Take the mystery out of French cuisine with these classic recipes (2024)

Updated on 05/16/21

• 01 of 11

  An Impressive Appetizer: A Savory, Flavorful Tart

  

  French cuisine features many delicious appetizers, from simple to complex.A tart is an ideal recipe to start with as it feeds the whole group and you only have to slice it to serve. A classic tarte aux pommesis the deliciousapple tart found in everypatisserie and restaurant in France. It comes filled with a soft, sweet homemade frangipane filling topped off withcaramelized applesand fanned in the distinctive, striking spiral pattern making it instantly recognizable. Finished with a light apricot jam glaze, this classic dish is loved around the world, not just in France.

• 02 of 11

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  A French Bistro Salad: The Classic Nicoise

  

  When it's time to choose a traditional French salad, few can beat the classic taste of Nicoise. This delightfully composed recipe is a bistro favorite, complete with tuna, potatoes, egg, olives, and green beans. The other essential ingredient is anchovies. If you're not a fan, don't worry—this recipe hides the little fish in the sauce so you get the taste on the sly.

• 03 of 11

  For the Soup: The Lovely Lobster Bisque

  

  French chefs are masters at creating fantastic soups that have become icons ondinner tables worldwide. Awell-known favorite is the traditional lobster bisque. This seafood recipe is the epitome of a creamy-style soup, and it can easily become the centerpiece of a light meal. The fresh lobster meat is surrounded by a rich broth tinged with Cognac, giving the bisque a complex and unique taste.

• 04 of 11

  The Ultimate Veggie Stew: Ratatouille

  

  Ratatouille is classic that can be found at French restaurants of every caliber. It is, essentially, a vegetable stew highlighting eggplant that sits on the stove to cook down until tender. It's incredibly easy and cheap to make, so if you're on a budget but need to impress, this is the recipe for you.

  Continue to 5 of 11 below.

• 05 of 11

  For a Hearty Dinner: The Classic French Chateaubriand

  

  The meaning of the French termchateaubriandcan be confusing. Depending on whom you ask, it can either refer to a cut of steak or the method of roasting a beef tenderloin. Despite this confusion, rest assured that when you order a chateaubriand from a French restaurant menu, you will receive a beautiful center-cut piece of beef tenderloin (usually enough to serve two), along with a classic red wine sauce.

• 06 of 11

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  The Essential Soufflé: No-Fear Spinach Soufflé

  

  Just the name soufflécan spark fear in the hearts of any chef. They're notoriously tricky to make butif you can make a great soufflé, you're a star. To start your French culinary soufflé experience, begin with this spinach soufflé recipe. It will take the mystery out of the dish and it's surprisingly easy. The trick is to beat and mix the eggs carefully, as overdoing them will ruin the final result.

• 07 of 11

  A Chicken and Wine Delight: Coq au Vin

  

  Many traditional French recipes began out of necessity asa way to make cheap foods taste great. Such is the case for this classic chicken dish, which is both hearty and amazing. Coq au vinmeans "rooster in wine" and it was devised as a way to cook the tough meat of an old bird. It is a country-style dish now made with chicken that is filled with vegetables. It does require a few steps and many hours of unattended cooking time, but the techniques aren't that difficult and the end result is worth the effort. This casserole might soon become a new family favorite.

• 08 of 11

  A Classic French Combination: Cognac Shrimp With Beurre Blanc

  

  We cannot discuss French cuisine without mentioning the combination of shallots, wine, cream, butter, andcognac. These ingredients come together in this delightful main dish that's easy to cook up. The name of this Cognac shrimp recipe makes it sound fancier and perhaps more difficult to make than it is in reality—a beurre blanc is simply a butter and wine sauce. You'll be delighted when you see how short and common the ingredient list is. It's possible you have everything you need already in your kitchen.

  Continue to 9 of 11 below.

• 09 of 11

  A Favorite French Dessert: Crêpes

  

  What would French cuisine be without crêpes? Essentially, a crêpe is a thin pancake that can be filled with whatever you like. Crêpes are everywhere in France and can be sweet or savory, acting as main dishes, sides, or desserts. Your French cooking lessons will not be complete until you learn the beauty of making crêpes. Mastering the technique of tilting the pan to spread the batter evenly can be a bit tricky, but it just takes practice.

• 10 of 11

  A True Classic: Homemade Chocolate Mousse

  

  It's so simple, with just five ingredients, yet it remains a mystery to many home cooks. Basically a custard with whipped cream folded in,chocolate mousse is one of the icons of the French dessert table—and you'd be surprised at just how easy it is to make this romantic dessert.

• 11 of 11

  For the Cookie Lover: French Palmiers

  

  When one thinks of palmiers, the delightfully sweet, flaky cookies also known as elephant earscome to mind. The palmiers are not unlike the flaky texture of a croissant but are in fact made with puff pastry. Thoughmaking puff is not so difficult, there are oodles of ready-made pastries out there and often it is quicker and easier (and puff pastry needs to be handledcarefully so as not to flatten it), often it is easier to buy.