A number of people have written in asking about main dishes for various occasions. Most are seeking easy French recipes for a quick dinner. Others are seeking recipes for special events and themed dinner parties.

Here is a selection of popular French menu and recipe requests. Make just one meal or spend the whole day in culinary France! Bon appetit!

French Recipes for an Easy Breakfast in Bed:

• Honeyed Fruit Salad Recipe
• Eggs with Black Truffles Recipe
• Iced Café Mocha Noisette Recipe

French Recipes for a Chic, Outdoor Lunch :

• Basil Palmiers Recipe
• Grilled Seafood Nicoise Recipe
• Lemon Pressé Recipe
• Peches Melba Recipe

French Recipes for a Casual, Cozy Dinner:

• Croque Monsieur Recipe
• Provencal Tomato Rice Recipe
• Avocado and Romaine Recipe
• Dark Chocolate Sorbet Recipe

French Recipes for a Romantic Dinner:

• Gougeres Recipe
• Duck a L’Orange Recipe
• Garlic Lemon Green Beans Recipe
• Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Grilled Seafood Nicoise Photo: Dominic Morel

Each week, I read numerous emails detailing your dinner parties, childhood memories, and favorite foods from holidays in France. The dishes included in the French recipes of the week list stand out from all the others in my collection because of the stories behind the requests.

One memorable request took a romantic turn last weekend. Pictured, above and to the right, is piperade from the Basque country of France. A friend of mine traveled the region a few years ago and had a spicy tomato-pepper sauce with his eggs one day. Try as he might, he has never been able to replicate the dish. Last week, he decided to propose to his girlfriend with a day of meals chronicling their European adventure. I gave him the recipe, which presumably turned out great, because she said yes and they’re getting married in the fall.

Here are just a few of this week’s most requested French recipes. Hint: try the piperade; it might win you a spouse! Bon appetit!

French Recipes of the Week:

• Lemon Aioli Recipe
• Basque Piperade Recipe
• Orange Rice Recipe
• Cardamom Coffee Mousse Recipe
• Black Raspberry Pastry Cream Recipe

Piperade Photo: Leandro Ercole

Saturday nights around here usually mean eating a light, early dinner with the kids and then indulging in rich, party treats once the children are tucked into bed. Whether you’re throwing a cocktail party or playing a few rounds of cards with friends, classic French appetizer recipes always fit the bill.

Here is a selection of classic French recipes you can easily make in your own kitchen. Bon appetit!

French Hors D'oeuvres Recipes:

• Brandade Canapés Recipe
• Coquilles Saint-Jacques Recipe
• Pork Rillettes Recipe
• Provencal Rosemary Almonds Recipe
• Red Pepper Gougeres Recipe
• Zesty Tapenade Recipe

Almonds Photo: Christina Ericsson

Everyone reading this blog lately knows that I’ve been trying to steer clear of sweet recipes in my kitchen. Well, today I’m taking a U-turn back to desserts. It’s Mother’s Day weekend and there are always last-minute plans. If you suddenly find yourself stuck with hosting a luncheon or find out that your first-, second-, and third-choice restaurants all overbooked, whip up these fast French dessert recipes.

Kick back and enjoy the holiday; these recipes can be prepared in less than 35 minutes. Bon appetit!

Easy French Dessert Recipes:

• Baked Apricots Recipe, 35 minutes total
• Banana Tarte Tatin Recipe, 35 minutes total
• Caramelized Apples Recipe, 20 minutes total
• Corsican White Chocolate Mendiants Recipe, 10 minutes total
• Figs Sauternes Recipe, 30 minutes total
• Nougat Noir Recipe, 30 minutes total
• Pears Belle Helene Recipe, 30 minutes total

Caramelized Apples Photo: Crystal Woroniuk

After baking way too many sweet, buttery treats in preparation for an upcoming party, someone turned me on to the idea of savory cookies as an appetizer. I’ve nibbled on them before, but wasn’t thrilled with creations that had way too much cheese and too little seasoning.

I sifted through some recipe cards and my pantry and came up with this fantastic basil palmiers recipe. They feature puff pastry, fresh basil, and garlic – all authentic Provencal flavors. Here is a selection of French pastry recipes for you to use as a base for your culinary creations – both savory and sweet! Bon appetit!

