You should not add raisins to recipes dry

You should not put an aluminum container directly in the oven

If you put an aluminum container, containing food to be cooked or reheated, in your oven directly on the shelf, the shiny base will reflect a large part of the oven heat (like a mirror). This means that the food will take much longer to cook or heat through than usual.

Stuffed cabbage leaves

The French classic "chou farci" is made with large green cabbage leaves which are blanched before being rolled into parcels around a sausage meat and cheese filling, then baked in the oven.

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 cooking.

French dressing (vinaigrette)

Here is a very simple recipe, but it could completely transform, maybe even transcend, your salad.

Blackcurrant liqueur

The fruit liqueurs (or "creams" in French) are a mix of neutral alcohol in which fruits are macerated, and sugar syrup. They are the basis of the very famous "Kir", mixture of dry white wine and blackcurrant liqueur. This recipe is for blackcurrant, but it can be made with other soft fruits like raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc.