Best Parisian Recipes

PARISIAN-STYLE STEAK FRITES

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Cook steaks to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium; an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 130 degrees F (54 degrees C). Transfer steaks to a plate to rest.
• Place shallots in the skillet and cook until beginning to soften, about 2 minutes. Pour wine into the skillet and bring to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add broth and anchovy; cook until thickened to sauce consistency, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove skillet from heat; whisk butter in gradually. Stir parsley, chervil, and thyme into the sauce. Puree sauce in the skillet with an immersion blender until smooth.
• Cut steaks into thin slices across the grain; spoon sauce over slices.

SIMPLE PARISIAN-STYLE POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place the potatoes in a large saucepan and cover by 1 inch with water. Season with salt. Add bay leaf and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until potatoes can be easily pierced with a knife, 12 to 15 minutes. Do not overcook.
• Meanwhile, whisk olive oil, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl together until emulsified.
• Drain cooked potatoes in a colander and cool until just warm enough to handle. Cut the potatoes into 1/2-inch slices and transfer to a large bowl.
• Drizzle vinaigrette over potatoes, gently tossing to coat. Add shallots and parsley and toss lightly to combine.
• Set the potato salad aside for about 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm or at room temperature.

PARISIAN PLETZEL

Steps:

• Mix the water with the yeast in a large glass bowl. Add 4 cups of the flour, the eggs, 1/4 cup of the oil, the sugar, and the salt to the yeast mixture. Stir well, then turn the dough out onto a work surface and knead for about 10 minutes, or until smooth, adding more flour if necessary. Let the dough rise, covered with a towel, for 1 hour in a greased bowl. You can also leave the dough in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 375° and grease 2 cookie sheets.
• Divide the dough into 8 balls and roll or flatten them into rounds about 5 inches in diameter. Place 4 pletzel on each cookie sheet and gently press down the centers. Brush with water and sprinkle each with about 2 tablespoons diced onions leaving a 1/2-inch border. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons vegetable oil over the onions and sprinkle with the poppy seeds and some kosher salt. Let sit for 15 minutes, uncovered.
• Bake the pletzels for 20 minutes, switching from top to middle rack after 10 minutes, or do them in 2 shifts on the middle rack. Then stick them under the broiler for 1 minute, keeping a sharp eye on them, to brown the onions. If you don't have a broiler, raise the heat to 550° and put each sheet on the top rack for 2 minutes or so.

PARISIAN GNOCCHI

Steps:

• 1. To make the pâte à choux, heat the water, butter, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a saucepan over medium heat just until the butter is melted. Dump in all the flour at once and stir the mixture briskly for about 2 minutes, until the dough forms a smooth ball. Remove from the heat and scrape the dough into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. (If you don't have a stand mixer, simply leave it in the bowl.) Let the dough sit for 3 minutes, stirring it every so often to release some of the heat.
• 2. With the mixer on medium-high speed, add the eggs one at a time, making sure each one is fully incorporated before adding the next. Add the dry mustard and beat until the dough is completely smooth. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and set aside.
• 3. To make the mornay sauce, melt the butter in the saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, letting the mixture bubble, stirring constantly for 2 minutes, until the paste is thickened. (Don't let it brown.) Gradually whisk in the milk, beginning slowly and stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
• 4. Decrease the heat to low and cook the mornay for 6 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the sauce is about as thick as a milkshake. Remove from heat and add the salt, cayenne, and 1/2 cup (40g) of the Swiss-style grated cheese; stir until the cheese is melted.
• 5. Butter a shallow 2 1/2- to 3-quart (2.5 to 3l) baking dish. (A wide dish is preferable to a deep one for browning the cheese topping.) Sprinkle half of the Parmesan over the bottom and sides. Spread 1 cup (250ml) of the mornay sauce over the bottom of the baking dish.
• 6. Line a large dinner plate with a few layers of paper towels. Bring a pot of salted water to a low boil. Either using two soupspoons-one to scoop up some of the dough and the other to scrape it into the boiling water-or a spring-loaded ice cream scoop filled partially full, scoop a round of the dough-about 1 generous tablespoon each-and drop it into the water. (The ice cream scoop was a little newfangled for Paule, although she did agree-reluctantly-that it was more expedient and made nicer gnocchi.) Working in batches, poach 8 to 10 gnocchi at a time. Let them poach for 2 minutes, then retrieve them from the water and drain them on the paper towels. (They won't be fully cooked inside.) Repeat, poaching the rest of the gnocchi the same way.
• 7. Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC) with the oven rack in the top third of the oven.
• 8. Once the gnocchi are parcooked, place them in a single layer on top of the mornay in the baking dish, and then spoon the rest of the mornay over the gnocchi in a fairly even layer. Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/4 cups (100g) of Swiss-style cheese over the top, along with the remaining Parmesan. Put the baking dish on a foil-covered baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 400ºF (200ºC) and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese on top is well browned. Let cool a few minutes, and then serve in the baking dish, family style.

