Rabbit in all its Splendor

rabbit on the grill, with herbs and bacon

The biggest hurdle?  Peter Rabbit, that wily, lovable blue-jacketed character created by naturalist and author Beatrix Potter.  Who couldn’t love him?  Who could eat his relatives? Most recipes for rabbit come from the farm – hearty yet delicate, simple and laden with flavor.  As it happens, the French can eat his relatives and do, all […]

Hangar Steak and Figs on the Grill

Figs on the grill

Eileen and Betsy are back!  Busily grilling their way through French Grill, they’ve just sent this new missive!!   “So we had last Saturday night set aside to do something simple for four people…we ended up with nine.  Word travels when we get out our French Grill cookbooks.  It’s like Catholics flocking to Lourdes for […]

Last Minute Labor Day Menu

grilled pork chops

EEEK!  I almost forgot Labor Day! It’s my calendar’s fault; it is supposed to keep me informed of all holidays everywhere, but the “settings gremlin” flipped a switch and here I am, blissfully sipping coffee and nibbling a croissant and it’s almost Labor Day and I’ve been in the dark. I love blaming something like […]

Grilling Their Way Through FRENCH GRILL

The other day I received an email from Betsy Regnell, whom I met when she and her friend Eileen Doherty came to a class at On Rue Tatin, some many years ago.  Here is what it said: “Susan,  Eileen and I are working through FRENCH GRILL. We did the grilled bread with smashed tomatoes, the […]

Gazpacho, French (Grill) Style

gazpacho

Summer is always a strange and wonderful season in France.  As the French populace goes on vacation, so too does the content on most radio stations, the issues that preoccupy the airwaves (see Benalla and its repercussions), and magazines that focus on children’s games and summer romance.  The French know how to relax, turn off […]

Summer Grill Medley, Heavy on the Eggplant

eggplant

I know, all I write about these days is eggplant.  It’s the season. And besides I’m in love with eggplant.  It comes in the most gorgeous colors, it wears its fat, bottom heavy shape with pride and when grilled, it turns to seductive pudding.  How can this vegetable (which is technically a fruit) not be […]

A Perfect Early Summer Grill Menu

At the table

As I prepared for an early summer grill class last week I pinched myself.  Anyone who has written a cookbook knows just what I mean.  After months of testing, tweaking, writing, re-writing, testing some more, editing, copy editing, agonizing, dreaming, there’s a book.  And then there’s someone saying,  “Please, please teach us how to grill!” […]

Grilling in Parisian Traffic

I don’t care how many books I write, each one is a labor of love, and as the publication date approaches the excitement builds, and there is suddenly so much to do. As part of all of that, my favorite photographer, Francis Hammond and I took to the streets of Paris to shoot some photos […]

Mussels Oh Mussels Alive Alive Oh – An Eclade For You

Mussels cooking in pine needles

Many years ago I tasted the most amazing dish near Bordeaux – local mussels cooked in a nest of pine needles set over hot coals. THIS SPECIAL WAY OF COOKING MUSSELS IS CALLED ECLADE. Called Eclade, the origins of the dish sit with the mussel fishermen there who landed their boats.  They arranged the mussels […]

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 […]

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