Why the go-to? Because it goes with so many dishes. From steak to chicken, duck breasts to fish. You name it! This is the most versatile side dish you can imagine. Virtually any pan-fried dish will go with it. On the other hand, I personally won’t pair it with stews, but – hey! – nothing’s […]
Author: Thierry
The unsung heroes of beef cuts
Go to any UK supermarket meat section, and you’ll find the same old cuts over and over again: Fillet, Sirloin, Rump and Ribeye. That’s for the steak section. And then – most of the time – you’ll find the stewing beef section. This is where you will find the Holy Grail, the Definitive one, the […]
Bavette à l’échalote: A French bistrot classic…
There are a few staples in French bistrots and brasseries, and the Bavette à l’échalote is definitely one of them. This is for the meat-lovers, as it has to be cooked rare or medium-rare (see my post about the Unsung Heroes of Beef cuts), and paired with sautéed potatoes and a glass of Côtes du […]
Easy salad dressings
Like home-made mayonnaise, it seems salad dressings are part of a set of mythological recipes that scare people. So here are two very simple examples that will probably become strong favourites. I personally divide these in two separates categories : the Vinaigrettes – more elaborate – and the salad dressings. So, let’s focus on the […]
Ratatouille
This simple-but-delicious vegetable dish from the sunny south of France is a star in its own right, but it’s also wonderful as a side dish. Okay, I admit Ratatouille is not exactly rocket science to make, but still… there are so many ways to get it wrong. Of course, there are trends. In the 1970s, […]
Normandy Foodie trip : La Maison de la Ferriere
Located in the picturesque village of Francheville – just a few miles from Verneuil-sur-Avre – this lovely restaurant provided our first dinner on our Normandy trip. Although not Michelin-starred, it still has a great reputation and was awarded two “toques” by the Gault & Millau guide. The place is welcoming and, on that chilly October […]
Normandy Foodie Trip : Le Manoir du Lys
That was a very special stop-off! Not only culinary – both lunch and dinner were superb and the comfort of the bedroom was on the high end of the spectrum, but for the whole experience. The Manoir du Lys regularly organise themed weekends. Obviously, these change according to the season, and, as I experienced the […]
Recipe: my mighty mayo
Home-made mayonnaise can be whipped up in moments to add a dash of panache to your dishes. just follow my recipe – and discover the secret French tip to rescue a mayonnaise that’s breaking up. Here we are, the most daring recipe of all, I’m talking about the mighty mayonnaise! It’s amazing how many people […]
Normandy Foodie trip: a saffron farm…
In October last year, I was lucky enough to join a group of food writers on a visit to Normandy, where I learned about growing and harvesting saffron, as well as tips to make the most of this precious and delicate foodstuff. Domaine de Gauville – near Brionne – is one of the few saffron […]
Normandy foodie trip: Cidre and Poiré
Curious about French cider and perry? Read about my trip to Normandy to learn about Cidre and Poiré from the makers.