PARISIAN PASSOVER COCONUT MACAROONS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°F. Grease 2 baking sheets and dust with cake meal, knocking off any excess.
• Make meringue:
• Cook sugar and water in a small heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved. Boil syrup, without stirring, until it reaches soft-ball stage (or registers 238°F on a candy thermometer).
• While syrup boils, beat whites in standing mixer on low speed until stiff peaks form. Gradually pour hot syrup in a thin stream down side of bowl into whites, beating constantly on high speed. (Be careful not to let syrup touch beaters when pouring, or it will spatter and harden.) Continue to beat until meringue is room temperature.
• Stir in coconut and spoon rounded teaspoons of meringue into mounds about 1 inch apart on baking sheets. Shape mounds into pyramids with wet fingertips.
• Bake macaroons 1 sheet at a time in middle of oven 12 minutes, or until just firm enough to be removed from baking sheet without losing their shape. Carefully transfer to a rack to cool. (Macaroons will harden as they cool.)

CHICKEN PARISIAN

Steps:

• Place the chicken in the bottom of a 10-inch pie plate.
• Top each slice with several pieces of broccoli.
• Sprinkle with half the cheese.
• Top with mushrooms.
• Melt the butter over low heat in a small saucepan.
• Blend in the flour and pepper.
• Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is smooth and bubbly.
• Remove from the heat and gradually stir in the milk.
• Bring the milk mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, boil for 1 minute.
• Stir in nutmeg, soup and Worcestershire.
• Pour this mixture over the broccoli. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Broil until the top is light brown and bubbly. 3 to 5 minutes.

PARISIAN GNOCCHI (CHEF JACQUES PéPIN)

Steps:

• In small saucepan, combine water, salt and nutmeg with 2 tablespoons butter. Bring to boil over high heat. Add flour all at once and beat dough with wooden spoon until thick and comes away from sides of pan. Cook, stirring to dry out dough, about 30 seconds. Transfer dough to medium bowl. Cool 5 minutes.
• Bring large pot of salted water to boil over high heat. Set bowl of ice water near stove.
• Beat 1 egg into dough until incorporated. Beat in 1/4 cup cheese and another egg until blended. Beat in last egg until dough is smooth and shiny. With spatula, transfer dough to large resealable plastic bag, pressing it into one corner. Cut tip off bag to create opening 1/2-inch long.
• Reduce boiling water to gentle simmer. Hold bag over water with one hand and squeeze out dough, using small sharp knife to cut it into 1-1/2-inch lengths; let drop into water. Simmer gnocchi 3 minutes. With slotted spoon, transfer to ice water. Transfer to paper towels and pat dry.
• Grease 13- by 9-inch baking dish with remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Scatter gnocchi in dish; sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons cheese. Bake in preheated 350F oven until puffed, about 25 minutes. Preheat broiler. Broil gnocchi 6 inches from heat until browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.
• Makes 4 servings.

PARISIAN MACARONS

Steps:

• To make the macarons: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together confectioners' sugar and ground almonds. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip egg whites with salt on medium speed until foamy. Increase speed to high and gradually add granulated sugar. Continue to whip until stiff glossy peaks form. With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the confectioners' sugar mixture until completely incorporated.
• Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Fit a pastry bag with a 3/8-inch #4 round tip, and fill with batter. Pipe 1-inch disks onto prepared baking sheets, leaving 2 inches between cookies. The batter will spread a little. Let stand at room temperature until dry, and a soft skin forms on the tops of the macarons and the shiny surface turns dull, about 15 minutes.
• Bake, with the door of the oven slightly ajar, until the surface of the macarons is completely dry, about 15 minutes. Remove baking sheet to a wire rack and let the macarons cool completely on the baking sheet. Gently peel off the parchment. Their tops are easily crushed, so take care when removing the macarons from the parchment. Use immediately or store in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 2 days or frozen for up to 1 month.
• To fill the macarons: Fill a pastry bag with the filling. Turn macarons so their flat bottoms face up. On half of them, pipe about 1 teaspoon filling. Sandwich these with the remaining macarons, flat-side down, pressing slightly to spread the filling to the edges. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
• Variations: To make coffee-flavored macarons: In step 1, add 2 drops brown food coloring to the egg whites after they are whipped. In step 4, blend 1/2 cup macaron filling with 1 1/2 teaspoons espresso powder dissolved in 1/2 teaspoon warm water for the filling. To make cassis-flavored macarons: In step 1, add 2 drops purple food coloring to the egg whites after they are whipped. In step 4, use 1/3 cup good-quality cassis jam for the filling. To make pistachio-flavored macarons: In step 1, add 2 drops green food coloring to the egg whites after they are whipped. In step 4, combine 1/2 cup macaron filling with 1 tablespoon pistachio paste for the filling.

