The summer 2024 Olympic games recently concluded and took place in Paris, France, the culinary capital of the world. Athletes from around the world had the opportunity to choose traditional French cuisine and in fact, the Olympic Village included a bakery where athletes can shape their own French baguettes with a professional chef! French cooking is known for its use of high-quality ingredients producing complex flavors. While many think of French cuisine as bread, cheese and wine, there is so much more to explore, including many of these famous but healthy dishes:
Ratatouille- a mixture of stewed vegetables including eggplant, zucchini, peppers and onion in a tomato sauce. It’s a great way to get in your vegetables and it’s a dish that tastes even better the next day!
Salad nicoise- can be as simple as tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and anchovies or tuna dressed with olive oil. Some chefs include other seasonal raw vegetables, like red peppers or artichoke hearts.
Beef Bourguignon- while the dish is made of red meat, it’s slowly cooked allowing for a lean cut, such as a chuck roast. It’s simmered in a red wine sauce along with carrots, onions and mushrooms. Leave out the bacon for a healthier version!
Coq au vin- almost exactly like Beef Bourguignon but it uses chicken instead of beef.
Scallops Provençal- scallops are sauteed in a small amount of butter with scallops, garlic and white wine. This is generally healthier than another French scallop dish, Coquilles St-Jacques, which uses a lot more butter as well as heavy cream. Check out the recipe below, which uses olive oil in place of butter.
Sources:
Bouhier, F. (May 2024). Olympic village athletes will be able to get hands-on baking their own baguettes. www.olympics.com
About the Author
Jenna Smith is a Nutrition and Wellness Educator with University of Illinois Extension, serving Livingston, McLean, and Woodford Counties. Smith uses her experience as a registered dietitian nutritionist to deliver impactful information and cutting-edge programs to Livingston, McLean, and Woodford Counties and beyond.