One of my favorite things to do when I travel is eat. I love to try new foods or indulge in an old favorite. Thankfully even when we’re not sitting in a French café we can still enjoy some favorites at home. Here are some French foods you should try making at home too!

Salade Niçoise

Perfect as a filling lunch, this salad is my go to in the summer. You can meal prep this for the week, adding the fish the day of enjoyment. You can find my favorite version here.

Coq au Vin

Coq au vin literally means “cock with wine” and it is a simple chicken stew cooked and tenderized with wine. Most dishes call for a red wine but you can use white as well. Serve with some mashed potatoes to really enjoy the sauce. Both Anthony Bourdain and Julia Child have great recipes, they’re just slightly different.

Jambon Beurre

One of the most simple, yet yummiest sandwiches. Pick up some Parisian ham, some fancy salted butter and a crusty baguette. Slice the baguette lengthwise down the middle, spread the cut interiors with a bit of butter and layer in thin slices of ham. Voila, that’s it. It really is that simple and delicious. You can add some greens to it if you want (I like a little arugula) but traditionally it’s just ham and butter.

Dauphinoise Potatoes

I’ve never met a potato I didn’t like and this gratin is amazing. It’s the perfect side dish for a holiday or a weeknight meal, the best thing is that you can make it ahead of time. Julia Child has a wonderful recipe but if you don’t have her cookbooks check out this one.

Fondue

Fondue, which comes from the French “fondre”, meaning “to melt,” had its origins in 18th century Switzerland as a means for farm families to stretch their limited resources during the winter months. So technically a Swiss dish but it originated in the French speaking area of Switzerland so I’m adding it on here. Check out our favorite recipe here.

Quiche

The perfect brunch or dinner item. Super easy to make and can easily be made ahead of time. I took an online class with My Private Paris and learned that the secret to creamy quiche without cheese is crème fraiche. Check out the easy recipe here.

Piperade

Piperade, is a specialty from the French Basque Country and is pretty similar to shakshuka. It’s perfect for breakfast or dinner. This recipe is in French but can easily be translated ( I like recipes in French because it helps me practice) another yummy version can be found here, in English.

Gâteau au yaourt aka French Yogurt Cake

This is the most simple cake you will ever bake. It’s a staple in French households and is often the first cake that a child is taught to bake. Pardon Your French has a few yogurt cakes on her blog, I really like this one.

Croissants

These buttery, flakey pastries take a bit of planning but they are worth it. Add a little bit of jam or cheese and you have a delicious treat. If you’re feeling adventurous try your hand at pain au chocolate. Pardon Your French has the most detailed, step by step version I have found. Super easy to follow and a super yummy product.

Trinxat de Cerdagne

Mashed potatoes are mixed with chopped cabbage and then fried in a skillet and then with crispy bacon. Yum! You can find a recipe here, we like one from the book Rustic French Cooking Made Easy.

So there’s my first roundup of favorite French foods to make at home. Stay tuned for part 2 🙂

Bon Appetit!