There’s nothing quite like good French cooking. I was an exchange student when I was a teenager and spent a month in France and even with my particular palate (super picky teen); I still have fond memories of the food there and the meals that my French mother would make for us. I was recently introduced to a cookbook that melds together food and politics—French Country Cooking: Authentic Recipes from Every Region by Françoise Branget, who is a member of the National Assembly of France. She requested favorite recipes from her colleagues throughout the various diverse regions of France and the result is a wonderful collection of recipes, advice and culinary secrets from the book’s 177 political participants.
French Country Cooking is a warmly personal book that delves into the history, economics, and traditions of France, but my favorite parts of the book are the recipes along with the beautiful photographs. There are so many delicious, mouthwatering recipes included in this book that will inspire you to put on your apron and sharpen up your kitchen knives. Everything from soups, stews, sides, dinners and dessert are included in this unique book.
Some of the recipes include:
• Beef Stew Provençal
• Coq au Vin from Burgundy
• Cream of Chestnut Soup
• Puff Pastry with Blue Cheese and Pear
• Almond Cake
These recipes are the real deal and to make these meals even more authentic, my suggestion is to pair the dishes with a delightful glass of Bordeaux, Burgundy or even a glass of Champagne, depending on the dish. The recipes in this book really transported me back to my teens and my time in France. I’m really looking forward to tackling the Coq au Vin from Burgundy recipe this weekend for a dinner party we are hosting. This is the perfect book for travelers, foodies, or anyone who wants to explore the flavors of France. There are 180 recipes included in this book and it is available for $24.95. Bon appétit!
Disclaimer: Kristine has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
I like the idea of this book! I would love to own a French Cooking Cookbook, I’ll have to check this out the next time I go to a bookstore.
How lucky you were to have lived in France! Like many, it was Julia Child who turned me on to French Cooking. That Puff Pastry with bleu cheese and pear sounds SO good! And oh, if it can be made with store-bought puff pastry, how wonderful, instead of spreading all those layers with the butter. The Cream of Chestnut Soup sounds really good, too. C’est magnifique! Vive la France!
Julia Child first introduced me to French cooking in my early days in the kitchen, and I’ve loved French cuisine ever since. This book sounds lovely, and I’ll put it on my wish list. Thanks for the review.
This book sounds amazing and one I would love to have. I would really like to make the Cream of Chestnut Soup that sounds so yummy for winter. I would also love to give this book as a gift to my mom and best friend. Thanks for sharing this one and have a nice day.
I love the idea of this book. I have always enjoyed French cooking and would love to explore and try recipes from different regions. I shall put this on my list of gifts for my birthday!
oooh what a great find! I love everything French Country, and since I haven’t figured out how to have a vacation there, this would be a good second. I must check it out asap!