Barbecue was invented in France? So says renowned cookbook author Susan Herrmann Loomis. When the Gauls were racing through lush forests in what is now Brittany, Normandy, and the Loire Valley, hunting wild boar, deer, and rabbit, they'd return to the village, build a fire, and split their prize from barbe a queue (head to tail) for roasting.

Today, the French are still great barbecuers, though over the centuries they've refined their skills and borrowed methods from other cuisines: the grill from the US, the plancha from Spain, the mechoui from North Africa. Recipes include:

• Camembert Burgers
• Steak with Smoky Olives
• Honey Grilled Pork Chops
• Grilled Pistachio, Almond, and Honey Stuffed Apricots

French Grill features dishes for every occasion using ingredients that any American cook can easily find, tips on how to buy the best ingredients, and French grilling anecdotes throughout.