Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

There is not much that I can add to the reviews already written, but as an admitted Francophile, I wanted to put my 2 cents in. As all have stated, this is an incredible book, not just of French cooking, but a slight peek into the French way of living and thinking. Obviously, Ina loves Paris, and all that is French, and you get that feeling as she deviates from strictly recipes, and goes into the various nuances of French life. Those nuances are scattered throughout the book and peppered (no pun intended) in the introductions to her recipes. The photography and food styling is excellent as usual, and as long as you aren't expecting a Jacque Pepin or Julia Child style of French cooking, then you will enjoy Ina's more simple, peasant-style fare. She talks about the visual preparation of the French table and all the ways that you can make your dining experience as simple, fresh, and carefree as the dishes. And for those who are fellow "Parisians", she guides you through the streets and markets of Paris and gives you a tour of sorts, of that magical city. INTRODUCTION TO START: All about French wines Raspberry Royale Kir Cassisa l'Eau Cheese Straws Blioni with Smoked Salmon Cheese Puffs (Gougeres....ummmmmmmm!!!) Rosemary Cashews Radishes with Salt and Herbed Butter Potato Chips LUNCH: French Table Settings Croque Monsieur Blue Cheese Souffle Salad with Warm Goat Cheese Eggplant Gratin Pissaladiere (a French pizza of sorts) Goat Cheese Tart Scrambled Eggs with Truffles Herbed Baked Eggs Spinach in Pastry Puff Mussels in White Wine Seafood Platter (with mustard sauce, cocktail sauce, mignonette sauce) SOUP and SALAD: All about French flowers Winter Squash Soup Provencal Veggie Soup (and homemade chicken stock, and pistou) Zucchini Vichyssoise Seafood Stew (and seafood stock) Lentil Sausage Soup Brioche Loaves Celery Root Remoulade Endive, Pear, and Roquefort Salad Avocado and Grapefruit Salad Fennel Salad Warm Mushroom Salad Green Salad Vinaigrette DINNER: All about French cookware (this was a blast; will make you want to visit!) Lemon Chicken with Coutons Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic (this was very mild in flavor) Roast Duck Chicken with Morels Loin of Pork with Green Peppercorns Boeuf Bourguignon Filet of Beef au Poivre Steak with Bearnaise Sauce Veal Chops with Roquefort Butter Roast Lamb with White Beans Rack of Lamb Persillade Roasted Striped Bass Scallops Provencal Salmon with Lentils VEGETABLES: About French cooking classes Asparagus with Hollandaise Vegetable Tian Zucchini Gratin Tomato Rice Pilaf Roasted Beets Matchstick Potatoes Brussels Sprouts Lardons Cauliflower Gratin Morocccan Couscous French String Beans Sauteed Wild Mushrooms Potato Celery Root Puree Carmelized Shallots Garlic Mashed Potatoes Herbed New Potatoes DESSERTS: About French cheese Meringues Chantilly Plum Raspberry Crumble Ile Flottante Lemon Meringue Tart (and lemon filling) Pear Clafouti Coeur a la Creme with Raspberries Raspberry Sauce Creme Amglaise Baba au Rhum (rum-soaked doughy pastries with shipped cream; sooo good!) Elephant Ears (very light, flaky, and delicate) Mango Sorbet Ice Cream Bombe Plum Cake Tatin Chocolate Orange Mousse Brownie Tart Pain Perdu Peaches in Sauternes Coconut Madeleines (dip the ends in chocolate!) Strawberry Tarts Pastry Cream Profiteroles (the ultimate elegant French dessert!) Chocolate Truffles Creme Brulee RESOURCES: French ingredients to try French cookware you'll want to have Going to Paris? Then here's your guide with every place you'll want to visit to make your journey magical and complete (the best part, Ina!!!) Credits and Index Conversion Chart Merci Ina!!