French

Getting Started with French Cooking

It is no secret that French cuisine is one of the best in the world, thanks to its use of fresh ingredients and innovative cooking techniques. It actually ranked #3 on CNN’s “10 best cuisines in the world” in 2023. If you have never cooked any French dish, here are some of the foundations of French cooking:

• Braise or grill. A fantastic way to add a ton of flavor to your dishes consists of braising or grilling your vegetables or plant-based meat. The caramelization (Maillard reaction) helps enhance the flavors by bringing nuttiness and a natural sweetness. French cooking relies a lot on caramelizing ingredients, whether it is in savory dishes or sweet ones like tarte Tatin, for example.
• Use fats to add richness. Butter, cream, and cheese are key ingredients and are present in a multitude of dishes. Olive oil is frequently used to sauté the food, and a small amount of butter is added toward the end of cooking to enhance the overall taste and add richness.
• Sublimate a main dish with a sauce. French cuisine is renowned for its emphasis on sauces. Use sauces to your advantage to enhance the flavor of your dishes. A basic sauce consists of sautéeing shallots in butter, deglazing with a splash of white wine, and finishing it with cream and a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Use fresh and seasonal ingredients. French people love to make use of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Therefore, many dishes can only be enjoyed during certain times of the year. For example, ratatouille, which is a classic French dish that features a variety of summer vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, and tomatoes.
• Use a subtle amount of seasoning. Compared to Asian cuisine, which relies heavily on condiments like chili sauces, fermented pastes, and more, French cuisine uses simpler seasonings such as salt, pepper, fresh and dried herbs, and a few spices.