
First published sixty years ago while food rationing was still in force, Elizabeth David used this book to introduce to the nation`s bland palate, ingredients & recipes previously undiscovered in post-war Britain. Many people of that era had never experienced anything other than British cooking
- meat, two veg & a nice steamed pudding. She starts by setting the record straight: ` Those who care to look for it will find the justification of France`s culinary reputation in the provinces, at the riverside inns, in unknown cafes...in sea port bistros...and nowadays in cafes routiers, the lorry-drivers` restaurants. In such places the most interesting food of France is to be found`. For having lived with a French family while studying over there, she was able to bring first-hand knowledge to this short yet concise guide to provincial French cooking. She starts with a chapter on the Batterie de Cuisine. But it`s the collection of regional recipes that follow that made this book such a treat for 1950s Britain; divided into sections on soups, fish, eggs, luncheon, supper & family dishes, meat, poultry, game, vegetables, salads, sauces & sweets, she gives an entertaining & informative introduction to each. ” French Country Cooking” reveals the immense diversity of the cuisine through recipes that range from a primitive peasant soup of the Basque country to the refined Lyonnaise dish of Poulet a la Creme. To those used to the traditional format of recipe writing the book will come as something of a surprise since Elizabeth David weaves the ingredients into the methods complete with details of the region, tradition & people. Elizabeth David`s acclaimed writings are often cited as an inspiration by many of today`s leading chefs, as well as home cooks, & are essential to any serious cookery book collection. The following are other hardback editions of Elizabeth David published by Grub Street: ” French Provincial Cooking, ” Spices, Salt & Aromatics in the English Kitchen”, ” English Bread & Yeast Cookery”, ” An Omelette & a Glass of Wine”, ”A South Wind Through the Kitchen” & ” Elizabeth David Classics”.