The Thanksgiving Table-SOLD OUT Wait list available

Looking for inspiration for the most talked about meal of the year? Join me for a class that will inspire you to explore traditional flavors in fresh new recipes. While we get our feast together, we will sip Peartinis, my most requested cocktail, and snack on a wonderful TG app, Rosemary Raspberry Pistachio Brie. Of course, the turkey is always the star of the Thanksgiving show; ours will be, Citrus Roasted and Glazed Turkey, succulent and fragrant and flavor-filled! I simply cannot wait to share my recipe for puffy Jalapeno Cheddar Bacon Biscuits guaranteed to have them begging for more! Crunchy Brussels Sprouts Slaw is studded with goodies and my Cran-apple Chutney is sweet-tart goodness. Sweet potatoes with candied pecans and coconut is irresistible and wholesome Cornbread Stuffed Acorn Squash rounds out this fall feast. Our Thanksgiving dessert is Lemon Curd Cheesecake, cottony clouds of goodness! Class fee $62.50

Register TODAY by email to lorie@atasteofparis.net OR Click Here to go to the class registration page!

Eating in Paris

On October 1, 2019August 30, 2019 By Lorie FangioIn A Taste of Paris, Be Inspired, Discover1 Comment

For me, eating in Paris is a magical experience.

Without fail, I start my day with my favorite bite, pain chocolate.

I will be in France when this post drops; thank goodness because my cravings for these little gems has been intense! I don’t worry about calories while I’m there. I eat what I want within reason and I walk…all day.

For lunch I usually try and find something on the run. This can be hard to do in a country whose culture supports sitting for meals for roughly 2 hours at a time.

Usually I grab a prepared sandwich at a boulangerie or a savory crepe eat as I go, very American!

In the afternoon, I almost always make a stop for a bite at one of my favorite chocolatiers!

For dinner, I usually sit and almost always order some version of roasted chicken or fish with vegetables.

Ratatouille is my favorite and I get very excited when I find it on the menu. Full disclosure, fish is rarely served like in this photo. It’s almost always brought to the table whole; head on!

Want to eat and cook your way through Paris with me? Registration for travel for 2021 is OPEN!!

A Taste of Paris April 12-18th

Want to just spend A Day in Paris, Cooking? Join me for:

A Day in France- Bistronomy Friday, November 1^st 10:00-2:30 French bistros have changed over the years, many combining the classics along with gastronomic dishes all at affordable prices. Bringing an haute cuisine experience to the masses, this movement, now decades in the making is called Bistromomy and will be the inspiration for our class. We will enjoy crafting a French Blonde Cocktail, wine with the meal as well as a cheese course. For Petit Dejeuner, I will demonstrate Pain Chocolate, always my favorite, served with Homemade Yogurt and Fresh Fruit Compote and honey. Le Dejeuner will be comprised of a beautiful Savory Tart and Beet and Goat Cheese Mousse Salad a la Ritz, Paris. For diner, 2 dishes; sensational Salmon over Hash wildly elegant and Polenta Ratatouille, both will have your taste buds on high and served with Gougeres Swans! Dessert will be a bouquet of Roses, a stunning apple tart AND from Stohrer in Paris, chocolate Cake Stuffed with Cream and more chocolate! Tuition $89.00 Register HERE or by email to lorie@atasteofparis.net

Heavenly Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies

On September 24, 2019September 2, 2019 By Lorie FangioIn A Taste of Paris, TasteLeave a comment

Sometimes a girl just needs a nice hit of chocolate. Next time that happens to you, try this recipe!

If you enjoy my blog, please share it with friends and family that might enjoy it too!

Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies

1 cup butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

1 cup dark cocoa

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 cups coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using an electric mixer cream together butter and sugar until it is pale and fluffy. Add eggs 1 at a time, add vanilla then cocoa and mix well to combine. Add salt, leavening and flour and mix just until incorporated. Stir in, chocolate chips and pecans. Drop cookies by tablespoons on a greased baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.

