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Fast & Easy Dinner: Lamb, Fig, and Olive Stew

partysugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 03:00:01 -0800

Having a low-key Christmas Eve this year? Consider serving this hearty stew made with ingredients from Southern France. It's not your average midweek meal, but it comes together in less than an hour.

Olives, dried figs, red wine, and herbs de Provence provide rich flavor and delightful texture. Serve with a French red wine and a simple green salad. To look at the recipe,

YumSugar Gift Guide: The Francophile

partysugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 07:00:27 -0800

With its creamy cheese, world-renowned wines, classic cooking techniques, and rich culinary history, it's hard not to love the fabulous country that is France. Know someone who longs to live near the Louvre? Take her there with a bag of imported fleur de sel and a block of foie gras. Encourage her to cook like an authentic French woman with Anne Willan's The Country Cooking of France, this year's winner of the James Beard international cookbook award.

Check out the entire selection of French finds below or check out HolidaySugar for other gift ideas.

Name That Dish!

YumSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:15:25 -0800

If you're thinking of forgoing turkey this Thanksgiving, you might opt for this opulent French dish, which stars duck and citrus instead. Do you know what it's called?

Noteworthy Nibbles — Nov. 18-24, 2008

YumSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:00:55 -0800

This week, the country's running wild with wine tasting events. Even if there isn't one listed below that you can attend, chances are that this week there's a wine celebration going on near you, as the third Thursday of each November marks the yearly release of Beaujolais nouveau. Stock up on cases to pair with your upcoming Thanksgiving dinner, because as soon as the bottles sell out, they're gone for good.

Chicago, IL: Passport to France — Nov. 20
Houston, TX: Beaujolais Wine & Food Festival — Nov. 20
New York, NY: Beaujolais Nouveau 2008 Celebration — Nov. 20
Dallas, TX: Beaujolais Wine Festival — Nov. 21
Grand Rapids, MI: Grand Rapids Wine & Food Festival — Nov. 21-23
Stamford, CT: Connecticut Wine & Food Festival — Nov. 21-23
Plant City, FL: Plant City Pig Jam — Nov. 22

To see the rest,

Erin Fetherston For LU Biscuits: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 04:00:00 -0700

Fashion designer Erin Fetherston has partnered with LU Biscuits, the chic French cookie company, to create a limited-edition packaging. Her designs, which were released during Spring 2009 Fashion Week are whimsical and girlie. While I'm a huge fan of LU — who doesn't love the crisp, buttery cookie topped with a layer of chocolate? — I'm not so sure if I love Fetherston's interpretation of the iconic cookie. What do you think?

Erin Fetherston For LU Biscuits: Love It or Hate It?

Love it

Hate it

Undecided

Happy Hour: Dubonnet Rouge

YumSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:00:45 -0700

I've always been a complete novice to the category of spirits known as aperitifs. These old-school standbys — which include liqueurs, dry champagne, and fortified wines — rose to fame in Europe in the 1800s, and have remained popular ever since.

When I received a bottle of Dubonnet ($11.99), I decided to begin my aperitif studies. The French fortified wine, originally developed in 1846, is available in two varieties: rouge and blanc. Dubonnet is made from wine that's had additional alcohol added to it, which preserves the wine, makes it sweeter, and increases its alcohol content.

I've always thought of Dubonnet — a proprietary blend of herbs, spices, and peels — as something more fitting for my grandmother. But surprisingly, my first sip was warm and rich, and had a nose and flavor that reminded me of tawny port. It was sweeter than brandy, yet drier than a dessert wine, and incredibly smooth given its price tag.

I'm looking forward to drinking some again tonight and can't wait to experiment with Dubonnet in classic cocktails. If you've ever tried this aperitif, what are your thoughts on it? Have you ever tasted a spirit that was incredibly different from what you thought it would be?

Name That Dish!

YumSugar — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 07:00:31 -0700

Last week, I wanted to see how much you knew about classic chicken dishes. Here's a bonus round: The chicken in this entrée is pounded thin and then either sautéed or grilled (as seen below). Do you know what the name of the dish is?

Fast & Easy Dinner: Frisée With Potatoes and Eggs

partysugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 07:45:56 -0700

Eating this uncomplicated, vegetarian meal is like taking a trip to the French countryside. With its crisp potatoes and oozing egg, this salad is simple, elegant, and pure deliciousness. Feel free to substitute your favorite green for the frisée. Serve with rustic, crusty bread and a French white wine for an enlightening experience.

To look at the recipe — which also makes a beautiful brunch —

French Warnings on Junk-Food Ads: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:30:00 -0700

French women have long been admired for their ability to eat the rich, high-calorie foods of their cuisine without becoming overweight. They have inspired diet tips and books. This moderate food culture might have more to do with the government than we thought because the French Parliament seems to be legislating the two extremes of current weight issues. Recently, they outlawed images of extreme thinness and they are considering taxing fattening foods like ~~french fries~~ pommes frites and hamburgers. A friend of mine recently visited France and saw health warnings scrolling on the bottom of television ads for junk food, and took a photo of her hotel TV, knowing I'd want to see. The text translates roughly to: "For your health, eat at least five fruits and veggies a day." These warnings are not just limited to TV ads; they can be heard on the radio and seen in print ads as well. The warning reminds me a bit of the warning labels on cigarettes. While I appreciate those labels, I am not quite sure they keep people from lighting up, but hopefully they get smokers thinking.So what do you think about these warning messages. Do you think they could help solve the obesity problem? Should we imitate our Gallic friends? Are these warnings . . .

French Warnings on Junk-Food Ads: Cool or Not?

Cool!

Not Cool!

Undecided — Please explain!

Monday's Leftovers: Mustard-Crusted Pork, Carrots & Lentils

YumSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 06:45:31 -0700

If you have pork tenderloin on hand, this recipe takes just around half an hour. The dish is inspired by the rustic elegance of French country fare. The household condiment mustard is used to make a crust that seals in the pork's flavorful juices. Pair the meat with prepared lentils and carrots, and you have a hearty meal. To get the recipe,