Delightful French Food

French cuisine is full of flavor. In general, the French do not worry about cutting back on fats, so meat tastes flavorful and leaves you craving more. When sampling French cuisine for the first time, there are dishes you should definitely try. You will never taste anything more amazing!

Any French restaurant has a menu packed with a large variety of selections. Traditionally, you start with your appetizer or soup, cleanse your palate with a green salad, and then dine on the entrée and dessert. Wine is commonly served with your meal. French cuisine is both indulgent and satisfying.

For appetizers, Soupe a L'Oignon (French Onion Soup) is remarkable. A variety of onions is slowly caramelized in butter. Once the onions are soft and golden, a rich beef broth is added along with some thyme sprigs. The soup is simmered for hours to allow the flavors to meld. Before serving, the soup is ladled into an ovenproof crock. A slice of bread is placed over the soup and covered in mounds of Swiss cheese. This crock is then placed under the broiler. The cheese bubbles and melts over the sides of the crock creating morsels of baked cheese that add additional flavor to each bite of soup.

Alternately, you can bypass the soup and instead try some Baked Brie. The brie is baked soft and then served with a head of roasted garlic, and toast points. Brie is not always to everyone's liking due to its pungency.

After a salad, the entrée is next. French entrees are rich and decadent. You can go with Coquille St. Jacques if you want something traditional. Large scallops are placed onto a cleaned scallop shell and topped with a sauce of leeks, butter, and cream. Before baking, cheese is sprinkled over the scallops so that it melts evenly. Boeuf au Poivres is an excellent dish for the steak lover. A prime cut of beef filet is thoroughly coated in crushed peppercorns. The steak is grilled to taste and then served with a sauce made from brandy and butter. You can also look for meats like veal or lamb that are served with Béarnaise Sauce, a form of hollandaise that usually includes a splash of vinegar and some tarragon for additional flavor.

If you enjoy seafood, try Sole Meuniere. A filet of sole is pan fried in butter until cooked. The dish is topped with a mixture of lemon juice and parsley. It is simple and delicious. Finally, for a hearty meal try Boeuf Bourguignon. This stew includes beef, mushrooms, onions, and carrots. The mixture is slowly simmered in dark red wine until extremely tender.

For dessert, crepes are popular. Crepes can be stuffed with anything from melted chocolate to fresh fruit. An alternate to this for those who want something more sinful would be an éclair. Éclairs are a pastry dough that is filled with custard and then topped with melted chocolate.

French cuisine may not be low in fat, but every now and then a treat is worth it. The flavors melt in your mouth and you'll be glad you decided to treat your senses to some French cooking.