Christmas Eve Lunch at a Coquette Brasserie

Christmas Eve Lunch at a Coquette Brasserie

We gathered at Raleigh’s Coquette Brasserie for a family Christmas Eve lunch. I’ve been wanting to go there for ages, but just never had a chance.


I started my meal with ‘Plat Charcuterie & Fromage.’ It was wonderful. Fresh local cheeses paired with cured and fresh sausages was amazing.  I wasn’t thrilled with the terrine, but loved the cornichons, honey, compote, and mustard.

Moved onto the main course, I chose the French bistro standard of ‘Steak & Frites.’ It was hanger steak cooked perfectly. Frites were good; however, I prefer the chunkier Dutch frites and fritesaus.

Lastly I finished with Profiteroles. It was pastry puff stuffed with chocolate almond ice cream, and coconut anglaise finished off with chocolate sauce.

The atmosphere was relaxed and staff very attentive.

It was a lovely family lunch. I’d go back and go back for dinner.

Pantry Raid

Pantry Raid

Raided the pantry. So what am I going to cook with the above ingredients?

We wanted a quiet Sunday and didn’t really fancy going out to lunch since there aren’t any decent lunch options on a Sunday here other than fast food. We didn’t feel like sandwiches, but wanted something simple.

I went to the pantry and fridge pulling out what I had: beef broth, old bread, butter, thyme, onions, and Swiss cheese.

And what did I make? My own version of French Onion Soup. It is healthy, quick, and simple. In less than 20 minutes, we had a warm, homemade lunch.

Really, it is simple. Melt butter in sauce pan, slice onion paper thin, sauté them until soft in butter, add broth and a dash of thyme. Cook until hot. Slice bread placing in bowl then add cheese. Pour broth over bread. Voila, there’s lunch!

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