The French have a way with food, there's no doubt. French
chefs plan menus based on the availability of seasonal fruits and
vegetables. Cooking with seasonal foods means you are using the freshest
ingredients available and you'll taste more of the natural goodness of
the food and get the most nutritional value too.
Typical French summer menus include a great variety of fresh produce - greens, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions,
zucchini, green beans, peaches, pears, berries and plums, plus whole
grains and protein. Shop your local farm markets and create your meals
around what is in season in your area.
Styles of cooking in France range from elaborate and time-consuming recipes to fresh, easy-to-prepare dishes. The Nouvelle Cuisine
style of French cooking emphasizes fresh ingredients and simple recipes
using seasonings that include fresh herbs, lemon juice, vinegars and
butter. This style of cuisine is perfect for family-friendly summer
dining.
Food
presentation is important in French cooking. In fact it's practically
an art form. Food is plated with great care and you will often see a
sprig of fresh herbs, thinly sliced fruit or edible flowers added to
plates giving them a splash of color an added touch of culinary
artistry.
