is a lovely big (304 pages) book filled with gorgeous – wish I was there – photos. The recipes range from simple to not for the faint of heart. I will elaborate on the recipes later, but first the photos. There are gorgeous two-page spreads idyllic scenes in France, beautiful food being prepared in her rustic French kitchen occasionally accompanied by a dog or a child or two. This is a cookbook you want to keep out, to browse through and admire.The book begins with an introduction about the author, Mimi Thorisson. How she cam to be where she is today and a little about her food blog, Manger. The recipe section of the book is divided by seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. Each season is further divided into Starters, Main Courses, and Desserts.
I marked a few to try from each section:
Spring: Roast Asparagus with Chervil; Roast Chickens with Creme Fraiche and Herbs.
Summer: Soup au Pistou; Garlic Mashed Potatoes; Cherry Clafoutis.
Autumn: Pumpkin Soup; Potatoes a La Lyonnaise.
Winter: Eggs in Cocotte with Mushrooms; Roasted Sausages with Red Wine and Fennel.
As you can see I gravitated towards the simpler recipes. I admit I can be a lazy, unadventurous cook and there are quite a few recipes in this book that I probably won’t be trying. But for you more adventuresome types, she offers lots of options: Pork Cheek Ravioli with Cepes, Seared Foe Gras with Grapes and Figs, Escargots a La Bordelaise, Calves Liver a La Bordelaise, and Aniseseed Sweetbreads with Glazed Turnips – all might make it on your list.
Even though there are some recipes in this book that I probably won’t be trying, I still find plenty to love about this book. It will rest on the antique trunk next to me sofa, ready to be glanced through whenever I need a moment to recharge and dream of living in France.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
May 30, 2015 at 11:57 pmThis looks like such an interesting book!
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
May 28, 2015 at 6:13 pmHer book is absolutely gorgeous!
Katie from Recipe for Perfection says
May 28, 2015 at 6:30 amI gravitate toward simpler recipes, too. I don’ think there’s any shame in that! 🙂
Cheryl Crotty says
January 24, 2015 at 11:28 amHappy Saturday Pam…oh my, you solved two problems for me today…first…I have that book in my “save for later” on Amazon…but now I will move it to “buy now”…and second I subscribed to the blog Manger but when it came to my mail box I did not make the connection…getting older is not for the faint of heart..
Having just been to Paris and the South of France in May…I am every thing French now and can’t wait to go back…but oh my, you should see how many books I’ve already bought…I agree though, they are fun to look at before a nice fire and a cup of tea…
Have a beautiful weekend…and I’m sure I’ll see you around….
Esme says
January 23, 2015 at 1:15 amI just received this book and cannot wait to sit down with it.
Pam Greer says
January 23, 2015 at 6:11 amBe sure and have a nice cup of tea, you’ll want to linger.
Louise says
January 22, 2015 at 10:46 pmI’ll be adding this book to my “buy list” also Pam. I never think of you as being an unadventurous cook. I too would probably lean toward the simpler dishes. Why be intimidated when dreaming is so much more pleasant.
Thank you so much for sharing Pam. And thank you for participating in Cookbook Wednesday.
Pam Greer says
January 23, 2015 at 6:10 amI am very unadventurous!! Simple and easy is my motto.
kellypea says
January 22, 2015 at 7:36 pmThanks for this — I have more French cookbooks than other and use them more frequently as well. Sounds like a lovely addition to my collection!
Pam Greer says
January 23, 2015 at 6:10 amIf you have French cookbooks, than you have to have this one!
Ann says
January 22, 2015 at 3:02 pmHappy to pop over and taste test anything you want to make except the snails. . . and the offal. Or anything with aniseed.
Pam Greer says
January 23, 2015 at 6:09 amWell, I think we are on the same page then!
Marjie says
January 22, 2015 at 2:48 pmI love stumbling upon a cookbook that’s as much fun (or maybe more fun) to read as to use!
Pam Greer says
January 23, 2015 at 6:09 amIt’s almost too pretty to dirty up by cooking from it!
rattlebridge farm says
January 22, 2015 at 11:09 amI’m adding this book to my “to buy” list!
Pam Greer says
January 22, 2015 at 12:38 pmYou will love it!!
Kayte says
January 22, 2015 at 9:34 amWill find this book to enjoy…sounds like how I feel about Tessa Kiros’ cookbooks…they are a joy just to own and page through and I do cook from them as well. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Pam Greer says
January 22, 2015 at 12:38 pmExactly!! I have her books too!
Monique says
January 22, 2015 at 8:54 amI agree on all points..and it is out:) It’s on my recipe book holder stand.
I love looking at her.
I look so different in the kitchen;)
She is a great beauty..has a beautiful family..she’s nice..and lives in paradise..Did you see their new home?
Those children are all so adrable..
Gorgeous book..One of the prettiest I have ever owned.
Pam Greer says
January 22, 2015 at 12:39 pmI know, it’s absolutely beautiful!