 a serving.

Ingredients

• 1 lb stew beef (500g) (Basically ask, 'boeuf pour un boeuf bourginion a deux'), cut in chunks
• 2-3 tablespoons flour, seasoned w/ salt and pepper
• 1.5 cups carrots, sliced in rounds
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 1 onion, quartered & separated
• 2 cups potatoes, chopped
• 2 cups beef stock (homemade or from instant)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup red cooking wine
• 3 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon rosemary
• 2 tablespoons 'herbes de provence'
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• Salt/Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Begin by placing the seasoned flour into a bag or plastic container and add the beef.  Shake until completely covered.
2. Heat a small amount of oil in a stock pot to medium-high, once hot, add the beef.  Stir around and flip around until all sides of the beef are cooked.
3. Add the beef stock, all vegetables (EXCEPT POTATOES), rosemary, herbes, parsley and bay leaves.  Season with salt (like 1 teaspoon) and some pepper.
4. Stir the mixture until all coated, add the wine and the 1/2 cup water.  Bring to a boil on medium-high, cover, then reduce to a medium-low and cook for 1 HOUR, add in the potatoes, cook for another 45 MINUTES.
5. Adjust seasonings, I added more salt at the end, some more herbs, depending on your taste buds.
6. Serve hot with crusty bread!

Tartiflette for Champions

This recipe made Brian love me a little more, and helped us to waddle to bed about 1 kilo bigger... but it's a must try.  It's amazingly delicious.  Tartiflette is a regional dish from the Haute-Savoie region, it's creamy and cheesy.  My version is.. well.. special.  Enjoy.

Category:  Main Dish, Potatoes, Reblochon, Dinner (or lunch)

Frenchman Rating: 9.5/10

Comments: "This dish made me pee myself it was so good."


Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes, cut in quarters and boiled OR steamed
• 1/2 of a reblochon cheese, cut in two long halves
• 200g lardon fumé
• 2 medium onions, sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/4 cup white cooking wine
• pinch of nutmeg
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 10 cl of cream
• salt/pepper to taste

Equipment

• Small casserole dishes (like in the photo), if not then a tart dish will work.
• Medium frying pan w/ cover 

Instructions  (PREHEAT OVEN TO 220)

1. Begin by washing the potatoes, slicing the onions.  I steam my potatoes in the microwave (has a little plastic bowl thing) until soft.  You can also boil these until soft. Put aside to allow to cool.
2. Cook over medium heat the onions and the butter, plus some salt.  Cook for about 5 minutes until golden color, and then add in the lardons... add the nutmeg and continue to cook until the lardons are cooked.. add a bit of salt/pepper.
3. Cut the potatoes into cubes and set aside.
4. Pour the white wine into the pan, allow to reduce slightly... then place half the mixture in the bottom of the baking dish (or dishes).
5. Put back on medium heat and pour in 5cl of the cream.
6. Place the cut potatoes into the baking dish, salt lightly.
7. Pour the cream/onion/lardon mixture over the potatoes in the baking dish and then pour the rest of the cream in a stream over that.
8. Place (skin side UP) the reblochon cheese on top of the mixture.
9. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is browned and bubbly.

Serve hot with a tossed salad... it is incredible!

If you do this you might make someone who's eating it do this:

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And then later while doing dishes...

Yes he is eating the plate- mostly the crusted cheese off of it.

Wok Veggies, Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Pan Roasted Chicken Legs

Yes, a totally complete menu!  I had all these leftover vegetables from a previous dinner... so I decided to cook them all up!  Be original!

Category: Complete Meals, Vegetables, Chicken


Frenchman Rating/Comments:  7.5/10,  "While the wok veggies were awesome, the roasted brussel sprouts were a bit dry... but the chicken and sauce was AMAZING.. wish the skin was more crispy."

Cost per Serving: €2.00 per serving, makes around 2 servings.



