French Steak Butter

We frequent a French restaurant in Redondo owned and run by a man and wife team. He works hard every day in the kitchen and she runs the front of the house , greeting all of the guests every shift. The food there is amazing and I just love going there because I know how much hard work goes into every meal that comes out of their kitchen. I realized I craved the steak they serve there for one reason – the steak butter he tops it off with that melts onto the meat and plate to be absorbed by his , “pommes frites”. He also drizzles garlic butter on top of the French fries which doesn’t hurt. 

 

French Bistro Steak ButterNow, I make this butter, store it in the fridge and whip it out when we make steak. It really does gives it that simple and delicious  “je ne sais quoi”. 

 

  • Butter, 1/2 to 1 stick 
  • Garlic Clove, 1/4 only smashed
  • Lemon Zest, 1-2 teaspoons
  • Lemon Juice, 1-2 teaspoons
  • Salt and pepper, Pinch to 1/2 teaspoon
  • Fresh Thyme (or fresh green herbs of choice like basil, parsley…) 1-2 teaspoons

 

Bring butter to room temperature to make it easy to mix. Mix ingredients with a fork or food processor (my favorite is a little old-fashioned one called an “Oscar” although there are mini-processors available now in stores). Keep in the fridge or freeze until ready to add to the top of a finished steak right before serving.

Pommes Anna : Recipe : Easy

I love making Pommes Anna mainly for the pretty factor. That and of course the ease of making the recipe that you just throw in the oven after preparing. Your kids will also enjoy helping you layer the potatoes. 

 

Sliced Potatoes, Butter, Salt & Pepper.

Sliced Potatoes, Butter, Salt & Pepper.

Ingredients:

 

  • 6 peeled Russet Potatoes, sliced thin. 
  • 1/2 Cup (1 Stick or 4 ounces) Butter, melted in microwave in 10 second increments or alternatively, Olive Oil if you are a Vegan.
  • Salt and Pepper (I used Truffle Salt for an extra layer of flavor. You can add extra flavor as you like with Grated Parmesan Cheese, or Chopped Fresh Rosemary etc…)

 

Use a Pastry Brush to cover an Iron Pan with melted butter

Layer slices of potatoes. 

Brush with butter. Sprinkle salt on top of layer. Continue to layer, butter and salt.

Drizzle the remaining butter over the potatoes. 

Bake in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 35-45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are cooked through.

Just bake until golden brown. Slice like a pie.

Just bake until golden brown. Slice like a pie.

Slice like a pie and top with sour cream. A great gluten free side for any dinner.

Classic Roasted Chicken

When having family or friends over, this is one of the easiest things we like to make.The

Simple Roasted Chicken.

Simple Roasted Chicken.

vegetables are cooked in the same pan and enhanced by the chicken fat flavor. I like to buy whole chickens when they are on sale and freeze them for later use.

 

  • 1 Whole Chicken
  • Butter (or Olive Oil) and Salt and Pepper
  • Rinsed and Whole Carrots, Small Potatoes (like Red Rose or Fingerling). Or, cut larger potatoes into 2 1/2 inch pieces after rinsing the exterior of the potato skin.

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

 

Remove the neck and bag from inside your Whole Chicken’s cavity (between the back legs there’s a hole, reach in and remove the neck, bag of giblets …)

 

Place the chicken in a roasting pan or casserole dish (we like to use a Paella pan. I like the fat of the chicken but if you prefer the fat to drop off more, use a rack or even the rack from your toaster oven works when placed underneath).

My husband likes to put whole garlic and rosemary under the skin. But just salt and pepper and some oil or butter on the chicken skin and potatoes and carrots is just as delicious. So simple

My husband likes to put whole garlic and rosemary under the skin. But just salt and pepper and some oil or butter on the chicken skin and potatoes and carrots is just as delicious. So simple!

 

Smother the chicken with Butter or Oil.

 

Place the Vegetables around the chicken and drizzle oil and salt and pepper.

