Your Own Bistro

 There is absolutely nothing like french food,especially the recipes coming form the classic bistros dotting the country. The food is absolutely delicious, rich in flavors, perfect in execution. Now you can bring the bistro home with a brand new cookbook. It's full o fall sots of recipes from brunch to dessert.

This wonderful cookbook is America's Test Kitchen Modern Bistro : Home Cooking Inspired by French Classics (enguin Random House 2022). It's a great book for anyone who's visited France or a true blue Francophile. I love this book. There are so many different recipes from steak frites to the perfect omelet. Since this comes from that great PBS cooking show America's Test Kitchen there is a chapter on the ingredients and the right equipemnt to use such as the French kitchen standard the mandoline. Another plus are explanations on mastering bistro cooking techniques.Home chefs can learn how to fold an omlet and sear a perfect steak. There is a good guide to cheese which helps in creating the perfect charcuterie platter.Another plus is that this is modernized ,reflecting France's now varied population.A Yemeni spice called hawaij is one of the cheif ingredients in a creamy cauliflower soup.Vadouvan,a blend of Indian spices that French colonizers too from India centuries ago is in asauteed  radish and almond dish. There is a section on wines and sheery because these too are ingredients in French cooking.It's a good guide as are the tips with each recipe/

There is a wide range of recipes to try. I would definitely go with my favorites like  crunchy croque monsiuer with a Mornay sauce and French onion soup. What I like about their recipe is that they use croutons instead of a slice of French bread. There are also takes on American classics too,like burgers made from sirloin and topped with homemade onopn jam and a grown up three cheese,  mac and cheese - which has french origins, the recipe coming over with Tom Jefferson. Of course there are the bistro classics like steak au poivre and the buttery stew daube provencale with its; mix of beef and salt pork. Cheese fondue also makes an appearance along with mouth watering omelet recipes. The breakfast and brunch section are another favorite. There are waffle and a really good eggs Benedict recipe with a tasty Hollandaise sauce. Yes. there are dessert recipes.The Gran Marnier souffle is a must try as are the chocoalte pot di creme.Galettes bith savory and sweet abound here. Two must tries are the tomato and potato ones. There are also bread recipes. such as the airy baguette.

America's Test Kitchen  Modern Bistro: Home Cooking Inspired by French Classics is the definite kitchen must have. The recipes are rich and delicious. Any one is full of flavor just like their bistro counterparts.

A Tweak Here, A Tweak There

Sometimes even the most delicious of recipes needs a little oomph.A tweak here , a dollop there can elevate any recipe from tasty to memorable.This is what makes a good cook, whether in a restaurant kitchen or in a home one.

This is my mantra.If I can make a recipe better,I will. Dishes and meals should not only be filling and nutritious but extraordinary . Even simple breakfast dishes can be turned into ambrosia with a tweak. Takes eggs for example. Even the simplest dish involving them can be boosted up by a dash of tarragon. Add this versatile herb to scrambled eggs for a nice brunch main dish. It can work wonders in an omelet au fine herbes. too.One of the best tweaks is adding club soda to beaten egg before scrambling. This results in the lightest, fluffiest scramble ever.I've also added whole cream to eggs which resulted in a more dense, custardy but insanely delicious dish. A cup of chopped ham also added oomph too.Waffle and pancake batters can also benefit from tweaks. Add a healthy dose of nutmeg or cinnamon  for a spicier , earthier flavor. Almonds and pecans are another great add in, giving both crunch and texture. Syrups can  be made special too. Add a squeeze of orange juice or  for a different spin. Drop in some blueberries and strawberries right before serving for color and flavor.

Lunch and dinner recipes always benefit from a tweak. Everybody loves a grilled cheese however make it like a croque Monsieur for a truly memorable meal. Instead of baking it in an oven or broiling it, fry it in butter . I do my own spin on it by buttering the inside, subbing in Gruyere along with a layer of sliced ham. The traditional recipe claims that  bread should be dipped in a flour and egg mixture before assembling but I feel this takes away from the crunch and flavor. Another favorite to tweak is the savory Italian bread pudding.The recipe has been in my family for decades. It's a flavorful layering of Italian or french bread,and Swiss cheese , baked or steamed with a good helping of beef broth. The last has been replaced by vegetable broth to be more vegan. Cabbage is added for crunch and color. Now I've been experimenting with aged Swiss will will give this usually mellow dish bite. Homemade Italian sauce is always deserving of a little twist. With mine , there comes a generous amount of oregano and vegan Iitalian sausage. The last is loaded with peppers so it gives the sauce a great zing.I love it on refried polenta but it can be perfect gracing rotelli too.

