French summer recipes to brighten up the dog days of summer ~ from Grand Aioli and a classic Tomato Tart to the perfect Strawberry Galette.
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By midsummer, my menu lineup starts to feel repetitive: grilled meat, burgers, pasta salad, potato salad, repeat. My husband could eat that way all year, but I need a break. That’s when I start looking to the French for a reset ~ ripe summer produce, simple tarts, crisp salads, seafood, good bread and cheese, and desserts built around fruit.
I went through my archives and pulled together the French recipes that lean into summer ~ I think this is going to be my playbook for the rest of the season.
French Summer Starter Recipes
Herb Marinated Goat Cheese
Herb Marinated Goat Cheese makes a nice season spanning appetizer because it takes the abundance of late summer herbs in such a rich, comforting sort of direction. The tangy herbaceous cheese smeared onto a toasty slice of bread is beyond delicious.
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Salmon Mousse
My salmon mousse recipe is a modern take on a classic appetizer for your next cocktail hour. Super easy to make without gelatin or mayo ~ yum!
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Gruyere Cheese Crackers
Crisp Gruyere cheese crackers to serve with wine or as part of a charcuterie board!
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Homemade Boursin Cheese Recipe
Homemade Boursin cheese is a fresh garlic and herb cheese spread made with cream cheese, goat cheese, butter, and plenty of herbs. It’s creamy, tangy, and ready for crackers, vegetables, crostini, or an easy cheese board.
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Simple Asparagus Puff Pastry Tart
Asparagus puff pastry tart is a simple, elegant savory spring tart perfect as a starter or a light lunch.
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Asparagus Bisque
Asparagus bisque is an easy blended soup ready in 20 minutes! A delicious lunch or appetizer with a silky texture and fresh spring flavor.
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Raw Veggies and Dip
Crisp raw veggies with a whipped basil ricotta dip is a fabulous starter to any spring meal!
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Artichoke Bisque
Why make the same old soup? Creamy artichoke bisque with garlic and Parmesan is a fresh new option for an appetizer, lunch or light supper.
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French Garlic Soup
Warm up with this velvety garlic soup, a regional specialty from the South of France thickened with a surprising ingredient!
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French Mains
French Mustard Chicken
A one-pan Dijon mustard chicken with bright tang and gentle heat ~ the kind of sauce that makes dinner feel special.
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Grand Aioli
Grand aioli is an elegant French dinner platter anchored by a garlicky dip surrounded by crisp veggies, halved eggs, shellfish, and crusty bread.
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Tuna and White Bean Salad
This tuna and white bean salad is the very definition of a pantry meal ~ ready in 15 minutes!
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Fish with Blood Orange and Thyme
Fish baked in parchment (the French term is 'en papillote') with oranges and thyme is a healthy meal that's perfect for winter and the Lenten season.
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Roast Chicken with Lemon and Herbs
How to roast the perfect chicken in a few easy steps ~ so much better than rotisserie!
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Steamed Mussels
Steamed mussels are easy to prepare, healthy, delicious, and fun to eat ~ what more could you ask from dinner?
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Charcuterie Salad
A charcuterie salad will make a salad lover out of anybody, I guarantee it! This gutsy main course salad has everything your favorite charcuterie board has, plus a bright fresh crunch.
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Veggie Bowls with Salmon
Low carb low calorie spring dinner: veggie bowls with salmon. Whip up a creamy lemon aioli for a perfect finishing touch.
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Steaks Frites with Parmesan Butter
Discover the classic French bistro dish: steak frites. Learn how to make this easy elegant meal at home in just about an hour.
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Savory Pies and Tarts
Tomato Tart
This easygoing French-style tomato tart is so simple and perfect for peak-summer tomatoes!
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Quiche Lorraine
A quiche Lorraine is a lesson in the power of simplicity and the importance of texture in great food. Restrained yet exuberantly luxe at the same time, (how do the French do it?) you can't beat this classic quiche.
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Wild Mushroom Crustless Quiche
My easy crustless quiche is packed with mushrooms ~ it's that vegetarian low carb dinner recipe you've been looking for!.
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Sweet Onion and Herb Quiche
My easy onion quiche with sweet onions and fresh herbs is a fabulous light meal!
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Mushroom and Boursin Puff Pastry Tart
Mushroom & Boursin Puff Pastry Tart is a multi-tasking dress-it-up or dress-it-down kind of dish that takes a couple of minutes to throw together and impresses everybody.
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French Sides
French Potato Salad
Bring something new to the picnic table! French potato salad is a potato and green bean salad from the healthy Mediterranean diet.
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French Carrot Salad
This classic French carrot salad is a fresh, 2 ingredient salad tossed with lemon Dijon dressing. A versatile side you'll make all season!
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Tomatoes Provencal
Provencal Tomatoes is a universal side dish that goes with everything ~ make them with classic red or colorful heirloom tomatoes!
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Green Beans Almondine
Green beans almondine is elegant, delicious, and super easy to make. It's a go-to side dish for holidays and family meals.
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Niçoise Salad
This healthy main course tuna salad is one of the best main course salads ever invented… it's colorful, protein packed, and so satisfying.
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Cherry Tomatoes Provençal
Cherry tomatoes Provençal is a super simple summer side that pairs juicy tomatoes with a crisp herbe de Provence gratin topping. It's easy, versatile, delicious, and so French countryside!
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French Desserts
Creme Anglaise
Creme Anglaise is a velvety French vanilla custard sauce that's surprisingly simple to make!
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Fresh Strawberry Galette
A fresh Strawberry Galette is a joy to make (and eat!) This rustic strawberry tart is easier than pie and so much more delicious.
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Milk Chocolate Mousse
My Milk Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a lighter, silkier version of everybody's favorite chocolate dessert. This easy recipe makes the chocolate mousse of your dreams!
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Raspberry Frangipane Tart
This raspberry frangipane tart celebrates that classic raspberry-almond chemistry ~ it's both homey and elegant at the same time.
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French Pistachio Cake
French pistachio cake is surprisingly simple and a new star in my cake collection ~ this rustic dessert is a must-make.
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Fromage Blanc Cheesecake
A delicate fromage blanc cheesecake with a silky texture and gentle tang ~ lighter than traditional cheesecake but every bit as luxurious.
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Raspberry Champagne Sorbet
Raspberry Champagne Sorbet is an elegant (and easy!) frozen dessert fit for a special occasion.
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Chocolate Pot de Crème
For serious chocolate lovers there's nothing quite like a pot de creme ~ make it for someone you love!
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Chocolate Hazelnut Madeleines
Exquisite chocolate hazelnut madeleines are so easy to make! These little French cookies are great for entertaining and gifting!
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Chocolate Meringue Cake
An easy flourless chocolate cake with a silky texture you have to taste to believe!
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Almond Croissant Cake
My almond croissant cake is a French style coffee cake with a wonderfully light texture and plenty of flavor for almond lovers!
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Cherry Almond Tart
Cherry Almond Tart is a simple and elegant Mediterranean style dessert that features the unbeatable flavor combination of cherry and almond!
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