List of recipes from category Basic recipes: 81 recipes (lactose free)

Vanilla sugar

Almost essential in patisserie, you can find it in expensive little sachets of about 10g. It's necessary to distinguish between the vanilla sugar which really contains vanilla, and vanillin sugar, purely chemical which has never seen a vanilla pod. Here is how to quickly make a whole jar full of...
August 12^th 2018413 K 15 30 min.

Pickled gherkins

Preparing your own gherkins in vinegar is quite straightforward, if you know how to avoid a few pitfalls. Here's a recipe which works every time.
August 21^th 2013765 K 73.1 4 hours 40 min.

Bouquet garni

Used very frequently in French cuisine, a secret of French chefs, it adds flavour to a lot of recipes, and it's easy to prepare. The basic principle is to make a small bundle of herbs, bind them in green leek leaves and to tie it up, so that the whole thing can be removed and discarded easily after...
March 21^th 2017411 K3.5 15 min.

Praline

Praline is a preparation of caramelized nuts (in this case almonds), with a very characteristic flavour. Either crushed or as a paste, it is used to fill or flavour all manner of things like creams, chocolates, biscuits, etc.
August 3^rd 2012260 K3.5 55 min.

Herb olive oil

This flavoured olive oil, easy to prepare, goes very well with Mediterranean cuisine: pizzas, pastas, pan bagnat, etc...
February 21^th 2011303 K3.8 25 min.

Herb salad

Herb salad is a small salad made with leaves of all kinds of aromatic herbs, it's highly flavoured, and should be considered almost as a condiment. It really is a salad, the leaves are not chopped.
October 13^th 2010224 K4.6 25 min.

Vegetable stock

Vegetable stock is a very easy and versatile basic recipe. It can be used in many different ways: for cooking rice, making soups, sauces, etc. It's a good idea to keep a supply of vegetable stock in your fridge or freezer.
October 5^th 2011262 K4.3 1 hour

Preserved lemons

For this recipe, the lemons are sliced first (this makes them easier to use later), then salted to drain off the juice before being bottled in herb-flavoured olive oil. These preserved lemons can be used in all sorts of dishes, especially with fish and poultry.
December 2^nd 2012122 K 15 12 hours 40 min.

Red mixed pickle

This mixed pickle is made with a variety of vegetables left to mature for 2 weeks in diluted vinegar. The result is similar to gherkins and can be added to lots of recipes, or eaten with a snack or sandwich. This red version gets its name from beetroot and red cabbage, which eventually colour...
April 29^th 202041 K 1 hour 30 min.

Home-made chilli oil

It is very simple and economical to make your own chilli oil. Here's how to do it.
March 30^th 202226 K 15 min.

Home-made breadcrumb coating

The crispy crust on many fried (or baked) foods comes from a breadcrumb coating. You can buy this, of course, but it's easy and much better to make your own at home. For one thing, you will know excatly what's in it – just bread – which is not the case for the commercial product. This is also a...
May 26^th 2024114 K1 1 hour 7 min.

Biscuit de Savoie sponge cake

Biscuit de Savoie is not a "biscuit" in the English sense, just a very light sponge cake. It is delicious plain, but it can also be filled with cream, fruit, etc.
December 23^th 2014107 K5 1 hour 8 min.

Nougatine

Nougatine is a delicious nut toffee: caramel mixed with toasted flaked almonds. Not a dessert in itself, it is often used to decorate cakes and pastries. But those who enjoy good things are sure to want to eat it on its own!
March 29^th 2018324 K4 35 min.

Stewed apricots

Here is how to make delicious stewed apricots, both an easy and a more sophisticated way.
July 12^th 2023775 K 143.5 1 hour 20 min.

Stewed apple (compote)

Here is a very basic but delicious recipe, and the pitfalls to avoid.
November 8^th 20172.42 M 14.8 1 hour 15 min.

Italian Meringue

Italian meringue is made with sugar cooked to 120°C or 248°F. This is different from the French, which is made from caster sugar. The cooked sugar gives a softer meringue which can be added to other preparations or use as it is.
June 2^nd 2015468 K4.3 30 min.

Stewed rhubarb

This is perhaps the best known use of rhubarb, and can be used as the basis for other recipes.
October 13^th 2010288 K4.4 55 min.

Stewed plums

Quick and simple, stewed plums can also be spread like jam.
June 27^th 2010461 K2.6 40 min.

Pear compote

Stewed pears are not as easy to prepare as stewed apples, as they contain more juice and you risk ending up with more of a coulis than a compote. So here are two simple methods to help you succeed.
April 26^th 2012460 K4.3 40 min.

Foie gras Chantilly

Chantilly is a method which is applied to cream of course, but also to other surprising ingredients. If we look at the more scientific side of Chantilly we can see that it's mainly cream, and cream is a mix of very small droplets of milk fat and water, which is called an emulsion. When we whip this...
September 17^th 2013112 K4.6 30 min.

Royal icing

Royal icing is a mixture of egg white and icing sugar. From its pasty consistency when fresh, it dries to give a lovely white crust.
February 12^th 2012193 K4.7 15 min.

Quince and apple compote

This compote is a tricky balancing act between the characteristic quince flavour and just enough apples to sweeten it. You should end up with a compote that has a delicate quince flavour rounded out by the apples and brown sugar.
December 30^th 2019109 K3 60 min.

Chocolate Chantilly

If we look at the more scientific side of Chantilly cream we can see that it's mainly cream, and cream is a mix of very small droplets of milk fat and water, which is called an emulsion. When we whip this emulsion, we incorporate air into it and so create a mousse or foam. In the end Chantilly is a...
September 25^th 2013171 K5 15 min.

Swiss meringues

Swiss meringues are a variant of the classic French meringue. The eggs whites and sugar are beaten together in a bain-marie at first, then beaten stiff as normal. This makes for a firmer meringue which can be used to make small items or figures to decorate cakes or ice creams (such as mushrooms,...
June 2^nd 2015116 K3.8 1 hour 20 min.

Apple confectioner's custard

For this strongly apple-flavoured version of confectioner's custard (crème pâtissière, or french pastry cream), apple juice is used instead of milk and the quantity of sugar is reduced.
July 23^th 2014127 K4.6 25 min.

Quince compote

Quinces make an excellent compote, full of their delightful perfume and flavour. However, preparing the fruit is hard work, so here's a recipe to show you how to manage this.
November 11^th 202037 K 55 min.

Dried apricots

Making your own dried apricots at home is perfectly feasible. It's really quite simple, though it takes a long time. Basically, the apricots need to be cut in half, destoned, then the halves put to dry slowly for several hours in a cool oven.
July 12^th 2023129 K3.9 6 hours 6 min.

Clear strawberry juice

In French this is called a "clarification". The method for making a clear strawberry juice is simple, with little added sugar. The delicious juice obtained can be used in lots of recipes: mousse, cream, jelly, etc.
July 25^th 202130 K5 60 min.

Poached pears

Poached pears are used in a number of desserts. Here's a method for poaching them that you can use in all your recipes.
November 22^th 202310 K 30 min.

How to prepare apricots

Here's how to prepare apricots for use in a recipe, from washing to slicing.
July 12^th 2023735 K3.7 35 min.

How to cook potato grenaille

The French call very small potatoes "grenaille". This is a typical way of cooking them: the tiny potatoes are pan-fried in their skins and make an excellent accompanient for meat. Grenaille can be made with any kind of potato; it is a question of size, rather than variety, though I think that...
September 16^th 2015449 K4.5 45 min.

Vol-au-vent cases

Vol-au-vents, whether large or bite-sized, need a special pastry case that is hollow to take the filling. Here is how to prepare these delicate cases using puff pastry.
October 16^th 2013301 K4.1 45 min.

How to peel hazelnuts

The skin of whole hazelnuts, unlike that of almonds, doesn't improve their taste - on the contrary. So you need to remove it before using them, and here's how.
August 4^th 20246,439

Meatballs

Used in several recipes like couscous, meatballs can also be a dish on thier own. The secret of this recipe is in the mix of two different kinds of meat with a little Parmesan. Note that it's a dish children always love.
February 21^th 2011286 K 24.7 45 min.

Sausagemeat

Sausagemeat is a mixture of fatty pork (belly bacon here) with leaner meat, all minced and seasoned. In this version I have used veal as the additional meat.
October 3^rd 2019207 K3.8 15 min.

Caramelised walnuts

These delicious nuts can be used in several cakes, but you can also put them on ice-cream, pancakes, fruit salad, or eat them just as they are.
February 21^th 2011363 K5 25 min.

Preserved tomatoes

Softer than dried tomatoes, they can be used as a kind of chutney in pasta dishes for instance, or simply served to accompany an aperitif.
February 21^th 2011337 K4.8 5 hours 6 min.

Toasted flaked almonds

Toasted flaked almonds are the perfect finishing touch for desserts, ice creams in particular, because of their delightful crunch.
March 9^th 2020311 K4.8 30 min.

Citrus crunch

These are fine crumbs of candied citrus peel. It can be used to sprinkle a dessert or other preparation to add both crunch and the flavour of the chosen citrus fruit. It is easy to prepare well in advance, and will keep in an airtight jar. This recipe is given for clementines, but can be made with...
February 2^nd 2016228 K3.7 1 hour 20 min.

