Menu Memories

A basket of fresh bread is a staple on Jacques' dining table, so he begins the show with an easy fast fougasse. Then using seafood for a unique twist, he makes salmon rillettes to top the fougasse with a tasty bite. While working at the Russian Tea Room in New York, Jacques recalls serving a spice-rubbed poussins a la russe, now a favorite dish of his granddaughter Shorey. He prepares it today as the main course, accompanied by broiled maple sweet potatoes coated with sugary goodness.

It's easy to fall in love with Jacques' seasonal menu, starting with a fresh, smooth tomato velvet soup - the name speaks for itself! Then, sliced tomato gratin made with ripe, ruby-red tomatoes and coarse rustic bread, is Jacques' go-to late-summer dish. He continues with a tender grilled lamb shasklik that includes easy, make-ahead instructions and a colorful red cabbage, pistachio and cranberry salad with bleu cheese. Jacques goes on to transform pizza dough into an apple galette, baked to crispy perfection!

Annual trips to Mexico and visits with fellow chef Rick Bayless are the inspiration for Jacques' tasty garlic and pasilla soup. Jacques continues the Mexican-themed menu as he demonstrates his chicken with chili sauce and achiote rice, a recipe that boasts bright, bold aromas and textures. Finally, Jacques puts leftover bananas to good use for his simply scrumptious banana gratin dessert.

Jacques' illustrious cooking career includes time in the Elysee Palace cooking for the French President. At the young age of 22 and alongside his best friend, pastry chef Jean-Claude Szurdak, Jacques cooked classic dishes for the de Gaulle family. Now he replicates them for us beginning with a first course of morel and shrimp eggs en cocotte. The two chefs continue their Presidential menu with a meaty main course of veal chops dijonnaise served on a bed of simple and delicious peas with basil. Together they prepare a decadent chocolate souffle for a perfectly sweet and splendid ending.