Parlez vous en Francais?

Ahhh, who can resist the beautiful tranquility of the French countryside? Rolling hills with gently swaying birch trees, cobblestone pathways, and centuries-old farmhouses decorated with copper pots and pans that evoke feelings of a simpler life, centered around timeless recipes and cooking that didn't need pretentious ingredients or state-of-the-art preparations. French Country Cooking by Mimi Thorisson expertly brings this beauty and simplicity right to your kitchen.

The book begins by describing a hotel restaurant that began over 100 years ago in the small French village of Medoc. After thumbing through the first few pages, I found it hard not to have a bit of lifestyle envy. The photography is wonderful, and does a brilliant job of depicting the countryside coupled with delicious shots of traditional French fare. 

How can you not salivate when presented with recipes for such classics as Beignets with Apricot filling, French Onion soup, and Pot-Au-Feu. The directions are simple enough for "beginners" to attempt, and concise enough for the seasoned home cook or professional chef alike. I made the Gratin Dauphinois, which is a simple potato dish that is absolutely fantastic when done correctly. The subtle autumn spices of nutmeg and cloves marry so well with the creamy yet crispy, earthy potatoes. This is a dish that you can build an entire meal around. The book also includes decriptions of typical drinks such as before and after dinner apertifs. And timeless preparations such as Duck Confit will make you understand why confit has become an integral part of higher-end cooking today. There are a number of tantalizing desserts also await, with sumptuous examples such as Raspberry Souffle, Baked Pears with Chocolate, and Almond Ice Cream. 

I am sure French Country Cooking will be a prominent book in my library whenever I am in the urge to cork a big bottle of bordeaux and do some rustic, albeit refined cooking. It would also find itself suited perfectly for your coffee table. If you have visited France, or even just wondered what this style of cooking entails, French Country Cooking is a perfect choice to explore further.