Poached eggs

Poached eggs are cooked, without the shell, in barely simmering (nearly boiling) water. White should be firm and yolk soft, that's the difficulty. This recipe teaches you how to succeed with three important points.
January 8^th 2013309 K5 2 hours 40 min.

Pistachio powder or paste

Pistachio paste has a similar texture to almond paste, but the similarity ends there, as its flavour and colour are quite characteristic.
October 13^th 2010369 K 154 50 min.

Walnut paste

Very similar to marzipan (almond paste) in method, walnut paste is very tasty.
February 21^th 2011298 K 63.5 15 min.

Marzipan (almond paste)

Very easy to do if you have a food processor which can slice or grate a lot of things.
December 19^th 2021627 K 34.5 15 min.

Coconut paste

Similar to marzipan or walnut paste, coconut paste can be used in a variety of cake or sweet recipes, but you can enjoy munching it just as it is.
October 13^th 2010286 K 14 15 min.

Pizza dough

Pizza dough is a lind of bread dough with olive oil, which make it softer. This is the same dough that I use for pizzas and flammenkuches, this is no doubt incorrect, but it's very good nevertheless. At home we used to make pizza dough quite thick, and flammenkuche as thin as possible.
September 22^th 2024502 K4.6 1 hour 60 min.

Almond dacquoise

A dacquoise is a sort of almond meringue that can be eaten like a biscuit or can be used as the base of more sophisticated desserts.
June 28^th 2011198 K5 45 min.

Fresh pasta dough

You can use this dough to make lasagne, ravioli, spaghetti, etc. - in fact, any fresh pasta you wish.
December 6^th 2012180 K3.8 1 hour 15 min.

Armagnac marzipan

Almost the same as plain marzipan, but this almond paste is flavoured with a hint of Armagnac or Cognac.
September 12^th 201845 K4.8 9 min.

Macaronade mixture

Macaronade is the sweet almond and egg-white mixture (inspired by macarons (the original french macaroons) that French pâtissiers use as a topping on cakes and brioches. It forms a delicious crust when baked.
November 25^th 202064 K 2 min.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is a cold egg dressing, quite thick, served with many dishes, usually cold too: meat, fish, vegetables, etc.
February 16^th 2014806 K5 6 min.

How to succeed in making sabayon (syllabub)

A sabayon is a delicious and delicate preparation based on egg yolks and sugar, with a liquid added (wine, alcohol, fruit juice, etc), which is then whipped in a bain-marie until it is both light and smooth. Usually sabayon is sweet (syllabub), but you can make it savoury, in which case there is...
November 12^th 2017928 K 54 20 min.

French dressing (vinaigrette)

Here is a very simple recipe, but it could completely transform, maybe even transcend, your salad.
July 7^th 20111.04 M4.5 7 min.

Rémoulade dressing

This dressing is a kind of mayonnaise with vinegar, used for some salads like celeriac rémoulade. Usually it is prepared from mayonnaise, but here is another version, simpler and just as tasty.
October 3^rd 2010872 K3.9 6 min.

Tomato sauce (for pizzas)

This is the sauce to put on pizza bases before the toppings.
October 19^th 2010521 K4.3 1 hour 15 min.

Green parsley sauce

This sauce, with a great parsley taste, is perfect with steamed vegetables or fish. At the bottom you will find the coulis version of this recipe.
February 21^th 2011511 K 44.3 25 min.

Pesto

Pesto is an Italian sauce made from pine nuts, Parmesan and basil. It's very simple but quite delicious, and goes particularly well with pasta.
July 25^th 2020267 K 25 15 min.

Cocktail sauce

Cocktail sauce is a spicy mayonnaise with cognac, Tabasco and concentrated tomato paste (or purée) added.
October 13^th 2010198 K4 9 min.

Tapenade

Tapenade is a classic of Mediterranean cuisine, basically a purée of black olives and olive oil. This version is little more sophisticated, with a less marked olive flavour.
November 21^th 2010187 K 14.1 15 min.

Tomato pesto

This is a variation on the classic pesto sauce (basil and pine nuts), using cherry tomatoes, basil and almonds.
June 29^th 2011163 K4.5 15 min.

Lemon Mayonnaise

This is almost as simple to make as a plain mayonnaise, but with the double lemon flavour of both zest and juice for a delicate, fresh tang.
February 17^th 201682 K4.5 5 min.

Rémoulette dressing

This is similar to rémoulade dressing, but with lemon juice instead of vinegar and with chopped chives added. The name comes from the French for chives: "ciboulette". In technical terms, it is a cold emulsion, like mayonnaise. Not just a tasty dressing for vegetables and salads, it also goes well...
March 27^th 201970 K 8 min.

