Quiche Lorraine
Often eaten: Typically served for lunch or dinner.
Known for: Lorraine in northeastern France
Family MealCasual Dinner
Photo: thierry le Ridant (CC BY-SA 2.5)
5 dishes to discover
Food of France
France is famous for its delicious and varied food. From warm baguettes to rich cheese, French cuisine is filled with flavors. French people often enjoy meals with their family or friends, making eating a special time to share and connect.
Featured Dishes
Meal Culture
In France, meals are an important time to connect with family and friends. People take their time to enjoy several small courses. Lunch and dinner are often shared together and are an important part of the day.
Eating Etiquette
In France, it's polite to keep your hands on the table, but not your elbows. Always say 'Bon appétit!' before you start eating. Remember to tear off pieces of bread instead of biting from the loaf.
When People Eat It
Coq au Vin
Often eaten: Commonly served for dinner.
Known for: Burgundy, where it is strongly associated with wine-based regional cooking
Special OccasionFamily Meal
Ratatouille
Often eaten: Usually eaten as a side dish or for lunch.
Known for: Provence and the Nice area in southern France
Vegetarian MealFamily Meal
Croque Monsieur
Often eaten: Often enjoyed for lunch or as a snack.
Known for: Paris and the Île-de-France café and brasserie tradition
SnackLunch
Crêpes
Often eaten: Popular for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
Known for: Brittany in western France
BreakfastDessert
Make It Yourself
👩🍳 Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
Quiche LorraineQuiche Lorraine
Makes 6 servingsIngredients
- 1 crustPie crust
- 1 cup (150 g)Bacon or ham, chopped
- 3 eggsEggs
- 1 cup (240 ml)Cream
- 1 cup (100 g)Grated cheese
- a pinchNutmeg
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to heat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2Press the pie crust into a tart pan and scatter the bacon over the bottom.
- 3Whisk the eggs, cream, cheese, and nutmeg together.
- 4Pour the egg mixture into the crust.
- 5Bake for 30–35 minutes, until set and golden on top.
- 6Let it cool a little, then slice — lovely warm or cold.
Coq au VinCoq au Vin
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 1.5 lb (680 g)Chicken pieces
- 1 cup (90 g)Mushrooms, sliced
- 1 eachOnion and carrot
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml)Grape juice (or broth)
- 1/2 cup (75 g)Bacon, chopped
- 1 tspThyme
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to brown the bacon and chicken in a pot, then set them aside.
- 2Cook the onion, carrot, and mushrooms in the same pot until soft.
- 3Return the chicken and bacon and pour in the grape juice and thyme.
- 4Cover and simmer gently for about 40 minutes, until the chicken is tender.
- 5Spoon off any extra fat and stir the sauce.
- 6Serve with bread or mashed potatoes — a cozy French stew (kid version uses grape juice).
RatatouilleRatatouille
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 1 eggplantEggplant, cubed
- 2 zucchiniZucchini, sliced
- 2 peppersBell peppers, sliced
- 3 tomatoesTomatoes, chopped
- 1 onion, 2 clovesOnion and garlic
- 3 tbsp, 1 tspOlive oil and herbs
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to soften the onion and garlic in olive oil in a big pot.
- 2Add the eggplant and peppers and cook for 5 minutes.
- 3Stir in the zucchini and tomatoes with a sprinkle of herbs.
- 4Cover and simmer gently for about 25 minutes, stirring now and then.
- 5Season with a little salt and pepper.
- 6Serve warm with bread — a colorful vegetable dish from Provence.
Croque MonsieurCroque Monsieur
Makes 2 sandwichesIngredients
- 4 slicesBread
- 4 slicesHam
- 1 cup (100 g)Grated Gruyère cheese
- 2 tbsp (30 g)Butter
- 1/2 cup (120 ml)Milk
- 1 tbspFlour
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to make a quick white sauce: melt the butter, stir in the flour, then whisk in the milk until thick. Stir in half the cheese.
- 2Lay ham on two slices of bread and top with the other slices.
- 3Spread the cheesy sauce over the tops of the sandwiches.
- 4Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese.
- 5Ask a grown-up to grill them under the broiler until bubbly and golden.
- 6Eat warm with a knife and fork.
CrêpesCrêpes
Makes 8 crêpesIngredients
- 1 cup (125 g)Flour
- 2 eggsEggs
- 1 1/4 cups (300 ml)Milk
- 2 tbsp (30 g)Butter, melted
- 1 tbspSugar
- to serveToppings (jam, fruit, chocolate)
How to Make It
- 1Whisk the flour, eggs, milk, butter, and sugar into a thin, smooth batter.
- 2Let the batter rest for 20 minutes.
- 3Ask a grown-up to heat a lightly buttered pan over medium heat.
- 4Pour in a small ladle of batter and swirl the pan so it spreads thin.
- 5Cook for about 1 minute, flip, and cook 30 seconds more.
- 6Add your favorite toppings, fold, and enjoy.
Vocabulary
In France, meals often have more courses and are longer compared to American meals. The French enjoy sitting down together and savoring each dish during a meal.