How To Make French Dishes That Give The Olympics Feel

In celebration of US triumphs in the ongoing Olympics and to help you capture the spirit of Paris, here are some classic French dishes you can prepare at home. These detailed recipes will make you feel like you’re dining in the Olympic Village, ready to go for gold!

1. French Onion Soup

French onion soup is a quintessential Parisian dish that will transport you straight to the heart of the Olympic host city. This comforting classic features deeply caramelized onions in a rich, savory broth, crowned with a golden, cheesy crust. Here’s how to create this Olympic-worthy soup:

•     Thinly slice 6 large white onions
•     Melt 50g butter with 1 tbsp olive oil in a deep saucepan
•     Add onions and fry over high heat for a few minutes
•     Cover, lower heat, and simmer for 10 minutes
•     Uncover, add 1½ tbsp caster sugar, salt, and pepper; fry until caramelized
•     Pour in 200ml white wine and boil for a few minutes
•     Add 2 liters rich beef stock, bay leaves, and a sprig of rosemary
•     Simmer for 8-10 minutes
•     For croûtes: Toast baguette slices, spread with Dijon mustard, top with grated Gruyère
•     Grill until cheese melts, then float on top of the soup

2. Steak Frites

Steak Frites, is one of the beloved french dishes, is the perfect dish to fuel your Olympic spirit. This iconic combination of juicy steak and crispy fries will make you feel like you’re dining in a bustling Parisian bistro just steps from the Olympic Village. Here’s how to bring this gold medal-worthy meal to your table:

•    Choose 2 x 200g skirt steaks
•     For frites: Peel and cut a large Maris Piper potato into 2cm chips
•     Make a blood orange vinaigrette: Whisk 1 egg yolk, 15g Dijon mustard, 30ml blood orange vinegar, juice of 1 lemon, 150ml olive oil
•     For Parisian sauce: Melt 50g sliced shallots, 20g confit garlic in 250g butter
•     Add 1 tsp chopped chervil, 50g chopped parsley, 40g chopped anchovy fillets
•     Blend 2 egg yolks with 1 tsp Dijon, slowly add herb butter to emulsify
•     Brush steaks with oil, griddle 3 minutes on oiled side, 2 on other
•     Rest for 4 minutes, serve with frites, sauce, and dressed lettuce

3. Moules Marinières

Moules Marinières, a classic French mussel dish, captures the essence of coastal France and will transport you to the Olympic spirit of Paris. This dish is not only delicious but also sustainable and nutritious, perfect for athletes and food enthusiasts alike. Here’s how to create this Olympic-worthy seafood sensation:

•     Clean and debeard 1kg fresh mussels
•     Finely chop 2 shallots and 2 garlic cloves
•     Melt 30g butter in a large pot, sauté shallots and garlic
•     Add 150ml dry white wine, bring to boil
•     Add mussels, 2 tablespoons chopped parsley, cover, and steam for 3-4 minutes
•     Shake the pot occasionally, discard any unopened mussels
•     Finish with 2 tbsp cream and extra parsley
•     Serve with crusty baguette slices

4. Coq au Vin

Coq au Vin, a hearty French classic, embodies the rich culinary tradition that makes Paris a perfect Olympic host. This dish of chicken braised in wine is a testament to French ingenuity in transforming humble ingredients into something truly spectacular. Here’s how to create this Olympic-caliber dish:

•     Cut 1 whole chicken into 8 pieces
•    Dice 200g bacon lardons, brown in a large casserole
•     Remove bacon, brown chicken pieces in batches
•     Add 20 pearl onions and 250g quartered mushrooms, sauté
•     Return bacon and chicken to pot
•     Add 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 bay leaves, few sprigs of thyme
•     Pour in 750ml red wine (preferably Burgundy) and 250ml chicken stock
•     Simmer covered for 1 hour or until chicken is tender
•     Thicken sauce with beurre manié if desired

5. Crème Brûlée

Crème Brûlée, a quintessential French dessert, is the perfect way to conclude your Olympic-inspired culinary journey. This luxurious custard with its signature caramelized sugar top is like the gold medal of desserts – rich, indulgent, and utterly satisfying. Here’s how to create this podium-worthy treat:

•     Preheat oven to 150°C (300°F)
•     Heat 500ml heavy cream with 1 vanilla pod (split and scraped)
•     Whisk 5 egg yolks with 50g sugar until pale
•     Slowly pour hot cream into egg mixture, whisking constantly
•     Strain mixture and pour into 4 ramekins
•     Place ramekins in a bain-marie, bake for 30-35 minutes until set but still wobbly
•     Chill for at least 2 hours or overnight
•     Before serving, sprinkle each with 1 tbsp caster sugar
•     Caramelize with a kitchen torch or under a hot grill

These detailed recipes will help you create authentic French dishes, bringing the taste of the Olympics right to your kitchen. Remember, precision in cooking is like accuracy in sports – it’s key to achieving that gold medal flavor!

And if you want to eat out, you can get these foods in French restaurants in the DMV area.