French Dinner Party Prep Schedule

Recipe: 1 cup water 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 tsp salt 1 cup all-purpose flour 4 large eggs 1 cup grated Gruyère cheese 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper 1/4 tsp nutmeg - Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring water, butter, and salt to a boil. Add flour, stir vigorously until a dough forms. Remove from heat, let cool. Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in cheese, pepper, and nutmeg. Drop tablespoons of dough onto baking sheets. Bake until puffed and golden, 20-25 minutes.

Recipe: 1 (4 to 5-pound) chicken cut into pieces Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup olive oil 4 ounces diced pancetta 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 carrots, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, minced 1 bottle (750 ml) red wine 2 cups chicken stock 10 fresh thyme sprigs 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup pearl onions, peeled 1 cup mushrooms, quartered - Season chicken with salt and pepper. In a large pot, heat oil and cook pancetta until golden. Add chicken pieces, brown each side. Add onion, carrots, garlic, cook until softened. Pour in wine and stock, add thyme. Simmer covered for 1 hour. In a skillet, melt butter, add flour to make a roux, then add to the pot. Add pearl onions and mushrooms, cook for another 20 minutes.

Recipe: 1 eggplant, cut into cubes 3 zucchinis, sliced 2 bell peppers, chopped 1 large onion, chopped 2 tomatoes, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 2 tsp herbes de Provence - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking dish, combine all vegetables, garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbes de Provence. Toss to coat well. Bake uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 45 minutes.

Recipe: 6 apples, peeled, cored, and halved 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a 9-inch skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar, cook until bubbling and golden. Add apples, rounded side down, cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, place puff pastry over apples, tuck in edges. Bake until pastry is golden, about 25 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto a plate.

Setting the table for dinner.

Enjoying the prepared dishes with guests.