This summer an online cooking class brought forth the perfect drink combined with the perfect meal all in one.
On August 4, the bright and beautiful notes of amber and honey were combined with an exquisite salad constructed by Alison Roman. Food52 hosted the night that showcased how to get great taste and fun in your kitchen this summer. Discovering the perfect bubble with Champagne Lallier during the glorious affair was a fantastic was to spend a summer evening.
Roman’s simple salad recipe that was prepared during the event by an audience across America demonstrated that Champagne Lallier is not just a bottle you pop open on a special occasion. It is rather deserving of our attention any and every day as we celebrate the beauty of life.
Perfectly timed for summer picnics and warm weather entertaining, Champagne Lallier and Food52 with partnered Alison Roman have designed the Perfect Picnique – a cooking class & limited-edition kit featuring an all-new, custom recipe developed by Roman to celebrate Champagne Lallier’s flagship R.018 Brut.
Inspired by two of Roman’s favorite things: easy, farm-fresh ingredients and French-inspired summer flavors, the Food52 x Champagne Lallier Perfect Picnique Class & Kit was made available by Food52 and Cocktail Courier.
“I recently returned from a trip where I ate and drank my way through Paris, and of course, came back with tons of inspiration. This new recipe in particular, ‘French Lentil Salad With So Many Herbs’, pairs perfectly with Champagne Lallier,” said Roman. “Ideal for picnics in the park, on your stoop, on the beach, on the roof – wherever you’re picnic-ing this summer. It’s flexible enough to use any fresh crunchy summer vegetables you see, casually delicious and undeniably ‘French’, without any fuss.”
Roman’s new ‘French Lentil Salad With So Many Herbs’ (aka ‘The Picnic Salad’) produces the scrumptious salad full of healthy lentils and tangy and bold tastes of garden herbs that pair beautifully with Champagne Lallier R.018 Brut’s distinctive flavor, with notes of ripe fruit and acacia flowers, for the perfect summer sip.
Founded in 1906 in Aÿ, one of the few French villages classified as ‘Grand Cru’, Champagne Lallier carries a prestigious name – communicating the magnificent heritage of the region. Its distinctive winemaking philosophy aims at enhancing the individuality of the terroir, led by Chef de Cave and industry veteran Dominique Demarville. Demarville was appointed in January 2021 following Campari Group’s acquisition of the Champagne Maison the year prior; the first step in a larger expansion for Champagne Lallier, led by its flagship Série R, which is the featured cuvée for this unique culinary program.
Click here to create your own perfect summer today here.
Try the recipe along with Bien Cuit bread and of course the wonderful Champagne Lallier:
This recipe is shared in partnership with Champagne Lallier. Their bright, citrusy R.018 Brut Champagne sparkles with fresh aromas of lemon and lively ripe fruit flavors, which pairs beautifully with this crunchy-crispy dish from Alison Roman. Whether you’re planning a picnic lunch with friends or dinner at home, our limited-edition Food52 x Champagne Lallier Perfect Picnique kit has *almost* everything you need for this summery situation—just add a few fresh veggies and a loaf of French bread.
- For the lentil salad:
- 1 1/2 cups dried French-style green lentils
- Kosher salt
- 1/3 cup olive oil, plus more to serve
- 7 cloves garlic, divided (6 thinly sliced, 1 finely grated)
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 small Persian cucumbers or 1 large hothouse cucumber, coarsely chopped
- 1 lemon with peel still on, finely chopped (seeds removed)
- 2 cups soft mixed herbs with tender leaves and stems, coarsely chopped (I used cilantro, dill, and parsley)
- Flaky sea salt
- Optional toppings:
- Feta or soft goat’s cheese, crumbled
- Castelvetrano olives, crushed
- Sumac, for sprinkling
- Grilled sausage, such as merguez, on the side
