Classic Velouté

This impressive one-pan side tastes like summer.

Hi, I’m Brooke! You have probably seen me on Social Media as Meals and Munchies. I’m a busy stay at home mom who loves sharing easy, family-friendly meals that come together fast—because let’s be honest, we don’t always have time for complicated. Whether you’re chasing toddlers, working from home, or just trying to get dinner on the table after work without a fuss, you’re in the right place. Meals and Munchies is where I share real-life recipes that are quick, comforting, and made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Easy recipes for every day life- let’s get cooking!These dump-and-bake recipes take 5 minutes to throw together, have minimal prep, and are my go-to when I want something quick. Simply toss the dish with ingredients in the oven, and forget about it until the timer dings. No stovetop, no stress—just simple, cozy meals that practically cook themselves while you chase your toddler or sneak in a moment of peace.This creamy and comforting French Onion Casserole is the perfect weeknight dinner or holiday side dish. Made with tender rotisserie chicken, French-style green beans, creamy chicken soup, Minute rice, and a rich French onion dip, this casserole bakes into a hearty one-pan meal that’s full of flavor. Topped with crispy fried onions and Parmesan cheese, every bite has the perfect mix of creamy, cheesy, and crunchy textures. Easy to prepare in just minutes, this cheesy French onion chicken casserole is a family-friendly recipe you’ll want to make again and again.

This classic French beef stew is the ultimate comfort food. Slow-cooked in a wine-based broth, the meat becomes meltingly tender and enveloped in a richly flavored sauce—perfect for chilly nights.

A wonderfully rich and flavorful Au Jus that can be made with or without meat drippings without compromising the flavor.  The ultimate accompaniment to your prime rib and French dip sandwiches or you can also thicken it and serve it over beef and noodles.  Easy to make and out of this world delicious!

Beurre Blanc is a classic French sauce translated as "white butter"- which is an emulsified lemon butter sauce.

This classic French ratatouille vegetable stew comes from Provence in the South of France. Serve this delicious dish as both a side or main dish.

Source: Thomas Keller's Bouchon Notes:  I just purchased a set of these mini Weck jars and love them especially for these pots de crèmes, which are traditionally baked in lidded vessels. The original recipe calls for using eight 5- or 6-oz pot de crème molds. Of course, if you have 4- or 6-oz ramekins, those will work, too. The mini Weck jars are much smaller (2.7-oz), which is kind of nice for such a rich dessert, but again, use what you have. Chocolate variation: Finely chop 6 ounces semisweet chocolate and place in a metal bowl. Then, in step 2, when you strain the mixture, strain it into a saucepan instead of a measuring cup. Heat the custard until it is warm, then pour it over the chocolate, let it sit to melt, then whisk it together until it has combined. Proceed with recipe.

Deliciously sweet and rich, this has echoes of a beef demiglace sauce, but takes less time to make. The sauce (before the final thickening step) can be made a day or two in advance and refrigerated. This is not an inexpensive sauce to make, so for me, it's a special-occasion sauce, but well worth it. Adapted from a recipe in Fine Cooking magazine.