| French cuisine has developed over centuries to | | | | French cooking, there are many recipes that are |
| become known as the most refined style of cooking in | | | | simple to make that can be recreated by anyone with |
| the world. However, it wasn't until sometime after | | | | a little skill. |
| World War I that French cuisine became what it is | | | | From simple breads to French Onion Soup to Duck a |
| known as today. Known as "haute cuisine", it has | | | | L'Orange and Crème Brulee, there is a French |
| become an art form, and great care is taken in the | | | | cuisine recipe for everyone. I'd like to share a simple |
| preparation and presentation of French dishes. | | | | recipe that anyone can enjoy for "Chocolat Chaud" |
| The French are well known for their distinguished | | | | (hot chocolate). |
| palates. I had a chuckle when I was reviewing some | | | | Ingredients: |
| military rations awhile back. The US rations I looked at | | | | - 6 oz. semi-sweet chocolate (use a premium |
| consisted of meals such as chicken enchiladas and | | | | chocolate for a fuller, richer flavor) |
| beef jerky. The French rations were a little more | | | | - ¼ cup of hot water |
| refined, with rabbit pate and salmon a more common | | | | - 3 cups of hot milk |
| choice. | | | | - Small amount of sugar to taste |
| One of my favorite things about French cuisine is the | | | | - Whipped Cream (use real cream) |
| experience of the meal. The meal is created as | | | | Preparation: |
| something to savor and enjoy, and not simply to | | | | 1. Melt the chocolate in a pot with the ¼ cup of |
| satisfy a hunger. A good chef will go to great lengths | | | | hot water |
| to make sure a dish is prepared just right, and won't | | | | 2. Stir in the milk until the mixture is smooth. |
| rest until it is. | | | | 3. Pour the hot chocolate into cups and add sugar to |
| Fortunately, this great art form is no longer strictly the | | | | taste. |
| province of the elite. There are many recipes, books | | | | 4. Add a spoonful of whipped cream to each cup |
| and classes out there to help the "culinarily challenged" | | | | Say what you will about the French, there is always |
| among us to enjoy the finer points of haute cuisine | | | | one thing you can never dispute: they are masters of |
| without the high price tag. While it may be difficult for | | | | the culinary arts. |
| the average home cook to capture the full essence of | | | | |