How is organised a typical French menu?

A traditional French lunch (or dinner) includes :

- l'entrée
- le plat principal
- le fromage
- le dessert

In a "traditional" French family, friends or family are often invited for lunch
on Sunday. Usually people are invited at 1 p.m. and it is not unusual to
leave the table at 4 or 5 p.m. ! When we invite friends, we always serve
aperitif before lunch and after dessert you usually offer coffee
and eventually digestive.

*Aperitif* The invitees are usually offered to choose their aperitif. At the moment Kir (white wine with cassis) is rather popular, whereas in South France, Pastis (made with anise) is the "official" aperitif. Other popular aperitifs are whisky, Martini or Porto. Champagne is served for special events as aperitif or with dessert. Aperitif is served with appetizers.			*More about aperitif*
*L'entrée (starter)* Cold or hot or it can be an assortment of hot and cold starters : hors d'oeuvre (small salads and/or vegetable), charcuterie (smoked hams, patés).			*Entrées recipes*
Le plat principal (main course) Traditional main course is meat, sometimes fish, with one or two vegetables. Gigot (leg of lamb or mutton) and Rosbif (roast beef) are the classical meats with flageolets, pommes de terre (potatoes) or haricots verts (French beans) as vegetables. Une salade verte (green salad) is often served between main course and cheese.			*Main course recipes*
Le fromage (cheese) Acheese platter includes at least 3 or 4 cheeses with for example camembert, roquefort and brie.			*More about cheese*
Le dessert (dessert) A dessert is always served. French desserts are relatively light compared to other countries and it can be a tart with fruits (tarte aux pommes, tarte aux fraises) or for example a chocolate cake.			*Dessert recipes*
Le café (coffee) Usually a strong expresso that is served after dessert. After coffee, you can offer a digestive such as Cognac or Armagnac.			*More about coffee*
Le vin (wine) Regarding drinks we have 2 glasses, one for white and/or red wine (depending on courses) and one for water (still or sparkling). We never serve beer or soft drinks for a classical lunch.			*More about wine*

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