Top 10 Recipes of May 2012

Try this invigorating watermelon smoothie recipe the next time you want a quick, healthy pick-me-up. Rich in lutein, and easy on the taste buds, this sweet melon drink with just a hint of sharp lime is a snap to prepare. Serve watermelon lime smoothies for breakfast, a snack, or to cool off after a spicy dish.

When you need a quick, tasty side dish, make this versatile pasta salad recipe. In France, it is dressed with an easy vinaigrette, a few capers, and a dusting of fresh citrus zest. Customize this easy pasta salad with your own favorite herbs or freshly ground, colored peppercorns.

For a fresh twist on conventional frites, try making this homemade lemon fries recipe. Salty, crispy potatoes are seasoned with citrus and black pepper to give them just the right amount of zesty flavor. Pair lemon French fries with garden vegetable tartines for a delicious meal.

If you’re longing for the fresh taste of summer without the cloying sweetness of a dessert fruit soup, this chilled fennel melon soup is for you. Boasting an incredible garden-fresh flavor, this recipe is an easy preparation of blending fennel and melon with French anise liquor and rich crème fraiche. It makes a particularly impressive presentation when served at special occasions.

The dual allure of this potatoes Anna recipe: a buttery, soft potato cake on the inside, with a crisp, golden exterior. So simple that it takes only a few ingredients, pommes Anna makes a rustic side dish of potatoes elegant and refined.

This roasted sunchokes recipe is as versatile as it gets; make them into an easy side dish, fresh from the oven, or toss them with a variety of dressings for a cold salad. Sunchokes, also known as Jerusalem artichokes, are slightly sweet and have a faintly nutty scent. They are native to the eastern United States and have recently popped up on menus at French restaurants.

Complex and mildly piquant, this vinegar chicken sauté recipe will become a valuable dish in your kitchen repertoire. It makes an easy lunch or dinner entree and is perfect for last-minute guests.

Full of rich mascarpone cream and juicy berries, this tarte aux fruits rouges recipe, also known as red fruits tart, is a popular choice for brunches and special occasions. Layer it with any combination of raspberries, cherries, and strawberries. Black currants, blackberries, and blueberries, although not technically red, are traditionally served in this soft fruits tart, as well.

This chocolate gateau recipe, also known as gateau au chocolat, makes for a versatile, rich dessert. Try topping it with blueberry wine coulis, caramel drizzle, or fresh raspberries for a delicious and remarkably easy treat.