Bocuse's Regional French Cooking [Paperback]

Paul Bocuse (Author), Dietmar Frege (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 1992

Paul Bocuse, one of the world's most influential chefs, takes us on an enchanting culinary journey through France, presenting delicious recipes that evoke the special personality and flavor of each province. Bocuse's selection reveals the remarkable sensitivity of the French to the land and to the preparation of food. He describes the landscape and heritage of each region, as well as the local produce and gourmet traditions that contribute to the unique character of its cuisine. Written in a clear, easy-to-follow style, this is a collection that any cook can master. The recipes demand no complicated techniques or equipment and were carefully adapted to the non-French kitchen under Bocuse's own expert guidance. In the French tradition, the presentation of food is as important as its flavor, and the splendid photographs by Dietmar Frege that accompany the recipes beautifully reveal this aspect of French culinary art. Handsomely designed and illustrated, Bocuse's Regional French Cooking makes the fabulous tastes of France accessible to everyone in a stunning cookbook that is a delight for the eye as well as for the palate.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Photographs by Dietmar Frege provide a sensual accompaniment to Chef Bocuse's gastronomic trek through the various regions of France. -- Veranda Magazine, Winter 1992

[H]omey and perfectly captures Bocuse's simple approach to cooking that emphasizes fresh, locally grown ingredients. . . . [Y]ou don't have to be a francophile to appreciate this gem of a book from a truly world class chef. -- Cookbook Digest, May-June 1992

[W]hat you get here is the best kind of French country cooking, contemptuous of cholesterol, fearless about fat, serenely unafraid of calories. . . . It's not quite as good as being back on the Ile d'Oleron-but it's close. -- Los Angeles Times, 11/27/92

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Flammarion; 1st paperback ed edition (March 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 2080136410
• ISBN-13: 978-2080136411
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 2.8 x 13.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #410,131 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Elegant Treatment of French Classic Dishes. Excellent, March 31, 2004

By 

B. Marold "Bruce W. Marold" (Bethlehem, PA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bocuse's Regional French Cooking (Paperback)

This book by Paul Bocuse, arguably the most distinguished French chef alive today, translated from the French into English, is akin to Stephen Hawking's writing a popular work on the history of physics. Unlike similarly formatted works by Joel Robuchon, this book aims at presenting relatively straightforward instructions for preparing classic French regional cuisine. What is missing are the details of proper selection and handling of seasonal ingredients. This is replaced by a very high level tour of the major culinary regions of France.

I am surprised that such a distinguished culinary figure would do this kind of book, but I am supremely delighted that he did. The book includes literally every traditional French dish I can think of, with recipes that are quite easy to follow by the average American amateur cook. The book includes recipes for pot-a-feu, cassolet, crepes, coq au vin, salade Nicoise, Vichyssoise, onion soup, stuffed cabbage, Provencal fish stew, Burgundy Beef, tapenade and aioli. The list of recognized classics goes on and on. There is even a gratin recipe for macaroni and cheese and a confession that it was the Romans and not the Lyonnaise who invented macaroni.

I confess that some ingredients, such as the Lyonnaise sausage with pistachio may be a little hard to find, but the author graciously provides several serviceable substitutes for each ingredient not commonly available in American markets. Kielbasa, for example is an acceptable substitute for the saucisson pistache.

I am simply delighted with the simplicity and clarity of the instructions. The potato and sausage salad dish is French to its core yet the author succeeds in making the recipe read like something out of a Martha Stewart book. The instructions are clear, unpreachy, and workable. Aside from the sausage, there are no unusual ingredients and no unusual equipment needed. No trace, for example, of a food mill, china cap, or bain marie. The same can be said of almost all recipes in this book.

This is not to say there are no interesting recipes in the book. While there are so many classic dishes here, many have a special twist which is not due to the invention of the very talented author, but rather due to the author's using a recipe which is closer to the original roots of the dish rather than the dish's most famous incarnations. The recipe for onion soup, for example, is quite unlike the dish I had at Les Halles in Paris at 5 AM. Bocuse's recipe is from the Lyon area where, as he says, they put onions in virtually everything.

There are only two minor complaints about the book. First, this is a book about foods from specific geographic regions, yet there is no map to assist one in visualizing where in France these regions occur. While many foodies may be familiar with the location of Provence, is probably the rare American who knows that the Alsace is in the East, bordering on Germany. This explains similarities between food in the Alsace chapter and common German dishes such as sauerkraut. Second, as the author states himself, there was much Procrustean lumping together of different geographical regions to form a single culinary identity. The author blames this on his editors. I am willing to believe this, and register my complaint to the editors that I am really surprised that they could come up with only six culinary regions (Lyonnais, Provence, Bordelais, Perigord, Brittany-Normandy, and Alsace).

These two complaints aside, this is hands down the very best introduction to French cuisine I have seen for the casual reader. Be sure to read Julia Child and Elizabeth David and Patricia Wells, but read this book first. It will clearly whet your appetite for those other classic authors.

Very highly recommended.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bocuses' Regional French Cooking, July 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bocuse's Regional French Cooking (Paperback)

Bravo Monsieur Bocuse. Finally, an authentic French Cuisine Book. The recipes are simple and truly traditional. The ingredients are available at your corner grocery store and THAT is a refreshing change. The only French Cookbook you will ever need.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, Exquisite French Cooking Display, April 19, 2003

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Bocuse's Regional French Cooking (Paperback)

From the cover one is in for a treat, both to the eye and palate. The photography in this cookbook is simply gorgeous. How can one take a shot of a man holding a rooster in front of a bin of corn and make it look like a million dollars? It's here.

The recipes are the best of the tradition which the French are world famous for. Here are stressed the best in ingredients, cooked lovingly with patience and care and technique to bring out their succulence from French Regions.

Feast on such as "Cod and Vegetables with Garlic Mayonnaise" "Stuffed Breast of Veal" "Lyon Style Onion Soup" "Veal Stew" "Pears in Beaujolais."

Truly Bon Appetit.