Simple French Cookery or Wine

Simple French Cookery

Author: Raymond Blanc

World-renowned chef Raymond Blanc shows you how to recreate authentic French family cooking in your own kitchen with 40 simple-to-follow recipes.

Discover how pleasurable the simple, creative act of cooking can be, as Raymond Blanc reveals the basic techniques needed to create 40 classic French dishes. From quick and easy Roquefort, Walnut, and Endive Salad to a more elaborate Duck Leg Confit with Flageolet Beans, every delectable recipe is illustrated with step-by-step color photos as well as foolproof instructions. Acknowledged as one of the world's finest chefs, Raymond Blanc is the owner of Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons.

Publishers Weekly Review Annex

"The book's mission: to democratize French food by encouraging novice cooks to make it at home...After an hour or two with this book, kitchen neophytes will soon be turning out sophisticated suppers."

Library Journal

Originally published in England as Foolproof French Cookery, this attractive book provides step-by-step recipes for the classics of France's regional cuisine, from Moules Mariniere to Provencal Rack of Lamb to Cherry Clafoutis. Blanc, chef of the Michelin two-star Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons just outside Oxford, puts his own stamp on these dishes: the lamb, for example, is served with herbed crushed peas. His talents as a teacher-he also owns a cooking school-are evident in the clear instructions and the many cooking tricks provided throughout. Color photographs illustrate each recipe step, as well as the finished dishes. Italian cookbooks are endlessly popular these days, but this is a nice compendium for French collections. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Book review: Smoothies or Fondue

Wine: A Practical Guide to Enjoying Your Selection

Author: Jens Priew

Following the success of the author's Wine: From Grape to Glass, this new book offers a treasury of invaluable information for the contemporary wine consumer who would like to know more about caring for wine and serving it properly. It answers such questions as, How do you store wine? What sorts of glasses allow you to enjoy it most? How long can you keep it? In addition to covering all the basics, this book provides numerous tips and tricks on such subjects as how to prevent the cork from breaking when opening a bottle; what the experts have to say about chilling and warming wines; how to hold a Champagne bottle to prevent spillage; how to store wine even if you live in a small apartment, and much more.

The wonderfully knowledgeable text is illustrated with more than 200 illustrations, including inspiring images specially commissioned for the book and step-by-step photos and drawings. Rounding out the information are a glossary of wine terms and a guide to Web sites. With so much to offer, this book enables both beginners and more knowledgeable wine lovers to fully appreciate the pleasures of wine.