 

Sprinkle Salt and Pepper (about a teaspoon or two of each) all over the Chicken in as many places as you can reach.

 

Place in the oven and cook for 75-90 minutes until chicken’s thigh temperature is 165 degrees and juices run clear when pierced.

 

After 30 minutes, using a Baster, baste the vegetables with the drippings.

 

When done, remove and let sit for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.

 

Note that the carrots are baked whole for ease and because otherwise, if smaller, they will cook too quickly. Let your guests cut them while eating them.

Easy Roasted Chicken. Great with a tossed simple salad.

Easy Roasted Chicken. Great with a tossed simple salad.

 

Alternatives: You can flavor your chicken with herbs and garlic if you want to spend a little more time in preparation. My husband will put about 10 cloves or more of whole garlic under the skin with pieces of rosemary that we grow in our front yard along with the salt and pepper and oil. You can experiment with other herbs like Sage or Tarragon.  Herbes Du Provence and Granulated Garlic is what we put on the Roasted Chicken at a restaurant I worked at for many years. And we would stuff the cavity with more whole garlic and season the bird inside and out thoroughly. Fennel is another great addition to the vegetables that surround the chicken (cut into quarters). Brussel Sprouts and even Broccoli also work!

easiest chicken dinners dinner recipes simple party sit-down meal

 

French Onion Soup

The Onion Soup at Au Pied du Cochon, Paris

The Onion Soup at Au Pied du Cochon, Paris

When my husband and I were on our honeymoon in Paris, he was dying for a great onion soup, so I told our taxi driver (in my best French), “Il veut soupe a l’oignon”. He immediately drove us to a restaurant called , “Au Pied du Cochon”, which stands for “The foot of the pig” , which is one of their specialties. Their onion soup was simple, traditional and divine. They also served this amazing tower of “Fruits de Mer”, consisting of multiple types of seafood (Oysters, Langoustines, etc…) We noticed a man, alone and really drunk eating it. He continued to shout obscenities and insults at the waiters. As he staggered out, two of the waiters took off their aprons and followed after him. We still wonder why. Did they rough him up? We do not know. But the waiters did walk back in with smiles on their faces. What a great night and I cannot wait to make it back there some day.  For now, I make the onion soup which is surprisingly easy. You really cannot mess it up by adjusting the measurements of the ingredients.

 

  • 2 Tablespoons Butter and/or Regular Olive Oil
  • 4-6 Yellow Onions, Peeled and Sliced
  • 1 Tablespoon Sugar (optional).
  • 4-6 Cups Broth (traditional recipe calls for Beef, I use whatever I have on hand).
  • 1/2 – 1 Cup Red or White Wine (great way to use up leftover wine).
  • 1 Sprig Fresh Thyme
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 2 Tablespoons Brandy or Cognac(optional)
  • Sourdough Bread slices, toasted
  • 1 Cup Shredded Swiss Cheese
  • 1 Cup Shredded Gruyere (I buy already shredded Swiss/Gruyere mix from Trader Joe’s).
  • 2 Tablespoons Grated Parmesan (optional)

 

In a large pot, heat butter and add onions. Stir on a low to medium flame until onions are carmelized. If you need to, you can add a little sugar to help speed up the process. 

 

Add wine and scrape the brown bits off of the bottom of the pot. Add broth and herbs. Reduce the flame and let cook for about 20 minutes (or more). Add the cognac or brandy.

 

Divide into individual, oven proof dishes. Place a piece of Sourdough toast (or your favorite Gluten Free option such as Udi’s bread) on top. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top of the bread (optional). Then, cover the top with the Swiss and Gruyere. 

 

Can you see my puppy photobombing the picture?

Cheese on the Onion Soup before melting it on top. Can you see my puppy photobombing the picture on the top left?

Put into a 400 degree F oven , or toaster oven or broiler until the cheese melts on top.

 

I am so happy I can make this for my husband. Some day, we'll go back to Paris!

I am so happy I can make this for my husband. Some day, we’ll go back to Paris!