The French cooking of everyday life is lighthearted, accessible, and suited to modern tastes. Whether it's getting weeknight dinners on the table fairly fast (Basil Beef, Rhubarb Chops, or Carrot Juice Chicken) or leisurely cooking for dining at a slightly slower pace (Lamb Tagine, Holiday Hen, or Fennel Bass), Laura Calder shares recipes she's created at home in her own French kitchen.
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Amazon.com Review
You'll be cooking French food in no time thanks to Laura Calder's friendly and witty introductions to each of the recipes in her charming cookbook, French Food at Home. Calder lives in Paris where she works as a correspondent for Vogue Entertaining & Travel, and where she taught herself to cook the same way most of us learned--by feeding herself and her friends. Who among us can't relate to her description of Mushroom Toasts: "It's a starter when other people are around, but if I'm alone, I just tilt the whole pan into a high, rubbly heap on my plate, dig in, and call it dinner." And how many of us recognize ourselves when she confesses of Burgundy Eggs (a heavenly concoction of eggs poached in red wine served with a hearty sauce that she adores): "Oh, how I did not want to make these when I first came to France; I thought nothing on earth sounded so vile."
Almost all of Calder's recipes are barely a page long, and that's only because of those frank and funny introductions. Her recipes for dishes such as Camembert Salmon, Scallops in Velvet, and The Lemon Tart of My Dreams, are simple, approachable, and manageable. The ingredients are easy to find, and she's always suggesting options. Calder's is a sunny and welcome addition to the list of French cookbooks already out there, and happily, chefs of any skill level will enjoy her company in the kitchen. --Leora Y. Bloom --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Publishers Weekly
Proving that French cooking can be liberating and accessible, the Paris-based correspondent for Vogue Entertaining and Travel presents more than 100 recipes she developed. Some are inspired by the work of French restaurateurs, and most are easy to prepare. To accompany aperitifs, Calder suggests Frenchified Popcorn flavored with garlic, herbes de Provence and celery salt, or Hot Mussels, which start out like Moules Mariniere and end up being quickly broiled on the half-shell with a dollop of butter, garlic and parsley. Pea Green Soup is nothing more than cooked frozen peas, cream, salt and pepper. An easy dinner is Bacon Cod, fillets topped with lemon slices, bay leaves and thyme sprigs and wrapped with pieces of bacon before being slipped into the oven. Tarragon Chicken is a simplified version of a dish often gussied up by others. On the other hand, Filo Fish in Red Wine Sauce requires a bit of dexterity, and Holiday Hen glorifies a boned guinea hen (Calder supplies deboning instructions). A few of the recipes are off-the-wall, such as Hay Ham, a smoked ham actually simmered in pot with two large wads of fresh hay. Desserts are relatively easy, such as Flambeed Bananas or Parmesan and Pink Pepper Strawberries, fresh berries wedded to those unusual tastes. Highly engaging headnotes explain each recipe and offer alternative techniques or ingredients.Forecast: This is not a book for those looking to perfect their Gallic expertise, but it will appeal to cooks with a yen to master uncomplicated dishes with a certain French flair. Many of the savory meals are served up with a quite effortless sauce of reduced juices fortified with a dab of butter.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By szan18
Format:Hardcover
What I wouldn't give to be invited to Laura Calder's house for a meal. If she is delightful in person as she is in print, I would be in for a real treat. French Food At Home has turned me into a fan of French cooking -- at least the way Laura does it. Who ever would have thought that these simple recipes could yield such succulent results?! You know a meal is good when you can't help but smile from its deliciousness in mid bite. But this is French Food At Home throughout. I've made the Pineapple Tuilles, Summer Lentil Salad, Thyme Licks, Leek Tart, Spiced Almonds, Coffee Chop and all were hits. And remember not to skimp on the ingredients as this is key. Buy the freshest that you possibly can, follow Ms. Calder's witty and interesting recipes and enjoy the deliciousness and compliments that are sure to follow. Bon Appetit!
32 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
What a gift for those of us with neither the time nor the patience for classical French technique! From the "helpful hints" to the wry comments, this book makes French cooking a lot of fun, not just accessible. I have yet to make anything that disappointed even my finicky five-year old. And with the increasing emphasis on fresh, seasonal fare, this book has been a great source of ideas for things to do with (even more) tomatoes, corn, peaches, etc., etc. No matter your skills, or lack thereof, in the kitchen, you will find yourself reaching for this book again and again.
62 of 71 people found the following review helpful
By paolomac
Format:Paperback
I am a big fan of Laura Calder's show of the same name (on the Lifestyle Food channel here in Australia). She is great fun, quirky, a real Francophile, and cooks great French food easily and with charm.
Her scrambled eggs made just with butter and separated eggs is some of the best food I've ever cooked or eaten.
It was because I wanted to have that recipe (and others like it) that I bought this cookbook. I was disappointed to find that the egg recipe she has in the book is not the same as the one on the show.
I was also disappointed that the book is all text. I was expecting to have pictures of the finished dishes at least.
So, I'm afraid the book has left me a little disappointed because the show had set my expectations much higher.
Her scrambled eggs made just with butter and separated eggs is some of the best food I've ever cooked or eaten.
It was because I wanted to have that recipe (and others like it) that I bought this cookbook. I was disappointed to find that the egg recipe she has in the book is not the same as the one on the show.
I was also disappointed that the book is all text. I was expecting to have pictures of the finished dishes at least.
So, I'm afraid the book has left me a little disappointed because the show had set my expectations much higher.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great information and ideas
I was, however, disappointed that there were no pictures. None at all, not even one. Awwww. Really, a big part of what I like about cookbooks is seeing what the finished product... Read more
Published 4 days ago by Elizabeth Hull
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thanks again, Ms Calder, for a fun and informative read
I appreciate the way Ms Calder approaches French food, and entertaining in general. This read entertains, while also informing the novice and even the most accomplished cook myriad... Read more
Published 16 days ago by Linda
4.0 out of 5 stars
French Food at Home with No photos
A very negative selling point.. if I had known there were no photos of the wonderful recipes enclosed I would not have purchased this book... Read more
Published 23 days ago by Alari84
5.0 out of 5 stars
Laura Calder pure excellence!
She makes her recipes look easy and delicious. They truly are!!!! Hope she keeps on writing and also her tv cooking show.
wonderful and delicious!!!!
wonderful and delicious!!!!
Published 1 month ago by DANI
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Logical Cook
Simple down to earth recipies that make the average cook look great! Her book is as much fun as her TV show.
Published 1 month ago by Jane E. Oksnes
1.0 out of 5 stars
Intereting inside look at French food preparation.
I enjoy watching Laura on the Cooking Channel and wanted to see one of her cookbooks. I didn't see much inside that I'd like to prepare, but I enjoyed reading it.
Published 1 month ago by avery
3.0 out of 5 stars
terrible organization
i bought it because i LOVE her show, she really does great recipes that aren't difficult to understand. Read more
Published 2 months ago by spike
5.0 out of 5 stars
My husband loves it!
It is exactly what he hoped for. Even though it's a paperback, it opens fully and easily, which is important with a recipe book. Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. C. Detlefsen
2.0 out of 5 stars
Review of French Food at Home.
There were no pictures of the finished product. I wanted to see receipes and pictures from the T.V, show. There were many recepies that were left out of French Food at home. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Michael R. Floyd DVM
5.0 out of 5 stars
Oh la la
Each dish I make brings back my childhood in Paris. Best of all...I made it myself!! This book and Entre Nous are bringing back my inner French girl
Published 7 months ago by Barbara Curtis
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