About French Food: Winter-Worthy Fare

French Food In the Spotlight | More Topics | Top Picks | Gros Souper Menu |   from Rebecca Franklin Cold weather - snow, wind, and rain, to be exact - has settled into my little corner of the northeast. While I can't say I relish bundling up in a down jacket and hat to walk our son to the school bus stop, there is a certain charm that only winter weather brings to the kitchen. Looking out the frosted windowpane as a hot stew bubbles away on the range and fills my house with delicious aromas gets me every time. Easy Flemish beef stew is a time-saving winner and I can't say enough about French-style macaroni and cheese - it is an outrageously delicious success every time I make it. Cinnamon-spiced fig clafouti rounds out this simple comfort food menu to rustic perfection. Be sure to visit the French food homepage for the latest recipes, articles, and photo tutorials. Follow me on Twitter for my kitchen and garden adventures.   In the Spotlight Carbonnades Flamandes Recipe Flemish beef stew, or carbonnades flamandes is the national dish of Belgium. Hearty and satisfying, this recipe takes less than two hours to prepare, and is nice enough to serve for a sit-down family meal. Add a crisp green salad, roasted potatoes, and a bottle of wine for a spectacular feast worthy of an upscale auberge du terroir on a chilly evening... Read more.              More Topics Apricot Chambord Brie Recipe Impressive at holiday parties. Herbes de Provence Palmiers Recipe Who said cookies have to be sweet? Herbes de Provence Recipe Make your own, for gifts or home. Ratatouille Recipes, Five Ways Never run out of ideas. Sirloin Croquettes Recipe Not your basic hamburger. Apple Cider Pound Cake Recipe A seasonal classic from Quebec. Glace au Pain d'Epices Recipe The original gingerbread ice cream. French Macaroni and Cheese Recipe This French macaroni and cheese recipe tastes velvety smooth, rich, and just a touch sophisticated - nothing like those little blue boxes of dry, salty mix sold in markets and convenience stores. This dish takes only 40 minutes to prepare, much less than a quarter of which is spent actively cooking. Use this French-style "mac and cheese" as an unexpected side dish on a dinner menu or as the focal point of a winter-themed mountain... Read more.   Fig Clafouti Recipe This fig clafouti recipe is a variation on a traditional puffed French custard cake. A touch of ground cinnamon and a drop of Cognac gives a gentle spiciness and depth of flavor to the figs. Served warm, with a dollop of creme fraiche, it creates a rustic, French countryside feel perfect for an cozy family dinner... Read more.     Sponsored Links   Top Picks - Seafood Recipes  from your   Guide Seafood is one of French cuisine's more elegant offerings. Done properly, fish and shellfish present a matchlessly delicate texture and an exquisite fresh flavor. Good quality fresh fish provides a delicious backdrop for any number of seasonings or sauces, from light and mild to rich and spicy. French seafood recipes can range from a simple wine-braised fillet to a rustic backcountry Cajun fish fry to hearty, velvet shellfish bisques. Try one of these fantastic seafood recipes with sautéed vegetables and a crusty baguette for a special meal. 1) Brandade de Morue Recipe Brandade is a purely French specialty of pureed salt cod, but there is some debate over the addition of potatoes. Purists insist that cod alone is enough to create the smooth texture for which the dip is renowned. Other French cuisine experts enjoy the dimension added by potatoes and fearlessly throw them into the mix. This silky version is frequently served in Marseilles. 2) Coquilles Saint-Jacques Recipe This recipe is traditionally served on little scallop shells, but ovenproof ramekins are a great substitution. Coquilles Saint-Jacques is most often eaten as a first course, or appetizer, but can be used as a delicious seafood entrée. 3) Fish with Toasted Pecan Butter Sauce Recipe This fish in toasted pecan butter sauce recipe takes the homey flavors of a backcountry Cajun fish fry and merges them with the elegant nuances of a New Orleans restaurant. Pureed toasted pecans add incredible depth and silky texture to a garlic and hot pepper-infused butter sauce. This fantastic meal can be made so easily that it works for a thrown-together weeknight meal or a planned dinner party.   Christmas Eve in Provence Gros Souper Menu Gros souper is the traditional Provencal family meal held before midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The seven meatless courses are meant to symbolize Mary's labor pains. The dishes are to be prepared ahead of time or made with a minimum of effort on Christmas Eve, so the family can relax and spend time together. As more families adopt modern customs, the classic gros souper menu changes. These recipes are a mix of both the old and new. Bon appetit and joyeux Noel!   Feeling Under the Weather? Evaluating Your Cold Symptoms How to tell when a runny nose is just a cold, and when it might be turning into something more serious and require a visit to the doctor. More> French Food Ads Learn French Food Cooking Indian Food Gluten Free Recipes Cat Allergy Symptoms Advertisement     Visit Related About GuideSites: Search About      Sign up for more free newsletters on favorite topics. You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About French Food newsletter as ignoble.experiment@ARCONATI.US. 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