Tweaking here and there is perfectly fine.It add zings to everyday recipes, giving them pizzazz and zing. Go  off the beaten path and revamp that family or favorite recipe.

Viva La France Toujours

Our hearts go out to the Parisians and the French who  experienced those atrocious attacks of vile barbarism. It is a shame that the city and country of good food, where haute cuisine originated will have this scar for a long long time. Let's celebrate the dishes and treats of the City of Light. They are magnifique and what the city should be known for.

One favorite is the croque monsieur , that heavenly cheese sandwich.This is one if my all time favorite dishes to make..It's taking ham and Gruyere and drying it in butter. There should be a dash of mustard added for color and bite and it can be served with a béchamel sauce. A croque madam is one served with an egg on top and tomato can also be added for a croque provencale. Another Parisian favorite is steak Diane with pomme frites..These are a snap to make, with pan cooked steak with a cognac,tomato and shallot sauce.The sauce was originally meant for venison and wild game and named after the goddess of hunting , Diana.Pomme frites are French fries which can easily be made with Idaho potatoes. Cut  the potatoes into two to three inch sticks with a 1/2 inch width. Be warned, once you start frying these , you'll be snitching them  as they drain on a paper towel.The omelet is quintessentially French, having being created in the capital city in the 1600s. Originally called an aumelette, it has been a staple of French cookbooks for four centuries.The perfect one is made with three eggs and lots of butter (NO margarine, please). The eggs should be whisked into a smooth glossy liquid and then slowly poured into a hot buttered pan. As soon as the egg mix starts solidifying,, tilt the pan and coax it into a roll. Brush with melted butter for a nice glossy finish and decorate with fleur de sel and chives.

French pastries are another great gift to the culinary world. Croissants are true Parisian specialty, originally coming from Vienna with baker August Zang in 1839 . They were first called kipferl and later croissant by the  city that embraced them. In twenty years times, they were a breakfast staple. Even the famed English writer, Charles Dickens,  wrote about it in his periodical, All The Year Round. A variation of the croissant is pain au chocolat, a yummy, layered squared filled with bitter chocolate.There is also the almond croissant , stuffed with a buttery, crunchy almond paste, and again the taste is sheer heaven. Cream puffs, or profiteroles are another lovely treat,made with the slightly complicated choux pastry and filled with cream. These are topped off with melted dark chocolate and made into a tower called croquenbuche, translated as crunch in mouth. Eclairs are another must when in Paris. These are not those soggy ones American bakeries sell, but light , crisp choux pastry fingers filled with whipped cream or vanilla pastry crème and topped with a generous coating of melted semisweet chocolate. Patisseries also sell mille feulle,a thousand leaves, a crunchy  creamy layered pastry , perfect with the French coffee, café au lait

Vive le France! Vive Paris! Its ' people and food will shine through these dark days ! They have in the past, they will again! Salut!

Refrigerator Roulette

It's the weekend.It's too hot to go to the store to shop, yet you have to have some kind of lunch or supper for yourself and the family. What to do? Play roulette - refrigerator or pantry. There are ingredients there for something.- that's up to your creativity.

Every home chef should have pasta and rice in their arsenal. These are great as any base. Spaghetti and angel hair pasta can be turned into pasta con burro,  a light dish that is packed with flavor. Sub in garlic and olive oil for the butter  and make aglia e olio, another simple dinner that can be amped up with grilled chicken or salmon if you have them.Rice and beans are a staple in most kitchens. This is easy to make and  again, you can add to it. Try chicken or ground beef to give it more weight. Throw in a can of tomato paste and sauce  along with a dash of chili powder for a quickly made chili. Even without the spices it' still good. Rice can also be the base for a curry too.( remember that the spice rack is your friend here too ). An easy one can be made just by using the two ingredients. If you want throw in any veggies  found in the fridge or freezer , go ahead. Peas  and potatoes can also be tossed in too for more flavor.

