This year, we visited our American friends in Strasbourg, France for Thanksgiving. Since both of the husbands are the principal cookers in the families, we (the wives) left all of the menu planning to them! Both families decided to abandon tradition and to be open to anything Mr. France put on the table!

Oh wow…did he deliver the most amazing French Thanksgiving (or just plain dinner) we had ever eaten!! FIVE courses…to be exact…each paired with its own beverage. Did I already use the word “Wow!”?

After a mid-morning snack of pretzels, obatzda, and beer, we headed our respective ways to collect bread, wine, liquor, and vegetables…all super fresh!

First course (the only American part of the meal): chestnut squash soup.

Second course: Foie gras with balsamic vinegar, paired with a tasty Gewurztraminer.

In preparation for the main course, Mr. France and Mr. Germany did some flambé-ing! Mr. France was in charge of the alcohol and Mr. Germany, the matches!

Main course: Green beans with caramelized onions, pureed potatoes and parsnips, and braised duck, paired with a great French red wine. 

quack, quack!

It was SOOO good! Look at these clean plates!

Fourth course: a plate of six different cheeses.

Before the final course, we took a little break and sipped some cognac.

Mrs. France, warming her cognac!

Last, but DEFINITELY not least, was the fifth, and final, course: dark chocolate pot de crème garnished with a Macaroon made by Mr. France himself, and mint leaves direct from the balcony!

We are so thankful for the open home, friendship, and AMAZING cooking/hospitality of Mr. & Mrs. France. This was a Thanksgiving dinner we will never forget!

Happy Thanksgiving from France!