This classic grated carrot salad is one of the simplest dishes you can make, and one of the brightest. In France it’s called carottes râpées. You’ll find it in bistros, delis and lunch boxes all over the country, often served as a light first course. The recipe needs only a handful of ingredients. Freshly grated...

French Spice Bread is a type of gingerbread, but it’s not the crunchy cookie kind. American spice cakes are often buttery and moist. True pain d’épices is pain, or bread, and its texture is both chewy and dense. It’s a dark, cozy loaf full of warm spices.

This bread has been a French favorite for centuries. You’ll find it at Christmas markets all over France, sometimes shaped into little hearts. Dijon is famous for its mustard, but it’s just as well known for its spice bread. One more nice thing about this loaf is that it tastes even better the next day, as the spices have time to settle in. It keeps well for up to one week and can be frozen for up to two months, so it’s great for baking ahead or giving as a gift.

Golden, crunchy crispy smashed potatoes with soft, creamy centers. A pinch of baking soda is the secret to the extra-crispy crust.