Unleash Your Inner Gourmand: Ratatouille, Baguettes, Apéritifs, Oh My!

We are feeling inspired by this year’s delicious All Henrico Reads title, The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl, and are eager to explore new cuisines, try fresh recipes, and embrace our inner gourmands. While the early definition of gourmand was synonymous with overconsumption, the term has since gained a more positive connotation, thanks to the French. Today, a gourmand is someone who simply appreciates good food and drink. So if the thought of buttery croissants, soft creamy brie, and simmering summer vegetables whet your appetite (or you’re interested in trying all of the above), we recommend reading on to learn more about the art of cooking French food.

COLLECTION:

In addition to works by this year’s All Henrico Reads author, Ruth Reichl, be sure to browse our collection of cookbooks, featuring several titles on French cuisine:

• À Table: Recipes for Cooking + Eating the French Way by Rebekah Peppler (also available on Hoopla)
  • A frequent contributor to the New York Times, food writer and stylist Rebekah Peppler shares recipes that reflect contemporary French cuisine and its multicultural influences. You’ll find classics like Ratatouille as well as dishes like Lamb Tangine, all simplified and accessible for the at-home cook.

• Baking at République: Masterful Techniques and Recipes by Margarita Manzke
  • Try not to drool while flipping through over a hundred images of delicious baked goods in this cookbook from James Beard Pastry Chef semifinalist, Margarita Manzke. Manzke shares her methods to mastering mouthwatering brioche, croissants, cakes, canelés, and more.

• Classic French Recipes by Ginette Mathiot
  • Considered an authority on French cooking, this list would not be complete without recipes from the late Ginette Mathiot. With several cookbooks to her name —including one that’s been on the French bestseller list for over 90 years!— Mathiot’s recipes cover the full spectrum of French cuisine. Explore 170 classic dishes including Beef Bourguignon, Stuffed Oysters, Crème Brûlée, and more in this newly-released collection of her work.

• Drinking French: The Iconic Cocktails, Apéritifs, and Café Traditions of France, with 160 Recipes by David Lebovitz
  • What’s a delicious meal without an equally delicious beverage beside it? Bestselling cookbook author and popular blogger David Lebovitz helps readers find the perfect apéritif (a beverage served before a meal to spark appetite), cocktail, coffee, tea, snack, and more to round out their dining experience.

• Let’s Eat France! by François-Régis Gaudry
  • In this ultimate guide to all things French cuisine, readers will find recipes, profiles on French food icons, a regional overview of popular dishes and ingredients, guides to French bread and wine, and more. Filled with infographics and posters, this encyclopedia-like guide is a feast for the eyes!

You might also enjoy:

• Bruno’s Cookbook: Recipes and Traditions From a French Country Kitchen by Martin Walker
• Dinner in French: My Recipes By Way of France by Melissa Clark
• The French Chef Cookbook by Julia Child (check out The French Chef cooking show on Hoopla)
• French Cooking Academy: 100 Essential Recipes for the Home Cook by Stephane Nguyen
• The French Laundry, Per Se by Thomas Keller (also available on Hoopla)
• Le Sud: Recipes From Provence – Alpes – Côte d'Azur by Rebekah Peppler (also available on Hoopla)
• Niçoise: Market-Inspired Cooking from France’s Sunniest City by Rosa Jackson
• One Knife, One Pot, One Dish: Simple French Feasts at Home by Stéphane Reynaud (also available on Hoopla)
• Provence the Cookbook: Recipes From the French Mediterraneanby Caroline Craig
• Rustic French Cooking Made Easy: Authentic, Regional Flavors from Provence, Brittany, Alsace, and Beyond by Audrey Le Goff

COOKING PROGRAMS:

As we gear up for an evening with author Ruth Reichl, an event that is free and open to the public, we hope you’ll also join us for a series of programs that explore themes from The Paris Novel, including food, of course! Some upcoming culinary opportunities include:

• The Search for the Perfect Bite for Teens
  • Tuesday, March 4, 6:30 – 7:30PM at Libbie Mill
  • Tuesday, March 11, 6:30 – 7:30 at Tuckahoe
  • Wednesday, March 19, 6:30 – 7:30PM at Varina
  • Inspired by French hors d'oeuvres or amuse-bouches, see what perfect (or perfectly weird) bite you can create using everyday food!  Cookbooks will be available for checkout to continue culinary exploration at home. 

• French Cheese Tasting with Truckle Cheesemongers
  • Thursday, March 20, 6 – 7:30PM at Libbie Mill
  • Local purveyors Truckle Cheesemongers will provide a brief introduction to cheese history, the animals from which cheese is made (and why), and cheese ingredients. Participants will have the opportunity to sample cheeses of different styles and milks from regions in France, then talk about how to taste, buy, and store cheese. The basics of how to pair cheese with food and beverages will also be covered.

• Cook & Book : Recipes from Ruth Reichl
  • Monday, March 24, 7 – 8:30PM at Varina
  • We'll test and taste selected recipes from various works by James Beard Award winner and author Ruth Reichl.