The Side Dish That Makes Any Dinner Feel Special


Bonjour,

Some recipes aren’t just food, they’re a tiny touch of elegance from a simple ingredient.

This week, I’m spotlighting a classic that looks fancy but is wonderfully simple: Duchess Potatoes.

They’re mashed potatoes piped into golden little roses. No drama, no fuss, just a few ingredients transformed into something beautiful.

It’s the kind of dish that turns a regular dinner into a small celebration (hint for Christmas). And like most French recipes, the magic isn’t in complexity… it’s in intention.

This Week’s Recipe Spotlight

This isn’t a technique-heavy recipe (but I do have all the step by step on the blog). It’s about slowing down enough to mash warm potatoes, add a touch of butter, swirl in the egg yolks, and pipe a little rose that feels almost too cute to eat.

You probably have everything you need already: potatoes, butter, egg yolks, nutmeg. Simple, satisfying, festive and incredibly versatile (and affordable!).

Duchess Potatoes, the elegant little side dish that works for Christmas, New Year’s, birthdays… or just a cozy winter night.

→ looks fancy, ready in under an hour
→ freezer-friendly and perfect for hosting
→ ideal with roast chicken, salmon, or even on a potluck table as finger food.

If you’ve ever thought these were complicated, try this version, they’re much easier than they look, and absolutely worth it.

If the idea of slowing down around food speaks to you...

That’s exactly what I teach inside The Table Reset, my program for parents who want calmer, more connected family meals (without perfection, pressure, or complicated routines).

Let’s Talk at the Table

What’s one “elegant” recipe that makes you feel instantly put together even if the rest of the day was chaos?

Hit reply and tell me. I’d love to share a few in next week’s note.

Merci!

Mél


Petit Porcini

Come hang out in my French kitchen abroad!

Read more from Petit Porcini

Bonjour 💙🧡 I’ve been thinking about this pasta all week. I hadn’t made it in a while, and I need to add it to our menu asap… If you try it, you will understand exactly why it lives rent-free in my head. It’s creamy. It’s rich. It’s ridiculously comforting. And somehow, it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant… except you’re in your socks, at home, on a weeknight. This Week’s Recipe Spotlight Meet: Creamy Rigatoni Gorgonzola with Crispy Coppa Chips Al dente rigatoni coated in a...

Bonsoir ! ✨ Bonne année ✨ Even if we are already mid-January, I don’t think it’s ever too late to send good wishes. I hope 2026 brings you calm, good food, and simple moments that feel good in everyday life. La belle vie quoi ! I’m also a little late for l’Épiphanie (January 6), but in France, we happily enjoy galette des rois all through January. If you feel like baking one, I highly encourage it. Galette des rois (King's Cake) It is really easy to make as I use store-bought puff pastry and...

Bonsoir ! Every December, someone hears me mention a Provençal tradition I carried with me to Canada and says, “Thirteen desserts?! Do you bake for days?” And I always smile, because the secret is this: it’s not about baking at all. In Provence, les treize desserts isn’t a sugar marathon, it’s a table filled with small, meaningful treats. Some homemade, some bought, some as simple as nuts or fruit. A symbol of abundance and togetherness after Christmas Eve dinner. Over the years, I’ve adapted...