Saveur Cooks Authentic French

Rating:
Summary: A feast for many senses
Review: I love this book on many levels. The pictures are gorgeous to look at; the recipes make me weak with hunger; the pages are printed on thick paper that feels sumptuous for the relatively low price of the book; and the overall effect of the book is to transport me to a fantasy French life I'm living in my imagination. I appreciated the emphasis on traditional French recipes, as well as the abundant information about the origin of these recipes and the customs of traditional French life. Saveur, as a magazine, is always encyclopedic in its scope, and I was glad to see that this method was applied to the cookbook. Also, I was happy to find that not everything in the cookbook was just a rehash from the magazine -- there was some genuinely new information in the book. I got a really thorough understanding of the way certain regions of France approach the preparation of food, and was able to compare and contrast them based on their use of different ingredients and cooking methods. I hope this book gets the praise that Saveur Cooks Authentic American received.

Rating:
Summary: Hard To Resist
Review: I was trying HARD not to buy this book. I subscribe to the magazine and have the wonderful Saveur Cooks American. But, I had to give in to the temptation.

Now, I will not say that I will invest in any duck or goose fat which is required in a couple of the recipies, but I have tabbed many pages for my 'to try' list.

There are some simple, tasty items in this book. Do not be intimidated.

P.S. The pictures are great !

Rating:
Summary: Hard To Resist
Review: I was trying HARD not to buy this book. I subscribe to the magazine and have the wonderful Saveur Cooks American. But, I had to give in to the temptation.

Now, I will not say that I will invest in any duck or goose fat which is required in a couple of the recipies, but I have tabbed many pages for my 'to try' list.

There are some simple, tasty items in this book. Do not be intimidated.

P.S. The pictures are great !

Rating:
Summary: Top notch book with a glaring error
Review: May 5, 2000

Beautiful book, expertly presented, but with an error in the storyline: page 206 sidebar on Laguiole cutlery.

"...and a small stylized bee or fly (no one is quite sure which, or why)..."

Common knowledge is that it is a bee, a Napoleonic symbol of bravery presented by Napoleon to a favored military hero.

Dorothy or Colman need better researchers.

Greg Leaf

Glorieta, New Mexico [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Top notch book with a glaring error
Review: May 5, 2000

Beautiful book, expertly presented, but with an error in the storyline: page 206 sidebar on Laguiole cutlery.

"...and a small stylized bee or fly (no one is quite sure which, or why)..."

Common knowledge is that it is a bee, a Napoleonic symbol of bravery presented by Napoleon to a favored military hero.

Dorothy or Colman need better researchers.

Greg Leaf

Glorieta, New Mexico [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Well written book
Review: Saveur Cooks Authentic French is a great book on french cooking. The book has many photos and info behind the recipes. Often French cooking may seem a bit more exotic than our normal every day recipes, but this book writes on a level that is easy to understand. The French Onion soup in this book is heavenly. Its so good, I will eat only my own. Recipes range from rather simple to a bit more complex. Recipes are well written, easy to follow, and turn out well.

Rating:
Summary: Well written book
Review: Saveur Cooks Authentic French is a great book on french cooking. The book has many photos and info behind the recipes. Often French cooking may seem a bit more exotic than our normal every day recipes, but this book writes on a level that is easy to understand. The French Onion soup in this book is heavenly. Its so good, I will eat only my own. Recipes range from rather simple to a bit more complex. Recipes are well written, easy to follow, and turn out well.

Rating:
Summary: Traditional and Unusual
Review: Saveur is the best cooking magazine, and it has a primary focus on French cooking. This book reflects that, and an introduction that favors French over "silly fusion cooking" definitely has my vote. Most of the recipes are quite involved; some common, some quite unusual, all a treat to eyes nose and tongue. I have a lot of French cookbooks and this is compliments rather than duplicates.

Rating:
Summary: Traditional and Unusual
Review: Saveur is the best cooking magazine, and it has a primary focus on French cooking. This book reflects that, and an introduction that favors French over "silly fusion cooking" definitely has my vote. Most of the recipes are quite involved; some common, some quite unusual, all a treat to eyes nose and tongue. I have a lot of French cookbooks and this is compliments rather than duplicates.

Rating:
Summary: Traditional and Unusual
Review: Saveur is the best cooking magazine, and it has a primary focus on French cooking. This book reflects that, and an introduction that favors French over "silly fusion cooking" definitely has my vote. Most of the recipes are quite involved; some common, some quite unusual, all a treat to eyes nose and tongue. I have a lot of French cookbooks and this is compliments rather than duplicates.