21 Easy Classic French Recipes to Wow Your Guests (2024)

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French cookinghas a reputation for being fancy, over-the-top, and almost impossible to master unless you're ahighly-qualified professional chef.However, that stereotype isn't necessarily justified. There are of course certain dishes which require incredibly complex technical skills, and hours and hours of practice, but there are many French, andFrench-inspired recipes, that any keen home cook can master.

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Bouillabaisse isa traditional fish stew, which originated in the port city Marseille. Use your favoritewhite fish and shellfish, and alter the vegetables according to what's in season.

For the Bouillabaisse recipe, click here.

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Buckwheat crêpeshave a much deeper, nuttier flavor thanthe typical, white flour version. These crêpes, originally from Brittany, are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

For the Buckwheat Crêpes recipe, click here.

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Thissimple French salad is a wonderful accompaniment to all of those rich meat and fish dishes for which France is so famous.

For the Celery Rémoulade recipe, click here.

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Make the most ofsummer's ripe red cherriesby serving them covered in a light batter to make an airy, summertime clafoutis.

For the Cherry-Almond Clafoutis recipe, click here.

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Making a perfectProvençal ratatouilleisn't as challenging as you may think. A beautiful spiral ofsummer vegetablesmakes for a healthy and tasty dish.

For the Classic French Ratatouille recipe, click here.

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Marinate your chickenovernight, sauté all the meat and vegetables, and finally add the liquid and let it simmer for just over an hour for a hearty, flavor-packed dinner.

For the Coq au Vin recipe, click here.

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A rich,smooth dark chocolate mousseis one the most well-loved French desserts. Use thedarkest, highest quality chocolateyou can for the most intensely flavored mousse.

For the Dark Chocolate Mousse recipe, click here.

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We're not sure there's anything more wonderful than a bowl filled withcaramelized onion soup, topped witha slice of baguetteand a generous portion of meltedGruyère.

For the French Onion Soup recipe, click here.

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Thesecheesy gougèresare animpressive party appetizer, and are not nearly as challenging to bake as you might believe.

For the Gargantuan Gougères recipe, click here.

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These appetizer-sizedcroques monsieurare easy, delicious, and the perfect way to kick off a French dinner party.

For the Mini Croque Monsieurs recipe, click here.

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Serve thesecreamy baked eggseither as a dinner party appetizer or as anindulgent weekend brunch dish.

For the Oeufs en Cocotte recipe, click here.

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Use store-boughtpuff pastryinstead of homemade bread dough to makethis crispy, south-of-France style pizza, topped with caramelized onions, anchovies, olives, and plenty of garlic.

For the Easy Pissaladière recipe, click here.

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These fluffy and pretty mini almond andpistachio cakesare the perfect accompaniment to a strongcup of coffee.

For the Pistachio and Almond Financier recipe, click here.

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Thisclassic French quicheis always popular. Use apre-made pie crustto turn this dish into an incredibly easy homemade meal.

For the Quiche Lorraine recipe, click here.

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Bitter, crunchy salad leaves are balanced out withmustard vinaigrette, crunchy bites of bacon, andpoached eggs: The ultimate simple, but satisfying lunch or dinner.

For the Salade Lyonnaise recipe, click here.

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Salade Niçoisemakes such a pretty entrée, and is filled with so many wonderful ingredients, that it makes a wonderful meal on its own, without the need for any extra sides.

For the Salade Niçoise recipe, click here.

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Cassouletnormally takes hours to cook, but this cheat's recipe means you can have this hearty French meal on the dinner table in less than 30 minutes.

For the Skillet Cassoulet recipe, click here.

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Sole meunière is fairly simple to prepare, and is one of the ultimate elegant dinner party dishes.The soleis drizzled withbrown butter sauce, and served with parsley and lemon: French entrées don't get any more chic than this.

For the Sole Meunière recipe, click here.

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A simple,minestrone-style vegetable souptopped with a salty, flavor-packed pistou, is a warming, healthy, and traditional French meal.

For the Soupe au Pistou recipe, click here.

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Tarte Flambée isAlsace's answer to pizza:Bread doughis rolled out until thinly, then topped with crème fraîche,sliced onions, and whatever other tasty additions you fancy.

For the Tarte Flambée recipe, click here.

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This classic Alpine cheese-bacon-and-potato dish is wonderfully rich and comforting. Serve it witha simple green saladfor a hearty, indulgent dinner.

For the Tartiflette Savoyarde recipe, click here.