Ingredients

• Two chicken legs (with thighs/skin)

• 1/4 cup white cooking wine

• 1 carrot (cut into match sticks)
• 1 medium zucchini  (cut into matchsticks)
• 1/2 eggplant  (cut into matchsticks)
• 1 medium bell pepper (sliced)
• 3 lemons, wedged
• 200g brussel sprouts, cleaned 
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon garam masala
• salt & pepper to taste

Equipment

• 1 wok  w/ large cover
• 1 glass baking dish
• 1 medium frying pan w/ cover

 Instructions

1. (preheat oven to 220 c) Begin by prepping all the vegetables, cleaning the brussel sprouts, peeling/chopping the carrot... with the eggplant and courgette- place aside in a bowl and cover with about 1 tablespoon of salt.  Leave this for 30 minutes and drain/dry.. it gets rid of excess water.
2. Dry the brussel sprouts and place in the baking dish, roll around with some olive oil, salt/pepper and 1 whole lemon squeezed all over... and then placed directly in the dish.  Place in oven for 30 minutes until brown.
3. For the chicken, heat some butter/oil in the frying pan over medium-high heat and place the legs (after seasoning simply with salt/pepper and a squeeze of half a lemon) skin side down in the hot oil.  Allow to fry uncovered for about 6 minutes then turn over and allow to fry 3 minutes more.  Add the white wine, another squeeze of lemon, cover and reduce the heat to a medium.

1. 4. While the chicken is cooking, heat a small bit of vegetable oil in the wok (medium-high), toss in all the vegetables and stir fry for about 3-4 minutes.  Add the 'garam masala' and a little water to prevent sticking.  Salt/pepper liberally.  Reduce the heat, cover with the large cover and allow everything to finish cooking... about 5 minutes left.  The chicken may need more time, around 10 minutes- just check for clear liquids.

Serve all hot with a crusty baguette!!  Ohhhh yaaahhh...

Chicken Caccitore

Chicken caccitore, one of those homey favorites... and tend to be complicated.  My version is one where you can start it and leave it to stew while watching some TV or even better, hanging out and snacking on some buttery popcorn.

Category:  Chicken, Pasta, Tomatoes; Dinner


Frenchman Rating/Comments:  8/10, "Incredibly delicious, the chicken was tender and well cooked, the sauce worked well with the chicken and the olives actually added some round to the flavor."

Cost per Serving:  Chicken = €1.50ea,  Tomato Sauce = €1.00 per serving.  Total Estimated: €2.50 per serving.


Ingredients

• 2 Chicken Breasts, deboned
• 1 can stewed/chopped tomatoes
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/2 can black olives
• 1/2 cup shredded emmenthal
• 2 tablespoons romano shredded
• salt/pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 1/2 cup flour, seasoned with salt and pepper, put in a shallow plate.

Equipment

• 1 medium sauce pan
• 1 large frying pan
• 1 shallow plate

Instructions

1. Begin by heating up some oil (medium high heat) in the large frying pan.  Take the two chicken breasts and roll around in the flour, knocking off any extra.
2. When the oil is hot, lay the chicken in it.
3. As the chicken fries on one side, crush the garlic cloves and put in with the canned tomato and seasoning.  Cook over a high heat, stirring constantly.
4. 3 minutes later, turn the chicken, it should be nice and dark brown.  Cook for another 3 minutes.
5. Pour the tomato mixture over the chicken in the frying pan, ensuring it gets under the chicken and on top.  Add the olives, cover and cook on medium heat.
6. Go do something interesting for about 15 minutes, checking the chicken mixture once in awhile to ensure it's not burned.
7. Start cooking up some pasta; al dente at 8-9 minutes.. Continue cooking the chicken, but add the cheese on top, recover.
8. Serve when the pasta is al dente; on the side.  I like to eat the sauce like a ratatouille with the chicken and compliment it with the sauce.

Oven Baked Dorade

Dorade, a stable in French seafood- and something I've never cooked in my life.  I got lucky when my local Carrefour was selling them for 2 bucks a pop 'pret a cuisiner', ready to cook, and so I snagged them.  I just threw it to the wind, so don't be surpised if it might not be the best thing ever.

Category:  Fish, Main Dish, Lunch OR Dinner


Frenchman Rating/Comments:  4/10, "It was good, but the bones were left in so it made it difficult, the fish was a little dry- so maybe more juice or sauce... maybe even a different fish.  Kind of a fail."

Cost per Serving:  Dorade = 1.92 each, Herbs/Lemon = .20 each; TOTAL COST (per serving) = €2.12 a serving.