PARISIAN STEAK AND CHEESE CROISSANT SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Season the steaks with salt and pepper. In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Cook the steaks for about 5 minutes each side for medium-rare. Set aside for 5 minutes before slicing. Slice the steak, across the grain, into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Using a serrated knife, slice the croissants in half lengthwise. In 2 batches, place the croissant halves, cut side down in the skillet and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until lightly toasted. Lay the Brie slices over the toasted croissant halves. Place about 1/4 cup of the arugula on the bottom halves of the croissants. Add the sliced steak. Arrange the red bell pepper on top of the steak. Top with the remaining arugula and add the top of the croissant. Serve immediately.

PARISIAN-STYLE GRILLED AHI TUNA SALAD WITH A SOFT-BOILED QUAIL EGG

Steps:

• To roast the potatoes: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil, potatoes, salt and pepper. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the potatoes until they begin to color, about 10 minutes. Turn the potatoes over, add the herbs de Provence and continue cooking until the potatoes are tender, about 7 minutes more. Set the potatoes aside to cool.
• To prepare the salad: Wrap the peeled garlic cloves in aluminum foil and roast in a 400 degree F oven until soft, about 15 minutes. Cool slightly then mash the garlic to a paste adding a tablespoon or 2 of olive oil. Set the garlic paste aside.
• Blanch the haricots verts in boiling salted water, until crisp but tender, about 4 minutes. Refresh the beans in an ice bath, then set aside.
• Boil the quail eggs in salted water for 2 minutes and 15 seconds. Shock them in an ice bath, peel, and set aside.
• To prepare the balsamic vinaigrette: Whisk 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard with the balsamic vinegar and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in 3/4 cup olive oil. Add minced thyme and shallots.
• To prepare the caper vinaigrette: Whisk 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard with the grain mustard, red wine vinegar and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in 3/4 cup olive oil. Mix in the capers, shallots, and minced thyme.
• To finish the salad: Season the tuna on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat and oil a grill or cast iron pan and sear the tuna on both sides (the tuna is best rare¿the cooking time will depend upon the thickness of the pieces).
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, tatsoi, haricots verts, potatoes, and olives. Dress the salad with balsamic vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Arrange the salad on 4 plates. Spread the toast with garlic puree. Put a piece of toast on each salad and place a piece a tuna on top. Spoon caper vinaigrette over the tuna, garnish with a quail egg, season with salt and pepper and serve.

PARISIAN CHICKEN BITES

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, saute chicken and fennel in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add green onion and rosemary; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat., In a large bowl combine the apple, pecans, parsley and lime juice. Stir in chicken mixture; spoon into endive leaves., In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in spreadable fruit and vinegar. Drizzle over appetizers.

PARISIAN CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large salad bowl combine the greens, mushrooms, fennel, carrots, celery, artichokes, olives, and scallion, and toss the mixture to combine. Pat the chicken dry and season with the thyme, salt, and pepper. In a large nonstick skillet set over moderately high heat, warm the oil until hot, add the chicken, and saute it for 2 minutes. Turn and cook for 1 minute more. Transfer the chicken to a plate. Add the wine to the skillet and reduce it by half. Add the broth, whisk in the mustard, and return the chicken to the skillet. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and springy to the touch. Transfer the chicken to a plate, reduce the remaining liquid to 1/2 cup, and pour it into a small bowl. Make the dressing: Add the olive oil, whisking, to the bowl of reduced cooking liquid and whisk in the vinegar and salt and pepper, to taste. Cut chicken into slices and add to the salad bowl. Pour juices from plate into dressing, whisking to combine, and drizzle over salad. Toss mixture until chicken and vegetables are well coated with dressing.

PARISIAN CHICKEN AND PASTA

Steps:

• Sauce Veloute: Melt butter and stir in flour,salt and pepper; gradually stir in chicken broth.
• Simmer 5 minutes stirring with wire whisk,until thick and smooth.
• Simmer 15 minutes stirring occasionally. Set aside.
• Tomato Sauce: Saute onions in oil 5 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes, salt& pepper,bay leaf and thyme.
• Simmer 15 minutes; discard bay leaf. Set aside.
• Preheat oven 350*.
• Butter a 3 quart casserole.
• Saute chicken in 1 Tbsp butter 2-3 minutes.
• Season with salt& pepper.
• Combine 1/2 c.cream with 1 cup sauce veloute, tabasco sauce & green onions.
• Stir into chicken.
• Remove from heat.
• Melt remaining Tbsp butter and toss with pasta.
• Place 1/2 pasta in casserole.
• Cover with 1/2 tomato sauce.
• Repeat.
• Top with 1/2 cup cheese and entire chicken mixture.
• Blend remaining 1 cup Sauce Veloute with rest of cream.
• Spoon over chicken.
• Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake 45 minutes until bubbly and brown.
• Note:.
• This can be prepared the day before, refrigerated and heated in oven when you are ready to serve it. Enjoy!

