Pears and bright, lemony ginger are a perfect flavor match. This gingered pear preserves recipe uses two types of ginger - fresh and crystallized - to add complexity and depth to the finished product. Jars of this mildly spiced preserve are a perfect gift during cold winter holidays and wonderful for cool autumn breakfasts. Bon appetit!

Gingered Pear Preserves Photo: Flickr user theogeo

Stewed beef is usually a comforting weekend dinner, when you have time to simmer the ingredients for hours on end and fill the house with the aroma of a delicious family meal. Not so with this easy beef burgundy recipe which takes only ninety minutes, start to finish, including prep time. Enjoy the soothing flavor of classic beef bourguignon anytime with this simple process and have hours left over to relax or go for a walk. Bon appetit!

Easy Beef Burgundy Photo: Flickr user EraPhernalia Vintage

Nutty toasted oats and sweet-tart sautéed apples blend in this delicious toasted oatmeal apple crepes recipe. Serve the crepes with sweetened whipped cream or ice cream for dessert, or with thick, creamy yogurt for a healthy breakfast treat. Bon appetit!

Toasted Oatmeal Apple Crepes Photo: Flickr user Foodista

Perfect for a low-key meal or cocktail party, this roasted mushroom and Brie tartlets recipe is easy to prepare and refined. Simply fill puff pastry-lined tartlet molds with roasted mushrooms, onion confit and slivers of Brie to make a fantastic, savory appetizer. Use the tartlets as light dinner entrée, as well! Bon appetit!

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Roasted Mushroom and Brie Tarts Photo: Flickr user Kasia

Sweet and earthy, this apple, beet, and pear salad recipe combines the best of the autumn harvest. Irresistibly refreshing apples and pears are perfectly enhanced by a slightly sweet apple champagne vinaigrette speckled with shredded apple and topped with salty blue cheese crumbles. Serve it as a light and healthy main course or a special dinner party salad. Bon appetit!

Apple, Beet, and Pear Salad Photo: Tim Brauhn

Cauliflower, garlic, and onions tossed with olive oil make a nutritious, easy side dish recipe for hectic weeknights. Take it a step beyond a simple side dish and use your roasted cauliflower as a base for delicious roasted cauliflower soup. Served fresh from the oven, roasted cauliflower is fantastic with a hearty casserole of tartiflette. Bon appetit!

Roasted Cauliflower Photo: ©Rebecca Franklin, Licensed to About.com

This banana tarte tatin recipe is an easy dessert to make on short notice. Ripe bananas are always in season and frozen puff pastry can be found in most major grocery stores. Pull the puff pastry out to thaw while you slice bananas and simmer the rum sauce. Best of all, this recipe is very forgiving. If you simply have no time to make homemade French rum sauce, use store-bought caramel sauce kicked up with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Bon appetit!

Banana Tart Photo: ©Flickr user dizznbonn

A quiet afternoon calls for a hot mug of steaming beverage, but regular coffee or tea won't suffice. Try brewing up a simple batch of cinnamon tea and serving it with a small plate of goodies from the local patisserie. Sample the brew before sweetening it, as the cinnamon often provides just the right amount of sweet warmth for many people. If the sweetness still needs adjusting, use a teaspoon or two of simple syrup - it won't interfere with the cinnamon-lemon balance of the tea. Bon appetite!

Cinnamon Tea: Aradia Di

This nourishing roasted carrot soup recipe is an easy and elegant way to cut costs at dinnertime. Carrots are inexpensive and available year-round, yet they're tasty and packed with vitamin A, potassium, lutein, and fiber. Roasting the carrots gives extra depth to the flavor, removing the need for rich stock or cream, so it's both low fat and vegan - a perfect offering for a variety of dinner guests. Bon appetit!

Carrot Soup Photo: Stuart Spivack

Still made in many regions of France, this rye honey cake recipe is still referred to as couque in rural areas. This is the very rustic and traditional version of the recipe that you are likely to come across in small inns and out-of-the-way taverns. Easy to prepare, this honey cake recipe makes 12 servings; it is perfect for entertaining. Enjoy it slowly, with a small cup of coffee.

Rye Honey Cake - Couque Photo: ©Cindy Bertel