What's the best book to buy or borrow to try to find the above? Need them for a friend who lives in France, and she has to produce a parish newsletter every month which includes the above?

I have to say that the New York Times cookbook is fantastic. However, it has many recipes for foods of other nationalities. I grew up around french people, and NYtimes has the simplest french and english recipes. Simple is more authentic when it comes to french cuisine. Otherwise, I would recommend a huge book called "Larousse Gastronomique French Cooking Course".

A must have, when looking for a book, that a gander at this one, you may want it for yourself. Breakfast, Lunch, Tea by Rose Carrarini