“Around My French Table” (with a diet recipe!)

Pin It


Dorie Greenspan French Table cover

 

I already feel sorry for my Dorie Greenspan books because they are going to be splattered, scribbled in, and loved to death.  There is not yet one recipe of hers that I wouldn’t want to try.  The problem is, where to begin!

Since it is the New Year and everyone seems to make the diet resolution, imagine my surprise when I can across a recipe called “Dieter’s Tartine.”  This Tartine Regime or Dieter’s Tartine, is very popular among the ladies-who-lunch in Paris. It is filling yet not fattening, and so simple to make.  And I can tell you that it tastes divine.

Dorie Greenspan French Table Diet Tartine

In Paris, it is made with a fresh slice of toasted country bread, spread with nonfat fromage blanc, which is a creamy cheese slightly more fluid than our sour cream. It can be found here in the USA, but if you can’t find it, no worries.  All you have to do is make a mix of cottage cheese and sour cream, both nonfat of course.  The tartine is topped with cubes of cucumbers, tomatoes, or whatever is in season or in your vegetable bin at the moment.  Sprinkle with some fresh herbs and even drizzle with some olive oil, although it will make it less dietetic but taste delightful.  Go with what you’ve got; it’s what the French do.

Dorie Greenspan French Table Diet Tartine half eaten

Oh, yes… it was wonderful..

Dorie Greenspan French Table Diet Tartine one bite left

I should have made two.  But I bet the Paris ladies stop at one..

 

I sat with this book Christmas day snuggled up in a chair and making mental notes of everything I wanted to make in the New Year.  The recipes start with nibbles and hors d’oeuvres that were perfect for a New Year’s party.  The other chapters include soups, small plates, chicken, duck, beef, veal, pork, lamb, fish, shellfish, vegetables, grains, and desserts.  You can bet I have my eye on something decadent and chocolate for Valentine’s Day.  You’ll be seeing this book again throughout the year.  If you don’t have it yet, change your culinary life and go get it.  Now.

Dieter's Tartine
Author: 
Cuisine: French
 
Ingredients
  • 1 large slice country bread, about ⅓-inch thick
  • ½ cup nonfat fromage blanc or nonfat cottage cheese thinned with nonfat sour cream (about 6 Tablespoons cottage cheese to 2 Tablespoons sour cream)
  • Salt and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
  • ⅓ seedless cucumber, peeled and diced
  • 1 small tomato, preferably peeled and seeded, diced
  • Chopped fresh chives or favorite herb
Instructions
  1. Lightly grill one side of the bread or toast it on one side in a toaster oven. Place the bread toasted side up on a large plate; spread with the fromage blanc, then season with salt and pepper. (or whisk together the cottage cheese and sour cream together vigorously. Toss the cucumbers with some salt and white pepper and spoon over the tartine. Sprinkle with chives and your favorite herb. (I used fresh thyme). Serve immediately.

 

Sorry… this is not my usual Monday cookbook giveaway.  I only have one copy of Around my French Table and I’m keeping this one!  Watch for the giveaways to start again soon.

 

 

, , , ,

6 Responses to “Around My French Table” (with a diet recipe!)

  1. January 12, 2015 at 6:11 am #

    One of my favorites, too. Every recipe I’ve tried has been perfect. We should compare notes and splatters at the end of the year. I already have a head start on you.

    • January 12, 2015 at 7:09 am #

      Madonna, I would love to hear what you have made already. What should I make next?!

  2. January 12, 2015 at 1:16 pm #

    The garbure (bean soup) recipe is fantastic. She uses ingredients that are easy to find here, rather than duck confit or goose fat, and the results are still delicious.

    The cover recipe(garlic and lemon chicken) is another good one. As is the Normandy style chicken with apples and cream. You know how much I love chicken!

    I think her version of Beef Daube is my favorite. Even more so than Julia’s or Anne Willan’s versions.

    I also like her recipe for roast salmon and lentils. Lentils are another of my favorite foods.

    A side dish from the book I really like is endives with apples and grapes (delicious with roast pork).

    Happy cooking!

    • January 13, 2015 at 10:34 am #

      Madonna, thanks for the suggestions! I have some fun cooking ahead.

  3. January 13, 2015 at 6:56 am #

    P.S. If you happen to have/can find confit duck leg, it makes the garbure even more delicious. Writing this has made me hungry. I’m envisioning garbure for tonight’s dinner.

    • January 13, 2015 at 10:35 am #

      I can only think of one local store that might carry this. I will be sure to look next time I am there.

Leave a Reply

Rate this recipe: