Dining In: Winter warmth – Get cozy with this French-inspired menu

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January brings the dreary days of winter, even to southeast Louisiana. The weather is cold and rainy and makes you realize why bears hibernate this time of year. But those dreary days are often the best ones to spend in a cozy kitchen preparing delightful and savory comfort foods, like those on this French-inspired menu.

It begins with a French Onion Soup, which is surprisingly simple to prepare. We chop the onions instead of slicing them to avoid the stringy texture often found in this soup, then top it with a crunchy, cheesy Gruyere toast to complement the earthy flavors in the beef stock.

The Louisiana-style Salad Lyonnais is a local twist on a classic French salad that is hearty enough to make a complete meal. We use crispy tasso instead of the traditional ham, which works beautifully with the warm poached egg. It’s ideal as a brunch or lunch course, but also makes for a light supper.

The Bread Pudding Soufflé is the perfect way to top off this cozy meal. Folding beaten egg whites into the bread pudding makes it light and airy, unlike some bread puddings that are often too dense. The brown sugar bourbon sauce adds a sweet richness that balances out the whole meal.