French

The aroma of brioche baking is a delicious way to enjoy a summer weekend. Make a loaf of this beautiful brioche and enjoy for a decadent brunch.

This is the traditional French savoury quiche recipe made with bacon, egg and cream.
If you're not a confident pastry cook, you can make this dish using a sheet of frozen shortcrust pastry.

This light and lovely vanilla cake is just what you need for a simple dessert. The cake itself is a dream to whip up - just 15 minutes of work and you'll have it in the oven - and the passionfruit and yoghurt topping is heavenly.

Here is a savoury version of the lovely French Sablés. They’re a nice alternative to nibble with your glass of wine instead of nuts or chippies, and make a fantastic addition to a grazing platter!

Even if you don’t make your own pastry that often, this recipe is so simple that it’s worth the extra effort. The topping could also be tropical fruit or roasted rhubarb, just make sure whatever you use it’s generously piled high.

Create little morsels of sweetness with this mango profiteroles recipe! Homemade pastries are filled with cream and silky mango curd - making a bite-sized dessert that is perfect for your next summer dinner party.

We don't think there's anything quite as heavenly as layers of light, crispy pastry filled with cream and zingy raspberries. Try this mille-feuille for dessert this Christmas... or just whenever you want something a little special!

With zingy raspberries and chunks of white chocolate, all you need is a glass of bubbles to make this the most delicious start to Christmas Day. Start on the dough a day ahead to result in beautifully light brioche.

This is such a simple citrus tart that has become a favourite as it can be made at a minute’s notice. Enjoy either as a light and zingy dessert or with a cup of coffee in the afternoon.

This dessert is just a little bit magical! It’s easy to make, turns out of the tin like a dream and is much less rich than it looks. Give it a go - it's perfect for occasions when you're after something a little bit special.

Penny Allan of Dunedin's No7 Balmac shares the recipe for their silky-smooth condensed milk flan, so you can enjoy a gorgeous restaurant-style dessert whenever you like! Pair with their orange marmalade for an added treat.

This luxurious tart is the ultimate in sweet indulgence. Rich, silky dark chocolate is topped with delightful honeyed walnuts and served alongside juicy poached pears - what more could you want in a dessert?

Fennel infuses this leek gratin with a delightfully bright anise-like taste, making it a flavoursome side dish. Serve alongside a roast dinner or your favourite steak for a nourishing, balanced meal.

These little biscuits are the French version of shortbread, mainly from the Brittany area, and they are rich, buttery and too delicious! Keep a batch on hand for an irresistible treat when the temptation comes.

This French dish is rustic and simple. The slow-braising technique does all the work for you and results in succulent, flavoursome chicken that goes beautifully with fresh bread and a green salad.

Buckwheat crêpes in France are commonly filled with ham and cheese or mushroom and spinach. Here, Nici crammed it all into one irresistible crêpe, perfect for a nourishing breakfast or brunch!

Cheese lovers, listen up - these spinach, blue cheese and ricotta galettes are a dream come true! Encased in a golden pastry shell and topped with walnuts, this recipe is everything you need for a midweek dinner.

This is an economical and tasty dish that Mum says originates from Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean governed by France but widely influenced by Creole and West Indian cuisine. It’s delicious and the mincing of onions is a great idea!

This crème brûlée-inspired tart is the ultimate in sweet decadence, with its crunchy burnt-toffee topping and oozy vanilla custard filling. Serve chilled or just-caramelised for a satisfying crack and silky inner.

A tarte Tatin is fast, simple and always a pleasure to eat. For this pear version, we’ve poached the pears quickly to infuse them with flavour, and to help soften any that are underripe. Enjoy for a sweet and indulgent dessert.

These sour cream pancakes are lovingly drizzled with our Suzette sauce, in all its buttery and citrusy perfection. Ideal for a weekend brunch or special occasion breakfast, this recipe will have you drooling in delight!

We’ve had fun here with a herringbone pattern on the tart, but you can place the rhubarb in a variety of ways. Try longer strips, or just short pieces spread loosely for a more rustic approach.

This clever recipe emulates the famous combination of rhubarb and custard, enclosed in a golden pastry shell. It's a dessert made for sharing, so enjoy with friends and family as a great excuse for a winter gathering.

Swap out the classic croutons often paired with onion soup for slices of uniquely delicious kumara toast in this recipe, topped with pesto and gruyère cheese. It's a nourishing recipe that will warm your soul on a chilly night!

