GINGER COOKIES AND A HAPPY SOLUTION
There have been times when, whether I was making dinner for my family, or preparing for friends to come to a dinner party, I just didn’t “feel” it. I was tired, usually a state I don’t like to admit to, but it happens to everyone. A normal person would just resort to pasta; not me. […]
Lamb with Mashed Potatoes, and the Best of 2018
I flew over mid-December to teach a couple of classes in Portland, which exhibited huge support (Merci, Portland) for the fine points of French cooking. Fiona flew in from her home in Utrecht, Holland, and Joe followed on her heels from Annapolis, Maryland. Yes, we are spread all over the map, so occasions to be […]
Poulet Vallée d’Auge – Chicken with Calvados, Cider, and Apples
My son, Joe, is visiting from the U.S., spending more time here than usual as he writes his senior thesis. I’m enjoying watching him work, our conversations roiling around the vagaries of writing and inspiration, the beauty of fine sentences that all too often end up on the cutting room floor, born as they can […]
Beets – the Least Loved Vegetable
I can’t count the number of times I’ve presented a menu to a cooking class with a beet recipe in it, and gotten looks like I was proposing a final walk to the gallows. I proceed with a lightness of being, however, because I know what will ensue, which involves almost heavenly transformation. That’s because […]
Chicken Pot Pie a la Francaise
I heard whispers of desire emanating from the kitchen, as my children were discussing what they wanted for dinner. Tart came out on top. Since neither yearns to cook, they turned to me, plaintive looks in their eyes. I live to please, and what could satisfy this particular desire better than Chicken Pot Pie? […]
Summer Tomato Tart
What is the difference between a tourte, a torte and a tart? When it comes to summer tomatoes, there is a difference. A Tourte is usually double crusted, quite high and savory. Here in Normandy we are luxuriating in the hottest summer since 1940. For us, this means that summer produce like eggplant and zucchini, […]
Comté – the Queen of French Cheese
This is not my opinion, this is fact. Comté is THE Queen of French cheese on the French table. It’s no wonder. Made with milk from the brown-spotted Montbéliard and the russet-coated French Simmental, Comté is the perfect combination of sweet, creamy, herbal, nutty, and exquisite. I have just returned from the land where Comté […]
Strawberry Shortcake from the Grill
There are two things at play in this recipe for French strawberry shortcake from the grill. One is my brand, new, fancy Weber gas grill that has taken pride of place in my back courtyard. Two is my darling daughter Fiona’s predilection for loving and not eating animals. Sometimes she is flexitarian, but mostly she […]
Miami and Seattle Coming Up
Here’s a little reminder about French happiness coming your way! I’ll be giving you my French culinary tips and secrets in Miami January 16-18 at the amazing Gastronomicom cooking school, and in Seattle February 8-10 in a beautiful Mercer Island kitchen. There are a few spots available so step right up cookingclasses@onruetatin.com to register. Three days! Authentic French […]
Sunday Lunch in the Country
I’ve experienced and written a lot about Sunday Lunch, because I think it’s such a warm and admirable French tradition. Families and friends get together to while away the day simply enjoying – a meal, a beautiful table, each other. It’s always a moment hors temps, outside of time, where the clock ticks more slowly, […]