Artichoke Cheese Bake

On September 17, 2019August 30, 2019 By Lorie FangioIn A Taste of Paris, Taste2 Comments

Need a simple go-to appetizer? My Artichoke Cheese Bake never disappoints a crowd.

It really is so simple to make, just mix the ingredients, put it in a baking dish and pop it in the oven. Really people go crazy for this stuff! Try it the next time someone asks you to bring an appetizer to a party!

For more fantastic appetizer recipes, consider joining me for an upcoming class, Ultimate Appetizers on November 14th, just in time for holiday party inspiration!

Artichoke Cheese Soufflé Bake

2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese

1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup of mayonnaise

2 cloves garlic, pressed

1 cup chopped frozen artichoke hearts

1 red pepper chopped

Dash cayenne

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using an electric mixer, cream together cream cheese, mayonnaise and Parmesan cheese for 2-3 minutes. Fold in vegetables, garlic and cayenne. Pour mixture into a deep baking dish and bake 25-30 minutes, until brown and bubbly. Serve with crackers or French bread.

Dinner Boards

On September 10, 2019August 30, 2019 By Lorie FangioIn A Taste of Paris, Be Inspired, Taste2 Comments

I am into wooden boards!

Of all shapes and sizes! These are a few of my favorites. The board I am holding is an antique Turkish bread board, and it’s old! You can see that the wood split and copper was hammered in place to hold it together and restore it for good use. Below that is a striped board that Mark and Brandon made me many years ago that is a treasure and staple in my kitchen. And just beneath that, is a prized large olive wood board that I hauled back from Provence and trust me, it barely fit in my suitcase!

I NEVER cut on these boards!

Instead, I like to use them for serving. Here I am using it as a trivet for a hot dish of Artichoke and Red Pepper Quiche.

What about the idea of serving an entire meal on the board? This is my olive wood board, piled high with a fresh crispy Chicken Caesar Salad, ready to be served right from the board.

Talk about a quick dinner, Sausage warmed along with Baked Beans and Confetti Slaw.

Who’s hungry?

If you are board with dinner, try using your wooden boards to serve!

Tune into Fox 4 for a segment featuring ME and more Dinner Boards on Tuesday, October 14th!!

Chicken Caesar Salad on a Board

Dressing

1 cup mayo

3 cloves of garlic

1-ounce anchovy paste

¼ cup milk or half and half

1/3 cup grated Parmesan

2 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon Dijon

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Salad

2 grilled chicken breasts cut into chunks

2 heads Romaine lettuce

½ cup of halved tomatoes

Parmesan cheese shards

Toasts

½ small French bread loaf sliced paper thin

¼ cup olive oil

2 cloves of garlic crushed

To prepare the toasts, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix olive oil and garlic in a small bowl. Dot both sides of the bread with a small amount of the oil mixture using a pastry brush. Spread the bread on a baking pan. Bake toast until golden brown about 4 minutes, turn toasts and cook another 3-4 minutes to brown the other side. Meanwhile, prepare dressing by adding all ingredients in food processor or blender, process to combine well. Add additional milk if a thinner dressing is desired. To prepare the salad cut root of each lettuce head off and let water run through to clean the leaves. Keeping the bundles intact slice heads into thin strips and place the lettuce in the center of the serving board. Add chicken, tomatoes and toasts and toss along with a generous amount of dressing. Top with Parmesan shards and serve.

Confetti Veggie Slaw

2 carrots shredded

1 green bell pepper cut in a julienne

1 red bell pepper cut in a julienne

2 cups of shredded purple cabbage

2 green onions finely diced

Dressing

Juice and zest of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon honey

2 tablespoons olive oil

To prepare dressing, whisk together ingredients in a small bowl. Assemble slaw in serving bowl by layering ingredients. Add dressing, toss to coat. Let salad stand for a few minutes before serving.

Baked Beans

2 16-ounce cans of baked beans any brand

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup ketchup

¼ cup yellow mustard

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Pinch salt

Mix all ingredients in a 9 x 13 glass baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes or until center is bubbling.

