French in a Flash: Quatre Épices Candied Nuts

The French are renowned for their superior walnuts and almonds. This brittle coats the nuts in a sticky, crisp blanket of sweetness and spice...and everything nice. The heat of the quatre épices makes it perfect for an apéritif, and the sweetness for a dessert. A simple-to-make Jacques of all trades.

French in a Flash: French Peas

Sweet little green peas are gussied up with shallots, diced ham, and a splash of cream. These are how peas were meant to taste.

French in a Flash: Olivey French Lentil and Barley Salad

This salad is made from French Puy lentils and barley dressed with fresh thyme, lemon, and tapenade, and tossed with parsley and scallions. It goes perfectly with roast salmon, my virtuous food.

French in a Flash: Haricots Verts du Sud

Haricots verts, skinny French green beans, are stewed with all the flavors of the South of France: garlic, olive oil, tomato, wine, and a few shallots for good measure. The little green bean has never tasted so mighty or delicious.

French in a Flash: Niçoise Panzanella Bread Salad

Salade Niçoise is iconic, as is the Pan Bagnat which is just a Salade Niçoise sandwich. This is somewhere in the middle: a bread salad full of all the flavors that make a Salade Niçoise a Salade Niçoise: cherry tomatoes, tender blanched haricots verts, anchovies, garlic, lemon, olive oil, thyme, basil, and the best part, albacore in olive oil.

French in a Flash: Pissaladière Pasta

Sometimes re-imagining traditional ingredients in new ways can yield very high returns. This pasta has the earthy flavor and texture of multigrain pasta and bay leaf and thyme paired with the sweetness of caramelized onions and the salinity of olives and anchovies. It's pissaladière in a bowl.

French in a Flash: Crispy Salmon with Lentils du Puy and Two-Mustard Crème Fraîche

Salmon with lentils is a traditional French pairing. Besides making a rustic, hearty, and beautiful meal, it's also inexpensive.

French in a Flash: Moroccan Baked Scallops

These scallops are the perfect example of easy. Broil the scallops for 10 minutes and you have sweet, aromatic scallops in spicy butter with bright, citrusy, crispy breadcrumbs.

French in a Flash: Cod en Papillote

[Photographs: Kerry Saretsky] Previously Lamb and Rosemary Brochettes with Apricot Crème Fraîche » All French in a Flash recipes » I was having lunch with an old friend this week who is incredibly successful, and recently engaged. She looked at...

French in a Flash: Parsnip Purée with Olive Oil and Sage

This recipe is made from three ingredients, and takes less than 20 minutes. It accommodates dieters, vegans, lactose intolerants, and people who love good food. Everyone will thank you for making this!