Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast

Revisit A to Z of French Herbs - Basil - Basilic

Send us a textRevisit A to Z of French Herbs - Basil - Basilic Basil, or basilic in French, is one of the world’s most beloved herbs, and in France it holds a particularly fascinating place in culinary history. Often called Herbes Royales — the Royal Herb — basil carries a name rooted in royalty, mythology, and legend. From its beginnings in India to its journey through the Roman Empire and eventual embrace in French cuisine, basil has always been more than just a kitchen staple; it’s a herb steeped in stories, tradition, and delicious flavor.In this episode, we explore how basil became part of French cooking, thanks in part to Catherine de Medici and her Italian entourage, who introduced this fragrant herb to the French court. We’ll discover its many names, from Fabrego in Provence to Sweet Basil, Thai Basil, and even Purple Basil, each variety with its own unique aroma and culinary use. Along the way, you’ll learn how basil has been used not just in food, but also in religion, folklore, and even medicine.Of course, no discussion of basil in France would be complete without talking about pistou — the Provençal cousin of pesto. We’ll dive into the story of this fragrant green sauce, how it differs from Italian pesto, and its starring role in traditional soupe au pistou, a comforting vegetable and noodle soup from Provence and the Côte d’Azur. Whether you’re cooking at home or dreaming of French markets filled with fragrant bunches of basil, this episode will transport you straight to the heart of Provence.So, if you’ve ever wondered how basil found its way into French kitchens, why it’s called the Royal Herb, or how to use it in classic French dishes, this episode is for you. Join me as we revisit the story of basil and uncover why this humble green leaf is one of the most fabulously delicious herbs in French cuisine.Support the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website

Reductions and Gastrique Sauces in French Cuisine

Send us a textWine, Shallots, and Magic: Reductions and Gastrique Sauces in French CuisineFrench cuisine is famous for its sauces, and in this final episode of Saucy September, we’re diving into two of the most magical techniques of all: reductions and gastriques. From silky wine sauces to tangy sweet-and-sour glazes, these methods are the secret behind some of France’s most beloved dishes. If you’ve ever wondered how a simple liquid can be transformed into a sauce that makes a dish sing, this episode is for you.We’ll explore the art of the reduction — simmering wine, stock, or cream until it becomes concentrated and full of flavor. Discover how chefs use reductions to create iconic sauces like demi-glace, beurre blanc, and red wine reductions that pair perfectly with steak, duck, or fish. You’ll also learn the common mistakes to avoid and the little tips that make all the difference in achieving restaurant-quality results at home.Then, we turn to gastriques: those irresistible sweet-and-sour sauces born from the alchemy of caramelized sugar and vinegar. Whether it’s the classic orange gastrique for canard à l’orange or modern versions with balsamic, raspberry, or even maple syrup, gastriques show the French genius for balance — cutting richness with acidity while adding layers of complexity. We’ll look at their history, their role in French haute cuisine, and how chefs today are reinventing them with creative twists.As we wrap up Saucy September, this episode brings together history, technique, culture, and plenty of delicious inspiration. From Burgundy’s red wine reductions to the Loire Valley’s beurre blanc and beyond, reductions and gastriques are the sauces that truly embody French finesse. So grab a glass of wine, tear into a baguette, and join me for a fabulously delicious journey into the saucy heart of French cuisine.Support the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website

