Pierre Franey Cooks with His Friends [Hardcover]

Pierre Franey (Author), Claudia Franey Jensen (Author), Jean Cazals (Photographer), Martin Brigdale (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 4, 1997

For this book, the late Pierre Franey---originator of the popular "60-minute Gourmet" column for The New York Times, author of thirteen books, and star of the popular PBS cooking shows "Cuisine Rapid," "Cooking in America," and "Cooking in France"--traveled throughout Europe, cooking with seventeen friends. All are top chefs or restaurateurs who have recognized the need to cook in a lighter, healthier way, both for their costumers and for themselves. In France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, these chefs combine moderate amounts of butter, cheese, and oil with fresh local produce and masterful combinations of herbs to create healthy, satisfying, and delicious food.

Among Franey's friends were Paul Bocuse, Michel Guerard, and Marc Meneau in France; Fredy Girardet in Switzerland; Pierrs Wynants of Comme Chez Soi in Belgium; and Antonio Belles of the tapas bar in the Hotel Arts in Barcelona. These world-famous chefs provide both classic and innovative recipes, such as Bocuse's Black Bass with a Potato Crust, and Guerard's Pan con Tomate, a staple of Catalonian cuisine. Franey contributed some one hundred of his own health-conscious recipes, inspired by watching his friends cook and visiting their local markets. These include such tempting dishes as Spicy Shrimp and Squid Salad, Penne with Baby Spinach and Fresh Peas, and Sauteed Apples in Calvados.

The result of Franey's journey is an international sampling of delicious health-conscious cooking from great European chefs and from Graney himself, who was one of America's most loved culinary figures.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Pierre Franey's fourteenth and final cookbook marries low-fat preparation techniques with European tastes. His collaborations with top continental chefs result in delightful menus, made up of recipes to inspire cooks of every skill level, from sea scallops cooked in their own shells to baked rice with red peppers. Franey's "low-fat" often translates to less--rather than no--butter, making it clear (and rightly so) that he values taste above all else. Each of the more than 150 easy-to-follow recipes is accompanied by a brief story or serving recommendation, and all reflect Franey's love for the flavors of haute cuisine and his understanding of the American home cook.

From Library Journal

Sadly, Franey, perhaps best known as the "60-Minute Gourmet," died shortly before this book was finished. His daughter Claudia, who'd been working as his collaborator, completed the book, which now stands as a tribute to the popular and personable chef. Filled with stunning color photographs, this volume is the companion to the upcoming PBS series Pierre Franey's Cooking in Europe. Franey visited and cooked with some of Europe's best chefs?e.g., Fredy Girardet in Switzerland and Michelin stars Marc Meneau and Michel Guerard in France?in search of low-fat dishes. There are several recipes from each chef, along with those Franey developed for the series and other favorites, 125 in all. A pleasure to read and to cook from, this is highly recommended. [BOMC selection.]
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Artisan; First Edition edition (January 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885183607
• ISBN-13: 978-1885183606
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #957,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just perfect, July 11, 2008

By 

Ginger Rose - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pierre Franey Cooks with His Friends (Hardcover)

I have tried almost every recipe in this book. It's a resource I go to again and again. I have recommended this book to everyone I know.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If I could give it 10 stars..., July 5, 2008

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Pierre Franey Cooks with His Friends (Hardcover)

Every recipe I have tried from this book has been simple, healthy, and delicious. It's fantastic!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!, December 14, 2006

By 

mini (Islisberg Switzerland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pierre Franey Cooks with His Friends (Hardcover)

I have actually only made one recipe from this book, but it is so delicious it it a constant standby on my fall and winter dining room table. It is braised red cabbage which sounds rather boring, but with this recipe, it becomes really wonderful. I have never had red cabbage in any restaurant that tastes this good. I always wanted to try other things, but unfortunately (or fortunately for me) I have too many cookbooks and magazines to contend with and get easily distracted.

Pierre Franey takes you all over Europe to 1, 2 or 3 Michelin starred Chefs, and actually cooks with them to create low fat recipes, or use some that they have already. You will not be sorry.