Cafe Dion

Welcome!

Welcome to my website!

I have created this blog to accompany my Classic French cookbook series. You will find recipes, tips and news about my cookbooks.

My passion is cooking, and my specialty is French cuisine. I am a classically trained French Chef, attended the world famous Le Cordon Bleu cooking school in Paris, and am a Chef Instructor at the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Boulder.

 I was born and raised in Paris, France and started in the kitchen at a young age, learning from my grand-mère, who learned from her mother and grandmother. It is because of my grand-mère that I love to cook, and this cookbook series was inspired by an unexpected gift I found years after her death; amongst her belongings was a sealed box filled with my her collection of recipes and old photographs. To me, it is a treasure trove, offering not only the delicious food that reminds me of family meals, but also a glimpse into my family history. My cookbook series, From the Sealed Box: Simply French was written for those readers who have little time for lengthy meal preparation, and will be used in my Cuisine Maison (Home Cook) cooking classes. Below you will find my complete 5 volume  cookbook series.

We have individual books as well as complete sets available for purchase. CLICK HERE if you are interested in ordering.

 From the Sealed Box, Simply French

Volume I - "A Treasure Trove of Grand-Mere's Recipes
Volume II, "Eat Like a Parisian - Gourmet Meals in Under Half-an-Hour"
Volume III "Cooking with Booze and Spirits
Volume  IV "A French Christmas"
Volume V " Cooking with Kids"      

                

 Vol. I - 100 pages of mouthwatering, classic French Recipes to 
delight the home chef - easy to prepare, including dozens of 
color photos. A must for perfect home entertaining! $26.95

 

 

Vol. II - 100 pages of gourmet French meals in under 30 minutes.
For the home chefs with little time, this is the cookbook for you!
Dozens of color photos. A must have!   $26.95 

 

 

Vol. III - This is the one for you! 100 pages with dozens of color
photos. Every mouthwatering recipe contains booze. Another must
have from Chef Dion Jones-Lewin. $26.95

 

Vol. IV - For the perfect Christmas! 100 pages with dozens of color
photos. Includes a classic French Christmas plus a romantic New
Year's dinner. A spectacular value at $26.95 

 

Vol. V - The absolute must have! Cooking with Kids is the only
French  cookbook specifically written for children. 100 pages
with dozens of color photos, and simple, fun recipes for children
to learn how to cook. For every parent's kitchen. $26.95.   

 

 Bon Appetit! Merci!

Chef Dion

UP DATE

Bonjour,

As you can see my website has been quiet. I hope that everyone of you is staying safe and healthy. It has been quite a journey not only to stay safe but we worry about every little thing. How long do we have to put up with this cancer??. 

This is America!!!!! We have the vaccine!!! Why can't we do the right thing for all of us???. We have to protect each other!!! I know it is confusing, to many experts, but we have to believe in science. To many lives are at risk!!!.

So, get your arm ready and live LIFE!!!!.

Stay cool! 

Chef Dion

Joyeux Noel, Merry Christmas

Bonjour,

It's has been an horrible year! To many deaths and for what? 

I can only pray that 2021 is better, healthy and free of this terrible virus. We had a lot of work to do and we have to do it together!

I wish to everyone a great Christmas and New Year!

See you next year!

Chef Dion

 

OK and SAFE! and French Barbecue Ribs !

Bonjour,

Well, here we are in July! Half of the year is over, and I am still stuck in February. To me all the days blend together, from days to months and probably to the end of the year. Summer will be done with and we are still in this mess with the corona virus. Why can't we work together and get rid of this poison ? 

This beautiful country is sinking like the Titanic did. We have no leader at the helm to tell us what to do, to set an example (like wearing a mask in public). At least the Titanic had a great leader: Mollie Brown! She took over and reassured everyone that they were going to be OK and SAFE! 

How difficult is it to say those two words?  That is what everyone is waiting for, some kind words and reassurance that we will be OK and SAFE; we are all humans (well almost). 

We have to stay positive to survive, we will get through this TOGETHER. The 4th of July is just around the corner, we still can celebrate and have fun. This is one of my favorite recipe to do for that special day: French Barbecue Baby Back Ribs.

French Barbecue Baby Back Ribs:

Time: 2.5 hours

Oven: 325  degrees F.

2 pounds baby back ribs

 

The rub:

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon cumin

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon celery seeds

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon onion powder

4  tablespoons oil canola 

 

BBQ Sauce:

1 cup KC Masterpiece original BBQ sauce

3 tablespoons Whisky or Bourbon

2 tablespoons honey

3 tablespoons brown sugar

Mix well, set aside.

 

1) Mix the rub ingredients together well in a small bowl.

2) Remove the silver membrane from the bone side of the ribs.

3) Rub the oil onto ribs, o both sides. Using gloves, spread the rub over ribs and work the rub fully and evenly into the ribs, front and back.

4) Spread the ribs out evenly on a foil baking sheet.

5) Bake one side for 1 hour. Turn ribs around the other side, cook them for 45 minutes longer, turn them again and cook then for another 25 minutes.

6) Use your favorite BBQ sauce, spread it on both sides of ribs. Put them under the broiler for 10 minutes, turn them over and grill for 5 minutes.

