Easy french recipes that anyone can cook

French cuisines have a lot of mystery surrounding it. It is matter of esteem and it is likely because all the great chefs specialize in the French cuisine.

French cuisine can turn an ordinary ingredient meal into a fantastic spread. The trick here is to make it look extravagant with the simplest of ingredients. As a matter of fact, French recipes have the simplest of the ingredients, which means anyone can cook them. They are fun to cook and a delight to eat.

Let us take a look at some of the easy french recipes that you can prepare at your home.

French lentil soup

  • A complete vegan soup, this classic and easy French recipe can be relished by both vegans and non-vegans.
  • All you need is sauted onions, celery carrots and chopped garlic, and carrots. Heat them in a saucepan for 12 to 15 minutes or until they turn brown. Add salt, thyme, and black pepper to taste and continue cooking for another minute.
  • Add pre-boiled lentils, diced tomato in a vegetable or chicken stock (as per your preference) and bring the soup to boil. Reduce the temperature slightly so that it is simmering.
  • Simmer it until it forms a puree like consistency. Serve the soup hot in a boul. You can also store and refrigerate the same and consume it for up to 3 days.

Croque Monsieur

  • Croque in French translates to “church”. This is another easy French recipe that you will find in every bistro out there France. These are tasty little sandwiches that come in variety of flavors.
  • The Croque provincial is a delicate sandwich of tomato, cheese, ham, and herbal mayo. Lets look at the method of preparation of a traditional Croque Monsieur.
  • Preheat the broiler in the lowest heat setting, and spread mustard on 4 slices of bread. Add half a cup of gruyere which is a form of cheese, if you don’t have gruyere, you can use a substituting semi- soft cheese that has a creamy consistency. Place a few pieces of Ham. Cover it with the other piece of bread. Smear butter on top.
  • Place the prepared sandwiches in an ungreased baking tray and cook them crispy golden brown. Cover it with remaining cheese and cook them for additional 5 minutes.

Steak au Poivre

  • The name of the dish literally translates to “pepper steak”. It is a fabulous way to dress up a perfect strip steak.
  • The steak is simply seasoned pepper and salt and then fried in a skillet. Add a half a cup of cognac (add it carefully as it may fame up). Add a bit of cream on the side. The delicious steak is ready to serve and relish.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

  • Factors to consider before renting a car

    Car rentals have become a significant part of our daily lives due to their numerous advantages. Car renting is often required when you want to travel to a place where the benefit of transit is not available or if you are traveling to any destination and it is somewhere outside the city. It is considered as one of the significant and a pocket-friendly ways of transporting to places for corporate or personal uses. Therefore, it is preferred by most of the people as it not only saves you a lot of money but also helps you avoid hassle of depending upon the unpredictable schedule of the public taxis and buses.

    However, there are a few things are important to keep in mind while opting for car rentals as there are a lot of important terms and conditions which you should know before getting the service.

    Use credit cards
    It is important to make sure that you are using a credit card at the time of renting. You might use a debit card for renting the car, but you will have to pay an authorization charge and a considerable extra amount will be added to the cost too. Most car rental companies check credit score to see if you can pay any charges. This policy is no longer valid, and the big rental companies have already left behind those policies. In case if you want to use a debit card for renting a car then, it is best to know about all the elaborate policy of the company from where you want to take the service. This will help you in avoiding any issue of hold on funds.

    Costs are if you're younger
    Most car rental services consider those under 25 as a liability to their cars and their goods. So, if you are between 20 and 25, you can rent a car but you will have to pay extra charges. Traveling with someone who is under the age of 25 is not considered as an additional driver by most of the car rentals; thus, it is not necessary to pay any extra charges.

    Avoid renting a car at the airport
    While looking for car rentals, it is important to understand that renting a car is not possible from everywhere. It is easy to pick a car while at the airport, but this can cause you to pay a premium for selecting the car right after getting off the plane. Most car rental companies are compelled to pay surcharges, and it is unavoidable in case you rent a car from the airport. To avoid such hassles, simply book a cab and get to the car rental service which is away from the airport grounds.

