French Classics Made Easy - Hardcover

Classic French food is hotter than ever. But one thing hasn’t changed—few of us have the time, the patience, the technique, or the cream and butter allowance to tackle the classics as presented by Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking. The good news is—we don’t need to. For the past 40 years Richard Grausman, America’s premier culinary teacher, has been training American chefs in a simpler, better way of French cooking, and in French Classics Made Easy—a refreshed and updated edition of his original collection, At Home with the French Classics—he shares all of his extraordinary innovations and techniques. Golden soufflés in ten minutes. A light and luscious chocolate mousse that can be made as a cake, a chocolate roll, soufflé, or pudding. Plus Cassoulet, Boeuf Bourguignon, Coq au Vin, Bouillabaisse, Poached Salmon with Beurre Blanc—in all, 250 impeccably clear, step-by-step recipes in range of anyone who knows how to boil water or dice an onion.

When a step isn’t critical, Grausman eliminates it. If something can be done in advance, he does it. Plus he’s cut the amount of butter, cream, egg yolks, salt, and sugar; the result is health-conscious recipes that don’t compromise the essential nature of the dish. Techniques are illustrated throughout in line drawings. It’s the grandness of French cuisine, made accessible for both entertaining and everyday meals.

Many recipes lead to a Boeuf Bourguignon, but none comes even close to Richard Grausman’s for ease, clarity, sheer deliciousness, and an understanding of how home chefs can—and should—cook classic French food. A Cordon Bleu-trained cooking teacher, Grausman has spent more than four decades making French food accessible to Americans. His culinary innovations and techniques reinvigorate the classics to fit our contemporary diet and schedule.

When a step isn’t crucial, he eliminates it. When a shortcut works, he uses it. When something can be done in advance, he does it. Plus he’s cut the amount of butter, cream, egg yolks, salt and sugar without compromising the flavor of the dish. It’s an amazing transformation: 250 splendid recipes for both gracious entertaining and cooking everyday meals with an unmistakable French flair.