Book Review: My Paris Kitchen

Author: David Lebovitz
Title: My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories
Publisher: Ten Speed Press
Publish Date: April 8,2014
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

A collection of stories and 100 sweet and savory French-inspired recipes from popular food blogger David Lebovitz, reflecting the way modern Parisians eat today and featuring lush photography taken around Paris and in David's Parisian kitchen.

It’s been ten years since David Lebovitz packed up his most treasured cookbooks, a well-worn cast-iron skillet, and his laptop and moved to Paris. In that time, the culinary culture of France has shifted as a new generation of chefs and home cooks—most notably in Paris—incorporates ingredients and techniques from around the world into traditional French dishes.

In My Paris Kitchen, David remasters the classics, introduces lesser-known fare, and presents 100 sweet and savory recipes that reflect the way modern Parisians eat today. You’ll find Soupe à l’oignon, Cassoulet, Coq au vin, and Croque-monsieur, as well as Smoky barbecue-style pork, Lamb shank tagine, Dukkah-roasted cauliflower, Salt cod fritters with tartar sauce, and Wheat berry salad with radicchio, root vegetables, and pomegranate. And of course, there’s dessert: Warm chocolate cake with salted butter caramel sauce, Duck fat cookies, Bay leaf poundcake with orange glaze, French cheesecake...and the list goes on. David also shares stories told with his trademark wit and humor, and lush photography taken on location around Paris and in David’s kitchen reveals the quirks, trials, beauty, and joys of life in the culinary capital of the world.

Review: I have a bit of a love/hate thing with this cookbook. It is more than a cookbook, with Mr. Lebovitz sharing stories and insights about Paris and all of France, food and cooking. This is a country that's always fascinated me and I've read many memoirs of American's that have moved there.

I knew going in, this wouldn't be a cookbook that I'd ever want for my own personal use. French cooking is not me. I will never be Julia Child

There were things I loved and hated about this.

Loves:

The pictures of the food really make you want to sample the cuisine and the pictures of France make you want to be there. Note: you can put on weight looking at the Chocolate Dulche Leche Tart and the St Tropez Tart.

The stories David shares are really fabulous.

Some of the recipes really made me want to make them..like the Madelines and possibly even a good tapenade.

Hates:

There were times when David really came off as snobby. I'm also sick of people talking down everything American, and frankly he sounded that way a good portion of the time.

As much as I loved the recipes, most weren't anything that a beginner could try.

This was a really interesting read and I did learn quite a bit from the book. The one thing Mr. Lebovitz does for me is make France come to life and books like this are the only way this girl will get there.

Rating: 3 flowers