Bring a French Twist to Your Table with These Friendsgiving-Ready Recipes (with Wine Pairings!)
Thanksgiving may be the most all-American holiday of them all, though here at Taste France Magazine, we believe that swapping in some French-inspired substitutes is always a good idea. In preparation for next week’s big meal, we’ve put together seven Friendsgiving-friendly recipes that are perfect for bringing a taste of France to your holiday table—wine pairings included! Get your plates—and glasses—ready.
Baked Camembert
Having a pre-prepared snack on the table is the best way to greet your guests upon arrival—along with a refreshing glass of bubbles, of course. Although the French tend to serve cheese at the end of the meal, this Thanksgiving, we’re fully leaning into American-inspired, happy hour cheese board culture with this easy-to-make Baked Camembert. Simply drizzle your favorite honey atop the cheese, load it up with some sprigs of fresh thyme, and bake for 15-20 minutes in the oven. Dice your favorite loaf of bread into single-serve squares and voila.
🍷 Pair with: Sparkling wine is one of the most versatile styles on the planet, as its bright acidity and refreshing fruit flavors pair with a myriad of dishes. We recommend reaching for a glass of Champagne to greet your guests and enjoy with this delectable cheese dish.
Shallot Tarte Tatin
Passed hors d’oeuvres are a great way to kick off the Thanksgiving Day meal, though who says all appetizers must come from a frozen box? We recommend taking a page from France’s book and swapping your frozen mini hot dogs for a savory homemade tart, such as this one made from seasonal shallots. Simply mesh traditional French shallots, honey, goat cheese, and a handful of seasonings into a puff pastry (store bought is perfectly fine), then slice into thin triangles and pass amongst your guests. Trust us, this is the easiest way to look like the host with the least amount of effort required.
🍷 Pair with: Sticking with white or a light red is the ideal move for your passed appetizer course. Grab a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley or Beaujolais for this tasty onion tart—you can’t go wrong here.
Roasted Pears with Bleu d'Auvergne and Mâche Salad
It’s no secret that Thanksgiving Day dishes tend to fall on the heavier side of things. To keep things light and bright, we recommend adding a pop of green into the meal wherever possible—and what better way to do so than with a French-inspired salad? Inspired by the traditional mâche-based salads of French bistros everywhere, this seasonal dish utilizes autumnal pears and creamy blue cheese, along with a fall-friendly walnut oil vinaigrette. Note: For those serving guests with nut allergies, simply leave the hazelnuts / walnuts to the side and replace the dressing with a drizzle of balsamic cream.
🍷 Pair with: A little bit of residual sugar will go a long way with the sweetness brought on by the roasted pears. Reach for an off-dry Chenin Blanc from the Loire Valley for an out-of-this-world pairing.
Apple, Potato, and Onion Röstis
Originally from Switzerland, röstis have become popular in Alpine villages across Europe, thanks to their textural crunch and versatility of ingredients. Here, we’ve taken an autumnal approach to this delicious fried pancake by incorporating apples, onions, and of course, the base ingredient of potatoes. We particularly love the texture brought to the pancake by the egg and onion bits, while the bits of apple simultaneously bring a pop of palate-cleansing sweetness to the dish. From kids to grandparents, we guarantee this savory treat will be a hit across the board.
🍷 Pair with: Chenin Blanc is known for its signature notes of apple and honey, which are certain to complement the flavors found in this pancake. Additionally, fried snacks and bubbles are a match made in heaven; the solution here? A Crémant de Loire made from Chenin Blanc / a Chenin Blanc-dominant blend, of course!
Pumpkin and Potato Gratin with Comté Cheese
Although it may sound blasphemous to ditch everyone’s favorite side dish of mashed potatoes, we promise you’ll win everyone’s hearts back with this cheesy French twist. Crafted from nutty Comté, thin layers of pumpkin, potatoes, and spice, this belly-warming dish is certain to be the first to go. For a fun taste-off, serve up your traditional mashed potatoes recipe alongside this creamy gratin and let your guests choose their favorite. After all, we believe there’s no such thing as too many potatoes!
🍷 Pair with: Similar to shallots, the sweet and nutty flavors of this tasty dish will be amplified by a variety of whites and light reds. We recommend reaching for a rich-yet-balanced Chardonnay from Burgundy, a fruit-forward Beaujolais, or earthy Pinot Noir to pair with this tasty dish.
Apple and Chestnut Cream Crumble
Apple pie tends to steal the Thanksgiving dessert course show, and rightfully so. There’s no better time of year—and in our opinion, way—to enjoy the season’s most famous fruit than in a buttery, flavor-packed dessert. However, pivoting to an apple crumble made with chestnut cream is the perfect way to bring a French twist to this iconic Turkey Day dessert. Do as you would with pie and add a scoop of refreshing vanilla ice cream on top to bring the dish full circle.
🍷 Pair with: Remember what we said about the apple and honey notes found in Chenin Blanc? These notes promise to pair exquisitely with this Apple and Chestnut Crumble, though here, you’ll want to seek out a sweeter expression of the grape variety. Look for a bottle from Quarts de Chaumes or Coteaux du Layon for a match made in heaven.
Hazelnut Financier Cake with Chestnut Cream
For those who tend to prefer cakes and cookies over pie, these Hazelnut Financier Cakes with Chestnut Cream are the perfect seasonal solution. The French-inspired chestnut cream brings an airiness to these miniature moist cakes, while their signature crunchy exterior adds a pop of texture to their soft structures—think of them like Bordeaux’s famous cannelés, but with a seasonal, autumn-inspired twist. Try and just have one, we dare you.
🍷 Pair with: In the spirit of the Bordeaux mention above, we’re sticking to the same recommendation for this dish’s show-stopping wine pairing: Sauternes, of course. Like liquid gold in a bottle! Pour yourself a splash of this sweet nectar and thank us later.
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