Customer Reviews

French Feasts: 299 Traditional Recipes for Family Meals and Gatherings

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Couldnt find this in stock at Amazon UK at the time so ordered it from the US. Can live with the American measurements considering that this is a great cookbook. The illustrations are excellent, covers a lot more than I expected with simple uncomplicated recipes (although some ingredients might be tough to source) and delicious results every time. Excellent addition to my library!

Another winner from Stephane Reynaud! Every recipe is delicious. When you make one of these recipes, you are somehow transported to his village. His friends become your friends and you can almost hear the clamor of a glorious French feast. Then, you yourself serve the meal and create your own French feast and add to the beautiful clamor as you and your guests have a delectable feast.

I can't think of another cookbook more beautiful. Excellent pictures and stories. Makes an excellent coffee table book as well. I haven't put it down since the minute it arrived. I also high recommend his other book, Pork and Sons.

I was very pleasantly surprised at the size and breadth of this book! It was so much more than I expected. Not only are the recipes wonderfully authentic, but the foods are well paired with suggested wine selections. There are beautiful pictures of each dish, along with much information on various ingredients, techniques, a little history, etc. Very creatively compiled, in an unfussy, approachable way, with a great padded cover, witty yet refined artwork and attached ribbon bookmark. An extra treat was the section on aperitifs, including the proper way to make a pastis (a personal favorite). Probably the only two books, of French cuisine, one will ever need in the kitchen are this marvelous book and Julia Child's. Makes a gorgeous and practical gift to family and friends!
Bon appétit!

Whoa, I'm actually blown away by the quality of this cookbook, and I have a lot of cookbooks. The cover is slightly three dimensional, a little plush, and the book has real heft. The photography is insanely lovely. Most dishes have full page photo spreads, and the food styling is minimal. She uses the same beat up pots, pans, and gratin dishes for a lot of recipes. However, if you're not an experienced cook (especially of French food), you'll have to decide whether you can deal with the bare bones recipes in which precise ingredients are listed but actual cooking method is roughly summarized. I like the premise there, but I'd want to look carefully online before trying any of the recipes. But this book does truly inspire and make me want to cook. Just beautiful.

I enjoyed Stephane Raynauds other book 'Pork and Sons' so much that I bought this one.. This book is just as good if not better, because the focus is on all things french, from the food to the sports, and the drinks. The drawings add some laughs, and also some great information, as different name for cigars or wine bottles. The recipes go anywhere from a simple salad to bacon wrapped cheese to multi-step desserts. Highly recommended for the home cook as well as seasoned chef.

I love to cook, cook ALOT and have a ton of cookbooks. I also go to France often as my daughter lives there. This book is incredible, the recipes are simple, straightforward, and not fussy... best of all, they are absolutely delicious... every single one I've tried has turned out well. I would be confident cooking a recipe out of this cookbook without having tested it first, for guests.

I was given French Feasts: 299 Traditional Recipes for Family Meals and Gatherings as a present for Christmas, along with two other of Stephane Reynaud's cookbooks (Terrine and Pork and Sons). This is a wonderful cookbook, with detailed recipes, good photos of the food, and interesting side stories associated with rustic French cooking. I have cooked several of the recipes from the book, and they have worked well so far. If you are a complete novice to cooking, this is probably not the best volume for you, and while there are some vegetarian recipes, the bulk use meat or dairy products. I would strongly recommend trying the Upside-down Apple Tart on page 408 - it is delectable!!

So glad to have found this great big book for such a little price. Cheers!

Wonderfully designed, fabulous photos, and incredible recipes. Recommended for anyone who is interested in any of the above.