Velvety, Buttery, Tangy: Hollandaise and Béarnaise Uncovered

Send us a textVelvety, Buttery, Tangy: Hollandaise and Béarnaise UncoveredIn this Saucy September episode of Fabulously Delicious, The French Food Podcast, we dive into the silky, buttery, tangy world of two of France’s most iconic sauces: Hollandaise and Béarnaise. These classic emulsions have been staples of French cuisine for centuries, gracing everything from delicate vegetables and poached fish to rich, juicy steaks. But beyond their velvety textures and irresistible flavors lies a fascinating story of culinary tradition, innovation, and technique.We begin with Hollandaise, one of the five French “mother sauces” codified by Auguste Escoffier. Though its name means “Dutch sauce,” Hollandaise was popularized in France and quickly became a cornerstone of haute cuisine. This luxurious sauce is crafted from egg yolks, clarified butter, and lemon juice, whisked together into a smooth, glossy emulsion. Loved for its delicate balance of richness and acidity, Hollandaise is a must-have for dishes like eggs Benedict, asparagus, and salmon, and it remains a hallmark of French culinary training.Next, we explore Béarnaise, Hollandaise’s bold and herbaceous cousin. Said to be created in 1836 by chef Jean-Louis-François Collinet at Le Pavillon Henri IV in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Béarnaise swaps lemon juice for a fragrant reduction of white wine, shallots, tarragon, and chervil. The result is a sauce with aromatic depth and a tangy edge, perfectly suited for steak, grilled meats, and vegetables. Its association with French steakhouse culture has made Béarnaise a true gastronomic classic that continues to shine on menus across France.Along the way, we uncover how these sauces became symbols of French gastronomy, their influence on fine dining, and even their playful appearance in pop culture — like Mel Brooks’ History of the World, Part I with the famous line, “Don’t be saucy with me, Béarnaise!” Whether you’re a curious foodie, a home cook eager to master the classics, or simply someone who loves a good drizzle of sauce, this episode is packed with history, flavor, and that signature French flair.Support the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website

Daughter Sauces

Send us a textIn this episode of Fabulously Delicious: The French Food Podcast, we continue our Saucy September series by exploring the flavorful world of French daughter sauces, also known as petites sauces. These elegant derivatives take the classic mother sauces and transform them into something entirely new with the addition of wine, cream, herbs, or aromatics.From the creamy richness of Mornay to the tangy elegance of Béarnaise, each daughter sauce has its own story, personality, and place on the French table. We’ll uncover how a simple béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, or tomato sauce can give rise to an entire family of variations that elevate everything from vegetables to fine cuts of meat.These sauces aren’t just recipes — they’re a window into the creativity and ingenuity of French cuisine. By learning how the petites sauces are built, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind every drizzle and pour, and discover how chefs have used them for centuries to refine and perfect their dishes.So whether you’re a passionate home cook, a curious foodie, or simply someone who loves all things French, this episode is your guide to unlocking the secrets of French daughter sauces. Because in France, the secret really is in the sauce.Support the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website

The Saucier: Master of Sauce in French Cuisine

Send us a textThe Saucier: Master of Sauce in French CuisineIt’s Saucy September on Fabulously Delicious, and what better way to celebrate than by shining the spotlight on one of the most essential roles in the French kitchen — the saucier. In the classical brigade de cuisine, the saucier is more than just a sauce maker. They are the guardian of flavor, the chef responsible for creating the rich stocks, velvety reductions, and iconic sauces that transform French food from delicious to unforgettable.In this episode, we dive into the history and importance of the saucier, from the medieval spice-laden kitchens of aristocrats to the structured brigade system established by the legendary Georges Auguste Escoffier. We’ll explore how sauces were once used to preserve and disguise, before evolving into the refined art form we know today. Along the way, you’ll discover why the saucier has always been one of the most prestigious posts in the French kitchen.We’ll also take a closer look at what a saucier actually does — their tools, their responsibilities, and the immense skill it takes to master the five French “mother sauces” that form the backbone of classical cuisine. From béchamel to hollandaise, from velouté to espagnole and tomato, the saucier’s craft is both science and artistry, demanding precision, timing, and above all, taste.Finally, we’ll celebrate some of the famous chefs who made their mark as sauciers, from Marie-Antoine Carême to Paul Bocuse and beyond. So grab a baguette, pour yourself a glass of wine, and join us for this saucy journey into one of French cuisine’s most fascinating roles. It’s time to meet the true Master of Sauce: the saucier.Support the showMy book Paris: A Fabulous Food Guide to the World’s Most Delicious City is your ultimate companion. You’ll find hand-picked recommendations for the best boulangeries, patisseries, wine bars, cafés, and restaurants that truly capture the flavor of Paris. You can order it online at andrewpriorfabulously.com For those who want to take things further, why not come cook with me here in Montmorillon, in the heart of France’s Vienne region? Combine hands-on French cooking classes with exploring charming markets, tasting regional specialties, and soaking up the slow, beautiful pace of French countryside life. Find all the details at andrewpriorfabulously.com You can help keep the show thriving by becoming a monthly supporter. Your support helps me create more episodes celebrating French food, history & culture. Here's the listener support link. Every contribution makes a huge difference. Merci beaucoup! Newsletter Youtube Instagram Facebook Website