Planning for a Christmas feast? Here are three classic French recipes which have been given a festive twist
Christmas is a big affair in Julien Mercier’s hometown in Saint Etienne, France. The executive chef of Claudine, who moved to Singapore last year to helm the French restaurant, tells us that on Christmas day, his whole extended family would celebrate at their home. “It’s a potluck so everyone brings a dish. Someone always prepares a starter, another aunt brings a turkey, and a cousin brings the oysters,” he recalls, and the feasting would often start at 12pm and end very late at night.
The festive season and memories of Christmas gatherings back home have inspired Mercier to give classic French recipes a holiday twist. His foie gras, for example, has a touch of five spice, dried fruit and nuts, while the duck rillettes is made more festive with the addition of orange. Harking back to the time when he and his family would forage for mushrooms in October, which were then dried and used during the festive season, he also created the pâté de campagne.
“I tried to make these recipes as beginner-friendly as possible,” he affirms. Even better, these can be prepared well in advance, so you don’t have to rush on the day of your Christmas party.
Read more: The Best Gourmet Christmas Menus to Enjoy This Festive Season