Just because the gastronomic meal of the French is a part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity doesn't mean that only seasoned chefs can master the preparation of certain emblematic dishes. In the land of gourmets, many recipes are accessible to novice cooks: focus on 20 of them to help you conquer the kitchen.
“How can you govern a country where there are 258 varieties of cheese?" General de Gaulle's famous phrase says a lot about the relationship between the French and this foodstuff, which is now available in no fewer than 1,200 different products (!). Naturally, this culinary passion is reflected in some of the best French recipes, such as:
Raclette
It doesn't get much simpler than this dish, for which only the rigorous purchase of the right ingredients counts. Equipped with a frying pan, all you have to do is lay out thin slices of Mont d'Or, Reblochon or Savoy cheese (your choice of many) on a table and accompany them with a gourmet assortment of charcuterie and steamed potatoes. These are the only potatoes that need to be prepared in advance, and impatient eaters can even replace them with potato chips.
The Croque-Monsieur
While it's often said that people take longer to eat in France than in other countries, fast food is still very popular.
The proof is in the form of this mainstay of counter-top gastronomy, which has seduced everyone for over a century with its simple combination of ham, toasted sandwich bread and grilled gruyere. A hot and improved version of the ham and butter sandwich that's just as easy to prepare!
Gratin dauphinois
Still accessible to first-time cooks, this preparation of finely sliced potatoes cooked in whole milk has been a staple French meal since the 18th century.
While the recipe is straightforward, the cooking is important, as is letting the dish rest for around 45 minutes to appreciate its full flavor.
It's impossible not to mention these 2 dishes when thinking of easy recipe ideas:
Omelette
Butter and eggs (mixed beforehand) in a frying pan and... done! All you have to do is eat, and the recipe can be garnished with a variety of toppings: cheese, mushrooms, herbs... There are as many possible variations as there are tastes, and unless you forget to keep an eye on the cooking, there's no chance of missing this preparation.
Quiche Lorraine
The most popular of all savoury tarts, this one takes preparation up a (slight) notch. Eggs, bacon and cream are combined in a pre-prepared shortcrust pastry (or bought ready-made): after just one quick bake in the oven, all that's left to do is sit down to dinner!
In the land of Auguste Escoffier, inventor of modern cuisine and 1st world-renowned chef, pastry is king, and every good meal must end on a sweet note. That's why 2 simple but delicious recipes are particularly popular in France:
Tarte Tatin
A fine illustration of serendipity (a fortunate discovery), this dessert is named after 2 hotel sisters who, after forgetting to put puff pastry on apples that were in the process of caramelizing, decided to add it at the last minute and, when it came out of the oven, they turned the tart over... baked upside down. It was an instant success! Proof that when it comes to cooking, you shouldn't be afraid of making a mistake - something good can always come out of it.
Clafoutis
This traditional dessert of cherries (or other fruits, especially red ones) baked in a simple crêpe batter may not have the refined look of a lemon
meringue pie, but it's simple to make. What's more, it provides an opportunity to prepare one of France's gourmet guilty pleasures: crêpes, another dish particularly accessible to apprentice cooks.
Back to the savoury side, as the list of easy-to-make dishes goes on and on. Here are just a few of the most popular:
Slightly more demanding, requiring mastery of meat cooking and the art of sauces, this list of 20 easy-to-make French gastronomic dishes for beginners in the kitchen concludes with:
All this has made you want to turn your kitchen into a new playground, but you don't feel like shopping and think you lack the time or know-how?
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Bon appétit.
Valérie from Comme des Français
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