My cookbook and blog are all about how you can get true-to-France meals on the table on a Tuesday night just as easily as on a Saturday night. One way I make that happen is by keeping the freezer well-stashed a few standbys. The following are my favorite French foods to freeze:
1. Braises
Most braises, such as my Blanquette de Porc, above, freeze well. Store braises in freezer containers up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, either thaw in the refrigerator (overnight) or in the microwave. Then reheat gently on the stovetop.
2. Most Soups
With the exception of soups with noodles or rice, most soups freeze well. Personally, I love doubling a batch of French Onion Soup and freezing half of it (without the cheese-toast topper, mind you). It’s just a great thing to have on hand for a Sunday night soup supper. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw/reheat as for braises, above. (French onion soup photo by LexnGer via Flickr.)
3. Gougères
My aperitif hour changed dramatically when I figured out that you could freeze uncooked Gougères. Simply pop them in the oven and cook as if you were cooking them fresh and voilà—a rich, elegant appetizer any time you want one. Here’s how to freeze Gougères.
4. Crêpes
I won’t lie to you: Frozen and reheated crêpes aren’t quite a “10”—they’re more like an “8.5,” as a wee bit of quality is lost in the freezer. But by the time you put all the good stuff on them (caramel, fruit, whipped cream….), no one will really notice. For a complete discussion of how to freeze crêpes, check out my blog.
5. Sablés
You can’t beat having a stash of these French butter cookies in your freezer. Take a couple out for the midmorning coffee break or afternoon tea time (quatre heures, if you’re French). By the time you get your water boiled and the tea steeped, they’ll be thawed well enough to eat. Layer between sheets of waxed paper and freeze in freezer containers for up to 3 months.
Wini Moranville is the author of The Bonne Femme Cookbook: Simple, Splendid Food That French Women Cook Every Day. Follow Wini on Facebook at Chez Bonne Femme, or on her blog at chezbonnefemme.com
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
New Eye Prefer Paris Photos Available
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
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