    Don't return the car with an empty tank
    When returning the car, don't forget to fill the tank as it comes under one of the policies of car rental companies. The rental services can refuel the car but it's the responsibility of the person who booked for the service.

    Pay for extra drivers
    It is important to keep the number of drivers as low as possible as this is one of the most significant ways to avoid the hassle of paying for extra drivers. Most car rentals charge a daily fee even when the car isn't driven during the renting period. Several times, the car renting companies mostly waive the spouse or corporate rentals; don't forget to check the car rental company's policies since the rules vary.

    Drive on paved roads
    This is one of the most significant details that most of the people miss out while going through the company policies. It is extremely important to understand that most of the car renting services do not allow taking the car to off roads or unpaved roads. If you think that you want to take the car off road, then it is best if you get collision damage or car rental insurance. It is better if you remain on the paved roads while you are driving a rented car unless you want to pay extra for taking the car to off roads.

    These are some of the things which are important to consider if you want to opt for car renting services. You can now enjoy the services of car rental by avoiding unexpected amounts. 

  • Essential things to know about chronic fatigue syndrome
    Doctors and the medical industry have been trying to find definite extreme causes. There are over 2.5 million Americans who have this disorder. Everyone get fatigue when they over exert or work long hours and due to stress their body becomes tired and that leads to fatigue. Fatigue usually goes away with some rest and proper food intake. When fatigue is prolonged and stays for longer time (many months together) it becomes a case of extreme fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome. The causes of extreme fatigue are generally unknown. There are multiple things that lead to this condition such as: A weak immune system Stress viruses hormonal imbalance Normally, fatigue is what happens when someone is going through a sickness or illness. It is usually a part of symptoms an illness or sickness has. But when it isn't a normal fatigue and there are no signs of any other illnesses, it can be a case of extreme fatigue or chronic fatigue syndrome. The causes of extreme fatigue can affect the body when they occur because of unhealthy lifestyle. Immune system becomes weak because of these factors below: Stress Over training (athletic) Environmental exposure Occupational chemical exposure UV radiation and other harmful radiation Drug therapies (some) Blood transfusion and surgeries Other things that impact the immune system are linked to your diet. The cells that make your body are renewed from the food that you eat. Eating processed food, excessive fat, alcohol, refined sugar contributes to the weakening of immune system. Though the causes of extreme fatigue are unknown, the risk factors can be treated as causes. When the diagnosis is done right, the treatment can be started to cure the syndrome. Just like causes, there is no one definite treatment to cure this condition. The treatments work over a period and one must be consistent in those treatments. Here are the things that you can do to treat chronic fatigue syndrome: Graded Exercise Therapy: this therapy includes swimming, walking etc., The activities are dependent on your physical capabilities. Physical activities make you stronger from inside and that helps your immune system to become stronger. Medication: there are some medications that can be taken when you face headaches and intense joint or muscle pain. Medicines don't cure extreme fatigue but they help you through it. Other medicines like antidepressants are also given to treat some of extreme fatigue causes. Lifestyle changes: An unhealthy lifestyle affects the body over a period of time. Prolonged and chronic conditions occur because of unhealthy lifestyle and hence it is essential to get back on the healthy track where the patient eats right food and avoids things like: All unhealthy food items Smoking Alcohol Drugs Wrong sleeping pattern And other related activities that don't contribute to good health Add healthy activities like yoga and meditation to your daily routine as they help you reduce stress and make you healthy from inside out.
  • Best places to take a cruise to
