FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Air France, In-Flight Dining, Chef Guy Martin

by Gtrav

Oct 1, 2012
2012 / October 2012

For the next few months, passengers traveling in Air France’s business class cabin on long-haul flights from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport are in for a treat as they savor the flavors of an in-flight dining menu created by 3-Michelin-starred Chef Guy Martin.

Martin, whose masterful cuisine at Paris’ historic Grand Véfour draws patrons from all over the world, developed a selection of dishes for Air France including sautéed shrimp, pasta shells and zucchini caviar with coconut sauce enhanced by Espelette chili pepper; breast of duckling with fennel and mango compote; orecchiette pasta with calamari and arugula served over tomato sauce with coriander; and sautéed chicken with orange and maniguette pepper, endive and pearl onions.

While dining on board, passengers can explore French cuisine with Chef Martin by tuning in to Epicerie Fine. The program, produced by TV5MONDE, follows Chef Martin as he discovers the culinary delights and flagship dishes of French cooking.

Can’t wait for your next Air France flight? Follow these recipes, adjusted for home cooks by Chef Martin, to get a taste of what you’re missing.

Breast of duckling with fennel and mango compote
Serves 2

Tender roasted breast of duckling is served Provençale style with a delicate fennel-infused jus. Mangos gently cooked with cider vinegar and acacia honey bring a sweet-and-sour touch to the dish, enhanced by the licorice notes of the fennel.

For the duckling:

2 duckling fillets
10 grams soy sauce
6 grams sake
3 grams mirin
Salt and pepper, to taste

Make lattice-like incisions in the skin of the duckling fillets. Season with salt and pepper. In a sauté pan without added fat, brown the fillets skin side down for 5–6 minutes. Flip the fillets and cook 1 minute. Set aside to cool. Steam with soy sauce, sake and mirin. Drain the fillets on paper towels before garnishing.

For the fennel:

1 300-gram fennel bulb
1 sprig thyme
1 bay leaf
Sea salt, to taste

Cook the fennel in salted boiling water with the thyme and bay leaf. Remove fennel from the water. Cool. Cut the fennel bulb into 6 equal wedges.

For the pickled zucchini:

3 zucchini
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Salt, to taste
½ teaspoon wine vinegar
3 leaves fresh mint

Cut the zucchini into round slices and fry in 1 tablespoon of olive oil heated to 350 degrees. Remove the zucchini from the pan and season with salt, the remaining olive oil, wine vinegar and fresh mint.

For the mango compote:

5 grams acacia honey
10 grams cider vinegar
100 grams diced mango
Salt and ground pepper, to taste

In a sauté pan, cook the honey until it takes on a caramel brown color. Deglaze the pan with cider vinegar. Add the diced mango, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat until the liquid evaporates. Adjust seasoning to taste.

For the jus with fennel seeds:

2 grams olive oil
1 gram fennel seeds
100 grams water
10 grams veal stock

Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan. Add the fennel seeds and lightly toast. Add the water and veal stock. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook over low heat for 3 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Strain the mixture, reserving the liquid.

Presentation: Arrange sliced duckling fillets on each plate. Add fennel wedges and a generous spoonful of mango compote. Drizzle the plate with fennel seed jus.

Orecchiette pasta with calamari and arugula served over tomato sauce with coriander
Serves 2

Orecchiette pasta with calamari and Italian parsley is presented over a light tomato sauce flavored with coriander. The spicy taste of arugula enlivens the dish while finely shaved Parmesan cheese serves as a flavorful garnish.

For the calamari:

100 grams dry orecchiette Pugliesi
130 grams calamari, ready to cook
30 grams olive oil, divided
3 grams chopped parsley
40 grams arugula salad
10 dried tomato wedges
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Fill a saucepan with enough water to cover the pasta. Bring the water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for 12 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Drain the pasta and coat it with some olive oil.

Season the calamari with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a sauté pan. Add the calamari and cook for 1–2 minutes. Remove the calamari from the pan and roll them in chopped parsley. Set aside to drain and cool. Season the arugula with salt and pepper. Coat a saucepan with the remaining olive oil and fry the arugula. Remove from heat, drain excess oil and cool.

