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Classic French Recipes

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Classic French Recipes

While nothing really beats enjoying some authentic French cuisine in France, you do not have to hold out till your next holiday to savour some French food. Why not attempt some top French recipes yourself?

1. Beef Bourguignon

Pressed for time but craving a meaty meal? Check out the slow cooker recipe of this French classic and you can look forward to returning home to a hearty meal after a busy day! You can also prepare your beef bourguigon over the stovetop if you prefer. 

2. Coq Au Vin

If you love eating chicken, a meal of coq au vin will surely delight you. Like beef bourguigon, you can prepare it either using the stove or the slow cooker. 

3. Duck confit

If you miss the duck confit meal you had while on vacation, you can soon satisfy your craving with this recipe!

4. Ratatouille

Perhaps first known to many as a film, ratatouille is also a traditional French stewed veggie dish. Feed the goodness of plants to your family with this recipe! You can eat this dish as a side or serve it as a main, accompanied with rice or bread. 

5. Quiche Lorraine

One of the easiest French classics to make and a brunch favourite. You can prepare the traditional version which uses bacon or have it vegetarian if you do not take meat. 

 

 

Don't fancy cooking? Let our French hosts in Paris, Nice and Lyon do it for you!

 

 

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Quick ‘N Easy: 10 Dinner Party Recipe Ideas

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Quick 'N Easy: 10 Dinner Party Recipe Ideas

In need of quick and easy dinner party recipe ideas? Get inspired for your next dinner party menu with these ten tantalising dinner party snacks: 

Do not belittle these petite triangles, for they pack a punch of flavour! Take a bite, and let the crisp shell of the samosa break apart to reveal a delicious filling of crumbly mashed potatoes, flavoured with a spicy kick of curry. There is only one thing that we can be sure of – your guests will not be able to stop at one!

We all love a savoury treat that can be whipped up in a snap! This delightful starter kills two birds with a stone – it will not fail to please both your seafood-fanatic and meat-loving guests. 

When in doubt, stick to items that have been tried-and-tested. You cannot go wrong with dishing out a good' ol tuna salad! 

Bite into a slice of this toasty bread, and let the aromatic flavours of the garlic, butter and herbs explore in your mouth. It is called a "tear-and-share" garlic bread, but when something tastes so good, we ain't sure if anyone is gonna be sharing this!

If you are firing up a barbecue for an outdoor dinner, be sure to stock up on a handful of corn ears. For a tasty snack, slap on some butter after grilling the corn. To make an irresistible Mexican kick, add a dash of chili powder, cheese and lime juice.

Who doesn't love potatoes? Invite your guests to sink their teeth into these chunky wedges, spiced with an addictive hint of paprika, and watch them reach out for more…and much more.  

What is light, healthy and yummy? Our answer – vegetarian summer rolls! Mhmm…

Grilled vegetables, seasoned with heady spices and pesto rae heaped upon a toasted country bread. This is one snack that your vegetarian guests will not be able to resist!

Desserts

Buttery, crumbly, and oh-so-yummy! This is a treat that definitely earns a top spot on our list of easy peasy dinner party food ideas. 

No one in their right mind would say no to a slice of Nutella Pie. We are willing to bet our lives on this – how can anyone possibly resist is rich chocolate flavours, decadent hint of hazelnut aroma and addictively crunchy biscuit base? 

Hosting a dinner party? Check out our articles on Top 10 Dinner Party Hacks and 5 Dinner Party Tips!  

Images: Stockarch, Bonappetit, GrandbabyCakes, Banhmigirls, Baking Through Msbh, Amandeleine, Atelier Christine

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5 Handy Tips to Plan Your Dinner Party Menu

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5 Handy Tips to Plan Your Dinner Party Menu

Hosting a dinner party does not have to be the frenzied and stressful affair. Take it easy, and do not sweat the small stuff! Preparation can be a fun and breezy affair with these five handy dinner party menu planning tips: 

1. Go with the Flow of Seasons

Take your cue from Mother Nature, and plan your dinner party menu in accordance with the current season. If you are throwing a party in the sweltering heat of summer, take it easy and lay off the oven. A mix of cold, crisp salads and grilled dishes will be a perfect combination for your party. If the weather is cool outdoors, warm up the stomachs of your guests by whipping up comforting soups, roasted meats and grilled root vegetable dishes.

