Je Sais Cuisiner: I Know How To Cook
It’s finally in bookstores! I’ve been to Barnes and Nobles and Borders at least 6 times the past few weeks, and each time the release has been delayed. But today: SCORE!
I’ve had several Julia Child cookbooks for decades, and love to read them, but cooking those recipes, not so much. The Tarte Tatin, and a few other recipes were simple enough, but for me there were just too many steps, and as a working mom with kids, they took too much time. Julia Child became romance reading for me.
Then, we moved to Paris for 7 years, and I entered the world of French cooking classes: at the Cordon Bleu, at the Ritz Escoffier, at Lenôtre; and with Eve and Samira and Paul, 3 fabulous cooks who gave classes in their homes, in English. So I do know how to cook French cuisine.
Then this summer, I fell in love all over again, with Julie and Julia. As a former Paris expat, I completely understood Julia’s loud wail: I have to find something to DO! And for Julia, as it was for me and all my Paris BFFs, that something was French cooking lessons.
I speak street French: yes, I took some classes over the years, but most of my languages skills were picked up dans la rue: on the street. I can read a paper or magazine, watch tv or a movie, and have decent conversations. But although I could struggle through a French cookbook, I much prefered the English versions. So I knew of Je Sais Cuisiner by Ginette Mathiot, but I never bought it: too complicated for me, but very easy for French speakers. Considered the bible of French home cooking, it was on my official lust but never indulge list.
Then a few years ago, I fell in love with Chocolate & Zucchini, a blog on French cooking and recipes in English by young French woman Clotilde Dusoulier, and have been a subscriber for years, have bought her cookbooks, and seen her on the Today Show.
So nothing excited me more than to find that Clotilde was the principal translator of I Know How to Cook, just released in English and now officially in bookstores around America. Translations don’t always work, but I know Clotilde is reliable and knowledgeable, with an excellent understanding of American cooking, measurement system, and appliances. I bought the book at Barnes and Nobles for $30.60 ($45 – 20% member discount – 15% coupon). Weighing in at 2.4 kilos (that’s a hefty 5.28 pounds!) it’s a bargain.
One of my fave features of I Know How To Cook is the way Clotilde translated it: each recipe name is printed in both English and French. For example: Roast Turkey is also referenced as Dinde Rötie, good to know if you’re in Paris trying to order dinner!
gorgeous photos and clearly written recipes
Another is that the gorgeous photos are cross-referenced: the photo on page 684 of Mont Blanc directs us to the recipe on page 657; and the recipe for Mont Blanc on page 657 has a little camera next to it and the page 684. Voila!
I have to go read my cookbook now…and maybe even cook something for TBG… maybe the Tarte Tatin with the apples we bought in Vermont this weekend. Merci Clotilde and Ginette!
14 comments
ooooh this is going on my Christmas list!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Moi, Kelly Sutton. Kelly Sutton said: RT @shesshoppingnow Je Sais Cuisiner: I Know How To Cook | Shes Shopping Now http://bit.ly/IHIYx [...]
Learned about you through Toma! Love the wonderful photos!
And I’ve been looking for a great French cookbook. Thanks so much for pointing the way. I love your new blog!!! Good luck.
Mary
Congrats on your awesome new blog, La Reine!
I will certainly be adding this wonderful book to my Christmas list. I am forever inspired by French cuisine and miss the food so much!
Hi Kelli
I love love love the cookbook, and am definitely glad I have it. Funny yesterday I was shopping with my sister at Anthropologie (love that store, love Man Shops Globe) and we saw it, and she saw it in person for the first time, and she’s putting it on her list because it was too big and heavy for her to carry home!
But do put it on your Xmas list…it’s great, easy to read and understand, and great pics. Love Clothilde and C&Z
Moi
Hi Mary
Welcome to Moi blog!It is a great French cookbook…covers everything from A to Z, and lots of very basic tips. Works for a beginner cook as well as an experienced cook. Try it and let me know how you love it!
Moi
Tina,
So nice of you to comment! Have to smile that you love the photos…I’m guessing you love the ones I find and not the ones I take…I’m such a non-photog…but I try:) Love my IPhone!
Moi
Kelly:
Put it on your Christmas list, and give one to your mom, so you can cook on your own, and you and your mom can cook together (too heavy to lug back and forth to Mom’s!)
bon app!
Moi
Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
Hello Polprav from Chicago!
I’d love you to quote and link me from Russia…I think it would be a first for Moi! I’m honored!
I’m curious…what are you quoting?
Bon Weekend
Moi
Definitely going out to buy the cookbook!!! Thanks for letting me know about it. Love the blog!
Hi Katie
Welcome to Moi blog! Love the cookbook…it’s definitely a lapful, I’m having fun reading it…I have to leave it on the kitchen table, it’s too heavy to carry around! I missed Clotilde from C&Z talking on Martha Stewart Radio last week about the book…I have to listen to it on radio later today…I’ll post the link when I find it!
bon appetit!
Moi
I couldn’t find a link to Clotilde’s interview with MS, but Clotilde was interviewed on NPR Sunday, and she tweeted about it:
” was on @NPRWeekend Edition today, talking about I Know How To Cook: http://bit.ly/25R9FB ”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114328568&ft=1&f=1008 Oui, Oui! French Cooking Made Easy listen to Clotilde’s interview, I think she should have her own French cooking show on American radio or TV…I’d be a regular listener, wouldn’t you?
bon app, bisous
Moi
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