Ingredients

• Two butt-end parts of the dorade, ready to cook, de-boned if possible.  (I don't know the real name, so sue me)
• 2 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 small lemons
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Equipment

• Glass baking dish 
• Paper Towels
• Frying Pan

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.
2. Dry the fish with the paper towels,then fry in a hot pan in a little olive oil for 1 minute on each side.
3. Open the fish and stuff with lemon and a little butter, salt lightly.
4. Slice one lemon thinly, and lay the slices on top of the seasoning/butter mixture.. or inside of the butt piece.
5. The last lemon, cut in quarters, reserve one half for after and the other half to bake in the dish.
6. Cover with tin foil, bake for 15 minutes in preheated 200c oven, then uncover, place higher, turn skin side up and broil for another 2-3 minutes.
7. Serve hot with the juice from the dish poured over!... I served with 'tomato lentils' and baked potatoes with a yogurt sauce.

Salade Niçoise

I had a can of tuna and I didn't want to make another tuna fish sandwich- so I let it hang out in the pantry until one night I was totally inspired a la Julia Child to make a salad niçoise.. my version.

Category:  Dinner OR Lunch, Main Dish, Salad


Frenchman Rating: 9/10, "Incredibly delicious, and surprisingly was not simply just a salad, but a filling meal."

Cost per Serving:  €2.53 per serving

 Ingredients

• 1/2 sac of mache lettuce OR 1/2 head of any type of green leafy lettuce

• 2 whole tomatoes, chopped into chunks  

• 1 can of tuna (usually about 15oz can)

• 2 lemons

• 1 tin of sardines (suprisingly delicious, tastes like a rich tuna)

• 1 large can green beans

• 4 boiled eggs, shelled, chopped
• 3/4 medium onion, sliced
• 1/3 cup black olives (pitted or non pitted)
• 3-4 baked or steamed potatoes
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt/Pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Begin by opening the tuna, draining, opening the green beans, draining, and pretty much preparing everything (chopped tomatoes/eggs, sliced onions, steam the potatoes)..
2. Mix up the '*super ball-samic dressing'
3. Layer:
1. Lettuce
2. Tomatoes/Olives/Greenbeans
3. Tuna/Onions with a little spritz of lemon juice or oregano
4. Eggs
4. Serve with dressing on side, or dressing tossed into it.  Serve with two slices of lemon. I like to ensure my potatoes are still warm when I do the tossing.. really goes well with a crusty bread.

*super ball-samic dressing
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tablespoon red wine
2 tsp grainy mustard
(Shake well, serve)

Holy Frickin' Tomato Herby Soup!

Tomatoes are really inexpensive in France, so take advantage of this and use it.. like I decided to.  Inspired by Google searchings regarding tomato soup- I came up with this soup.. it can serve about 4.. or 2 very hungry people.. (like Frenchman and I).


Category:  Dinner, Main Dish, Soup


Frenchman Rating: 8/10
Comments:  "It is.. a tomato soup.. it would have been more decadent served with a crusty bread on top or maybe less herbs.."

Cost per Serving:  Around €2.00

Ingredients

• 5 whole tomatoes, either roma or on the vine (at the marché you'd ask for about 500g)
• 1 medium can whole stewed tomatoes (I used stewed w/ basil)
• 1 whole bunch basil
• 2 tablespoons rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 tablespoons oregano
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine
• 2 cups either vegetable stock or chicken stock
•  
• 1/5 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/5 cup olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, whole/peeled
• 1/4 cup cream
• Salt & pepper to taste

TOP.. 1 nice sized slice of baguette, toasted in the oven with olive oil, set aside... and 1/2 cup of shredded emmenthal.







Equipment

• 4-6 quart pot
• Baking sheet 

Directions
Preheat oven to 220 celsius.

1. Begin by washing the tomatoes, of course, and pat dry.  Cut the tomatoes in half, sprinkle with salt and put them face down into a baking dish or tray.  Use a spoon to drizzle a mix of the balsamic and olive oil mix over the face down tomatoes.  Put the whole garlic next to it.
2. Bake the tomatoes for about 30-40 minutes... you can just leave it to bake.
3. About 10 minutes left on the bake time, start heating up the canned tomatoes, chicken broth, rosemary, bay leaves, oregano, onions and salt/pepper (around 3 teaspoons of salt, 1 tsp of pepper).  Allow to cook over high heat for the last 10 minutes of the baking time.
4. Once tomatoes are done, take and drop into the soup mixture.  Allow to cook on medium-high heat for another 10 minutes.
5. Take the bay leaves out, pull out a stick blender and blend until medium/chunky.. depending on the mood.
6. Add in the basil leaves, cook and season to taste for another 10 minutes on medium or low heat.
7. To serve... take two bowls, ladle about 2 cups of the soup into each bowl and pour in half the cream into each.. 1/8 cup each.  Stir around., top with the cheese.
8. Serve with the crusty bread...

