French

This version of the French classic has only raw vegetables.

Traditionally used for poaching seafood, court bouillon (French for "quick broth") is an aromatic stock made with vegetables and herbs. Wine, lemon juice, or vinegar is often added. Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

France's classic flourless chocolate cake is a perennial favorite on dessert lists. Ours has a trendy tropical garnish of mango and crystallized ginger and is served warm.

The crust of this gorgeous dessert is brushed with a layer of melted milk chocolate for a sweet surprise.

Our food editors dreamed up this variation on a classic theme for our "all-French" issue, published to coincide with the French republic's Bicentennial celebrations.

This is a sophisticated first course. The soup is also nice without the lobster. Uncork a Chardonnay or a French Sancerre.

With the galette, offer radicchio tossed with black olives, toasted walnuts and a Sherry vinaigrette. Spoon some stewed rhubarb over vanilla ice cream to top off the meal.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Poussin à la Confiture d'Oignons Cornish game hens are a delicious and more readily available substitute for the guinea hens that the chef at Restaurant Hiély-Lucullus uses to prepare this. (Have the butcher quarter the hens and remove their backbones.) When in season, peaches are caramelized and served with this dish at the restaurant.

This nucato is related to the delicious nougat noir ("black nougat") still made in the southern French town of Sisteron. But here, there is an additional pleasant surprise when you taste it: the perfumed bite of spices. This is a perfect treat for Christmastime.

(POULET AUX ARTICHAUTS)

(GIGOT D'AGNEAU AUX POMMES DE TERRE ET OIGNONS)