French cuisine image via Shutterstock.
Summer holidays are *this* close… I’ve got three days left with the boys then a week of professional development/ meetings and then the school year wraps up. Um… how did we get here? This year (like every year, it seems) has passed in a flash (and more of a blur than usual as I WROTE A BOOK at the same time as all the other things I do – gah!) and soon I’ll be back in France where I’ll spend a good portion of the summer (most likely editing said book but I am sure there will be some night markets and night markets in there too!).
Summer in France has a nice ring to it, right? But if you’re not able to get to France this summer (hey, I know a nice little rental house in the Southwest…) today I’m sharing some personal favourite French recipes for the warmer weather to bring a little bit of France to your table anytime.
First up, chilled soups are often forgotten as a wonderful way to cool down in the summer yet they are so easy and versatile. How about a Vichyssoise (chilled leek and potato soup)?
In France, I live on salads. This Big Summer Salad is a personal favourite.
If you’re in the mood for something a little more substantial, how about a Vegetable Tarte Tatin?
Or a Ratatouille Quiche …
These Mini Goat Cheese and Tomato Tartlets are so easy your kids can help you make them!
If you’re not in the mood to make pastry, pop those veggies into a savoury custard and make a Ratatouille Clafoutis…
For the occasional time you’ll turn on you oven in the summer, how about this classic (OK, it’s Belgian, not French…) Chicons au Gratin? It’s endives wrapped in ham, baked in béchamel sauce. Um, yum!
Ready for dessert? You can’t go wrong with a berry galette in the summer. I love these Mini Blueberry Galettes!
For something a little fancier (though no less simple to make), you can’t go past a Coeur à la Crème…
And for a classic dessert (that doubles as an anytime snack), you can’t beat a Yogurt Cake (here with an orange and cranberry twist).
What are your favourite French summer dishes?
Happy (French) Friday!
OH man! Those French guys knows how to eat! I’ve got to go visit more often! Lucky you being surround by all that yumminess this summer!
Thanks! I can surround myself with this at home as well, that’s the beauty!
Everyone of these looks delectable! I need to spend the summer in France……:-)
Or, you can just make these recipes 😉
Enjoy your summer! Everything looks amazing! I love the mini blueberry galettes and the yogurt cake sounds perfect.
Thanks so much! Love French classics!
I do so love a nice bowl of refreshing vichyssoise in the summertime… have you ever tried subbing some of the leeks for garlic scapes or green garlic bulbs? Sooooo good. (Though you definitely need to brush your teeth afterwards.)
However, my favourite French summertime treat has got to be a classic cherry clafoutis. They’re so ridiculously easy to make, and yet so delicious.
I have not tried that sub but will keep it in mind. I think that would enhance the flavour so well!