Panna Cotta with Raspberry Coulis

On September 5, 2019August 27, 2019 By Lorie FangioIn A Taste of Paris, Be Inspired, TasteLeave a comment

Have you ever made panna cotta? It really is delicious!

Panna cotta is a lot like creme brulee only not quite as rich. Gelatin is used to thicken the milk and cream mixture rather than egg yolks and it is generally topped with berries.

Making Panna Cotta with Raspberry Coulis is a great way to eek the last bit of flavor from summer berries. Make it today, you will be glad you did!

Panna Cotta with Raspberry Coulis

1 envelop plain gelatin

2 tablespoons water

1 ½ cups heavy cream

1 ½ cup whole milk

1/3 cup sugar

Seeds from one vanilla pod

In a small sauce pan add water to gelatin. Let it bloom about 2 minutes. Next turn the burner on to low and stir until gelatin is completely dissolved. Meanwhile, heat the milk and cream and sugar together in a large saucepan over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture begins to boil. Remove from heat, add gelatin and vanilla and stir well. Pour mixture into 4- 6-ounce ramekins. Cover with plastic wrap and let chill before topping with Raspberry Coulis.

Raspberry Coulis

10 ounces fresh raspberries

½ cup sugar

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

In a heavy bottomed sauce pan heat berries with sugar and lemon for about 8 minutes. Pour berry mixture into a blender and process. Strain mixture to remove raspberry seeds. Store coulis in refrigerator until needed.

Pretty Cakes

On August 29, 2019August 16, 2019 By Lorie FangioIn A Taste of Paris, Be Inspired, Taste10 Comments

You may have heard that my daughter, Brooke is engaged!

A few weeks back we hosted a little get-together for her finance’s family and their wedding party.

I made the cutest little cupcakes for the event and I wanted to share them with YOU!

Brookes favorite cake is Chocolate with White Butter Cream, recipe below, so I made a batch.

I iced the cupcakes by putting the frosting in a zip-top bag, I snipped the tip and pipped the frosting in swirl pattern.

I bought the cutest edible paper flowers, gold star sprinkles and large drugeries to decorate the tops.

It was so much fun!

I got out my food stylist tweezers to help me place the drugeries, large edible pearls, exactly where I wanted them. You could definitely use a standard pair of tweezers for this task!

I arranged the cupcakes and a very large tiered stand that sits on my center island.

To complete the assortment of goodies, there were vanilla and pistachio macarons and a biscuit barrel full of decadent dark chocolate bon-bons.

With a few flowers it looked amazing!

Next time you need a yummy sweet treat, my Chocolate Cupcakes with Butter Cream Frosting are hard to beat!

Chocolate Cupcakes

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1/3 cup extra dark coco

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

1 cup butter

1 cup water

2 eggs

½ cup buttermilk

1 ½ teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 24-place cupcake pan with paper liners. In large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda and salt and set aside. In a small sauce pan set to medium, heat water, coco and butter until the butter melts. Add warmed liquid to flour mixture and stir till combined. Add first buttermilk then eggs and stir well. Pour batter into prepared pans and bake for 19-21 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting.

Butter Cream Frosting

1½ sticks butter at room temperature

6 cups powdered sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla

1 teaspoon almond extract

Milk or heavy cream

Using an electric mixer, combine butter, sugar, extracts and several teaspoons of milk on low speed and beat, add milk as needed to get the proper consistency for spreading. Mix on high speed for 5-7 minutes to create a fluffy frosting. Do not leave the mixer unattended.

Cheers to “Cooking Season” and Irresistible Greek Layered Dip

On August 27, 2019August 26, 2019 By Lorie FangioIn A Taste of Paris, Be Inspired, Taste2 Comments

I can’t think of a better way to spend a few hours than making great food with YOU GUYS!

There are so many fabulous cooking classes this fall, how will you choose?

Classes are filling fast so take a look and make your plans for “cooking season” and tons of great friends and good times, with me!

Some classes are already sold out so register TODAY HERE or by email to lorie@atasteofparis.net

Friday, August 30^th 10:30-2:00 Pasta Pop-UP!-1 seat just opened for this SOLD OUT class Let’s make homemade pasta! After working with Italian chefs in the Lake Como region, Lorie is ready to share all the secrets and fresh dishes she learned with YOU! We will make a snack of Sundried Tomatoes and Goat Cheese dip for fresh Crudité and we’ll toast the generous spirit of the Italians with Prosecco READ MORE

October 10-11^th French 2-Day Flavors and Inspiration from Burgundy France 10:30-2:30- 2 SEATS OPEN Join me for a truly unique culinary event as we travel to Burgundy for some of the most delectable food on earth. Slow cooked dishes eking all of the flavor from food, Dijon mustard and delectable cheese abound in the Burgundy READ MORE

Friday, October 25^th 7:00-9:00 POP-UP Dinner Fall Party Join me for the first time ever for a Fall Dinner Party. We will have a cooking lesson while enjoying appetizers and a Grapefruit Rosemary Sparkler Cocktail. Relish a gorgeous tablescape set for fall. Feast on a 4-course meal inspired by my trip to Lake Como this spring, READ MORE

Friday, November 1^st 10:00-2:30 A Day in France- Bistronomy Join me for a fabulous class- a day in France. French bistros have changed over the years, many combining the classics along with gastronomic dishes all at affordable prices. Bringing an haute cuisine experience to the masses, this movement, now decades in the making is called Bistromomy and will be the inspiration for our class. We will enjoy crafting READ MORE

Friday, November 8^th 11:00-1:30 The Thanksgiving Table-Looking for inspiration for the most talked about meal of the year? Join me for a class that will inspire you to explore traditional flavors in fresh new recipes. While we get our feast together, we will sip Peartinis, my most requested cocktail, and snack on a wonderful TG app, Rosemary Raspberry Pistachio Brie. Of course, the turkey is always the star of READ MORE

Thursday, November 14^th 6:30-8:30 Ultimate Appetizers-Holiday Entertaining Come to a cooking class that’s like throwing a party without the work! Join me in the kitchen to concoct crave able appetizers that look more complicated than they are. Enjoy my fabulous fall Apple Pear Rosemary Martini while we prepare an appetizer feast. Join in the action or just sit back and watch the show! We will get the party started with unbeatable Salmon Tacos with Crispy Slaw and spicy Aoli Sauce. Next up, READ MORE

FRIDAY, November 22nd 6:30-9:30 A Taste of Paris presents- France comes to McKinney, Burgundy Wine Tasting Experience. Chateau Pommard, one of the most prestigious wine houses in Burgundy will be coming to McKinney Texas for a very special evening of wine tasting with A Taste of Paris guests. As a participant you will taste 6 luxurious Burgundy wines and relish premium composed appetizers READ MORE

Thursday, December 5th 6:30-9:00 AND Friday, December 6^th 11:00-1:30 15^th Annual Gifts from the Kitchen-FILLING FAST! Back by popular demand this fun and festive class will take you through an array of goodies perfect for gift giving from your own kitchen, fabulous ideas to gift neighbor’s, coworkers or hostess. Each recipe will be made and tasted and all while sipping delightful Citrus Crush Cocktails. Creative packaging techniques will be taught for each recipe so your gifts will dazzle…so fun! Most of the work will be done so you can sit back and soak up the spirit READ MORE

Friday December 13^th 11:00-2:00 Holiday Luncheon Join me for the first time ever for a Holiday Luncheon. We will have a cooking lesson while enjoying appetizers and a Pomegranate Martini. Next, we will sit for Lunch, at a lovely table scapped with the spirit of the season. Relish a 4- course meal prepared and served by ME! READ MORE

Register now by clicking HERE or by email to lorie@atasteofparis.net

7 Layer Greek Dip

1 recipe Basil Hummus

2 recipes Pita Chips

4 ounces feta cheese crumbled

1 large cucumber peeled and diced

1 clove garlic

1 5-ounce container plain Greek yogurt

¼ teaspoon dried dill

1 teaspoon chopped parsley

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

½ cup diced red onion

1 jar roasted red peppers diced

1 cup assorted sliced olives

In an 8-inch glass dish spread hummus as the first layer of the dip. In a small bowl mix cucumbers with yogurt, garlic, dill and parsley and mix well, gently spread this as the second layer. Sprinkle on tomatoes, then peppers, onions then olives. Sprinkle the last layer of feta cheese and serve with pita chips.