French Pastry Recipes:

• Basic Choux Pastry Dough Recipe
• Basic Pastry Dough Recipe
• Pâte Brisée Pastry Dough Recipe
• Pâte Sablée Pastry Dough Recipe
• Pâte Sucrée Pastry Dough Recipe

Basil Palmiers – Palmiers au Basilic Photo: Rebecca Franklin

A traditional French breakfast consists of only coffee and slices of baguettes spread with butter or jam. Sometimes a piece of fresh fruit and a small bowl of yogurt are added – but have only recently started to catch on as a suitable French breakfast menu. Oddly enough, although the French breakfast tradition is very Spartan, French cuisine has a number of wonderful breakfast recipes.

In a delicious stretch of perception, here is an unconventional breakfast of classic French recipes. Bon appetit!

French Breakfast Recipes:

• Baguette with Red Currant Jelly Recipe or
• Belgian Waffles Recipe with maple syrup and berries
• Quiche Lorraine Recipe
• Honeyed Fruit Salad Recipe
• French Hot Chocolate Recipe
• Café au Lait Recipe

Belgian Waffles with Strawberries Photo: Kay Berndt

Egg production is up on the family farm and we have to do something with all that springtime bounty. Scrambled eggs and omelets are going to taste good for only a short while, and heaven help our house – and waistlines – if I start baking cakes and other goodies. I decided that I would make eggs our feature for a few dinners and I came up with some fantastic recipes.

Here is a selection of classic French egg recipes to please everyone gracing your kitchen table tonight. Bon appetit!

French Egg Recipes:

• Eggs with Black Truffles Recipe
• Crab Quiche Recipe
• Quiche Lorraine Recipe
• Spinach Soufflé Recipe
• Savory Sweet Potato Soufflé Recipe
• Zewelwai Onion Tart Recipe

Spinach Soufflé Photo: Rebecca Franklin

One family I know celebrates Mother’s Day every year by setting up long tables and inviting everyone from second cousins to close friends and church members. It’s a festive occasion punctuated by cheerful laughter and old family stories. The tradition always includes dish after dish of beautiful, gourmet food that is savored for hours on end.

As the afternoon comes to a close, there is a special Champagne tradition they observe. Someone pulls out a few bottles of good bubbly and serves it in antique flutes picked up throughout the year at various estate sales. Toasts are given and then the guests retire to their own homes, each with a crystal flute for a memento of the special day.

For your own Mother’s Day celebration, set the table with pretty spring linens, fresh flowers, and crystal.

In the weeks leading up to your event, collect something thoughtful and special - like the Champagne flutes - to send home with your guests. Above all, try some French, spring-inspired for a menu sure to please everyone. Bon appetit!

More Mediterranean Recipes for Mother’s Day:

• Greek Recipes for Mother’s Day Breakfast or Brunch
• Spanish Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes

Fruit Salad Photo: R. Chidambaram

It’s Labor Day in France, or La Fête du Travail. Everyone takes a break from work, which all can appreciate. There’s also the charming tradition of giving loved ones lily of the valley bouquets, called La Fête du Muguet. I have never been in France on May 1st, but I have it on good authority that most bistros do stay open during the holiday, save for a few of the smaller operations.

There are lucky people reading this right now who will find their way into a traditional French bistro or sidewalk café this evening. For the rest of us, should serendipity not nudge us toward France, here is a selection of bistro-inspired, authentic French recipes. Bon appetit!

Easy Bistro Recipes:

• Zesty Tapenade Recipe
• Tuna Nicoise Recipe
• Beef Consommé Recipe
• Asparagus in Tarragon Cream Sauce Recipe
• Chicken à la Diable Recipe
• Chocolate Torte with Blueberry Wine Coulis Recipe

Lily of the Valley Photo: Dimitar Tzankov

Mother’s Day is coming, and for many of you that means planning a brunch. Crepes are a fun and easy recipe to serve for special occasions. They can be made a day before your event, so all you have to do is pull them out and reheat them. Create a crepes station by offering fresh fruit, honey, chocolate sauce, cheese, and savory fillings. Bon appetit!

Crepe Batter Recipes:

• Basic Crepes Recipe
• Buckwheat Crepes Recipe
• Chocolate Crepes Recipe
• Lemon Crepes Recipe
• Orange Crepes Recipe
• Vanilla Cognac Crepes Recipe

Sweet and Savory Crepe Creations:

• Almond Coffee Crepes Recipe
• Crepes Belle Helene Crepes Recipe
• Maple Banana Crepes Recipe
• Andouille and Potato Crepes Recipe
• Chicken and Mushroom Crepes Recipe
• Smoked Salmon and Dill Crepes Recipe

Crepes Photo: Rebecca Franklin