Chocolate and Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen
Author: Clotilde Dusoulier
Clotilde Dusoulier is a twenty-seven-year-old Parisian who loves to share her passion for all things food-related—recipes, inspirations, restaurant experiences, and above all the lush pleasure to be discovered in cooking with the fresh ingredients found in her local Montmartre shops. But her love affair with food was born not in her mother’s Parisian kitchen; it blossomed in San Francisco, where she moved after college and became infatuated with the new world of tastes on offer. When she returned to her beloved France, her passion for food inspired her to share her culinary exploits, which has garnered Dusoulier more than 4.5 million hits a month and an enormous following of 140,000 unique visitors each month, half of whom are from North America.
In Chocolate & Zucchini, Dusoulier provides a glimpse into the life of a young Parisian as she savors all that the city has to offer. An endearing companion, she shares her cooking philosophy in the form of more than 75 recipes that call for the natural, healthy ingredients of which she is fond (such as zucchini) and the satisfying tastes she craves ( such as chocolate). The Los Angeles Times calls her recipes "simple, charming, and fun."
Appetizers such as Tuna and Green Apple Mousse or Cumin Cheese Puffs, sandwiches and tarts like Tomato Tatin, soups like Chestnut and Mushroom, main dishes of Mustard Chicken Stew or Hand-Cut Steak Tartare, and desserts like Chocolate and Caramel Tart or Yogurt Cake can all be found alongside menus for entertaining, as well as tips for throwing cocktail or dinner parties with French flair.
Illustrated throughout with Dusoulier’s evocativephotography, Chocolate & Zucchini is the book for anyone who has journeyed to Paris and can still recall the delicious tastes and aromas—or for those of us who only dream about them.
Publishers Weekly
Readers of Dusoulier's ebullient food blog, chocolateandzucchini.com, won't be disappointed by this wonderful melange of new creations and old favorites. Dusoulier's charm lies in her culinary curiosity and enthusiasm, and she deftly conveys both through 75-plus recipes and narrative commentary. The 27-year-old Parisian arranges her book into three sections. The first, Simplicite (Simplicity), includes salads, sandwiches, savory tarts, soups and eggs. Part two is Invitation (Entertaining) and features recipes for hors d'oeuvres, "impromptu" dinners like Hand-Cut Steak Tartare, dinner party fare such as Comte Cheese Souffles, buffet items and sides. The final portion concerns sweets, clearly Dusoulier's favorite. With scintillating recipes for cakes (Apricot and Pistachio Ricotta), tarts (Blueberry Amandine), desserts (Chocolate Hibiscus Creme Brelee) and "sweet bites" (Orange Flower Shuttle Cookies), this section brims with innovation. Overall, newcomers to French cuisine will learn to make some classics, like Pistou Soup and Beef Bourguignon, while those seeking to expand their repertoires will enjoy the author's idiosyncratic creations. Dishes like Broccoli and Apple Quiche (born out of a "greenmarket run one fall morning") and, of course, Chocolate & Zucchini Cake (which may sound "a little odd," but is "surprisingly successful" and features "real teamwork at play") are just some of Dusoulier's delightful and unusual offerings. (May) Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Judith Sutton - Library Journal
Chocolateandzucchini.com is Dusoulier's wildly popular food blog, which she started in 2003 shortly after returning to Paris from two years in San Francisco. Now 27, she lives with her husband in the Montmartre district, and her web site, which grew out of a cooking journal, has become her full-time job. Her first book presents recipes grouped into three categories: "Simplicité," for simple weeknight meals; "Invitation," more ambitious dishes for entertaining; and "Gourmandise," her favorite desserts. (Recipe and chapter titles are given in both French and English here, but her blog has always been written in English.) Dusoulier has a great deal of charm, and her recipes are fresh and appealing. For most collections.
Interesting book: Dessert Circus or Corkscrewed
Simple Indian Cookery: Step by Step to Everyon's Favorite Indian Recipes
Author: Madhur Jaffrey
In Simple Indian Cookery, Madhur Jaffrey reveals how easy it is to bring the flavors of India into your home. With 40 recipes, featuring step-by-step instructions and clear color photos, even novices can cook a wide range of authentic Indian fare. Add spice to your life with Goan Prawn Curry or Tarka Dal, or try popular favorites like Chicken Tikka Masala, Rogan Josh, or Lamb Madras. There are also more elaborate dishes, like Creamy Chicken Korma with Almonds, Prawns in a Butter and Tomato Sauce, and Moghlai Spinach with Shallots. These tried-and-tested recipes include savory soups and starters, classic curries with fish, meat, poultry, and eggs, and tasty vegetables and accompaniments. With an inspiring range of menu suggestions and a guide to essential Indian ingredients, Madhur Jaffrey’s Simple Indian Cookery guarantees excellent results every time.
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