    While air travel seems to be the fastest and popular means for getting from one place to another, there are a number of others ways in which the leisure-loving traveler can go around the world. If you have an appetite for luxury and would like to be close to beaches and shores, then cruises are one of the best options for you. Going on a cruise is a matter of switching off for a while and soaking it all in - quite literally. This is one of the best means of taking travel at a slow and luxurious pace. You can enjoy the many joys of the sea and vast ocean with the help of cruises even as the luxurious setting within the ship will make you feel like royalty on the high seas. So what are the best places to visit with the help of cruises? Check out this list! The Caribbean: The Caribbean Sea and its well-known islands like Curacao make for a wonderful ocean line that one may explore with the help of cruises that are available on portals like the Royal Caribbean. This includes the Gulf of Mexico to the South American shores and even further along the North American mainland. This scenic and large strip is known as the Caribbean plate and can be enjoyed with cruises that start from New York City. The island groupings also include the West Indies and the Bahamas, among various others, which will give you a taste of the exotic. You can disembark and have a great time at one or more of these islands, with many options for staying and indulging in unique activities. Alaska: Lying in the extreme Northwest side of the US, Alaska is a favored destination during summers. It is divided from the American mainland as Canada lies between the two, but it is very much a part of the US. You can take a cruise along the Alaskan shoreline to see the Pacific Ocean on one side and the skyline of Alaska, which is replete with fishing, natural gas, and oil industries, as well as quaint towns. There are a number of cruises like the Princess Cruises, the Alaskan Cruise and many others that one can take from New York harbor in order to see this part of the country while on the ocean. Also, Norwegian Cruises will give you a great package deal, if you want to see additional places on a particularly long cruise. California Coast: This is another favored destination, which is a hit with the young and old alike. Watch the vibrant coastline of California erupt magically before your eyes as you trace the same with a cruise, which you can avail from Disney Cruises, and many others like Kayak. You can also take a package deal where you get to enjoy the beauty of the Canadian and Mexican shorelines in one long journey along the entire stretch of the ocean line. Scenic beauty and shopping vistas will also greet you here.
  • Dog allergies: symptoms and treatments
    The U.S is a pet-friendly country and most people own a pet. It also proven that about 15 to 30 % of Americans are allergic to pets. Dogs are said to be man's best friend and it is not a realistic solution to ask them to stay away from dogs as they are allergic. Out of 5, only 1 person abandons their dog when their doctors ask them to do so. It is hard for pet owners to leave their pets. This is because of the human emotional attachment towards the pets. For such pet lovers who are allergic to dogs, there are some treatment methods to make your life easy with a dog around. Symptoms and treatment methods When a person is allergic to a dog, it is not because of their hair as many think. The allergens are present in the dander, saliva, and urine of dogs. These allergens get released into the air when your dog moves around and can also enter areas where the dog never goes. Most people with canine allergies are allergic to dog dander. Dander is the dead skin which falls off from the dog's body. Dog allergy can be identified based on the following symptoms: Coughing and sneezing Itching, redness of eyes Skin allergy Runny, itchy nose Wheezing These allergies create a lot of irritation and discomfort. There are ways to control these allergies without leaving your dog. Dog free zones: Make sure you have dog-free zones in your house. Install High-Efficiency Particulate Filters in that area. They can clean the allergens that are present in the air. Take care that your dog never enters that area. Usually, bedrooms are best places for such a zone. Bathe your dog every week; Make sure to bathe your dog on regular basis i.e. at least once in a week. This will reduce the chances of dog dander fall. This also reduces the allergens present in dog's fur up to 80%. Allergy test: Before assuming that you are allergic to dog dander, make a visit to your allergist and take a test to confirm it. There are many other substances present in the air which can trigger allergies. It is important to know the actual reason for the allergy. Avoid dusty furniture: Avoid all those dust attractive furniture like rugs, carpets etc.... They make cleaning harder and can catch allergens. It is better to avoid such dusty things around you to control frequent attacks of allergies. Antihistamines: These can be taken in the form of tablets or inhalers. They block the effects of the chemical that triggers an allergy. Some antihistamines are available as nasal sprays.They give you an immediate relief from runny, itchy nose. Allergy shots: This is the other option to reduce allergies. These shots slowly desensitize the allergic person's immune system to pet allergens. They inject known allergy-causing agents inside the skin which triggers the body to produce antibodies. This treatment can last for years together.
