French food and cooking styles have become influential to chefs and home cooks all over the world. Regarded as complex and elegant, French cuisine, like many other countries, varies from region to region within France. However, two of the most important ingredients remain across the entire spectrum of French regions: wine and cheese! If you ever visit a restaurant that serves these two delicious items together, they are most likely taking a hint from the French.

Marinated Tomatoes

This great recipe works well in soups or as a garnish for other dishes! It yields 6 to 8 servings.

Ingredients
6 large tomatoes, quartered
3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped, fresh sage
1 tablespoon chopped, fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400F. Toss the tomatoes with the onions, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and garlic. Spread the seasoned tomatoes in a single layer in a shallow roasting pan and bake them for 25 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally. The tomatoes are done when they have a shriveled appearance and are starting to lightly brown around the edges. Toss the roasted tomatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, sage, rosemary, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Chill the marinated tomatoes for at least 8 hours, or overnight, before serving.

Tarte à la Ganache (Chocolate Tart)

What's better than chocolate pie? Dark chocolate pie with candies on top, of
course! YUM! This recipe makes eight servings of delicious ganache.

Ingredients
- 1 nine-inch pre-baked tart or pie shell
- 10 ounces good quality, sweet, dark chocolate
- 1 and 1/4 cups heavy cream

Directions
Break the chocolate into small pieces and place in a sturdy, heat resistant mixing bowl. Pour the cream into a small saucepan and warm on medium heat. Remove from heat as soon as it comes to a boil. Pour the hot cream on top of the chocolate and cover the mixing bowl with a plate. Let it sit for five minutes. Using a wooden spoon stir the chocolate and cream until completely mixed. Pour into the pie shell. Refrigerate your tart for at least an hour before eating. You can decorate it just before serving with Smarties-like candies.

Quick French Onion Soup

A French favorite and an American popularity, made easy! This recipe yields enough soup for four people to enjoy.

Ingredients
- 4 large onions (or 6 medium)
- 100 grams (3½ ounces) grated cheese (of choice)
- 200 grams (7 ounces) butter
- 1 bottle ordinary white wine
- 10 ml (2 teaspoons) bouillon powder
- 1 clove of garlic

Directions
Peel skin off onions. Slice onions into rings. Separate rings and put in frying pan. Add half of the 7 ounces (3.5 ounces) of butter to frying pan. Cook onion on medium heat until glazed (i.e. onion becomes soft). Gently turn onion periodically to avoid burning. Add bottle of wine and the bouillon. Simmer for half an hour. - During this time: grate the cheese if it is not already grated, and pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius Ladle (or spoon) the onion and wine into the bowls. Sprinkle the cheese over the top of each bowl. Put the bowls in the oven for 20 minutes. When the cheese is fully melted, it is ready to serve (some people prefer to wait until the cheese has cooked to a golden brown).

 

Known as the "City of Light" as well as the capital of France, Paris draws over 40 million people each year to see the sights, savor the food, visit museums and shop. Let's take a quick tour...

Paris began on the two small islands in the middle of the Seine river. A Gallic tribe called the Parisii gave Paris its name. The islands now house the law courts and an ancient prison, as well as the splendid gothic Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Because of its location, boatmen played a very important role in the development of early Paris. The emblem of Paris features a silver sailing boat. Boats and barges fill the Seine for commerce, transportation, and pleasure.

For centuries writers and artists have gathered in the cafes and galleries of the Left Bank. It's also known as the Latin Quarter because of the Latin-speaking students and scholars who attended the University of Paris at Sorbonne. Paris is full of beautiful parks and gardens. The Jardin du Luxembourg provides a quiet rest from the busy city streets.

The broad, tree-lined Avenue des Champs-Elysees leads to the Arc de Triomphe. Built to honor one of Napoleon's victories, the Arc serves as a site for many national memorials and celebrations. Underneath its arch lies France's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Exclusive shops, tiny boutiques, flea markets, department stores - Paris has a store for every shopper. Whether buying or window shopping, visitors can find everything from designer dresses to antique musical instruments.

Getting around Paris is easy by bicycle, boat, bus, or the world's oldest subway system, the Metro. But what is better than a long walk ending with a cup of hot chocolate and a patisserie?

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