When I was a little girl, the Bastille Day fireworks were so close to my birthday that I always thought they were in my honor. Three years ago, we were in Paris on Bastille Day, feet dangling over the Seine near the Ile de la Cite, fireworks exploding high above our heads. Tonight Paris will be an ocean away, and the only lights around us will be the fireflies dancing in the dark. Which is just how I like it, far from the crowds, surrounded by good food and family.

But that won’t mean we won’t be celebrating! We’ll be honoring Bastille Day in the kitchen with a few of my favorite recipes.

If you’d like to join us in celebration, here are a few of my favorite summer French recipes.

Salade Nicoise

Quiche Lorraine

Tomato Tarte Tatin