Laura Calder, the goddess of French cuisine, offers a mix of delicious French classics and new twists that will take your holiday mains, side dishes and desserts up a notch. Think turkey paupiettes, mushroom parmentier, baked onions with tarragon vinaigrette, slow-baked honey wine pears and more palate-pleasing ideas.
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Zucchini Rostis
Flavourful zucchini fritters pan-fried until golden for a delicious holiday brunch. Serve with sour cream.
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Raspberry Duck
This sensational main is definitely a crowd-pleaser. Excite your palate with succulent duck breast withcrispy skin, dressed ina red wine and raspberry glaze.
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Rillettes
Similar to a pâté, the meat is cooked slowly for threehours, resulting in anincredibly tender hors d’oeuvres. Bonus: You canmake this recipe a week ahead.
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Roasted Cornish Game Hens with Grapes
Try something different this holiday and make individual hens for friends and family,instead of a big turkey. It will make for a very appealing display, and will be just as tasty.
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Nougat Glacé
A nougat is essentially a sweet nut square made with honeyand whipped eggs. These pretty homemade treats can be served as dessert or as a party snack.
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Crème caramel
If you’re looking for a gluten-free dessert, try your hand at making caramel custard. It only takes five ingredients to make!
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Caper Chops
The intense sweet and salty flavours of this caper and thyme sauce is a perfect complement to pork chops.
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Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts have gotten a bad rap, but the right recipe can turn the worst naysayer into a believer. Trust us: sauteed with butter and bacon, this delicious side dish will do the trick.
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Spice Bread
Ginger, cinnamon and dark honey are top notes in this holiday loaf. Tip: Make a few loaves ahead of time and freeze — they willcome in handy as hostess gifts during the holiday rush!
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Mushroom Parmentier
This gorgeous dish is basically thevegetarian’s answer to Shepherd’s pie. Tender, garlicky mushrooms underneath a cheesy potato topping — it will easily be a family favourite.
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Artichoke with Hollandaise
A warmappetizereaten by peeling off the leaves and dipping them in the brown butter hollandaise sauce.
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Chocolate Cream Cake
This decadent, gluten-free dessert boasts bittersweet chocolate with a hint of espresso and rum.
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Quiche Lorraine
Hosting a holiday brunch for family and friends? A quiche is the perfect meal to make for a party of people. It’s so easy to prepare and oh so appetizing.
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Tourtière
A tourtière is a popularFrench-Canadian meat pie, often incorporatinggamey meats. This version uses pork and beef, baked for 25 minutes.
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15/46
Roasted Beet Roots With Greens
Roasted red beets make a colourful complement to your mains, and this recipe only calls for four ingredients!
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Croque Monsieur
A French classic withcrème fraîche and Gruyere cheese. A decadent brunch idea that will impress guests and leaving them wanting more.
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Tied Fish
Snapper or halibut works best forthis impressive dish. Stuffed with carrots, leeks and fresh herbs, the flavours meld together in the oven. The tasty fish will just melt in your mouth.
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Tomato and Aubergine Gratin
A warmvegetarian medley of eggplant, tomato, onion and fresh herbs, served straight from the oven.
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Turkey Paupiettes with Chestnuts and Brussels Sprouts
You’ll never look at turkey the same way again! This recipe takes it up a notch with a stuffing of herbs and ground pork. Food coma, here we come.
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20/46
Almond-Stuffed Bacon-Wrapped Prunes
An easy-to-makeco*cktailsnack, coupling succulent bacon and sweet prunes.
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Aperitif Platter
For a lightsnackor partyaperitif, prepare these chevre-stuffed grapes with chopped pistachios.
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Milk Pork
The recipe name says it all. Boned pork roast is cooked in the oven with milk so that the meat becomes super juicy. The leftover juices will then be puréed and turned into a sauce.
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23/46
Couer a la Creme
A simple and tasty, no-cook dessert that combines mascarpone with fresh fruit.
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Prune and Apple Croustade
A tasty dessert perfect for any dinner party, it’s best to soak the prunes in Armagnac overnight to let that oaky flavour really settle.
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Slow Provencal Lamb
This slow-cooked lamb really does the meat proud. Roasted red peppers, zucchini, tomatoes and eggplant add to this hearty main.
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Fried Zucchini Blossoms
Crunchy zucchini blossoms make a pretty and appetizing party snack or appetizer.
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Duck Breast with Green Peppercorn Sauce
If you’ve never cooked duck breast before, this easy recipe is foolproof. Served with a greenpeppercorn and Cognac sauce.
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Herb-Crusted Rack of Lamb
Whatever combinations ofherbs you typically enjoy with lamb can be used in this recipe. Pack the mixture onto the rack and cook in the oven for 20-minutes for medium-rare perfection.
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29/46
Salt and Savoury Biscuits
Homemade biscuits sounds intimidating, but it’s actually super easy to do. And it’s well worth the (minimal) effort.
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30/46
Halibut with Brown Butter
Light and butterywhite fish is served with crushed chickpeas, olives and roasted cumin carrots in this Mediterranean-inspired dish.
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Baked Onions with Vinaigrette
Delight your dinner guests with a truly unique appetizer; ofgolden onions served with a tangytarragon sauce.
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Crepes with Thyme Cream Tomatoes
Forgo the traditional pancakes for brunch this year; surprise family and friends with savoury, rich vegetarian crepes.
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Savoury Swiss Chard Tart
Whether served for brunch or as a main for dinner, this tasty tart makes a great meal for any ocassion.
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Braised Quails with Wild Mushrooms
There’s something about serving quail that makes a dinner feel extra special. These decadent birds are served with a rich mushroom sauce.
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Slow-Baked Honey Wine Pears
How pretty are these sweet pears? They only take three ingredients to make and will leave you wanting more. Serve with whipped cream.
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36/46
Chèvre and Walnut Tartlets
A palate-pleasing party snack with toasted walnuts, rich chèvre on top of warm puff pastry.
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Brandade Cakes
Caramelized peppers and tomatoes served on top of mini fish cakes, this tasty app is sure to be a hit at any party!
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Pommes de Terre à La Boulangère
A boulangère is essentially a casserole with onions. Try this potato gratin made with milk instead of beef stock for a creamier variation.
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Endives with Oranges
Typically used in salad mix, endives are perhaps overlooked as a tasty side dish on its own. This recipe calls for red wine and seasoning, and cooked with endives for 20 to 30 minutes. Acolourful side to complement any dish.
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Beef au Bleu
A classic French dishwith sirloin steak and a creamy blue cheese sauce.
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Easy Pastry Shop Apple Tart
This beautiful cream-filled tart will be a welcome addition to a holiday menu, or a sophisticated weekend dinner party.
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Stuffed Mushroom Caps
Nutty flavoured mushroooms filled with breadcrumbs and herbs.
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Kitschy Canapes
Three retro appetizers that will add some playfulful kitschinessto your nextco*cktailparty.
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Butter Roasted Chicken
Tender roasted chicken with a myriad of herbs and root vegetables. This gorgeous main is a feast for the eyes.. a tastebuds.
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Lobster Stew
Celebrate the company of friends and family with a truly beautiful seafood dish they’ll sure to appreciate.
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Vegetable Chips
Set out a platter of thesedelicious vegetable chips and just watch them disappear!
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