French Country Cooking - Hardcover

Elizabeth David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1908117052 ISBN 13: 9781908117052

Publisher: Grub Street, 2011

Synopsis

First published sixty years ago while food rationing was still in force, Elizabeth David used this book to introduce to the nation's bland palate, ingredients and recipes previously undiscovered in post-war Britain. Many people of that era had never experienced anything other than British cooking - meat, two veg and a nice steamed pudding. She starts by setting the record straight: 'Those who care to look for it will find the justification of France's culinary reputation in the provinces, at the riverside inns, in unknown cafes...in sea port bistros...and nowadays in cafes routiers, the lorry-drivers' restaurants. In such places the most interesting food of France is to be found'. For having lived with a French family while studying over there, she was able to bring first-hand knowledge to this short yet concise guide to provincial French cooking. She starts with a chapter on the Batterie de Cuisine. But it's the collection of regional recipes that follow that made this book such a treat for 1950s Britain; divided into sections on soups, fish, eggs, luncheon, supper and family dishes, meat, poultry, game, vegetables, salads, sauces and sweets, she gives an entertaining and informative introduction to each. "French Country Cooking" reveals the immense diversity of the cuisine through recipes that range from a primitive peasant soup of the Basque country to the refined Lyonnaise dish of Poulet a la Creme. To those used to the traditional format of recipe writing the book will come as something of a surprise since Elizabeth David weaves the ingredients into the methods complete with details of the region, tradition and people. Elizabeth David's acclaimed writings are often cited as an inspiration by many of today's leading chefs, as well as home cooks, and are essential to any serious cookery book collection. The following are other hardback editions of Elizabeth David published by Grub Street: "French Provincial Cooking, "Spices, Salt & Aromatics in the English Kitchen", "English Bread & Yeast Cookery", "An Omelette and a Glass of Wine", "A South Wind Through the Kitchen" and "Elizabeth David Classics".

About this title

Review:

'a timeless collection of regional French recipes, it looks set to inspire cooks for decades to come' --Homes & Gardens

From the Back Cover:

'Her books are stunningly well written ... full of history and anecdote' Observer

French Country Cooking - first published in 1951 - is filled with authentic and splendid recipes drawn from across the regions of France. Showing how each area has a particular and unique flavour for its foods, derived as they are from local ingredients, Elizabeth David explores the astonishing diversity of French cuisine.

Her recipes range from the primitive pheasant soup of the Basque country to the refined Burgundian dish of hare with cream sauce and chestnut puree. This rich and enticing book will delight and inspire cooks everywhere.

'You can smell and taste the food David wrote about' Daily Telegraph

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Elizabeth David is the woman who changed the face of British cooking. She introduced post-war Britain to the sun-drenched delights of the Mediterranean and her recipes brought new flavours and aromas into kitchens across Britain.

About this edition

• Publisher: Grub Street
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1908117052
• ISBN 13: 9781908117052
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208