Book Review: My Paris Kitchen

My Paris Kitchen: Recipes and Stories by David Lebovitz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Publication Date: April 2014
Source: review copy from Blogging for Books

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.

I generally don't sit down and read a cookbook all the way through, but that's exactly what I did with My Paris Kitchen. Well, to be honest, I didn't read every word. I didn't read all of the instructions on every recipe. But all the stories sprinkled throughout, and the introductions to each recipe we're just lovely.

I love Paris, and if I could move there, I'd do it in a heartbeat. It was fun getting an insiders look (from an American) on what it's like living in Paris.

The recipes look delicious, too, and although I don't think I'd cook all of them, there are definitely a bunch that I want to try. Reading this book just made me feel happy. I'd definitely recommend it for cookbook lovers, as well as anyone who loves France. 

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