There's something undeniably romantic about French cuisine — the delicate flavors, the elegant presentation, the comforting richness. At Bekah Kate’s, we recently hosted a cozy and flavorful "Date Night in France" cooking class led by the talented Chef Lori, and it was nothing short of magnifique!

Whether you're looking to recreate this special night at home or simply dreaming of the French countryside, we've gathered the recipes from our evening together. From the heartwarming Potage Parmentier to the zesty Madeleines au Citron, these dishes brought the essence of France right to our kitchen — and now, to yours!

 

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Potage Parmentier (French Leek & Potato Soup)

This classic soup is simplicity at its finest — creamy, comforting, and perfect as a starter or a light meal.

Ingredients:

• 3 large leeks (white and light green parts only), sliced and thoroughly cleaned
  
  

• 2 tbsp butter
  
  

• 1 tbsp olive or avocado oil
  
  

• 1½ lbs potatoes, peeled and sliced
  
  

• 4 cups chicken stock
  
  

• 1 cup heavy cream
  
  

• 1 tbsp chicken soup base
  
  

• Salt and pepper to taste
  
  

• Chives for garnish (optional)
  
  

Instructions:

1. In a Dutch oven, sauté leeks in butter and oil until soft.
   
   

2. Add potatoes, stock, soup base, and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 20 minutes or until potatoes are fork-tender.
   
   

3. Blend until smooth using a blender or immersion blender.
   
   

4. Stir in cream, season to taste, and blend again until velvety.
   
   

5. Serve hot, garnished with chopped chives if desired.
   
   

 

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Salade de Chèvre Chaud (Warm Goat Cheese Salad)

A warm goat cheese toast atop fresh greens makes this salad a quintessential French bistro favorite — and a beautiful dish for date night.

Ingredients:

• 4 rounds of goat cheese
  
  

• 4 baguette slices
  
  

• Mixed greens (arugula, frisée, etc.)
  
  

• Cherry tomatoes, halved
  
  

• Walnuts, toasted
  
  

• Cooked bacon, crumbled
  
  

• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  
  

• 2 tbsp Olivelle Balsamic Vinegar
  
  

• 1 tbsp Olivelle Roasted Garlic Vinegar
  
  

• 4 tbsp Olivelle Olive Oil
  
  

• ½ shallot, finely chopped
  
  

• Salt, pepper, Herbs de Provence, basil chiffonade
  
  

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush baguette slices with olive oil, top with goat cheese, herbs, and basil.
   
   

2. Toast until golden and cheese is warmed through.
   
   

3. Toast walnuts for 5 minutes; set aside to cool.
   
   

4. Make vinaigrette by whisking together mustard, vinegars, olive oil, shallots, salt, and pepper.
   
   

5. Toss greens and tomatoes with dressing, then top with bacon, walnuts, and warm goat cheese crostini.
   
   

 

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Poulet à l’Estragon (Tarragon Chicken in Cream Sauce)

Elegant yet comforting, this chicken dish with a creamy tarragon-mustard sauce is French home cooking at its best.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  
  

• Salt and pepper
  
  

• 2 tbsp olive oil
  
  

• 1 shallot, finely chopped
  
  

• 2 garlic cloves, minced
  
  

• ½ cup dry white wine
  
  

• ½ cup chicken stock
  
  

• ¾ cup heavy cream
  
  

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  
  

• 1–2 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon
  
  

• 1 tsp lemon zest or juice (optional)
  
  

Instructions:

1. Season and sear chicken thighs in olive oil until golden. Remove and set aside.
   
   

2. Sauté shallots and garlic, then deglaze the pan with white wine and reduce.
   
   

3. Stir in chicken stock and mustard, return chicken to the pan, and simmer covered for 15–20 minutes.
   
   

4. Add cream and tarragon. Simmer uncovered 5–10 minutes until sauce thickens. Add lemon for brightness if desired.
   
   

5. Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or a crusty baguette to soak up the sauce.
   
   

 

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Madeleines au Citron (Lemon French Butter Cakes)

These dainty shell-shaped cakes are a beloved French treat — lightly sweet, airy, and perfect with a cup of tea or champagne.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup flour
  
  

• 1 tsp baking powder
  
  

• Pinch of salt
  
  

• ½ cup butter, melted and cooled
  
  

• 2 tbsp additional butter for greasing
  
  

• 3 large eggs
  
  

• ⅔ cup sugar
  
  

• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
  

• Zest of 1 lemon (We love our Microplane zester for this!)
  
  

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
  
  

• Powdered sugar for dusting
  
  

Instructions:

1. Melt butter and set aside to cool.
   
   

2. Combine sugar and lemon zest; rub together with fingers until fragrant.
   
   

3. Beat eggs and sugar until pale and fluffy (5–8 minutes). Stir in vanilla.

After whisking, the mixture should look like this.

4. Gently fold in sifted flour, baking powder, and salt.
   
   

5. Mix a small amount of batter into the cooled butter, then fold into the remaining batter. Chill for 30–60 minutes.
   
   

6. Put about ½ tsp of melted butter into each madeleine mold. Fill each mold with batter and bake at 350°F for 10–12 minutes.

7. Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy immediately.
   
   

 

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Ready to Cook with Us?

We had a wonderful evening of food, laughter, and learning during our "Date Night in France" — and we’d love for you to join us for the next one! Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, our classes are designed to be fun, accessible, and delicious.

✨ Stay tuned for upcoming classes at Bekah Kate’s — or shop our gourmet ingredients, cookware, and Olivelle oils and vinegars featured in these recipes!