3 Recipes for healthy and traditional cuisine from Paris

3 Recipes for healthy and traditional cuisine from Paris

Would you like to prepare healthy and traditional dishes from Parisian gastronomy? In this article we share 3 easy and delicious recipes that you can make at home with fresh and natural ingredients. These recipes are ideal for enjoying French cuisine without giving up a balanced and nutritious diet.

1. Gratin onion soup

This soup is a classic of Parisian cuisine and is usually served as a starter or as a single dish on cold days. It is a very comforting and tasty soup, made with caramelized onions, meat or vegetable broth, white wine, thyme and grated cheese. To make it healthier, you can use low-fat cheese and whole wheat bread.

Ingredients for 4 people):
– 4 large onions
– 2 tablespoons of olive oil
– 2 tablespoons of flour
– 1 liter of meat or vegetable broth
– 125 ml of dry white wine
– 1 sprig of thyme
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 4 slices of whole wheat bread
– 100 g of grated cheese (emmental, gruyère or whatever you prefer)

Preparation:
– Peel and cut the onions into thin slices.
– Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and sauté the onions for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and caramelized.
– Add the flour and cook for a few minutes, stirring well so that lumps do not form.
– Add the broth, wine, thyme, salt and pepper and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, until the soup is thick and aromatic.
– Preheat the oven to 200°C and toast the bread slices on a tray for a few minutes, until crispy.
– Divide the soup into four oven-safe bowls and place a slice of bread on each one. Sprinkle the grated cheese on top and broil in the oven for a few minutes, until the cheese melts and browns.
– Serve the soup hot, accompanied by a green salad if desired.

2. Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a typical vegetable stew from Provence, but also very popular in Paris. It is composed of eggplant, zucchini, pepper, tomato, onion, garlic and Provençal herbs. It is a very healthy dish, rich in fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. It can be eaten alone or as a garnish for meat, fish or eggs.

Ingredients for 4 people):
– 1 large eggplant
– 1 large zucchini
– 1 red pepper
– 4 ripe tomatoes
– 1 onion
– 2 cloves of garlic
– 4 tablespoons of olive oil
– 1 teaspoon of Provençal herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano, basil)
– Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
– Wash and dry the vegetables. Cut the eggplant and zucchini into cubes. Cut the pepper into strips. Peel and chop the tomatoes. Peel and chop the onion and garlic.
– Heat two tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat and sauté the eggplant for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden. Season with salt and pepper to taste and reserve in a bowl.
– Heat another two tablespoons of oil in the same pan and sauté the zucchini for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and golden. Season with salt and pepper to taste and reserve in another bowl.
– In the same pan, sauté the onion and garlic for about 5 minutes, until they are soft and transparent. Add the pepper and tomatoes and cook for about 15 minutes, until the pepper is tender and the tomato has released its juice. Add the Provençal herbs, salt and pepper and mix well.
– Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a baking dish with a little oil. Place a layer of eggplant, another of zucchini and another of the tomato and pepper mixture. Repeat until you finish with all the ingredients, ending with a layer of tomato and pepper.
– Bake the ratatouille for about 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
– Serve the ratatouille alone or as an accompaniment to other dishes.

3. Whole wheat crepes with fruit and yogurt

Crepes are thin pancakes that can be filled with sweet or savory ingredients. They are very typical of Brittany, but can also be found in many cafes and restaurants in Paris. To make them healthier, you can use whole wheat flour, skimmed milk and fill them with fresh fruit and natural yogurt.

Ingredients (for 8 crepes):
– 125 g of whole wheat flour
– 2 eggs
– 250 ml of skimmed milk
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– A pinch of salt
– Spray oil to grease the pan
– Fresh fruit to taste (banana, strawberry, kiwi, apple, etc.)
– Natural unsweetened yogurt

Preparation:
– In a bowl, beat the eggs with a fork. Add the milk, oil and salt and mix well.
– Sift the flour over the previous mixture and beat with a whisk until you obtain a homogeneous dough without lumps.
– Let the dough rest for about 15 minutes at room temperature.
– Heat a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat and lightly grease it.