Suppose the fridge holds only dribs or drabs or just cartons of leftovers?  Use them. Leftover cheese , flour, and a little milk can be melted down into a sauce Add some chicken or veggie broth and you have a soup.Sliced cheese, ham  and bread can be repurposed  into a yummy Croque Monsieur, that tasty French bistro sandwich.If you just have cold cuts, then think an Italian hero or better yet , a chef salad. Mix some mayo and ketchup together with oil and vinegar for a homemade French dressing. to pour over it. Tuna fish is another versatile player in refrigerator roulette. Mix it with mayo and chopped celery for a stuffing for tomatoes or make a lovely salad Nicoise with it.It can also be perfect  as a tuna melt with cheddar on top for a heartier lunch or supper.. Any leftover bread can be repurposed in both savory and sweet ways. You can make  savory bread pudding as well as a sweet one. There is a bread salad that consists of stale cubed Italian bread, tomatoes ad sliced onion. One of the classic bread recipes is French toast and it can be made for any meal. Besides it's one that you know the kids will love  and eat up instantly.

Refrigerator roulette can be a life saver,Look through the fridge or pantry for ingredients and then be creative. You can come up with a tasty meal with what ever is around.

Simple Sandwich Suppers

Sometimes you don't feel like making a hot dinner. Let's face it, many of us have busy lives and demanding jobs. Sometimes the family eats at different times from each other, thanks to sports or school activities or a late class.Then it's time to make sandwiches.

A sandwich can be just as nutritious as a regular full meal. There's nothing wrong with either getting or making heroes. for your family. These are not only loaded with tasty meats and cheeses, there are also the benefit of lettuce , tomatoes and other veggies such as peppers and onions. These last is chocked full of vitamins and nutrients.Add heart healthy olive oil along with healthy herbs such as rosemary and oregano for more boost.Even using a whole wheat bread or roll can be beneficial too.Stick to  low sodium cold cuts or better yet, leftovers such as chicken, turkey or roast beef. You can also create the French Provencale pan bagne, which is a yummy mix of tuna and tomatoes or just plain tomatoes sandwiches on baguettes.

If you or your family do want a hot meal but need something quick, then think about a hot open faced sandwich. There's nothing like slices of roast beef or London Broil on toasted wheat bread, smothered in gravy. The same can be said of a hot turkey sandwich which is a whole meal within itself.Many people (and kids) love a good grilled cheese.These are the simplest hot sandwich to make.Just take any cheese, preferably cheddar , and grill on any slice of bread.You can add bacon or tomato to it for more flavor and to create that diner fave The Happy Waitress.Of course if you want fancier then try the French croque monsieur. This is quick fried in butter grilled cheese, usually made with Swiss or Gruyere cheese with a slice of ham added.

Having just a sandwich for breakfast is not a sin. You can create or even take out a healthy hero or make a hot open one.It's just an easy way of having dinner after a hard day or during a busy schedule.

Dinner Sandwiches

Sandwiches for dinner are usually met with scorn. They're just meat and bread thrown together. Not much going on there. Not much love put into them either. However a hot sandwich is an entirely different matter. It can be just as filling and nutritious as any regular hot meal - and made with the same amount of thought and consideration.

Hot roast beef and turkey sandwiches are even better than just roasts. They can be tailored to everyone's tastes. Meat can be amply piled on or just have a few slices. Gravy can be thick or the thin au jus kind. Even the bread can vary from hearty kaiser rolls to thin slices of toasted wheat bread. With these you can still make sides. There's even nothing wrong with serving the sandwiches diner style with some stuffing on the side. You can also also have healthier pickings of green beans or succotash to round out the plate.

Another way is going French bistro. Here you can have fun creating that classic Gallic - fave the croque monsieur. This is a grilled cheese fried in butter but it's oh so good, especially after a hard day. It's usually made with Swiss cheese and thinly sliced ham. You can add Dijon mustard to it for added bite. Finish with a simple green salad tossed in a vinaigrette dressing. Another fun and quick hit sandwich is the American grilled cheese. Again you can have fun varying the types of cheeses and breads you want to use. You can also make that other diner classic The Happy Waitress which is a stuffed grilled cheese sandwich , filled with bacon and sliced tomatoes. Serve with fries for a truly fun dinner.

A sandwich for dinner can be hot and delicious. It can even come with sides to make it more rounded. Best of all it's an easy way to cook, yet still provide a warm meal for the family!