This decadent, dreamy tart is such a joy to share with friends and family on a special occasion. With a deliciously nutty cashew pastry, silky smooth chocolate filling and poached pears topping, it looks just as incredible as it tastes!

This gorgeous fruity dessert is so simple to make - just 15 minutes of preparation, then the oven will do all the work! Swap the stone fruit for pears if they're out of season, and serve with a generous scoop of ice cream.

This recipe is a little different than usual palmiers in that it uses nuts in the filling. They’re a cross between a regular palmier and baklava! The assembly step looks a bit difficult, but really is very easy and quick.

This traditional French dish is given an extra dose of protein in our recipe, topped with a couple of baked eggs. Serve with thick slices of sourdough bread for a delicious and filling dinner.

Crêpes may be a time-consuming task, but they're a labour of love that are oh-so worth it. Drizzled in Nici Wickes' delicious orange caramel sauce, these babies are the perfect weekend brunch dish.

Scalloped potatoes, potato gratin, dauphinoise… These dishes get us swooning at their sheer comfort. Feel free to make this delicious potato dish ahead of time and reheat, especially when planning for a dinner party.

Cooked a day ahead, coq au vin is a brilliant and easy-to-make dish for serving a large group. With the flavours of wine, mushrooms, smoky bacon and thyme, the slow-cooked chicken is always succulent and juicy.

Nici uses crème fraîche to save making a roux for this seafood mornay, and the result is rich and creamy, making for a great way to send the taste buds soaring at the beginning of a feast.

Smoked cheese imbues the most wonderful and subtle flavour to this tart. Enjoy for a lunch or dinner that is easy to assemble - either with store-bought pastry or our tasty homemade recipe.

This tapenade makes a delicious topping for crostini with a sprinkle of goat’s feta or a slice of fresh mozzarella and a leaf of fresh basil. Bon appétit!

Slightly cheese-cakey, this Nici Wickes tart is a fantastic gluten-free dessert for the summer. Top it with fresh seasonal fruit and that divine ginger syrup!

This gorgeous apricot and rosemary pistachio tart screams effort when, really, it’s quite simple to put together! Serve with ice cream for a scrumptious dessert.

You'll love whipping up these plum pastries for breakfast – they’re fast to prep and cook, and so much cheaper than ducking out to buy Danish pastries from a bakery.

Master the art of making beignets with this fun recipe. Spiked with the tangy, tropical flavours of coconut and lime, these pillowy French doughnuts are an afternoon snack you'll love making.

Ham and cheese croquettes are not only a great way to use up the Christmas ham, these cheesy delights are delicious any time of year! Whip up a batch for a tasty after-school or pre-dinner snack.

This cake looks far more intricate to make than it really is. It’s all about clever layering and cutting. And once it's finished, you have a delicious creation to enjoy.

These little yeasted cakes are the perfect treat when you want something that’s not too rich for a brunch or afternoon tea. You can mix up the flavours with raspberries and almonds if you like.

You’ll be a professional French pâtissier in no time with this eclair recipe. Light, sweet and filled with the divine combination of strawberries and cream, you’ll be the star of the show at your next dinner party.

These twice-baked cheese soufflés take the stress out of this French classic. You can make them the day before and finish cooking them 15 minutes prior to serving without having to panic. Voilà!

Nici Wickes's “pot on the fire” is the ultimate in simple French cuisine – hearty, tasty and perfect for the whole family.

Rich, hearty and brilliant for cold winter days. This easy and tasty version of slow cooked chicken cassoulet has simple ingredients but is packed with lots of incredible flavour.

Fiona Hugues has created a Croque Madame recipe that's a little fancier than the classic, with a couple of extras like wilted spinach, seeded mustard and gorgeous little quail eggs. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif

Tamarillos go beautifully with chocolate so Nici Wickes has combined the two in this gorgeous clafoutis recipe. It’s a gentle pudding, not too rich, yet perfectly satisfying and gluten-free too

Put that puff pastry to good use with this delicious cheat's version of pain au chocolat. Spiked with raspberry jam and with a hint of hazelnuts, this dessert recipe is sure to go down a treat

This simple soup is a great comfort when you feel a sniffle coming on. To make a richer version, save empty prawn shells and tails next time you have them, and add to the other ingredients going into the plunger

This recipe is Nici Wickes' version of Robert Carrier’s pan bagnat, an easy stuffed bread roll popular in Provence, France. You can make these a day in advance for easy picnicking

Start your weekend off in the French fashion with this delicious crepe recipe. Serve for brunch filled with spiced honey yoghurt, sprinkled with almonds and dusted with icing sugar

This indulgent strawberries and cream mille-feuille recipe may look tricky, but it's actually easier than you might think. Using store-bought pastry is the key!

