Missing The Flair of France?  

While the global Covid-19 pandemic continues to restrict social gatherings and international travel, it isn’t stopping people from bringing a flair of France into their homes – through food, just in time for Bastille Day week!

Wouter Vermeulen, General Manager Southern Africa, Air France KLM, notes that while we are all being responsible citizens practising social distancing, people across the world are finding creative ways to bring the world to them. “During this time of lockdown we have seen people embracing virtual travel to their dream destinations. And while it is no replacement for the real thing, it helps keep that travel dream alive. Another way we have seen people bringing the world to them is through food! Seeing all of those posts from people baking bread is enough to send you into a day dream about indulging in a freshly-baked baguette as you picture yourself strolling through the streets of Paris,” Vermeulen says.

Until it is permitted to hop on board an Air France flight directly to fabulous France, some of South Africa’s greatest culinary maestros share some of their favourite traditional French recipes to help bring the magic of France into your own home.

Chilli Chocolate Chefs’ Creamy Prawn Bisque

Prawns are often used in French cuisine and this delicious recipe from the Chilli Chocolate Chefs is packed with French flavour in an easy and delicious dish that will certainly transport you to the fine dining restaurants Paris is famous for.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 8

Ingredients:
2 tblsp. Butter
1 tblsp. Crushed Garlic
1 tsp. Dried Mixed Herbs
1 Carrot, grated
1 Onion, finely chopped
2 sprigs Thyme
250g Prawns, shelled & deveined
30ml Tomato Paste
500ml Water
500ml Cream
Salt
Crushed Black Pepper

Garnish:
2 tblsp. Butter
1 tsp. Lemon Pepper
2 tsp. Crushed Garlic
Parsley

Method:
1.     Heat the butter in a pot.
2.     Add in the carrots, onions & cook for 2 minutes.
3.     Add in the garlic, thyme & mixed herbs & cook for a few minutes.
4.     Add in ¾ of the prawns, tomato paste, water & simmer for 15 minutes.
5.     Blend the mix in a food processor until smooth & creamy.
6.     Place back in the pot & add the cream.
7.     Season with Salt & Black Pepper.
8.     For the garnish… Heat the oil in a frying pan & fry the remaining prawns with butter, garlic, lemon pepper & parsley.
9.     Spoon the soup into the bowls & top with the garlic prawns.

10.   Drizzle with cream & ideally serve with pesto puffs.
    
    David Higgs’ Seabass With Lentil Curry And Pickled Cucumber

    David Higgs reveals that he is massively influenced by both French cuisine and technique and one of his favourite French recipes is a seabass paired with lentil curry and pickled cucumber. David admits that he loves using Seabass when whipping up French-inspired cusine and admits that the fish has the opportunity to deliver some exquisite flavours. This recipe can also be found in his cookbook ‘Mile 8: A Book About Cooking.’

    Preparation Time:30 minutes
    Cooking Time: 45 minutes
    Serves:8

    Ingredients:
    Seabass
    640g seabass – filleted, skin on
    salt and pepper
    lemon zest – for sprinkling
    
    Lentil curry
    1 onion – finely chopped
    1 carrot – finely grated
    2 cloves garlic – grated on a microplane
    5g ground cumin
    3g mustard seeds
    2 tomatoes – skin removed and finely chopped
    8g wet seafood masala
    5g brown sugar
    350g brown lentils – cleaned
    200ml tomato juice
    250ml vegetable stock
    salt and pepper – to season
    lemon – for squeezing

    Pickled cucumber
    200ml rice wine vinegar pickle
    2 cucumbers – peeled and seeded
    32 sprigs micro coriander – 4 per serving
    72 small fennel blossoms – 9 per serving

    Method:

    1.     Cut the filleted seabass into 80g portions; do not remove the skin. Grill the fish skin side down first and turn when the flesh begins to change from translucent to white. Season with salt and pepper and finish with lemon zest.
    2.     Fry the onions, carrot and garlic until translucent. Add the spices and continue to cook for a few minutes. Add the finely chopped tomatoes, seafood masala, brown sugar, lentils, tomato juice and vegetable stock. Cover with a cartouche (paper or silicone lid). Simmer slowly for 1 hour until the curry sauce thickens slightly, but be careful not to overcook the lentils – they should be soft but remain whole. Adjust seasoning if necessary and finish with a squeeze of lemon. Allow to cool, and then refrigerate for a day before serving – curries develop flavour as they stand. Warm the curry gently in a pot as needed.

    3.     Pour the cold pickling liquid into a vacuum bag. Add the cucumber and vacuum seal. Refrigerate and leave for 24–36 hours. Remove the cucumber from the vacuum bag and slice into ribbons on a mandolin or use a peeler.

    4.     To assemble, arrange each plate as you wish, or by following the photo. Spoon 45g warm lentil curry onto each plate. Place the seabass on top of the lentils. Position 2 ribbons of the cold cucumber pickle beside the curry, and garnish with 4 sprigs micro coriander and 9 fennel blossoms.

Chilli Chocolate Chefs’ Steak with Mustard Butter & French Fries

Bread often plays an important role when it comes to French cuisine and the Chilli Chocolate Boys have curated a way which encompasses both the importance of bread and meat and how the two can complement each other in the most French way possible.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 8

Ingredients:
8 pieces Beef Fillet, thinly sliced (2cm thick)
½ tsp. Black Pepper
½ tsp. Salt
½ tsp. Chilli Powder
1 tsp. Fresh Coriander, finely chopped
Olive Oil
1 loaf Ciabatta Bread

Ingredients: For the Mustard Butter
1 tblsp. Butter
1 tsp. Wholegrain Mustard
1 Loaf Ciabatta Bread

Method: For the Mustard Butter
Mash together the butter with the wholegrain mustard.

Method:
1.     Pat the steaks dry & rub them with salt, black pepper, chilli powder & coriander.
2.     Toss in olive oil.
3.     Lightly toast the ciabatta in a light butter & garlic & leave aside.
4.     Cook the steak on the griddle pan over high heat till well seared on each side.
5.     Place one piece on the ciabatta bread.
6.     Top with a blob of mustard butter. Serve with fries & fresh herbs.

* Recipes sourced by That Food Guy.