It was a gutsy move baking these for the best French chef around, but I learned to make them from chef Mark Ramsdell of L’ Academie de Cuisine. I was elated when Jacques pronounced them “terrific!” and his daughter (and TV costar), Claudine Pépin said they were the best she’s ever had.
French
Dorie Greenspan’s Bourbon-Roasted Pork Loin
The foundation of this dish is onions and apples, classic pork go-withs in both France and America, while the flavorful wet rub — grainy mustard (French), honey, brown sugar, Sriracha and bourbon (from Kentucky) — is a mélange. Roasted in the oven for under an hour, everything comes together in a mix of sweet and hot that calls for some dunkables — biscuits or baguette.
Rose Levy Beranbaum’s Milk Chocolate Caramel Tart
If ever there was a melt-in-the-mouth dessert, this is it! Chocolate and caramel tarts are high on the list of the most popular desserts.
Rose Levy Beranbaum’s Sweet Cookie Tart or Pie Crust (Pâte Sucrée)
A cookie crust is firmer but more tender than a flaky pie crust. It maintains its crisp and tender texture even when chilled, which makes it more suitable for tarts that require refrigeration.
Ina Garten’s Haricots Verts with Hazelnuts & Dill
The French chef Joël Robuchon has been known to say he limits his dishes to no more than three dominant flavors so you appreciate the intrinsic flavors of a dish. Here I flavor French string beans with toasted hazelnuts and fresh dill, and I think they all work really well together.
Bistro Bundt-Pan Chicken with Shallots and Potatoes
There’s actually a fair amount of “classical” French cookery here: the chicken roasted with a mustard glaze, the potatoes done in a little chicken fat (as it runs off the bird). Serve this rich meal alongside a shredded lettuce and carrot salad with a vinegary dressing.