2. Pick One Highlight for the Night

Limit the number of complicated dishes that you will cook for your dinner party. Save your time and sanity by having only one star dish for the night on your dinner party menu. Keep in mind to pick side dishes that are quick and easy to prepare, for you do not want to spend the entire night slaving away in the kitchen.

3. Plan Your Dinner Around a Main Dish

Plan the rest of your dinner menu around the star dish that you have selected.

For example, if you are preparing a tangy Thai green curry, be sure to include an array of sides that complement the flavours of this dish well, such as steamed rice, a beef salad and stir-fried greens. If a hearty and heavy pasta dish is your highlight for the night, be sure to include light starters, such as salads, rather than opting for carb-heavy selections such as breads and dips. Remember, balance is key.

4. Mix and Match: Throw in a Handful of Store Bought Items

Do not hesitate to include a selection of store bought items for your party, for this will save you time, as well as the hassle of preparing every single dish from scratch. A crusty loaf of bread, a fine selection of cheeses, a platter of cold cuts or lucious artisanal gelato can be handy lifesavers that will complete your dinner party meal.

5. Wine Pairing: Creating a Match Made in Heaven

Two approaches can be undertaken when it comes to the art of wine pairing. The first approach, likeness, refers to picking a full-bodied or powerful wine to complement the strong flavours of a rich dish. If you are whipping up light dishes such as a grilled fish item or a refreshing salad, go for lighter wines with sweet notes.

The second approach, contrast, aims to strike a distinction between the dish and the wine. For example, creamy dishes, such as a savoury cheese platter, will go well with wines containing acid notes, for they help to balance out the creamy richness of the cheese. Similarly, wines with sweet and fruity flavours will work well with spicy, palate-tingling items.

Image Credits: Gallery Hip, Living Loving Paleo, Cresthill Bakery, FcWines

 

Food Bites: Falafel

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Food Bites: Falafel

What is round, golden, crispy and tasty?

Why, we are referring to the falafel of course! Flavourful and nutritious, this Middle Eastern dish also packs a nutritious punch, for it are high in protein, complex carbohydrates and fibre.  

Origins: Shrouded In Mystery

The origins of this well-loved dish is shrouded in mystery. It is widely believed to have originated in Egypt, and created as a substitute for meat during the Lent Festival. Later on, the dish was introduced to the Levant region, where the locals used chickpeas instead of fava beans as the main ingredient for the dish.

Falafel Recipes: A Myriad of Ideas

Start off your culinary adventures by making the falafel from scratch. Whiz the ingredients together to form a smooth paste, round them into little balls, drop the falafel balls into a pan and fry them until they turn into a beautiful shade of golden brown.

With a tray of scrumptious falafel balls on hand, you may take a leaf out of Jamie Oliver’s cooking book by making a delicious falafel wrap with grilled vegetables and salsa. If you are not quite in the mood for having a toasty wrap, why not try your hand at putting together a falafel sandwich? After all, this is a quick and easy dish to put together, and it requires only a handful of ingredients to prepare.

If you are racking your brains over what to bring for a fun-filled potluck gathering, perhaps a falafel and hummus mezze platter may serve as the perfect sharing dish. Otherwise, a hearty falafel burger may do the trick, for it will certainly satisfy guests with a healthy appetite.

Self-professed health junkies will be delighted to follow this wholesome baked falafel salad to a T, starting from the process of preparing the falafel balls, to whipping up a light tahini and dill dressing sauce before tossing these ingredients together with fresh greens.

If you need a more substantial meal, go generous with the carbs by cooking up a dish of spaghetti with falafel balls.

Veggie junkies, don't miss out on these yummy vegetarian dining experiences: Gopi's Khazana, Vegetarian Cuisine in Florence, A Day with A Veggy Chef & Cooking Classes with Shalu

Image credits: Food People Want, Food52, Dishmaps

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