Herbs & Spices

Thick asparagus spears become an addictive appetizer when they're given a crunchy coating.

The sweetness of the carrots is a nice contrast to the slightly bitter beer.

This exotically spiced soup has an incredibly velvety texture.

Lavender adds a floral note. If you're not a fan, the tart would also be delicious without it.

Basil, cilantro, and red bell pepper bring a savory element to this fruit salad. This is a great dessert, but would be equally good for breakfast or brunch.

Fish sauce and dried shrimp flavor the sweet, spicy, and bright chile jam used to glaze this side dish with deeply savory notes.

The combination of salmon and whitefish is delicious (and pretty). A few tablespoons of horseradish give a real kick to the sauce. To adjust the heat to your taste, add the horseradish a little bit at a time.

Serve with toasted country bread.

This comforting soup is richly flavored but not at all heavy. Fresh ginger and red jalapeños add a nicespiciness. If you can't find red jalapeños, serrano chiles or green jalapeños would make a good substitute.

Merguez, the spicy lamb sausages of North Africa, are popular throughout France. These nearly labor-free patties are a quick way to re-create them in your kitchen. The sweetness of the raisin couscous contrasts nicely with the meat's deep spice.

Rich, aromatic rouille is a classic lily-gilding for French fish soups; this one has an extra something special: saffron. Even if you love saffron, though, don't be tempted to add any extra threads. This is just the right amount to really flatter, not dominate, the soup.

A leek, carrot, and celery mirepoix, cooked until tender with rich white beans, gets a crisp, crunchy texture and delightfully rustic flavor from a garlicky bread-crumb topping flecked with parsley.

This salad shows how bitterness, punctuated with a zingy vinaigrette, can be supremely refreshing.

You don't need to get fancy with bouillabaisse. This version of the French fisherman's stew liberates you from having to buy up the entire fish counter—just choose any two or three of the fish and shellfish options listed below.