Blanquette de veau (veal stew) is what I call the mother of all French dishes. It’s the ultimate French home cooked meal, so traditional, bourgeois yet simple. Ever so often, when I go to the butcher, I have a natural inclination to say, ‘Michel, prepare me some veal for a little blanquette de veau please’. […]

Médoc is looking more and more like Venice these days.  The rain hasn’t stopped for days, we now have a pond in our garden, which is quite fun for the kids and the dogs I suppose.  I wouldn’t mind a bit of snow, a peaceful change of creamy colors and scenery, but that won’t really […]

Looking out the window today, all I could see was rain, rain and more rain. It’s one of those January days where you want to be creative. Dazed by the weather, I was suddenly transported to Italy, reminiscing on past holidays. Rome is one of my favourite romantic cities and I was taken back to […]

There are days when I just don’t know what to make for lunch or dinner. One thing I know for sure is that whatever it is, I will most likely add red wine and butter to the meal. These two ingredients will turn anything into a special something. It’s the sauce, the gravy, the juices […]

Today’s lunch was all about indulging. For me January is a month of promise and possibility but often it is also wet and cold, so what better way to sizzle it up than with a hot peppery steak? When you add an exquisite cognac cream sauce and pommes allumettes french fries, you’ve reached pure happiness. […]

Confit de canard (duck confit) is one of my ‘can’t live without’ dishes.  If I am in a bistrot, I will almost certainly order it, and it’s the first dish I prepare for my friends when they come for a stay.  It’s so French, so tasty, crispy, served with roast potatoes, salad and a good […]

This Sunday most of France will be feasting on the traditional king’s cake, called galette des rois in French.  It is made of golden buttery puff pastry filled with a delicious almond paste filling, and you can find so many versions with cream, fruits or chocolate.  This tradition is to mark the feast of Epiphany, […]

To feast on fine delicacies, drink champagne and be merry – that’s how I want my end of year dinner to be. New year’s eve is the perfect time to shine, looking back on the year, starting a new fresh one with a few good (I hope!) resolutions. I especially love week-end family lunches. Everyone’s […]

I have been in a Christmas state of mind since the beginning of December. I can’t believe today is actually Christmas eve, how I wish I had a magic wand to make time stand still – I don’t want this day to be over. I have enjoyed going to Bordeaux and to the markets around […]

The wind is blowing in Médoc. It’s one of those unusually cold December months when you wake up to frosted trees and even the dogs don’t fancy going out. The weather (and the ice-cold stone floors) make me feel raw and in need for big shawls, hot cups of tea and gentle music. I find […]