Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

So I'm in a wine/food club and this week it's French food/wine.

I am making the first course.

I plan on doing a green salad with a homemade dressing.

Of course when I search for French salad and dressing I get the "french dressing" recipe. Not what I'm looking for.

What greens can I put in the salad and what dressing should I use to make it authentic french. I'm thinking a vinaigrette dressing but no idea what type of greens to use.

Any ideas?

TIA!

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

I would do a sharp mix of frisée, endive, radicchio and romaine.

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

Thanks H!

How about dressing? Should I do a sweeter dressing, like a raspberry vinaigrette?

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

You might get some good ideas Here

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

I'd do an herb vinaigrette. Don't forget the warm goat cheese on toast.

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

I went to Paris for a week, and I am a vegetarian. Very hard to be a vegetarian in Paris but I lived off of salad, bread and cheese.

Unfortunately, even their salads have meat on them. If you are looking for a traditional french salad recipe it would include anchovies, tuna and hard-boiled eggs.

I have seen entirely vegetarian ones with artichokes and goat cheese and olives. I of course, prefer those. Those were good.

The dressing is not the dark "french" dressing marketed here but rather a vinaigrette. They usually use a lot of oil and cider vinegar.

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

What about a Nicoise salad?

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

I love French vinaigrette. I do some olive oil, a spoon of dijon mustard, a clove or two of garlic, salt & pepper and then add herbs.. I personally like a few leaves of fresh basil and a pinch of dried herbes de Provence. I'd serve on a salad composed of baby greens and haricot verts with some roasted beets to add color and sweetness, leeks for a bite and some toasted walnuts for texure. Crumble just a little roquefort over it to give it an edge.. and because I always think CHEESE when I think French!!

Another appetizer that I feel is pretty 'French' is artichokes. I steam artichokes and then make a buerre citron for dipping. It is kind of sensual because you are eating with your hands.. plus the sauce is such a decadent thing.. but since you are dipping you don't get TOO much.

You could also do an amuse-bouche..maybe a French preparation of a Diver Scallop - seared and placed on plate with a splash of herb wine sauce. Or a shooter of vichyssoise? Or maybe French bread sliced on a bias, spread with mixture of butter and homemade mayonnaise mised with garlic and herbs - and then toasted.. before it gets to dark and crunchy.. put some Camembert on it and throw it under the broiler to melt.

Or maybe cheese puffs? Canapes? An onion tart?

I love French food.. a las.. it does NOT love me back.

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

I would think some vinaigrette with dijon. Try this.

julia's vinaigrette

Re: Attn: Frenchies, french food people and salad lovers.

You guys are amazing - thank you!