A Paris-Inspired Peach Dinner on the Grill
There was moment at Le Grand Café that stuck with me after we left Paris last week. White table linens, candlelight, a table set simply but beautifully in warm weather. (The restaurant made the list in my Places to Eat in Paris post).
I came home wanting to recreate that same cool, uncomplicated elegance. Peach season and collaborating with some of my favorite entertainers gave me the perfect excuse. Cindy, Annie, Juliet, Kim and Elizabeth’s links are at the end of the post.
August in Jacksonville means cooking outside as much as possible, so this menu was built around the grill. But it also means eating inside as it’s too hot and humid outside.
The Sunday Early Dinner Menu
The Table
I started with the peaches. A white footed bowl, a mix of ripe Georgia peaches and figs (some of which went home with our guests) from the market, and a few sprigs of greenery tucked in and around.
To set the table: my parent’s white Irish linen tablecloth, crystal Tiffany candlesticks (a wedding present from 41 years ago), and my great aunt’s hand crocheted lace-edged linen napkins, which are over 100 years old and among my most treasured things.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
This recipe is already on the blog: Mercedes Shrimp Skewers.
Grilled Vegetables with Olive Oil and Champagne Vinegar
Eggplant, zucchini, red onion, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, all sliced thin and grilled until they had good color.
We kept the dressing simple: a drizzle of Brightland’s extra virgin olive oil and their delicious champagne vinegar with California citrus, some salt and pepper plus a generous handful of fresh basil, oregano, and thyme from the garden. No recipe really.
Howard’s Lemon Couscous
Howard created this one, and it was delicious for lunch the next day too. Bright, lemony, studded with pine nuts and diced pimentos.
Lemony Couscous with Pine Nuts
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp grated lemon zest
- 2 tbsps lemon juice
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2/3 cup pearl couscous
- 1 2 oz jar diced pimentos drained
- 2 tbsps pine nuts toasted
- 2 tbsps chopped parsley
Instructions
- Combine chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, butter, and salt together in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Stir in couscous until completely coated. Cover the saucepan, remove from the heat, and soak couscous until hot liquid is mostly absorbed, about 5 minutes.
- Fluff couscous with a fork. Stir in pimentos, pine nuts, and parsley.
Le Dessert: Peach Tart, from Sweet Paris
For dessert, I pulled out my copy of Sweet Paris (by Frank Barron, Seasonal Recipes from an American Baker in France). It’s a great book…he lives in an apartment in Paris that looks like the Haussmannian one we lived in with a Boston Terrier (just like us)!
I made Frank’s peach frangipane tart, with sliced Georgia fuzzy peaches fanned over almond filling in a tart shell I baked early in the day. I tagged him on Instagram and he said he had just made a Peach galette.
One trick I still use every time: wrapping plastic wrap around the mixer head and bowl before it starts spinning, to catch any splatter. I learned this years ago in a dessert class at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and it has saved me lots of countertop cleanup.
A slice with a dollop of crème fraîche was served after dinner.
The Whole Table
Everything went out to the table and we passed it family style.
A Sunday night meal that felt a little bit like Paris with peaches, good linens, and a table of close friends. (I gave our guests small crocks of the Dijon mustard that we brought back as souvenirs).
What I Wore For Our Casual Dinner At Home
- I love this flowing, flared lined skirt that I bought at Zara in Paris. It’s available in the US (this is a size medium). There are other colors.
- Cotton Crewneck Tee-shirt.
- Lisi Lerch necklaces.
- Super comfortable Margaux woven leather ballet flats. I could wear these everyday and feel a little dressed up.
- New Eyebobs sturdy reading glasses.
Such a gorgeous table Mary Ann, the beautiful elegance!! The napkins…..so pretty!! I am Just heavenly; lucky guests. Thank you for the lovely recipes too.
This is just perfect in every way
Mary Ann, I just love this dinner. Howard’s couscous sounds delicious. I will try your tart this week as I have some peaches. I hope they are as good as Georgia ones. Remember all the good peach dishes we had at that conference there?
Good tip for the mixer too.
The centerpiece was perfect. I am off to get that skirt. Looks great on you! x
Mary Ann, I have a question for you.
How do you stop your tapers from dripping candle wax on your table?
Our air conditioning is right above part of our dining room table.
Thanks for any hints you can give me. I have used the catcher round plastic thing you put at the base of your candle.
I put little plates under the candle sticks for that very reason but surprisingly they didn’t drip this time. I am going to buy some more of these beeswax candles: https://amzn.to/4wxvH6a
Hi Mary Ann,
Your table setting Paris inspired is gorgeous, and very elegant. Wow, your parent’s white linen tablecloth and great aunt’s hand crocheted lace edged linen napkins that are over 100 years old are stunning. To think you have them, what a major treasure. They would be happy to see you use then. Mary Ann, do you fold in a nice quality white large paper napkin because I would think no one wants to spoil them with food or lipstick. This is what I do just in case someone is uncomfortable using my cloth napkins.
The meal looks amazing as usual, you both make the best culinary team. Put your entire heart into it always. You look pretty all dressed up.
I love couscous and make it often, I will try Howard’s recipe soon.
On a side note the picture of the family in Paris is sweet, so good of you all.
Good idea about the napkin. I just put stain remover on them and wash on gentle. They are holding up but I only use them every few years. But I do think it’s good to use them and not have them sit in a drawer.
MA! You’ve captured the simple, elegance of a French cafe … and with so many special pieces from your family treasures. Those Georgia peaches look delish … on your table and in your beautiful tart. Yum. Leave it to me to start with dessert. I love your entire menu is made up of my favorites, and perfect for summer entertaining outdoors or in. I appreciate the brilliant mixer tip. Why didn’t I ever think of that?! Oh, and your skirt … what a great find and perfect for your French cafe inspired dinner. So fun! xo
Hi Cindy, I love your content and have been a reader since your S.F. days. I am wondering if you can do a post on window coverings. We need to replace some blinds in our family room that gets a lot of direct sunlight. So looking for energy efficiency and updated look. We are in Sonoma County so hot in the summer and cold in the winter. I bet a lot of readers would find this helpful. I love your beautiful and practical design.
All the best,
Annie
The recipe you link shows shrimp threaded with cherry tomatoes – but the picture in this post shows whole cloves of garlic with shrimp and no tomatoes…is it a different recipe?
It’s the same recipe. Mercedes uses tomatoes and or garlic cloves. Howard just used the garlic this time.
Love your skirt, tee, shoes, and jewelry.
How refreshing the all-white is!! And the menu to die for!! Every single dish sounds superb!!
And the leftovers were great too, Cindy.
MAry Ann, everything looks, beautiful, elegant and delicious!
THANKS, Elizabeth. I want to make your cinnamon loaf!
Your table linens, candlesticks and gorgeous centerpiece make for a truly elegant setting for this summer meal. Definitely coming back to grab that shrimp recipe. Love your outfit too! Perfection. Right here! I can imagine enjoying the meal and atmosphere together with friends.
We did have fun, Deanna…and I forgot to mention the French white Burgundies!
Mary Ann! I love a simple but gorgeous centerpiece! You are brilliant at setting a stunning table! Your menu, too- perfection! Pinned!
Thanks, Annie. Love your gazpacho recipe.