Coriander and cashew nut pesto

You are probably familiar with the classic pesto,made with basil and pine nuts. I'd like to tempt you with a rather different (but quite delicious) version, made with coriander and cashew nuts.
December 9^th 201865 K 30 min.

Green parsley tahini sauce

This greeen sauce with tahini and parsley is an excellent accompaniment for lots of vegetables (raw or cooked) and also goes well with poultry.
April 8^th 202045 K 9 min.

Purple Pesto

You may already be familiar with the classic green basil pesto , but here is a version with purple basil that gives a very aesthetic purple pesto with a more peppery taste, quite similar to ginger.
August 7^th 202230 K5 20 min.

Gribouille dressing

Gribouille dressing is based on a rémoulade dressing, with shallot, herbs, hard-boiled egg and tuna added. It goes well with fish and vegetables of all kinds and makes a great sandwich filling.
February 17^th 202130 K 20 min.

Carrot-top pesto

You will no doubt be familiar with classic pesto. Here is an alternative, zero-waste version using carrot tops for a surprising pesto, full of fresh flavour.
September 16^th 202038 K 20 min.

Pistachio and spinach pesto

You are no doubt familiar with classic pesto, made with basil and pine nuts. Here's a winter version with spinach and pistachios that's just as delicious.
January 16^th 202223 K 35 min.

Provençal remoulade sauce

The classic remoulade sauce is, in this recipe, declined in a Provençal version, where we use olive oil and to which we add chopped basil before mixing. You will obtain a classic remoulade texture, but a very typical and fresh taste.
September 18^th 202219 K 9 min.

Tartar sauce

Tartar sauce is a remoulade sauce with the addition of chopped pickles and herbs. It is an ideal accompaniment to cold dishes, such as cold meats, or hot dishes, such as fries or cooked vegetables.
March 15^th 202315 K 20 min.

Sorrel pesto

Alongside the traditional basil pesto, here's a sorrel version, very fresh, with a delicious herbaceous taste.
April 7^th 202410 K 30 min.

Avocado mayonnaise

This version of mayonnaise, as creamy as ever but with a delicious avocado flavor, is a perfect accompaniment to fish, vegetables and even canapés.
July 17^th 20246,970 10 min.

Tomato sauce (with fresh tomatoes)

When we make a classic tomato sauce, we generally use tinned crushed tomatoes, and that's already very good. But it's possible to do much better, using fresh tomatoes (when in season, of course), which are gently preserved in the oven with thyme and garlic. See how in this recipe.
July 14^th 20246,510 1 hour 35 min.

Mint and pea pesto

Here's a version of pesto with mint and peas, for a very fresh take on this famous Italian sauce.
August 7^th 20244,938 30 min.

Fruit coulis (fruit purée)

Contrary to what people usually think, coulis is not just a simple fruit purée with sugar. Of course, this is the general principle, but it's possible to make something much better and more refined. This recipe is for a strawberry coulis (see below for other fruits): how to make it, but also how...
October 20^th 2012769 K 44 25 min.

Sugar syrup

This syrup is mainly used as a basis for all sorbet recipes, which consist of this syrup and fruit pulp, but it can be also used to soak biscuits for example, or for fruit salads.
February 21^th 2011744 K3.5 8 min.

Blackcurrant coulis

Blackcurrants make a very good coulis, but it's a bit more difficult than with other fruits. Here is a simple method to help you succeed.
February 21^th 2011443 K 23.5 25 min.

Poaching syrup

Less sweet than normal sugar syrup, poaching syrup is specially for slow cooking fruits to be used in other recipes.
September 2^nd 2012287 K5 15 min.

Citrus syrup

This citrus-flavoured syrup blends the bitterness of the zest with the delicious acidity of the juice. It can be used to soak biscuits or cakes when making desserts. You can make this with whatever citrus fruits you prefer. It can be prepared in advance and will keep for several days.
December 30^th 201965 K 1 hour 15 min.

Pan-fried potatoes

What could be simpler than fried potatoes? No need of a recipe for that! Quite right, but it's also very easy to end up making fried mash instead. Here are the main pitfalls to avoid.
February 3^rd 2011293 K4.5 1 hour 40 min.

Macédoine of vegetables

A macédoine is simply vegetables diced small (carrots and turnips) or cut small (green beans) with peas. The different vegetables are cooked separately "à l'anglaise", then thoroughly drained. They are only combined at the end in a mayonnaise dressing.
September 3^rd 2014158 K4 1 hour 25 min.

Lettuce "chiffonade"

Chiffonade is a French term meaning "made of rags.", it consists of shredding the heart of a lettuce into thin ribbons.
February 21^th 2011218 K 15 35 min.