The New York Times Book Review - Jenny Rosenstrach
Though the French-Do-It-Better premise of this book is nothing new, its structure—50 French secrets to joyful eating, accompanied by fresh, simple recipes with lots of chatty sidebars—is refreshing and ridiculously readable…In the hands of someone less likable, the conceit could come across as gimmicky at best, arrogant at worst, but Bard's recipes are both approachable and presented in context—this classic yogurt cake is the first cake most French kids learn to make; these orange-and-anise-flavored lamb shanks are her never-fail dinner party main course; this croque monsieur is her favorite family dinner—which helps keep it real.
Publishers Weekly
02/06/2017
Bard’s inspiring cookbook explains how to cultivate French-style eating habits that encourage healthy thinness along with essential joie de vivre. Bard (Lunch in Paris), raised in an American home where processed cheese and bottled salad dressing were staples, has the enthusiastic zeal of a convert to her French husband’s ways. The true secret of her 50 secrets is really a willingness to apply self-discipline to ingredients, equipment, rituals, and family—the categories into which she’s divided her hints. Olive oil is number one, and hardly revelatory; wine and dark chocolate are equally unsurprising, though her advice to combine a square of the latter with herbal tisane to hydrate and curb appetite is hard-core insider knowledge. The ingredient-specific recipes are solid, authentic French home cooking, introduced with stories of discovery: one taste of her mother-in-law’s mayonnaise transformed her from mayo hater to firm advocate. How food is consumed is as important as the meal content. Sitting down to eat together and not snacking through the day are approachable goals; conquering American portion sizes will be the real French revolution. (Apr.)
From the Publisher
"Bard's inspiring cookbook explains how to cultivate French-style eating habits that encourage healthy thinness along with essential joie de vivre. Bard (Lunch in Paris), raised in an American home where processed cheese and bottled salad dressing were staples, has the enthusiastic zeal of a convert to her French husband's ways...Sitting down to eat together and not snacking through the day are approachable goals; conquering American portion sizes will be the real French revolution."—Publisher's Weekly
Library Journal
04/15/2017
Bard follows her memoirs Lunch in Paris and Picnic in Provence with this cozy collection of recipes such as ham and rosemary cheese puffs, broiled sea bream with lemon and herbs, and classic cherry clafoutis. She pairs these with 50 secrets to living and eating à la française, each of which sheds light on an ingredient (almond flour), tool (crepe pan), or habit (drinking wine) gleaned from her years of living in France. Throughout, Bard compares French and American culture, offering cheery observations that will engage fans of Mireille Guiliano (French Women Don't Get Fat) and Pamela Druckerman (Bringing Up Bébé). VERDICT Bard's simple home cooking will tempt your inner Francophile. Readers who expect glossy food photography will prefer titles like Rachel Khoo's The Little Paris Kitchen and Dorie Greenspan's Around My French Table.
