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Frugal French Cooking Tricks

Everyone appreciates a frugal recipe, but can it be cheap and delicious? It absolutely can! Try these easy tricks for cooking healthy, recession-proof French food that suits your budget and bring a touch of the French bistro to your home kitchen.

Budget Recipes

Rebecca's French Food Blog

Roasted Beet Salad Recipe

Wednesday January 6, 2010

This roasted beet salad is a wonderful, healthy dish to make anytime you have access to fresh beets. It's a whole beet salad because the entire beet - root, stem, and greens - can be used in this recipe. Any vinaigrette or citronette dressing can be used to garnish this versatile salad, but blood orange dressing really makes the flavors pop. Add rustic artisan bread and a pureed soup, like butternut squash bisque for a filling, nutritious meal. Bon appetit!

Roasted Beet Salad Photo: ©Laurel Fan

Café Calva Recipe

Tuesday January 5, 2010

Café Calva, freshly brewed hot coffee served with a side of Calvados apple brandy, is an old tradition not well known outside of France. Every café in Paris serves it, but it's often an off-menu item that you have to specially order. Don't be put off by that fact, though, the waiter will most assuredly understand your request. If you don't happen to be in Quebec or France at the moment, you can make this treat with very little effort at home. Bon appetit!

Café Calva Photo: ©Daniel Lobo

Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Monday January 4, 2010

For many chocoholics out there, January is all about conquering chocolate cravings and losing weight. The Frenchwoman's trick to avoid overeating candy is to treat herself with a single, luscious piece of chocolate every day. Learn how to make ganache - the foundation of chocolate truffles - and then make rich chocolate truffles dusted with premium cocoa powder for your personal fix. Bon appetit!

Chocolate Truffles Photo: ©Rebecca Franklin, Licensed to About.com

Tomato Tarte Tatin Recipe

Saturday January 2, 2010

Mention tarte Tatin, and most people think of dessert. For an unconventional twist, try using savory, herbed tomatoes baked with puff pastry for a tarte Tatin recipe that is truly extraordinary. Baked in individual pans, this tomato tarte Tatin can be served as a light main course, a delightful appetizer, or a comforting side dish. The bright flavor of fresh tomatoes and aromatic herbs make it a great match with either red or white wine. Bon appetit!

Individual Tomato Tarte Tatin Photo: ©Ayustety

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