Welcome to the first annual Francophile Week here on Life With Dee! I’ve been looking forward to this for months and hope you enjoy it. And what better way to kick off the week than with a French inspired menu? If you’ve never been to France but have wondered if what they say about the food is hype, let me assure you it’s not. David and I both absolutely loved everything we ate in Paris the week we spent there. From the croissants at breakfast to the three-course dinners…every morsel was sheer perfection.
Dee’s French Menu
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Monday
When David and I went to Paris a few years ago, our first meal was lunch at a little café. We both had the Croque Monsieur which was served with a simple green salad. Light and lovely. We both have meetings this evening so a simple, light meal will be perfect when we get home.
- Croque-Monsieurs
- salad
- fruit and cheese plate
- coffee and small piece of dark chocolate for dessert
Tuesday
- Coq Au Vin
- Herbed Yukon Gold potatoes (pg. 108 of Barefoot in Paris)
- Browned Garlic Brussels Sprouts
- tossed green salad
- French bread and butter
Wednesday
David will be out of town so this is a good time for me to cook something he’s not fond of.
- Salmon with Lentils (pg. 136 of Barefoot in Paris)
- green beans
- salad
- bread
Thursday
Many years ago I read the book, Scruples by Judith Krantz. The first section tells of an awkward young girl who is sent to Paris to live with a French family. The story of her transformation was my favorite part of the book and I’ve re-read that first section many times since. Her first dinner with her new French family is described in great detail. I thought it would be fun to re-create that meal. The dinner was served in several courses and I’ll serve it that way, too.
Scruples dinner:
- thin vegetable soup
- soft boiled eggs in shell
- large green salad with sliced cold ham
- cheese plate, bread and butter
- fresh oranges
- coffee
Friday
Boeuf Bourguignon is a bit time-consuming but perfect for a cozy at-home date night along with a nice bottle of French wine.
- Boeuf Bourguignon
- tossed green salad with classic French vinaigrette
- Asparagus with Hollandaise (pg. 144 of Barefoot in Paris)
- French bread and butter
Saturday
We are holding band auditions until 6 p.m. so we’ll go out to eat afterwards. Probably Italian food because we don’t have any French restaurants around here.
Sunday
I don’t usually cook on Sundays. We’ll be attending Music in the Park and they will likely have a food truck or two there.
This post is linked up on I’m an Organizing Junkie. For more menu ideas, check it out.
I’ve always heard of radishes with salt and butter as a nursery snack in France. But, the idea of just eating radishes spread with butter doesn’t really appeal to me, but since you obviously have “Barefoot in Paris”, she has a recipe for an appetizer of herbed butter spread on a baguette, served with radishes and sea salt. I liked it so much that I used a 1/2 lb of butter, doubled the herbs (what would be called for if I had used 1/4 lb), then divided it into 4 rolls and froze all but one. If I use a baguette, I make that lunch for several days in a row. I slice the radishes and add them with a sprinkle of sea salt to the top. Very good!!
I’ve never been a fan of radishes but I might have to try this.
I love when you do these themed menus (even if there are several things on there I wouldn’t eat).
I’m planning to do a vegetarian week once of these days. 🙂
I’ll look forward to it! 🙂
I had the very best chocolate croissant while in France that still makes my mouth water thinking about it. The only other place where I’ve gotten a croissant that is as was in Marigot which is on the French side of St. Maarten. Go figure 🙂
I regret to say that other than plain croissants at breakfast in our hotel we didn’t have any pastries during our week in Paris. We were too full from the three course meals!