For the tomato sauce with coriander seeds:

20 grams red tomatoes
2 grams coriander seeds
4 grams olive oil
6 grams tomato paste
Salt and ground pepper, to taste

Cut tomatoes into 1-centimeter cubes. Sauté the coriander seeds in olive oil for 1 minute without browning them. Add the diced tomatoes. Stir, cover and cook gently for 10 minutes over low heat. Mix, strain and add the tomato paste. Season to taste.

For the garnish:

10 grams grated Parmesan cheese
10 dried tomato wedges

Heat the olive oil in a sauté pan. Add the fennel seeds and lightly toast. Add the water and veal stock. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook over low heat for 3 minutes. Adjust the seasoning to taste. Strain the mixture, reserving the liquid.

Presentation: Place a portion of the tomato sauce on a plate and top with the pasta. Arrange the calamari and fried arugula on the pasta and garnish with dried tomato wedges and shaved Parmesan.

Introducing

FX Excursions

FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.

Explore Excursions

#globility

Insta Feed
Daily
Apr 23, 2025

Art Meets Mixology in Washington, D.C., at Allegory

There’s a brand-new cocktail menu at Washington, D.C.’s, Allegory, winner of the 2023 Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award and ranked No. 23 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2024 list. But the new Banned in DC menu isn’t just a collection of cocktails, as explained by Creative & Beverage Director Deke Dunne, who — along with his team — concocted the fictionalized journey of civil rights advocate Ruby Bridges as she falls into a rabbit hole set 100 years in the future.

Royal Air Maroc Introduces Groundbreaking Safety Video: A Captivating Invitation to Discover Moroccan Heritage

Royal Air Maroc continues to elevate the passenger experience with the launch of its new in-flight safety video — a cinematic journey that seamlessly blends essential safety instructions with a celebration of Moroccan cultural heritage.

April 2025
Apr 23, 2025

Hotels Prove They Care About Their Guests and Destinations

Once upon a time, miniature bottles of luxury-branded bath gels, lotions and shampoos were the mark of a high-end hotel, but those single-use souvenirs are becoming a thing of the past as new trends indicate in-room amenities are meant to stay exactly there ... in the room.

April 2025
Apr 23, 2025

Choose Tools to Improve Sleep, Meditation and Well-Being

Core Meditation Trainer  Interested in learning to meditate but don’t know where to start? The Core Meditation Trainer will help improve your practice, using dynamic vibration guidance to help keep you centered. Simply hold the device in your palms and follow the instructions from the Core App to reduce stress and improve focus. Its sensors monitor your heart and nervous system so you can track how your meditating progresses. Measuring just 3.5 by 3.5 by 3.5 inches, this device is TSA-approved for carry-on, and one charge lasts up to two weeks. $159 plus subscription.

Find Your Perfect Escape with Paradisus by Meliá — More Than Just All-Inclusive

Luxury travel today is about more than just beautiful accommodations — it’s about experiencing the destination. Paradisus by Meliá takes traditional all-inclusive resorts to the next level by offering indulgence with immersion, experiences and authenticity. Each resort is shaped by its location, local flavors and curated Destination Inclusive® experiences that bring you closer to the heart of the destination.

Daily
Apr 23, 2025

Explora Journeys Launches Explora Club

Explora Journeys recently unveiled its Explora Club, a new loyalty program for its discerning guests. Explora Club’s five-level structure is seamless and intuitive, as each level includes a collection of benefits, like priority access and exclusive savings. Factors contributing to levels include weighted nights at sea, multiplied by suite category; Destination Experiences purchased pre-cruise or onboard; and eligible onboard spending, including Ocean Wellness, culinary experiences and beverages, laundry, and purchases at The Journey boutique.

eFlyer Deals
Apr 23, 2025

Snag The Berkeley’s Limited-Time Cartier Deal, Experience

London’s The Berkeley, one of the city’s most upscale hotels, celebrates one of the most anticipated exhibitions of the year with a special offer. Cartier: The Pursuit of Beauty opens at Victoria & Albert Museum, featuring more than 350 objects, from precious jewels to gemstones to watches to clocks.

Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach

Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.

eFlyer Lead
Apr 23, 2025

Helicopter Tourism: How Safe Is It?

On April 10, a helicopter (more specifically, a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV) plummeted into the Hudson River in New York City, killing everyone onboard the aircraft. The crashed helicopter was on its eighth tour of the day when it fell from the sky.