Basil Hummus

1 15-ounce can chickpeas drained and washed

1/3 cup fresh basil packed

2 cloves garlic

¾ teaspoon salt

¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

¼ cup tahini paste

2 tablespoons olive oil

Put all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until creamy. Serve with pita chips.

Pita Chips

1 package of pita bread cut into wedges

¼ cup olive oil

½ teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush bread with a small amount of olive oil, sprinkle with salt and arrange on baking sheet in single layer. Bake until chips are crispy. Flip over and bake until other side is crispy.

Peaches and Cream!

On August 20, 2019August 20, 2019 By Lorie FangioIn A Taste of Paris, Taste2 Comments

I thought this cool creamy recipe was worth a second look!

I created Peaches and Cream Ice Cream for Lauren at The Art of Living Beautifully for her July blog post. Subscribe there so you never miss a post!

As the summer heat drags on, a batch of freshly churned ice cream can really perk up a crowd. This simple recipe with honest ingredients is a true winner. Try it today, you will be so glad you did!

Peaches and Cream Ice Cream

3 cups fresh peach chunks

1 ¼ cups sugar

2 cups heavy cream

1 cup whole milk

Seeds from 1 vanilla pod

Pinch salt

Pinch cinnamon

In a small sauce pan heat milk, cream, and sugar over low heat stirring frequently, until sugar is dissolved. Remove pan from heat and pour milk mixture into a glass bowl. Add remaining ingredients and cover the bowl before placing it in the refrigerator overnight. Pour the cold milk mixture into electric churn and follow the instructions, most ice cream makers will churn for 20-40 minutes. Remove the ice cream from the churn and place it in a covered glass or plastic container. Place the container in the freezer to harden completely for at least 4 hours.

Note- This recipe is for a 2-quart electric ice cream churn and can easily be doubled for a larger churn.

Grown-UP Sundae Party

On August 15, 2019August 3, 2019 By Lorie FangioIn A Taste of Paris, Be Inspired, Taste, Trips2 Comments

Do you have a favorite flavor of gelato?

I recently hosted some friends for dinner. At the peak of the summer heat, I just didn’t feel like baking something for dessert. Instead, I made homemade Vanilla and Dark Chocolate Gelato; a classic and my husband’s favorite combination.

Yummy!

If you want to learn to make gelato; join me for Pasta POP-UP! I’ll share all I learned while cooking with Italian chef’s this past spring!

To create a super-fun vibe, I decided to turn my frozen concoctions into a Grown-Up Sundae Party.

To create your own party, just grab a tray, I used a silver one. Fill small bowls with good things to top gelato with, such as nuts, coconut, white or dark chocolate and marshmallow cream. Add several of your favorite liquors to the tray to pour over the frozen sweet. And the sundae party is ready!

Pistachio is my favorite gelato flavor, what about you?

Tips:

– Use store bought ice cream if there is no time to make your own gelato.

-Dish the gelato or ice cream into scoops several hours before your party. Place the individual scoops on parchment paper in the freezer until ready to serve.

A Taste Of Paris

Tag: cooking schools in McKinney

The Thanksgiving Table-SOLD OUT Wait list available

Eating in Paris

A Taste of Paris April 12-18th

Heavenly Double Chocolate Pecan Cookies

Artichoke Cheese Bake

Dinner Boards

Tune into Fox 4 for a segment featuring ME and more Dinner Boards on Tuesday, October 14th!!

Panna Cotta with Raspberry Coulis

Pretty Cakes

Cheers to “Cooking Season” and Irresistible Greek Layered Dip

Register now by clicking HERE or by email to lorie@atasteofparis.net

Peaches and Cream!

Grown-UP Sundae Party

A Taste of Paris

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