Continued: Around My French Table

That casual approach extends to the writing: "Scrape the mix into the pan and poke it around with a spatula so it's evenish," she advises concerning Marie-Hélène's Apple Cake. Her instructions made me smile almost as wide as the cake itself. Savory classics include My Go-To Beef Daube and Almond Flounder Meunière. But Greenspan loves the way modern French cooking blends tradition with new, so you'll see a few unexpected flavors, like Braised Cardamom-Curry Lamb. No matter which recipe you choose, in Greenspan's hands, you'll be well fed.

GIVE THIS TO: Confident cooks who want to learn more about French cuisine and technique. —Vanessa Pruett