Start your next party off in delicious style with this irresistible mini chicken and mushroom vol-au-vents recipe. These tasty canapés also happen to be diabetes-friendly

This chunky, rustic French-style chicken terrine recipe is perfect for Christmas lunch or dinner. Serve with picked vegetables, mustard and crusty bread for a simply delicious festive dish

Light, crispy choux pastry is filled with passionfruit cream and drizzled in chocolate fudge in this delicious profiterole recipe. This dazzling dessert is to die for!

Beignets, similar to fritters, are deep-fried, golden morsels of goodness. These cheesy corn and cayenne pepper versions make filling finger food for parties or serve with salad as a light meal

This surprisingly simple Napoleon slice recipe is a real sweet surprise. All you need is a few ingredients to create this lovely pink dessert for your next afternoon tea

Nici Wickes' fennel tarte tartin recipe is both crispy and soft, sweet and tangy, and perfect for spring weather. Give this underrated vege a chance to shine!

This niçoise salad recipe sees the classic French salad welcome rich, delicate hot-smoked salmon in place of traditional tuna. Enjoy for a light lunch or dinner with plenty of crusty bread

A tartine is a French open sandwich usually with a creamy spread, and this recipe certainly lives up to its name! Herby ricotta and goat's cheese combine with roast beef and pickled carrots. Delish!

This recipe combines the saltiness of olives blended with creamy, earthy walnuts. Paired with the wholesome Sesame, Quinoa & Cracked Pepper Oat Thins by Huntley & Palmers this makes a nutritious and guilt-free snack

A delicious combination of oozing cheese, fragrant thyme and ripe blackberries matches perfectly with the slightly tart Cranberry, Coconut & Honey Baked Oat Thins by Huntley & Palmers

Sticky honeycomb and earthy walnuts balance the creamy tang of fresh goat cheese. Pair with the slightly tart flavours of Huntley & Palmers Cranberry, Coconut & Honey Oat Thins

This sweet pastry will knock the socks off bought pastry. You can make it in a food processor or by hand in a bowl. This tarte tatin recipe makes a big tart but you could easily halve the recipe

Dipping a golden, cheesy croque monsieur into a steaming bowl of French onion soup must be the perfect combination of French favourites! The ultimate comforting dish for chilly days

Omelettes are the quintessential French dish, something simple yet sublime. Add a handful of fresh herbs, a shaving of truffle, a couple of sautéed mushrooms or some grated cheese to finish

Terrine is a fantastic edition to a charcuterie platter, or wonderful as an entree at a dinner party because you can cook it ahead of time. Serve it with your favourite pickles and chutneys and a mix of fresh and toasted bread

Crunchy, fresh and light, this vegetable crudité platter makes the perfect party snack. Pair with a creamy pea and feta dip for a truly crowd-pleasing dish

This beef bourguignon recipe is not only packed with great Italian flavours, it's also perfect for freezing for up to 3 months. Ideal for ensuring you still eat home cooked meals, even when you don't have the time

This is both decadent but not too rich – if that’s possible. Clafoutis (cla-foo-tee) is a French dessert, basically a baked batter, and it’s one of those super-easy to throw together desserts that is always impressive! Plus, it's gluten-free

Whether you want to indulge in this sweet crêpe recipe for a decadent breakfast or as a special dessert, the combination of chocolatey Nutella, fresh banana and rich caramel sauce is a winner

Chicken liver pate can be served on toast or biscuits, with drinks or, set in small individual containers, it is a perfect first course for a dinner party.

You’ll easily find success with Nici Wickes' crème brûlée recipe for the famed French burnt custard. They’re best made a day ahead but wait to “burn” the tops until shortly before your guests arrive

Lamb shanks are cooked low and slow to produce a rich, hearty chasseur. Paired with creamy potato mash and sautéed Brussels sprouts, it's the perfect dish for a chilly winter evening

This sophisticated version of bread and butter pudding uses croissants to create a luxurious dessert that's easy, delicious and perfect with a good dollop of vanilla ice cream

Friands are a relative of the small French cake known as a financier. The cinnamon brings warmth and a gentle nudge of spice, while the browned butter adds a nuttiness that will have you wondering if hazelnuts are hiding within. Created by Emma Galloway for Taste Magazine

Recreate this classic French seafood soup in no time at all with this quick and tasty weeknight recipe from The Australian Women's Weekly's 'Winter Express' cookbook.

