APPETIZER / ENTREE

Halloumi & Poached Pear Salad is a delightful dish that combines the savory saltiness of halloumi cheese with the sweet and tender flavors of poached pears, all atop a bed of fresh greens. Here's a recipe to make this delicious salad:
Ingredients:
For the Poached Pears:- 2 ripe but firm pears, peeled, halved, and cored- 2 cups water- 1/2 cup granulated sugar- 1 cinnamon stick- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Salad:- 1 package halloumi cheese, sliced- Mixed salad greens (such as arugula, spinach, or lettuce)- 1/4 cup walnuts or pecans, toasted and chopped- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins- Balsamic glaze, for drizzling- Olive oil, for frying halloumi- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. To poach the pears, in a medium saucepan, combine the water, granulated sugar, cinnamon stick, and vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar is dissolved.
2. Add the pear halves to the saucepan, cut side down. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pears are tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Remove the poached pears from the saucepan and let them cool slightly. Once cooled, slice the pears into thin wedges.
4. While the pears are poaching, prepare the halloumi. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the halloumi slices and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and slightly crispy.
5. To assemble the salad, arrange the mixed salad greens on a serving platter or individual plates.
6. Top the greens with the sliced poached pears, fried halloumi slices, chopped toasted nuts, and dried cranberries or raisins.
7. Drizzle the salad with balsamic glaze and a little extra olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Serve the Halloumi & Poached Pear Salad immediately, while the halloumi is still warm.
This salad makes for a delicious and elegant appetizer or light meal. The combination of flavors and textures creates a perfect balance of sweetness, saltiness, and crunch. Enjoy!

Salade Niçoise is a classic French salad originating from the city of Nice. It typically includes a variety of fresh and colorful ingredients. Here's a traditional recipe for Salade Niçoise:
Ingredients:
- 1 head of lettuce (such as Bibb or Boston lettuce), torn into bite-sized pieces- 8 oz (225g) green beans, trimmed- 4 medium-sized potatoes, boiled and sliced- 4 large eggs, hard-boiled and quartered- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved- 1/2 cup Niçoise olives (or Kalamata olives)- 1 (6 oz) can of tuna, drained and flaked- 2-3 anchovy fillets, optional- 2 tablespoons capers- Salt and freshly ground black pepper- Extra virgin olive oil- Red wine vinegar- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, until crisp-tender. Drain the green beans and immediately plunge them into ice water to stop the cooking process. Drain again and set aside.
2. Arrange the torn lettuce leaves on a large serving platter.
3. Arrange the boiled potato slices, hard-boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, Niçoise olives, flaked tuna, and blanched green beans on top of the lettuce, in separate sections.
4. If using, lay the anchovy fillets over the salad.
5. Sprinkle the capers over the salad.
6. Season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
7. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar over the salad, to taste.
8. Garnish the salad with chopped fresh parsley.
9. Serve the Salade Niçoise immediately, and enjoy as a light and flavorful meal!
Salade Niçoise is a versatile dish, so feel free to customize it according to your preferences. You can add other ingredients such as bell peppers, red onions, or artichoke hearts, and adjust the dressing to your taste. Enjoy this classic French salad as a refreshing and satisfying meal!

French fries, also known as fries, chips, or pommes frites, are a beloved and popular side dish made from potatoes. Here's a simple recipe for making homemade French fries:
Ingredients:- 2-3 large russet potatoes- Vegetable oil, for frying- Salt, to taste
Instructions:
1. Peel the potatoes (if desired) and rinse them under cold water to remove excess starch.
2. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized sticks or wedges, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.
3. Place the cut potatoes in a large bowl of cold water and let them soak for at least 30 minutes to remove excess starch and help them crisp up during frying. Drain and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels before frying.
4. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 325°F (163°C).
5. Carefully add the potatoes to the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the fryer/pot. Fry for about 4-5 minutes, until the potatoes are soft but not yet browned.
6. Use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove the partially cooked potatoes from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.
7. Increase the oil temperature to 375°F (190°C).
8. Once the oil is hot, return the partially cooked potatoes to the oil in batches and fry for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
9. Again, use a slotted spoon or spider strainer to remove the cooked fries from the oil and transfer them to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain excess oil.
10. Season the fries with salt while they're still hot and serve immediately.
11. Enjoy your homemade French fries as a delicious side dish or snack!
Feel free to customize your French fries by adding additional seasonings such as garlic powder, paprika, or grated Parmesan cheese. Serve them with ketchup, aioli, or your favorite dipping sauce for extra flavor.

French Chicken Salad, also known as Salade de Poulet, is a delightful and satisfying dish featuring tender chicken mixed with crisp vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing. Here's a classic recipe for French Chicken Salad:
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breastsSalt and pepper, to tasteOlive oil, for cookingFor the Salad:
4 cups mixed salad greens (such as mesclun or baby spinach)1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved1/2 cucumber, sliced1/4 red onion, thinly sliced1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted2 hard-boiled eggs, slicedFor the Dressing:
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil1 tablespoon red wine vinegar1 teaspoon Dijon mustard1 garlic clove, mincedSalt and pepper, to tasteFor Garnish:
Fresh parsley, choppedCrusty French bread or baguette, for serving
Instructions:
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.In a skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until cooked through and golden brown. Remove from the skillet and let them rest for a few minutes before slicing.While the chicken is cooking, prepare the salad ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and Kalamata olives.In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing: olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.Slice the cooked chicken breasts into thin strips.Add the sliced chicken and hard-boiled egg slices to the salad bowl.Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.Garnish the salad with chopped fresh parsley.
Serve the French Chicken Salad immediately, accompanied by crusty French bread or baguette.This French Chicken Salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and it's packed with fresh flavors and textures. Enjoy this delicious and satisfying dish with your favorite crusty bread and a glass of white wine for a complete French-inspired meal.