PARISIAN PLETZL

Steps:

• Pour 1 cup lukewarm water into a large bowl. Stir in the yeast and the sugar until dissolved. Add 4 cups flour, the eggs, 1/4 cup of the oil, and the salt. Mix well, and knead for about 10 minutes, or until smooth, adding more flour if necessary. Or use a food processor or a standing mixer with a dough hook. Transfer the dough to a greased bowl, and let rise, covered, for 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees, and grease two cookie sheets.
• Divide the dough into twelve balls, and roll or flatten them out into rounds about 6 inches in diameter. Put the rounds on the cookie sheets, and make thumbprints in the centers. Brush the dough with cold water, and sprinkle about 1/4 cup of onion in each indentation. Brush the rounds with the remaining vegetable oil, and sprinkle the poppy seeds on top. Let sit for 15 minutes, uncovered.
• Bake for 20 minutes. Then, if you like, slip the pletzlach under the broiler for a minute, to brown the onions. Serve lukewarm, as is or in a big pletzl sandwich.

PARISIAN TUNA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Place the eggs in a saucepan; cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and cool in a bowl of cold water.
• Meanwhile, combine the vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Whisk in the olive oil. Put the rolls cut-side up on a work surface and lightly drizzle with a quarter of the dressing. Place the arugula on the roll bottoms. Top with the sliced tomato, onion and artichokes. Season with salt and drizzle with another quarter of the dressing.
• Drain the tuna, but leave lightly coated with oil. Toss the tuna in the remaining dressing, then divide among the sandwiches. Peel and thinly slice the hard-boiled eggs and layer the slices over the tuna. Top with the anchovy fillets, if desired, then the olives and radishes. Cover with the roll tops, pressing gently but firmly. Wrap the sandwiches in plastic wrap and place a skillet on top to weigh them down; set aside for at least 15 minutes so the bread absorbs the flavors.

CREAM OF PARISIAN SOUP

Steps:

• 1. Chop and steam veggies in 2 c. water til just about tender.
• 2. In large soup pan melt butter and margie. Add celery and onions and saute til celery is about tender and onions are clear.
• 3. Add flour, stir until blended and cook for about 3-4 min. to get rid of flour taste. Just like making white white sauce.
• 4. Add chicken seasoning or crush bullion cubes to flour mixture then slowly add milk, 1 cup at a time, stirring so it doesn't lump.
• 5. Then add pepper pinch of salt, diced ham and veggies. Stir lightly and simmer stirring every so often so it doesn't burn.

PARISIAN STEAK AND CHEESE CROISSANT SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Season the steaks with salt and pepper. In a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Cook the steaks for about 5 minutes each side for medium-rare. Set aside for 5 minutes before slicing. Slice the steak, across the grain, into 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick slices. Heat a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Using a serrated knife, slice the croissants in half lengthwise. In 2 batches, place the croissant halves, cut side down in the skillet and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until lightly toasted. Lay the Brie slices over the toasted croissant halves. Place about 1/4 cup of the arugula on the bottom halves of the croissants. Add the sliced steak. Arrange the red bell pepper on top of the steak. Top with the remaining arugula and add the top of the croissant. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN PARISIAN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts, skin side up, in 12 x 7 1/2 x 2 baking dish; sprinkle with salt. Blend wine into mushroom soup; add mushrooms and pour over chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for 1- 1 1/4 hours. Remove chicken to platter; Sprinkle with paprika. Pour sauce into saucepan; blend in sour cream, and heat gently until hot. Serve sauce over chicken and hot cooked rice or noodles.

MOUNTAIN VIEW LINDA'S PARISIAN BURGER SAUCE

Steps:

• Rehydrate dried onion with enough water to cover for at least 1 hour. Drain and discard water.
• Combine all ingredients and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Tastes best overnight.
• Keeps well in the refrigerator.

PARISIAN HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE: LE CHOCOLAT CHAUD

Steps:

• Heat the milk in a medium-sized saucepan.
• Once the milk is warm, whisk in the chocolate, stirring until melted and steaming hot. For a thick hot chocolate, cook at a very low boil for about 3 minutes, whisking constantly. Be careful and keep an eye on the mixture, as it may boil up a bit during the first moments.
• Taste, and add brown sugar if desired.
• Add one espresso shot if desired
• Add a few flecks of flour de sel, if desired