Pâté de campagne

On the occasions that I can get out to the local wineries, there is nothing better than bringing along a light lunch of a few cheese, some olives, pickles, and your own pâté. It is surprisingly simple to make and is well suited for a quick bite on the go. I am fortunate to have…

House Vinaigrette

This is by far the most common vinaigrette we use around here, and we use it a lot. Simple to throw together at a moment’s notice and everyone always enjoys it. Fantastic with mixed greens, tomatoes, and croutons.

Boeuf à la Bourguignonne

Boeuf à la Bourguignonne, Beef Bourguignon, beef burgundy, or just beef in wine sauce. For me, few dishes invoke thoughts of cool weather, friends and hearty meals like beef Bourguignon. Many credit Julia Child with bringing this dish to the forefront. As a result, Americans often envision this dish when they think of French cuisine. Several…

Crêpe Suzette

Well, the story goes that in 1895 in the Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo a classic was born.. by mistake, or so the legend has it. According to Henri Charpentier, he was serving nobility at the restaurant table side with crepes which were pre-prepared in the back. While preparing an orange sauce, he added…

Cassoulet

Cassoulet, that famous dish from the south of France. Not from the more familiar Provence, Marseille, Nimes part of the country, but more toward the Western portions of Southern France such as Carcassonne, Toulouse, and Narbonne. I am referring to the Languedoc area of France where once lived a peaceful religious order named the Cathars….