Alright, let’s gab about some grub, you know, the stuff you eat alongside your main eats. We’re gonna jaw about French cuisine side dishes. Don’t you go frettin’ thinkin’ it’s all fancy-pants stuff, it ain’t all snails and frog legs, ya hear?
Now, in this country, folks love their taters. Mashed, fried, cheesy, shredded – you name it, they eat it. But them French folks, they got their own ways, and let me tell ya, some of it’s mighty tasty.
I heard tell of somethin’ called Ratatouille. Sounds fancy, huh? Well, it ain’t nothin’ but a bunch of veggies cooked together. Zucchini, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers – all chopped up and stewed. It’s kinda like that garden mix my neighbor used to make, only I reckon the Frenchies add a bit more pizzazz. They probably use some fancy olive oil and herbs, you know, the stuff that smells good but you ain’t sure what it is.
- Ratatouille: Good way to use up them garden veggies, I tell ya. Chop ‘em up, cook ‘em down, and you got yourself a tasty side.
Then there’s them mashed potatoes. Yeah, even the French eat mashed potatoes, but they ain’t plain like we make ‘em. I heard they put cheese in ‘em! Tomme cheese, they call it. Beats the heck outta that powdered stuff from the store, I betcha. And garlic, too! They ain’t shy with the garlic, them Frenchies. Garlic mashed potatoes, that’s what they call ‘em.
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes: Now that’s somethin’ I could get behind. Potatoes with a kick! Just gotta make sure you got enough breath mints afterwards.
And don’t forget the green beans! But not just any green beans, mind you. These are fancy French green beans, or somethin’ like “Haricots Verts.” Sounds like a sneeze, don’t it? They’re skinny little beans, cooked just right so they’re still a bit crunchy. Not like them mushy beans from a can, no sir. These are fresh and green, and probably got a bit of butter and maybe some more of that fancy garlic.
French Green Beans (Haricots Verts): Skinny beans, cooked so they still got some bite to ‘em. Sounds healthy, which ain’t always a bad thing.
Now, if you’re feelin’ real fancy, you can try that Herbed Rice Pilaf. It’s rice, but all dressed up with herbs and spices. I reckon it’s kinda like that stuffing we make at Thanksgiving, only not so heavy. It’s light and fluffy, and it smells heavenly. I bet it goes good with just about anything, chicken, pork, even fish if you’re into that kinda thing. I ain’t much of a fish person myself, unless it’s fried, but hey, to each their own.
- Herbed Rice Pilaf: Rice that ain’t just plain white. It’s got flavor, it’s got pizzazz, it’s got… herbs!
Speaking of pork, I heard about this dish called Porc aux Pruneaux. Pork with prunes! Now that sounds like somethin’ my grandma used to make. Only she called it pork roast with dried plums. Guess “prunes” sounds fancier. Anyways, they cook that pork slow and low, in white wine, until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender. And them prunes, they get all plump and juicy. It’s sweet and savory, all at the same time. A real stick-to-your-ribs kinda meal, ya know?
Porc aux Pruneaux (Pork with Prunes): Sounds weird, but it’s mighty tasty. Pork so tender it melts in your mouth, and prunes that are sweet and juicy. Don’t knock it till you try it!
And then there’s that French Onion Soup. Now, I ain’t talking about that watery stuff from a can. This is the real deal. They take onions, lots and lots of onions, and cook ‘em down slow until they’re all caramelized and sweet. Then they add some broth and top it with a hunk of bread and a mountain of cheese. It’s rich, it’s hearty, and it’ll warm you up from the inside out. Perfect for a cold winter night, or any night if you’re askin’ me.
French Onion Soup: Onions cooked till they’re sweet, broth, bread, and cheese. What’s not to love? Just make sure you got a big spoon.
So, there you have it. Some French side dishes, plain and simple, just like I like ‘em. Nothin’ too fancy, nothin’ too complicated. Just good, honest food. Now, go on and try some of this stuff. You might just surprise yourself. And if you don’t like it, well, more for me, I say!
Remember, eatin’ good ain’t about bein’ fancy. It’s about fillin’ your belly with food that makes you happy. And these French cuisine side dishes? They sure do make me happy. You should try ‘em, see if they make you happy too.
More side dish ideas from France, cause them French folks got a whole lot of ‘em: Coq au vin (that’s chicken in wine, for you city folk), escargot (snails, but don’t let that scare ya), beef Wellington (fancy pants meat wrapped in pastry), nicoise salad (salad with tuna, eggs, and other fixins), crepes (thin pancakes you can fill with all sorts of stuff), quiche (like a pie, but with eggs and cheese and other goodies), and cassoulet (beans and meat, a real hearty meal). There, now you got a whole mess of French dishes to try, not just side dishes neither!
Alright, I’m done jawin’. Go on now, get cookin’!