  • Adding a personal touch to the thank you card for your employees
    Your employees do a lot of work for you. Have you, as a boss taken the effort to thank them or appreciate them some time? One of the most important parts of building rapport with your employees and get them to do their work with cheer is to take the time to thank them at their best moments. It could be a simple project completion, or an individual employee who took on a hard task and earned the graces of your clients, the least you could do as a boss to keep your employees happy is to send them a professional thank you note with a personal touch of yours. When you are writing out a thank you card to your employees, it has to follow a certain standard procedure to maintain a formal tone. Here are some tips that will help you write one effectively. Start with a salutation. Just like a formal letter, you need to zero in on the right type of greeting to begin your employee thank you card. A personal touch here would be to use the employee’s name instead of just addressing it with a hi or a hello. You can add a greeting like Hi (name), dear (name), or just begin your employee thank you card with the name of the person. It is not enough to just give a thank you card to your employee, you need to add an actual thank you message so that your employee knows they are appreciated. It shows that you really value the effort and you would like them to stay motivated. For example, "Thank you for taking the effort to help out with (project name), and I really appreciate the fact that you went an extra mile to make it the best." Remembering your employee's efforts and adding a personal mention of the same in your employee thank you card is sure to make your employee's day. Once you have written a phrase, just don’t leave the employee thank you card hanging, you need to give it a finish as well. Here, as a boss, if you know your employee well, then you can show your personal touch by adding in a statement about them. This not only shows you actually remembered what they had told you sometime before but also that you took the effort to communicate with them.
  • Here is what you should know before a buying a gas barbecue on sale
    With summer cookouts and barbecues becoming popular now that winter's gone, why not invest in modern, outdoor-cooking equipment? If you're scouring the market for a gas barbecue during a sale, there are plenty of options available. But hold on till you've analyzed your needs, budget, and preferences thoroughly before making any purchases. Ask for recommendations from your friends and family members before you shop. They may have useful ideas and suggestions regarding the same. Gas or charcoal There's nothing better than a sizzling charcoal fire – it's smoky, inviting and natural. Charcoal grills are less expensive and they're safer. The flames don't leap out at you when the fat drops in the fire and coal fires are much hotter than gas. Charcoal burners are portable and they give your food a unique, smoked flavor. But gas grills have their plus points too. Gas is a cheaper fuel than coal, it's a clean burning fuel and if you already use gas in your kitchen, you have the supply laid-on. Connoisseurs declare that gas-cooked foods are less dry and retain their juiciness compared to coal-charred foods. Propane and natural gas are the available fuel options. Cost Remember this is equipment that you may not use very often unless you're passionate about barbecuing. There's a wide range of pricing options available before you buy a gas barbecue during a sale. You can purchase a low-cost gas barbecue from your local supermarket or hardware store, or you could opt for a deluxe, gourmet-chef version. While gas barbecues during a sale may not have too many features, you can get a basic model and purchase accessories separately. Dimensions Pick one that matches your cookout parties. Are they large and elaborate, with many different types of food requirements? Or do you prefer small, intimate groups consisting of family and friends? Make sure you buy a gas barbecue kit that totally suffices your usage. You also get compact and small-sized gas barbecue kits on sale. Durability You do get gas barbecues at discounted prices during the sale. Make sure you purchase it from a reliable store. There are certain gas barbecue kits that are made of cheap, brittle materials that rust, warp, damage easily and are a not safe for use. Don't compromise on material quality; cast aluminum is a good option. Heat Make sure your barbecue gives you optimum power and cooking temperature. Slow-heating grills require food to be precooked before the party starts. The unit should have a control panel with different settings for various types of foods. Check whether there are enough safety vents. Most leading brands offer amazing deals and discounts on older models that may not have as many advanced features. The holiday season is a great period to grab a good bargain on gas barbecues during a sale. Make sure you make an informed decision.