July 14 is Bastille Day in France, one of the most
important holidays in the country. On this day, the French celebrate with many parties, parades, and even a stunning fireworks show at night. Many families also gather and cook up a grand feast. It's no secret that French cuisine is among the most delicious in the world and there's no better time to serve them than Bastille Day! Ratatouille, Coq au Vin, Quiche Lorraine, and Plum Galette are all dinner table staples every July 14th. And if you're celebrating Bastille Day, whether you're in France or abroad, you'd do well to prepare them yourself!
French Lentil Salad with Goat Cheese
To start your holiday feast right, you have to have a salad. In fact, if you're also feeding some vegans or vegetarians, you owe it to them to serve some salad. That's where the French lentils come in. Offering up a unique flavor from the more typical lettuce or cabbage, a French lentil salad with goat cheese gives off a lightness that will easily whet anyone's appetite. The lentils alone will already give you a taste of the
French countryside but paired with the delicious cheese, it's as if you're right there in rural France!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Ratatouille
Not to be confused with the
Disney film with the same name, Ratatouille is also a French countryside dinner table staple. It's a famous dish from the Provence, largely made up of stewed vegetables and green herbs. Made up of eggplant, tomato, garlic, onion, zucchini, and bell peppers, this dish is fairly easy to make. It captures the palette at first bite, making you taste the flavors of Nice and Provence and what makes these places so special apart from the
French Riviera. And it's a great vegan alternative to a standard salad too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Quiche Lorraine
From one French region to another, you can't go wrong with Quiche Lorraine for Bastille Day. Firstly, this regional dish offers up another part of the country, perfect to serve on the national day of France. Secondly, what makes Quiche Lorraine stand out is the bacon! Adding a savory meaty touch to this otherwise extremely cheesy delicacy, it'll likely satisfy your guests more than you think. It's no wonder Quich Lorraine is becoming just as popular as pizza in the country. You can even serve it hot or cold, which means it will still taste good to those who arrive late to your Bastille day feast.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Coq au Vin
Now for the truly meaty main course—Coq au Vin! Chicken braised in red wine will always be a winner for fans of French cuisine. The flavor is deep and rich while the meat is tender and juicy. Who wouldn't enjoy such a dish on Bastille Day? Though it is a rather grown-up option for a holiday where the entire family can celebrate, it nevertheless fills up all the bellies that line your dinner table. If there are little ones there, you can always serve them the Quiche Lorraine instead. For your more mature guests, none will likely satisfy them quite like Coq au Vin!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Will Clayton
Steak Au Poivre
Steak on a holiday? That sounds more like the
4th of July in the US rather than Bastille Day in France, right? Well, not necessarily! Though steak is a backyard barbecue staple in America, there are a few French dishes that feature this famous meat delicacy. One of them is Steak Au Poivre, a pan-seared filet mignon that has become quite popular in Paris. It’s the kind of dish you can expect in a
Michelin-starred restaurant here! Covered in a crunchy peppercorn crust, there are more flavors to look forward to than its American counterpart. And you can easily serve it with either cabbage, brussels sprouts, or potatoes. Or, and don't forget the mouthwatering Cognac sauce too!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
French Apple Tart
Time for dessert! And first up, there's the French Apple Tart. Not to be confused with the Apple Pie that's also an American cuisine favorite, this variation is a lot thinner and, as a result, a lot more flavorful. You take out the pan in this version of the apple-ladened dessert, allowing for all the other parts to maximize their tastes. This, of course, includes cinnamon-spiced apples. And since the crust for this tart is thin and flaky, one bite is all you need to really relish in the sweetness of this rustic dessert. Your mouth is probably watering just thinking about it!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Plum Galette
Since Bastille Day is held every summer, it's only natural that you go for a French summer dessert for your holiday feast, right? So why not go for Plum Galette? It's another flaky tart that, as its name says, makes use of fresh juicy plums for its filling. With a buttery crust that's barely even there, you can already taste the summer flavors just by looking at or smelling the dessert. And since plums are summer fruits in France, you're sure to have the freshest fruity treat out there! Top it with some ice cream to help cool you off in the summer heat!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Want to cook up a grand feast in celebration of Bastille Day? Only the finest French dishes will do! Not only will they taste delicious, but they'll also remind you just how great of a country France really is on its national day!
