511 french classic recipes

Classic French onion soup with slowly caramelized onions in beef broth, a splash of port wine, and broiled Swiss and Parmesan cheese on toasted baguette. Make ahead and finish under the broiler.

Braised rabbit with prunes in a rich beef and chicken broth, pan-fried in butter until fall-off-the-bone tender. A classic French-inspired one-pot dish served over wild rice.

Classic French toast made with thick-cut dried bread dipped in a vanilla egg custard and fried golden. Dust with powdered sugar and serve with brandied lemon butter for a special brunch.

Chocolate mocha mousse: a French-style chocolate mousse with strong coffee, butter, egg yolks, and clouds of whipped cream and stiff egg white. The classic dinner-party finale, made the proper way.

Tournedos of lotte (monkfish) with lobster, sauteed monkfish medallions plated with lobster meat in a silky Cognac-cream sauce enriched with homemade lobster butter. An elegant French restaurant classic for special occasions.

Chicken breasts Veronique-style with seedless green grapes: pan-simmered in white wine, orange marmalade, tarragon, and cream. A French bistro classic with a fruit sauce that comes together in 30 minutes.

Snails bourguignonne, served in mushroom caps instead of shells: roasted caps stuffed with tender escargots and blanketed in garlicky parsley snail butter, then baked bubbling. A classic French bistro appetizer made easy.

Classic boeuf bourguignon, beef slowly braised in red wine until fork-tender, with smoky bacon, sweet little onions, and buttery mushrooms. The deeply savory French beef stew worth the slow oven time.

Chicken Veronique sautés boneless breasts in butter with mushrooms, scallions, and white wine, then finishes in a silky cream sauce studded with seedless grapes. A classic French bistro dish that feels fancy but cooks in one skillet.

Individual almond cream tarts: buttery pastry shells filled with almond-scented vanilla cream and topped with fresh kiwi, strawberries, grapes, and a glossy apple jelly glaze. A classic French patisserie dessert made home-doable.

Green bean casserole made in the microwave with canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy French fried onion rings on top. The classic holiday side dish ready in just 15 minutes.

Peach and sour cream tart with fresh-poached peaches arranged in a sweet pastry shell, filled with a sour cream custard, and topped with sliced almonds. A classic French-style summer fruit tart.

A classic French Buche de Noel with a light sponge cake rolled around chocolate butter cream filling, then coated in chocolate frosting scored to look like bark. The centerpiece of any Christmas table.

Classic French truite au bleu: whole trout gently poached in a white wine court bouillon with shallots, herbs, and tarragon vinegar. Serve hot with herb butter or cold as an elegant first course.

Chicken with forty cloves of garlic braised in olive oil, vermouth, and tarragon under a sealed lid. A classic French dish where the garlic turns soft and buttery enough to spread on bread.

Pears Helene is a classic French dessert of poached pear halves served with hot chocolate sauce and optional vanilla ice cream and chopped almonds. Elegant, timeless, and surprisingly simple to make at home.