Some friends are coming over on Friday evening and we're trying to think of a dinner menu. We were thinking perhaps some French dishes, as this Friday is Bastille Day. We'll be pretty tired from a long week of work, so the dishes can't be too cumbersome.
What do you think would make a good menu? Wine pairing suggestions?
2006-07-12 13:28:12 · 8 answers · asked by Jimmy 2 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
For all you Sideways fans: "No. If anyone orders a Merlot, I'm leaving." :-)
2006-07-12 13:41:48 · update #1
A FRENCH MENU:
Cream of Lettuce Soup (Potage Creme de Laitue)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/lettuce.html
Mushroom Salad (Champignons en Salade)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/mushroom.html
Piperade
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/piperade.html
Potato Bake (Gratin Dauphinois)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/potato.html
Cheese Puffs (Gougeres)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/puffs.html
Southern Chicken with Olives (Poulet Nicoise)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/chicken.html
Peas (Petits Pois)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/peas.html
Baked Tomatoes (Tomates a la Provencale)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/tomatoes.html
Egg and Bacon Tart (Quiche Lorraine)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/tart.html
Baked Sole in White Wine Sauce (Sole Bretonne)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/sole.html
Veal Chops with Apple Brandy Sauce (Cotes de Veau au Calvados)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/veal.html
Beef Stew (Pot au Feu)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/stew.html
Caramel Custard (Creme Caramel)
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/custard.html
Chocolate Mousse
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/mousse.html
Madeleines
http://www.globalgourmet.com/destinations/france/madeleines.html
5th - Merlot, Canoe Ridge Winery, Washington, 2002, $20
4th - Pinot Noir, Elkhorn Peak, Napa Valley, 2002, $30
3rd - Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), Chateau de Montfort, Loire, Diageo Imports, 2004, $13
2nd - Reynolds Chardonnay, Australia, Trinchero Imports, 2004, $8
1st - Old Vines Zinfandel, Sobon Estate, Amador County, 2004, $13
http://www.globalgourmet.com/food/wine/
2006-07-12 14:06:51 · answer #1 · answered by Swirly 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For a starter course, you could serve vichychoisse: a cold potato-leek soup that can be made the night before and is perfect for a hot summer day. Simply saute chopped onions and leeks in a pot, add diced potato and enough chicken stock (or store-bought broth) to cover and simmer until potatoes are tender. Blend everything with hand blender (or in a regular blender), season with salt/pepper and chill overnight.
For the main dish, I would grill some chicken (breasts, legs, whichever you prefer, but chicken on the bone is particularly french). Marinate in garlic, olive oil and provence seasoning blend for about 2 hrs, then grill until done. Serve with a small side salad in a light vinaigrette.
A traditional french dinner has a cheese course before dessert with 4-6 different varieties. Brie, camembert, chevre and roquefort are traditional cheeses to try.
For dessert, chocolate mousse would be ideal and can be prepared ahead of time. It can also be a bit difficult and time-consuming. A family I once stayed with in France were fans of simply taking fresh strawberries and mixing them with mint, a little sugar and a little alcohol (just enough to flavor) then serving it up with some lady fingers and whipped cream.
As for wine, I like a Burgundy or Bordeaux, but ultimately you should choose the wine you enjoy. After all, you're the one drinking it!
2006-07-12 20:59:50 · answer #2 · answered by runninlion 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This website has a lot of Bastille Day recipes
http://labellecuisine.com/archives/Index%20-%20Bastille%20Day%20Recipes.htm
2006-07-13 01:02:37 · answer #3 · answered by scrappykins 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy a cake from the store, and burgers (not really a french food) or chicken would be good. Try barbecuing.
2006-07-12 20:33:54 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Head Cheese, chopped liver, and cake, lots of cake, maybe some frog legs as a cold starter, and whine, the French love whining and dining....Marie...
2006-07-12 20:32:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
escargot
and some spagetthi with garlic sauce
don't forget to have some Merlot
2006-07-12 20:32:21 · answer #6 · answered by Roland 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rachael ray did a show for a 30 minute french meal
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/show_tm/episode/0,1976,FOOD_9997_20622,00.html
2006-07-12 20:34:53 · answer #7 · answered by rn491964 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://allrecipes.com/
2006-07-15 08:43:04 · answer #8 · answered by . 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