Mad About French Food: Easy Home Cooking

More recipes in the index l How to make macarons & patisserie in my books…

Jill Colonna

Chestnut Vanilla Ice Cream

53 Comments

February 26, 2021

The French love their chestnuts and so what about a candied chestnut ice cream to chill for a festive dessert at any time of year? Serve with macarons for the perfect treat!

Jill Colonna

French Onion Tarte Tatin with Cheese

16 Comments

February 21, 2021

A quick and easy savoury twist to the French classic with caramelised onions and an (optional) hidden layer of goat's cheese. No sugar added - the onions caramelise themselves! Now on video.

Jill Colonna

Quick French Apple Tart with Calvados Cream

18 Comments

November 14, 2019

This dessert is almost cheating! Made in 20 minutes using 2 Granny Smiths, ready-made butter puff pastry, honey, almonds, butter and Calvados.

Jill Colonna

No eggs? This is a genius, easy gingerbread apple & oat crumble 'gateau' from French film director & screenwriter, Danièle Thompson. Enjoy chilled for dessert, teatime, or give a French touch to Thanksgiving.

Jill Colonna

Crispy Sesame Tuiles

14 Comments

August 12, 2019

Bring a taste of Paris to your kitchen. Got 2 egg whites to use up? Rustle up these easy, delicious tuiles in just 30 mins! Now on VIDEO. Perfect with a pot of tea, served with ice cream or chocolate mousse.

Jill Colonna

Chocolate Hazelnut Pear Crumble

20 Comments

March 16, 2019

Comfort food dessert at its best - with a healthy dose of bittersweet chocolate that melts into the vanilla fruit, topped with oats.

Jill Colonna

Pear Belle Helene - A Parisian Musical Story

15 Comments

March 2, 2019

When dessert was inspired by Helen's 'beautiful pear' (pun intended). This classic Parisian dessert was created by France's legendary chef, Escoffier, inspired by a French soprano singing Offenbach in Paris

Jill Colonna

Gratin Dauphinois - French Creamy Potato Bake

8 Comments

November 15, 2018

One of the easiest French classic comfort foods, adding a truffle of luxury for special occasions - or a new smoky discovery I've made recently that takes this to another level.

Almond Lemon Easter Cake (Gluten Free)

17 Comments

March 29, 2018

Celebrate spring with this moist cake infused with tart lemon syrup and decorated with macarons, edible flowers and French mendiants.

Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Cookies

12 Comments

March 12, 2018

A recipe from a French chocolate factory, just west of Paris (Le Pecq in les Yvelines) - with added toasted hazelnuts, flaky salt and oh, so chocolatey!

Moist Banana Chestnut Loaf

4 Comments

October 21, 2017

A rustic Corsican-inspired banana bread recipe using chestnut flour- ideal for teatime or breakfast.

Brandy Snaps - Mojito Style!

12 Comments

March 15, 2017

Remember brandy or ginger snaps? Give these retro beauties a lime, mint and rum twist to make a special cocktail (strictly adult) dessert

Your favourite blog recipes now on YouTube video HERE

Travel Ideas in France & Beyond

A Taste around Paris to whet the appetite

Jill Colonna

Montmartre Chocolate Pastry Walk

14 Comments

October 19, 2019

Join me for an online stroll on my self-guided Montmartre walk - with less tourists. Taste the artistic ambience, macarons, madeleines & chocolate - and perhaps leave 'Absinthe'-minded!

Jill Colonna

Saint-Germain Almond Cake

30 Comments

June 14, 2019

Created in the royal market town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye outside Paris in 1920. This delicious almond and rum glazed tart is so easy and a real crowd-pleaser.

Jill Colonna

Béarnaise Sauce - Recipe & Origins Near Paris

16 Comments

June 3, 2019

Ooh the simple Béarn-ecessities of life! This sublime French sauce is so easy to whisk up - did you know it was invented where Louis XIV was born near Paris?

Jill Colonna

Saint-Germain-en-Laye Chateau Roof Visit (Paris Day Trips)

18 Comments

May 23, 2019

A taste of royal history from the birthplace of Louis XIV, Debussy and some culinary origins too. Only 30 mins from Paris. Plan ahead your rooftop visit May to end September.

Jill Colonna

10 Reasons to Visit Honfleur, Normandy

14 Comments

April 27, 2019

A virtual see and do - and eat! - in this romantic French town & what makes it such a popular getaway - only 2 hours' drive from Paris

Jill Colonna

Parisian Bourdaloue Pear Tart - a French Classic

10 Comments

December 8, 2018

Found in many patisseries at this time of year, this tart has been glazing around Paris since the 1900s when it was invented in Rue Bourdaloue.

Renoir Walk Chatou Carrieres Cave Houses

Jill Colonna

Renoir Tour: Chatou - Carrieres-sur-Seine

14 Comments

December 1, 2018

Join me online for this Impressionist Renoir Walk starting at Chatou in les Yvelines (just 10km west of Paris), along by the Seine & discover the medieval town of Carrières-sur-Seine with its troglodytes cave houses.

Denise Acabo A l'Etoile d'Or Paris chocolate

Jill Colonna

Paris Chocolate Golden Star, Denise Acabo - A l'Etoile d'Or

18 Comments

October 12, 2018

Ready for a healthy dose of contagiously cheerful chocolate-induced endorphins? Meet the golden star of chocolate in Pigalle.

Jill Colonna

Teatime in Japan

8 Comments

September 12, 2018

Join our discovery of traditional sweet treats (wagashi), ice creams and a traditional tea ceremony learning some Japanese culture along the way

Jill Colonna

Putting on The Ritz - Paris Teatime

11 Comments

December 6, 2017

For the ultimate luxury Parisian afternoon, let's head to Proust's room for a French Afternoon Tea and experience his famous Madeleines by his favourite fireplace.