75 french classic recipes

Green beans amandine made in the microwave with toasted slivered almonds, melted butter, and a squeeze of lemon juice. A classic French side dish simplified for two, ready in 15 minutes flat.

Baby Hot Browns are bite-sized Kentucky classics: sliced turkey and onion on French bread rounds, smothered in a creamy Swiss cheese sauce and topped with crumbled bacon. A rich, savory appetizer.

Chocolate mocha mousse: a French-style chocolate mousse with strong coffee, butter, egg yolks, and clouds of whipped cream and stiff egg white. The classic dinner-party finale, made the proper way.

Individual almond cream tarts: buttery pastry shells filled with almond-scented vanilla cream and topped with fresh kiwi, strawberries, grapes, and a glossy apple jelly glaze. A classic French patisserie dessert made home-doable.

Peach and sour cream tart with fresh-poached peaches arranged in a sweet pastry shell, filled with a sour cream custard, and topped with sliced almonds. A classic French-style summer fruit tart.

Pears Helene is a classic French dessert of poached pear halves served with hot chocolate sauce and optional vanilla ice cream and chopped almonds. Elegant, timeless, and surprisingly simple to make at home.

Soupe a l'oignon is the classic French onion soup with deeply caramelized onions, beef stock, vermouth, and cognac, topped with garlic-rubbed bread and broiled Swiss cheese. The bistro standard, done the long way.

Le Montrachet lobster bisque: classic French restaurant-style bisque made from real lobster shells, white wine, brandy, sherry, and heavy cream. The kind of soup that earns its place at a fine-dining table.

Apple pie with apricot glaze layers tart Granny Smith apples over a custard pastry cream and finishes with a layer of apricot preserves under the top crust. A French-style twist on classic American apple pie.

Classic French Provencal dish usually cooked in a heavy casserole on the stove top or in the oven; would also work well in slow cooker. Use inexpensive stewing beef or oyster blade; it will not be anywhere near as good if you use more expensive cuts of beef.

Baked Granny Smith apples stuffed with brown sugar, cinnamon, and chopped nuts, then drenched in a maple syrup glaze. A classic Midwest fall dessert served warm with cream.