A fruity treat with rhubarb and an Egyptian condiment of sweet dukkah added to make a delectable dessert

This is a traditional French lamb stew loaded with hearty vegetables. It can be cooked a day in advance and reheated when required – just fold in the peas, broad beans and parsley at the last minute.

This dish is old-fashioned French comfort food at its best. The chicken is braised with wine and vegetables and finished with cream for richness. The fricassée has many variations depending on the region but the great thing about this dish is that it’s a one-pot wonder and ready in under an hour.

Fondue is a dish of melted cheese served in a fondue pot over a stand heated by a candle or lamp. It is ideally served with crusty bread or crudités (a selection of whole or sliced raw vegetables). For my version, I’ve added some smoked mussels, ham and pickled onions for an added dimension.

Snails, also known as escargots, are a French delicacy taking on a similar texture to shellfish. In France they are baked and served in their shells on an indented plate so that each snail is cooked in butter in its own compartment, ensuring a creamy, tender texture

The perfect starter, ham hock terrine containing fresh herbs with baby gherkins and Dijon mustard

The trick to making the choux pastry for these milk chocolate eclairs is to allow the steam to create the puff – if you open the oven door mid-bake you’ll be destined for a flop. Literally.

Sweet, zingy and delicious tartlets from New Zealand's Woman's Weekly.

Someone I know intimately will not eat anchovies. However, they are a must in certain recipes, adding balance and saltiness like no other ingredient, so I’ve put extraordinary effort into concealing them in the past. On this particular occasion, though, I decided they were too important to hide and so laid them out in their little salted glory for all to see. Well, lo and behold, the person in question got home famished, stuffed in a piece of tart left over from this photoshoot and exclaimed it was one of the most delicious versions he’d tried in a long time. What? I’ve baked this tart a squillion times before, but apparently the proud little anchovies make all the difference.

If you adore anything lemony, like I do, and have a spare corner in your garden, you should grow a lemon verbena bush. This herb, with its distinctive citrus flavour and heady scent, is extraordinary – just a few leaves add fragrance to drinks, dishes, pot-pourri and even flower bouquets. Recent French guests of ours from the Rhône-Alpes region commonly drink this beverage, which they call ‘verveine’, and swear by it as a winter cold-preventative – with the addition of honey and schnapps, they say, it “cooks them out of illness”. Traditionally, it takes 40 leaves and 40 days to make their version of the brew, but in summer I’ve found this quick infusion suits me fine and is deliciously refreshing poured over ice. Add edible flowers and a few berries if you want to pretty things up a little.

Also known as flammekueche, this is kind of a pizza and sort of a tart and originates from the Alsace region of France. Confusion aside, what’s certain is that one piece is never enough – there’s something about this creamy, bacony creation that inspires gluttony. This is my version of a dish that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. I add a little autumnal twist with thyme, onions and extra cheese, and sometimes even sliced mushrooms. Serve it in slices like a pizza or enjoy it as a light meal with a green leafy salad on the side. Photography by Jani Shepherd; Gatherum Collectif.

This modern take on the classic niçoise salad features a perfectly poached egg and lightly seared tuna crusted with a zesty blend of chia seeds, lime, chilli and garlic. This delicious recipe is courtesy of McCormick's.

This French dessert is made by layering meringue discs and ice cream - our tropical version uses sorbet and an array of gorgeous tropical fruits.

A Charlotte is a French dessert characterised by landyfingers and cream. This version sees Cointreau-dipped sponge fingers encasing strawberry ice cream, cream and fresh berries.

Nearly everyone has a can of tuna lurking in their pantry as we all know that cracking open a tin is the answer to many a meal quandary. My second favourite tinned-tuna recipe (after a super-quick tuna, mayo and tomato sandwich) is this one. These tartines or toasts, piled high with gorgeous Niçoise salad ingredients, make a delicious lunch – fresh, tangy and salty, mouthful after mouthful. For wonderful little party appetisers, simply create smaller versions – crostini – by using a sliced-up baguette.

This gift takes a few months (so start now for the following Christmas), but the magic and shared wonder is well worth the wait. Photography by Jani Shepherd/Gatherum Collectif.