Living in Spain nine years, I obviously became a huge fan of tapas, those small shared dishes that you eat along with a drink at any time of the day or as an appetizer. A “tapa” is originally a courtesy small plate served along with a drink in bars and restaurants to cover the glass, […]
Tag: Easy to make recipe
Meatball gratin with courgettes & mozzarella
I am a huge fan of gratins for their variety of tastes and their simplicity to make. For summer I found a lighter way to replace the traditional recipe with béchamel sauce by a combination of vegetables, mozzarella and Meatball gratin which is clearly more enjoyable when the temperature outside is 100º F (35ºC). This gratin […]
Creamy cheese hot-dog
Sometimes you feel like eating a big meal without spending much time in the kitchen, so it is the perfect moment to enjoy a homemade fast-food. such as a hot-dog. The hot dog is one of my favourite dishes, especially if the Frankfurt Würstchen sausages are of good quality and the bread crunchy, baguette type. […]
Caprese tart with pesto and mozzarella
Ricotta and lemon cake
This recipe is the perfect Christmas dessert! I discovered the ricotta and lemon cake while I was looking for ideas of cake to match with homemade buttercream: very common in the United States or in England, this icing became also very popular in the rest of Europe, even though I personally discovered it last year […]
Honey and mustard vinaigrette
Salad dressing is a big deal in France because good vinaigrette can really make the difference for a damn good salad. What is the secret to making great vinaigrette? Apart from a good olive oil and balsamic vinegar, the most important thing is to add ingredients that provide a strong and sweet touch at the […]
Baked chicken legs with chorizo and orange
Now that the hot weather is almost back, grilled recipes are ideal for a lunch or a dinner: they are tasty, fast and easy-to-cook, and becomes a classic meal for the summer, that you can vary with ad infinitum. I am starting the “Grilled” section today with a recipe originating from the south of Spain: […]
Homemade French ratatouille
The French ratatouille is a vegetable stir-fry, typical of Mediterranean cuisine and ideal to accompany any kind of grilled meat or fish. This dish is very healthy because of the vegetables it has, but it also contains a significant amount of olive oil so it is not really “light”. Making a good French ratatouille is […]
Crispy fried chicken with parmesan & herbs
Valérie’s spaghetti Carbonara
Spaghetti carbonara… maybe the most widely appreciated dish in the world… The original recipe is made from few ingredients, but they must be chosen with attention and good quality. Many variations of the spaghetti Carbonara exist, for example with cream, ham, etc. but they it can never be as good as the original one. “Italian […]
Surprising ham, chard and cauliflower gratin
How to cook cauliflower! In order to change of the traditional cauliflower soup or roasted cauliflower, you can also make a great cauliflower gratin, quick-and-easy to prepare. Also perfect for children or lovers who wouldn’t eat this kind of vegetable except under pressure or deep hunger, because the vegetables are mashed. I like it […]
Sautéed leek soup
Although winter is now over, I want to share one of my favourite winter recipes… How to make a good soup? This sautéed leek soup is quite traditional, with potatoes and carrots. I give it a special twist by sauteing the leeks for a few minutes in salted butter before adding the other vegetables. It gives the […]
Chocolate and orange cake
Delicious Homemade Spaghetti Bolognese
This homemade spaghetti bolognese recipe is one of my favourite Italian dish: this pasta is always a great success with family and guests, and it is one of the easiest meal I have ever prepared. Once you’ve mixed all the ingredients in the pot, you just cook the sauce over a very low heat during a […]
Pumpkin soup with curry
Duck confit with sarladaise potatoes
The South West of France is famous for its cuisine and fine dining. This region is the home of hearty food, meats, sausages, duck confit,cassouletand, of course, foie gras – Not a good place for vegetarians! Believe it or not, people here claim that this cuisine is very healthy. What is certain is that this […]
Winter vegetable stew with pesto
The winter vegetable stew with pesto is a great way of getting all the vegetables you need in winter. When cooked slowly, the vegetables are delicious (almost caramelised). Its also very simple to prepare and any beginner can try this and easily succeed. You can change the pesto sauce for a pistou sauce, originates from […]
Chili con Carne with Chorizo
Pure pleasure for Mexican food lovers, the Chili con Carne is in reality the most famous american Tex-Mex dish, now famous all over the world. It’s a kind of stew mixing mince beef, onions, red pepper and tomato sauce, and other ingredients are welcome if you want to give a personal touch. This one is […]
Cheesecake with dulce de leche
Previously I posted the recipe for Tiramisu, and now I’m following with my second favourite dessert: Philadelphia Cheesecake with dulce de leche. The dulce de leche is a very popular confection in Spain and Latin America. The cheesecake with dulce de leche recipe is inspired by a dessert you find at Starbucks in Spain. I […]
French creamy beef stew
The creamy beef stew, “blanquette de veau” in French, is my favourite traditional French meal. My granny -the same granny who makes the lemon pie, used to do it each week when I was visiting during my childhood, and I remember its wonderful taste until nowadays. It is a kind meat ragout with a white […]