7) Turn them again, and grill for 5 minutes longer, grill until tender and juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

8) Take them out of the oven, and let them stand for 5 minutes before cutting them.

Serve immediately. 

Note: Once under the broiler keep an eye on them, they will burn fast. 

 Bon Appetit!

Serves:4

 

Melon Gazpacho, Gaspacho de Melon

 

Bonjour Everyone,

I hope you are all staying safe and healthy! Who would of thought that in the 21 first century and in America we would be  held prisoner by a virus. NEVER!!! But here we are trying to make sense of this situation. I know that most of us are respecting the guidance to keep safe, but they are few of us that don't think it apply to them, WRONG!. We are all of us in this mess, it is not over yet, not by a long shot. So grow up and try to respect each other!! Be an AMERICAN!!

Summer is here, can you believe it? Some days I have no idea what day it is. Well, I have a recipe that will keep you cool.

It's a Melon Gazpacho, it is good and refreshing. Try it!

 

2 medium melons, such as honeydew or cantaloupe, ripe

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, sliced

1 tablespoon Grand Marnier

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/8 teaspoon harissa (Moroccan spice)

4 teaspoons sour cream

4 sprigs of mint

1) Cut the melons in half and remove the seeds.

2) Cut one half of one melon into small cubes and set aside.

3) Out the rest of the melons in a blender with the ginger, Grand Marnier, harissa and olive oil, pulse until smooth.

4) Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve, at least 1 hour.

5) Put the diced melon into 4 high-ball glasses, then fill with melon puree.

6) Garnish each glass with a teaspoon of sour cream and mint.

Serves: 4

A bientot! Stay safe and healthy!  

 

 

ZOMBIE !

Bonjour,

Well, the holidays are here, again. Trying to keep up with every day events are becoming a drag! We need so great news! or a stiff drink.

I think the world is becoming scary, very uncertain. Afraid to go anywhere, in fear of being shot. This the 21 century, we are no cave men! I know this the West, but really? In this beautiful state of Colorado we can smoke pot and carry arms, what is wrong with this picture!

How can you concentrate about Christmas with all that negativity around you. It seems that in America is the bottom line, the mighty dollar. No more spirits.  

How about that drink!! a Zombie! that should fit the bill. Why not!

Zombie:

1 ounce silver rum

1 ounce dark rum

1 1/2 ounces orange juice

1 ounce lemon juice

1/4 ounce grenadine

1 ounce orange curacao

1 cup crushed ice

1 sprig mint, and 1 orange slice for garnish

 

1) combine the rums, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, grenadine, orange curacao and crushed ice in a blender and pulse for a few seconds, just until combined.

2) Pour into a highball glass and garnish with mint and orange slice.

3) A second drink will make you feel like a zombie.

Enjoy!

A bientot!

 

 

LE CREUSET NEWS

Bonjour,

I think that summer is on its way. No proof yet! But I have great news: I will be at Le Creuset in Cherry Creek from 11:30-2:30 pm on Saturday June 15th, and Le Creuset in Thornton Outlets from 11:30-2:30 pm on Saturday June 29th. I will be doing a cooking demo and a book singing in both stores. I hope the weather will be sunny and warm so you can come and visit us. 

A beintot!

Bonjour,

I hope that everyone is ready for Spring, I am!

I will be at Le Creuset in Thornton on April 13th from 11:30-2:00 pm. I will be doing a cooking demonstration: Lemon Shrimp over pasta, and Cherry Clafouti.

On Saturday April 27, I will be at Le Creuset in Cherry Creek, with Champagne Chicken and Blueberry Coffee Cake.

I hope to see a lot of you there, bring an empty stomach. Let's have fun!

A bientot,

Chef Dion

Valentine's Day at le Creuset

Bonjour,

I hope everyone had a great holiday. I am glad it is over. Now that we all are back at work, we can feel pride and more secure. This is AMERICA! That shut-down should never happened. What is wrong with our Leaders?? If my kids had a tantrum, I would send them to bed with no dinner and no TV, but for a (man) of the age of 72, grow-up. But some of us will never grow-up and will take everyone down with them.

Well, Valentine's Day is near, and I will be at Le Creuset on February 9, from 11:30-2:00 pm, doing chocolate covered strawberries and a book signing. Come and join us it will be fun. 

Le Creuset is located: Denver Premium Outlets in Thornton, it's a brand new mall with great shops. 

A bientot. 

BREAKING NEWS!

Bonjour,

Just a reminder for you all to come to : LE CREUSET, at DENVER PREMIUM OUTLETS in THORNTON, on Saturday December 15 between 11:30- 2:30 p for a food demo: Buche de Noel and French Fruit Cakes. 

LE CREUSET IS HAVING AN INCREDIBLE HOLIDAY SALE.

Come and have fun!

Happy Holidays.

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Bonjour,

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We did, it was a busy one. But don't relax yet, 2 more holidays to come. Why are those holidays so close to each other? Why don't we have Christmas in July? That went the sales start, why not celebrate then? It would be easier on everyone.

Great news: I will be doing a book signing on December 15th, at the new Denver Premium Outlets in Thornton for Le Creuset, I will have food samples: La Buche de Noel, and French Fruit Cakes. Come and joint us and share the Christmas Spirit.

A bientot!