The French don’t celebrate Thanksgiving but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a French flair to your celebration! Last year we offered suggestions on how to celebrate Thanksgiving with a French twist and this year we’re focusing on little ways to adjust your American family favorites to add a slice of Frenchiness. Bon appétit !
This recipe from Tasteoffrancemag.com incorporates France’s best-selling cheese, comté, with spicy jalapeno to update and “Frenchify” a classic Thanksgiving staple.
Leave it to American-in-Paris David Lebovitz to provide us with a luxurious recipe! Elevate those red berries this year with your favorite vin rouge and some succulent figs.
This year let go of your green bean casserole and replace it with a green bean soup (or just make both)! When it comes to cuisine and soups in particular, velouté translates to “cream of” but is in general a sauce that includes a roux and stock.
While there is little as American as apple pie, there is little as “normand” as apples! Try this French twist on the American pastry from femmeactuelle.fr and you just might have something new to add to your dessert repertoire.
Bread is in every French person’s blood it seems so why not go full-on French and bake a loaf of bread for your Thanksgiving meal this year? This Taste of France recipe comes from the central French region of Auvergne, a rural and mountainous area popular for hiking and skiing.
Cognac, a brandy only made in the town of Cognac in France, is the special ingredient in this creamy turkey-topping favorite. The recipe also calls for white wine so you might as well officially declare this gravy French!
This recipe from Marmiton sounds both decadent and full of nutrients, grâce au potiron. Soufflés, baked dishes said to have originated in France in the early 18th century, are not for the faint of heart. Prepare this recipe if you are ready for a bit of a challenge (here are some tips on how to make a great soufflé). The name “soufflé” comes from the verb “souffler” which means “to blow” or “to breathe out”. Be ready to wow your guests when you can make something as sturdy as a pumpkin as light as the air we breathe!
1. If you like cornbread, try Comté Jalapeno Cornbread.
This recipe from Tasteoffrancemag.com incorporates France’s best-selling cheese, comté, with spicy jalapeno to update and “Frenchify” a classic Thanksgiving staple. 2. If you like cranberry sauce, try Cranberry Sauce with Red Wine and Figs.
Leave it to American-in-Paris David Lebovitz to provide us with a luxurious recipe! Elevate those red berries this year with your favorite vin rouge and some succulent figs. 3. If you like green bean casserole, try a velouté de haricots verts.
This year let go of your green bean casserole and replace it with a green bean soup (or just make both)! When it comes to cuisine and soups in particular, velouté translates to “cream of” but is in general a sauce that includes a roux and stock.4. If you like apple pie, try a tarte normande aux pommes et aux amandes.
While there is little as American as apple pie, there is little as “normand” as apples! Try this French twist on the American pastry from femmeactuelle.fr and you just might have something new to add to your dessert repertoire. 5. If you like a crusty dinner roll (and started baking bread in the pandemic!), try an Auvergne Rye Loaf.
Bread is in every French person’s blood it seems so why not go full-on French and bake a loaf of bread for your Thanksgiving meal this year? This Taste of France recipe comes from the central French region of Auvergne, a rural and mountainous area popular for hiking and skiing. 6. If you like gravy, try Ina Garten’s recipe with a little bit of Cognac!
Cognac, a brandy only made in the town of Cognac in France, is the special ingredient in this creamy turkey-topping favorite. The recipe also calls for white wine so you might as well officially declare this gravy French!7. If you like roasted butternut squash, try a soufflé au potiron.
This recipe from Marmiton sounds both decadent and full of nutrients, grâce au potiron. Soufflés, baked dishes said to have originated in France in the early 18th century, are not for the faint of heart. Prepare this recipe if you are ready for a bit of a challenge (here are some tips on how to make a great soufflé). The name “soufflé” comes from the verb “souffler” which means “to blow” or “to breathe out”. Be ready to wow your guests when you can make something as sturdy as a pumpkin as light as the air we breathe! There you have it- a few ways to add a French twist to your Thanksgiving menu. Let us know if you tried any of these recipes above or created something of your own!
Natalie Collet
Former Membership Manager
From the Midwest, Natalie is a Francophile at heart. Her interest in French started when studying ballet and the language and culture entranced her through her student years. She became involved with the - Alliance - in the suburbs of Chicago after she spent an unforgettable year teaching English in a French high school near Bordeaux. She is happy to join the team in Boston and work with the members to provide them with unique opportunities, quality programming, and a community through French!
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