Final product, cream and a grilled cheese... YUM-O

Buttered Cabbage & Balsamic Glazed Turkey

I had half a cabbage to get rid of.. and didn't want to eat cabbage soup- so I thought outside the box.. sort of.  This makes enough for two, with some leftover buttery cabbage.

Buttered Cabbage & Balsamic Glazed Turkey

Category:  Dinner, Complete Meal

Frenchman Rating:  6/10
Comments: "Needs more flavor in the turkey, maybe a 'brining' process before, or even more red wine for more sauce.  The cabbage was just fabulous, great flavor and simple- more butter at the end would make it even more delicious.  I like the carrots being chunky."



Cost per Serving:  Buttery Cabbage = €.60 cents a serving;  Balsamic Glazed Turkey = €1.51 a serving... TOTAL COST:  €2.11 per serving!

Ingredients for the Buttery Cabbage

• 1/2 green cabbage chopped thin, resembling straw
• 3 medium sized carrots, cleaned, scraped and chopped into cubes
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• salt & pepper to taste

Ingredients for the turkey

• 2 medium cuts of 'dinde escalope'

• Paper Towels

• 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar 

• 1/4 cup red cooking wine 

• Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

1. Begin by heating the oil in a wok or large pan to medium high, add in the butter and then toss in the cabbage little bits at a time.  Reduce heat to medium, add in the chopped carrots.
2. Cover the cabbage after adding a bit of salt, stirring, and... well let it hang out for awhile ON MED-LOW.
3. While the cabbage is cooking, about 10 minutes after it started.. take the turkey and pat dry with the paper towels.  Set aside.
4. Heat a pan to a very high heat, important to sear the meat.  Once heated, lay it down, salt & pepper the side not against the pan, leave for about 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Check the cabbage, stir it around a bit, add some more seasonings... cover again.
6. Turn the turkey over, salt & pepper again... leave for about 1 minute, then pour in the balsamic and lower the heat... medium should do.
7. Allow this to cook for another 2-3 minutes, turn off the heat and cover to keep hot.
8. By now the cabbage has cooked for about 16-21 minutes, so it should be tender.. plate with the turkey, pour the sauce over the meat.. and VOILA!

Essum ut vivas, bon appetit!

Salade Lyonnaise

Typical Lyonnaise, typically delicious.  A salad that's like breakfast for dinner- easy, uncomplicated and totally filling.


This is my version.


Category:  Dinner, Main Dish OR Entrance

Frenchman Rating:  8/10, Successful



Ingredients 

Salad

• 1/2 butter leaf lettuce, chopped bite size
• 1 cup frisee lettuce
• 1 cup smoked bacon (chopped) and cooked
• 2 roma tomatoes (sliced) or chopped
• 1 small red onion (sliced thin)
• 1 garlic clove (chopped fine)
• 2 eggs

Dressing

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Begin by heating a pan over medium heat, add the bacon once the temperature is reached.
2. While bacon is cooking, insure all lettuce is cleaned and well dried and place in a salad bowl, mixing the arugula or curly endive (aka frisée) and the romaine lettuce.
3. Remove bacon from heat, place on layered paper towels to soak up the oil.
4. Poach all eggs, ensuring it's squishy in the middle, set each aside on a plate. To poach eggs: place about 2-3 cups water into a shallow pan and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat so there are no bubbles. Either break the egg directly (gently) into the hot water, or place in a separate bowl and release into the hot water. Once in the water, use a spoon to lift the white and more water over the egg. Do each egg separately. You can also serve with a sunny-side up fried egg, yolk still squishy, if the poaching does not work.
5. Mix together the dressing ingredients, which will create a mild vinaigrette. Simply whisk the ingredients together in a bowl or shake in an empty glass jar. Adjust according to personal taste.
6. Assemble the salad by the following layers for each plate: 1.5 cup lettuce mixture, 1 teaspoon chopped garlic, sprinkled around lettuce, 1/4 of the roma tomatoes, 1/4 of the chopped onions, 1/4 cup smoked cooked bacon and finally top with the poached or sunny-side fried egg
   .
7. Serve the vinaigrette on the side, or place about 1/4 of the mixture over the finished salad.
8. Enjoy as an entrance to a meal, or double for a main dish.

Essum ut vivas, bon appetit.