Bienvenue: French Fare

Showing posts with label French Fare. Show all posts

Sunday, November 24, 2013

French Thanksgiving Favorites

Once again, we're sharing some French-inspired and French favorite dishes for you to incorporate into your Thanksgiving menu. We've come across some fabulous ideas that will have everyone at your table saying, "Ooh la la!"

Starters

Cheese Puffs

We suggest going with Comte or Gruyere. Yum!

Baked Brie with Cranberries

A classic holiday favorite

Pate, Smoked Salmon, Assorted Cheeses, Grapes Platter

Salads

Roasted Pears with Candied Pecans and Roquefort Cheese

We'll be serving this one at our Thanksgiving Day Brunch

Warm Green Bean Salad with Toasted Walnuts

Many French salads are actually served warm

Side Dishes

Herbed Zucchini and tomato Tian

Actually quite healthy

Pear & Red Onion Gratin

Would make a fantastic substitute for stuffing

Butternut Squash Gratin with Onion & Sage

Again, would make a fantastic substitute for stuffing

Alternative Main Courses

Duck with Apple & Cherry Sauce

Great if you're not big on turkey or wanted a second meat to serve

Classic Pot au Feu

Slow Roasted Beef served with Potatoes and Vegetables

The Finale!

Apple Brioche Cake

Pumpkin Maple Créme Brûlée

A harvest twist on a classic favorite

Profiteroles

Serve filled with ice cream a la Chez Daniel or your own pastry cream preference!

Basque Custard Torte

White Chocolate Lemon Mousse

This Thanksgiving, spice up your spread with some French themed cuisine, and make sure you have plenty of your favorite French wines available to pair with your menu choices!

~ Bon Appetit & Joyeux Thanksgiving ~

Sunday, September 22, 2013

A Crêpe a Day

When you say crêpes, most people think pancakes, but true French crêpes aren't just a vehicle for sweet toppings. Crêpes are also a savory option when filled with more substantial, dinner-worthy fare. While we certainly believe that fruit and cream sweet crêpes are worthy of their own meal, we also wanted to show the beauty of the crêpe's versatility!

Whether strawberries and cream, apples and caramel, fresh blueberries, Nutella/chocolate or even Crêpes Suzette, sweet crepes can be filled with pretty much any sweet topping or filling you dream up. But did you know that savory crêpes also lend themselves just as equally to the same variety of options? From bacon and mushroom or turkey and tarragon to spinach, tomatoes, ham, and cheese or the even spicier olive and chicken curry, you can certainly fill your crêpes with any substantial, dinner-worthy fare you dream up.

The best part of crêpes is the ease at which they can make the journey from ingredients to enjoyment! They are pretty simple to prepare, but if you're serious about crêpe making, do yourself a favor and invest in a crêpe pan and crêpe spreader. No matter your technique, the recipe is generally six ingredients: flour, salt, eggs, oil (or butter), milk, and water. Whether sweet or savory crêpes, you'll be following the same recipe; however, as with Crêpes Suzette, you'll also add orange zest.

If you're interested in giving crêpes a whirl, but don't feel like making your own, it's a good thing there are plenty of places to check out this French staple. From crêperies who offer both sweet and savory options to breakfast restaurants that offer the sweet variety on their morning menus, there's even a Crêpes Stand in the Mall of America!

Do you have a favorite crêpes restaurant, recipe or topping/filling? Let us know in the comments. We'd love to hear from you!

Friday, September 6, 2013

Bring Your French Class to Chez Daniel!

With all of the kids back to school, now is the perfect time to schedule a field trip to Chez Daniel for your French class!

Chez Daniel provides an unforgettable learning opportunity for students taking a French language course in middle or high school. Instructors of French language classes are welcome to contact us to schedule a field trip to Chez Daniel, where students will be served an authentic Parisian feast by French-speaking servers.

During their visit, students will be encouraged to use their knowledge of the French language to communicate with their waiters and each other. French class trips to Chez Daniel allow students to experience the French language and culture in an unforgettable way.

Our executive chef, Pierre Jean, was actually born in France and works diligently to present a menu of traditional French favorites. From Croissant, Crepes and Quiche Lorraine to French Onion Soup, Boeuf Bourguingnon, and Bouillabaisse, Coq au Vin and Croque Monsieur, students and chaperones alike will be delighted with the variety, choices, and utmost quality of the dishes presented.

Make sure you finish your meal with our signature dessert, Profiteroles (cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and topped with hot fudge and raspberry coulis)!

For more information or to book this much loved and remembered field trip for your students, please contact our Catering Manager, Sheri DeGeorge, at 952-967-8704 or sdegeorge@embassybloomington.com.

Venez Chez Daniel avec votre classe et régalez vos èleves avec ma cuisine Française!

- Pierre Jean

Saturday, July 20, 2013

French Campsite Cuisine

As the weather heats up, everyone readies themselves for their pilgrimages up north, to the lake, and into the wild. We've scoured the web to compile a list of campsite and cabin-friendly recipes that allow you to bring your taste for French (and French inspired) cuisine to the shores of your favorite Minnesota lake.

Simply click on the dish below each publication to view the respective recipe.

FREEWHEELING FRANCE

Pasta with Roquefort Cheese Sauce

Campsite Crepes

SUNSET

Marscarpone French Toast with Warm Blackberry Syrup