In France, the holidays are about time honored traditions, show stopping decorations, and indulgent delicacies. These tips and recipes show you how to have a French holiday meal at home, wherever you are. Treat yourself – whether a celebration for one or many, on a modest budget or no expense spared. Celebrate the holidays this year with the joie de vivre we all deserve.
Above: Photos by Florian Olivo & Bing Hao
French Holiday Meal: Christmas and New Year’s
Le Réveillon de Noël, or Christmas Eve dinner
Christmas Eve is the high point of French holiday festivities. The late-night feast usually takes place when families return from midnight mass. Presents are exchanged after dinner or the next morning, and the occasion usually centers around family. New Year’s Eve tends to be celebrated with friends. This being France, of course food is the highpoint for both occasions – lavish and luxurious.
Delicacies and decadence define this time of year. The French entertain in such a seemingly effortless way. One of the secrets is that they combine home-cooked foods with store-bought goods – whether from the traiteur, pâtisserie, or even (gasp!) Picard. The holidays are no exception.
French Christmas Dinner – ApPetizers: Foie Gras, Smoked Salmon, Caviar, Oysters
Foie Gras and Paté
Arguably, the pièce de resistance of French holiday meals are the starters. Foie gras on brioche and sauternes are synonymous with the holiday season in France. Pan-roasted foie gras is a show stopper, but why cook when the ready-to-eat foie gras is so exquisite?
For those on a budget or not able to access foie gras, a simple yet elegant paté – would fit the occasion. If you’re so inclined David Lebovitz has a wonderful homemade chicken liver paté recipe that is just as impressive.
Smoked Salmon and Cavier
Another common starter is smoked salmon and/or caviar with crème fraiche and blinis. While caviar is the ultimate in luxury, substitutes such as trout roe don’t break the bank and would be just as festive. Dorie Greenspan’s buckwheat blini recipe is our go-to.
If you can’t be bothered, Gwyneth Paltrow has the ultimate hack for caviar canapes (plus a few other easy appetizers). While not traditional, we may just give it a go this year.
Oysters
And of course, the holidays in France would not be the same without oysters. Served with shallot vinaigrette is the norm. If you want something lighter, but no less festive, this Jerusalem artichoke soup fits the bill (and is easy on the wallet!)
French Holiday Meal: Main and Sides
While sometimes the French will splurge on pricey seafood such as lobster, in many ways, the main course and sides share a lot in common with holiday meals in the US. Turkey with chestnut stuffing is typical, though other poultry like goose, capon, or guinea hens are eaten too. Clotilde Dusoulier has a bunch of fabulous French recipes for the holidays, including a spatchcocked and salt-crusted chicken, as well as a show stopping chicken in a bread crust.
In Provence, the dinner concludes with a selection of thirteen desserts, representing Jesus and the twelve Apostles. These confections include dried fruits and nuts, pain d’épices, bûche de Noël, and calissons d’Aix.
Starting in late December and through the month of January, you’ll see the beloved galettes des rois everywhere in France. I’ve had them with family on New Year’s Eve though technically one eats them on Epiphany. With a ready-made puff pastry and David Lebovitz’s simple galette de rois recipe, you could easily make one yourself. Closeout this year and ring in the new one in true, effortless French style.
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WRITTEN BY
HiP Paris
HiP Paris is a lifestyle website about everything Paris and beyond. We enlighten and entertain our community, and share tips and recommendations. We believe in respect for French culture, timeless luxury, being comfortable in your skin, and the simple beauty of French life. Started in 2008, HIP Paris has evolved into a hub for expats and Francophiles.
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