Appetizers, Vegetables Francois de Melogue Appetizers, Vegetables Francois de Melogue

Truffles, Tension, and Tartlets: A Culinary Caper in Snowy Vermont

The tartlets are a tribute to my culinary icon, Joël Robuchon. In 1996, I had the incredible fortune of staging in his Paris kitchen during truffle season—a dream come true for any young chef. Among his many masterpieces, his truffle tart stood out, a dish so simple yet so luxurious it felt like tasting pure elegance. Inspired by his genius, I created my own version: a crisp filo base, a touch of smoked bacon jam, and a delicate slice of black truffle—a small homage to the culinary legend who shaped my love for perfection on the plate.

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Appetizers, Child Friendly Francois de Melogue Appetizers, Child Friendly Francois de Melogue

The Ultimate Guide to Baked Camembert

Baked Camembert is incredibly versatile. It’s elegant enough for special occasions yet comforting for casual gatherings. It’s a conversation starter, bringing everyone together to dip, spread, and savor. Plus, it’s quick to make, giving you more time to enjoy your event. It also makes a perfect lunch or dinner when served alongside a big green salad, turning this indulgent dish into a balanced and satisfying meal.

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Appetizers, fruit, Salads, Vegetables Francois de Melogue Appetizers, fruit, Salads, Vegetables Francois de Melogue

A Perfect Late Winter Salad

I love shaved fennel and orange salad. It is the perfect late winter salad that your whole family will love. It combines the perfect crunch of raw fennel with a citrusy sweetness. One of the best qualities is that it is highly adaptable to whatever you have on hand. You can make it solely with oranges or add grapefruit, satsumas, tangerines, or whatever other citrus fruit you like. You can add cheese, olives, onions, nuts, and a host of other ingredients depending upon what you have on hand.

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Appetizers, family food, Salad, Vegetables Francois de Melogue Appetizers, family food, Salad, Vegetables Francois de Melogue

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is incredibly easy to make at home. I was craving vegetables when I photographed this version so I made it with a higher ratio of vegetables to chickpeas. Despite the recipe given below, it is best to follow your own passions and add whatever you like. Use my recipe solely as a springboard to your own creation.

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Lolo’s Olive Bread

A few years ago our family visited my cousins Andre and Lolo at their beautiful home in Southern France. The highlight of the visit was when my cousin Lolo made her famous olive bread. It was the best olive bread I had ever eaten. This kind of olive bread is also called cake salé, or savory cakes. Think of a savory coffee cake.

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Provençale Tomato Tart

The best thing about tomato tarts is they are very forgiving and can be modified easily based on what you have on hand. I have baked this tart with slices of tangy goat cheese or even shredded gruyere cheese sprinkled over. Or even pulled the hot tart out of my oven and dropped a ball of creamy burrata right on top.

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Appetizers, Pasta, Side Dishes, Basics, Cooking Technique Francois de Melogue Appetizers, Pasta, Side Dishes, Basics, Cooking Technique Francois de Melogue

How To Make Fresh Green Pasta

The beauty of this dough is its versatility; you can shape it into small balls and cook like gnocchi, or roll it out into pasta sheets and make ravioli, cannelloni, or strands of pasta. If you don’t have ramp greens substitute more baby spinach. I like to serve the pasta alongside roasted chickens and stews as much as eaten by itself simply tossed in butter, salt, and grated parmesan.

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Salad, Plat, Appetizers, Eggs, French Soul Food Francois de Melogue Salad, Plat, Appetizers, Eggs, French Soul Food Francois de Melogue

Salade Lyonnaise with a Hot Bacon Dressing

Salade Lyonnaise is a classic bistro salad where either frisee (curly endive) or dandelion greens are tossed in a hot bacon dressing and topped with poached eggs and croutons. It originated in the city of Lyon, long considered the belly of France. You will find this salad on virtually every bistro in France. The good news is It is simple to make.

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Easy Quiche Lorraine

Quiche Lorraine is perhaps the most famous of all quiches. Purists will tell you that only bacon, cream, and eggs are allowed. Though it is common to find other ingredients like Gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, and even chives. The original quiche Lorraine may not include cheese, but I won’t tell anyone if you decide to add one cup of shredded Gruyere to the mix.

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Appetizers, Classics, Family Food, Main Courses, Plat, Seafood Francois de Melogue Appetizers, Classics, Family Food, Main Courses, Plat, Seafood Francois de Melogue

The Best Moules Marinières: Mussels Sailor Style

Learn how to make steamed mussels the French way. The best moules marinières or 'sailor-style mussels' ever. The mussels are simply steamed in white wine and herbs. From start to finish, moules marinières will take no longer than 10 to 15 minutes to prepare.

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Salad, Plat, Appetizers, Family Food Francois de Melogue Salad, Plat, Appetizers, Family Food Francois de Melogue

Michel Guerard’s Lentil Salad

One of the great benefits of the last year has been to rediscover cookbooks I had forgotten about. Lately, I have been diving deep into Michel Guerard's classic Cuisine Gourmande. Two dishes I have made lately have been his Pot au Feu that he made famous in his 1960s Parisian restaurant also called 'Pot au Feu'. The second dish is this incredibly simple and delicious Lentil Salad with Anchoïade Croutons.

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Appetizers, Provençale Recipes, Vegetables Francois de Melogue Appetizers, Provençale Recipes, Vegetables Francois de Melogue

Roasted Red Peppers

A really simple dish that has all the classic flavors of Provence hidden in the layers. Roasted red peppers stuffed with creamy goat cheese and basil and topped with an anchoïade sauce. This makes a great meal served with nothing more than a big green salad and a glass of rose wine. Anchoiade is an interesting Provencal sauce. French people will revel at its wonderful briny flavors while most Americans recoil in terror at the mere mention of anchovies. I promise you will love this sauce.

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