Chocolate and Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen

Additional Chocolate and Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen Information

Clotilde Dusoulier is a twenty-seven-year-old Parisian who adores sharing her love of all things food-related—recipes, inspirations, restaurant experiences, and above all the pleasure of cooking with the fresh ingredients found in her local Montmartre shops. But her infatuation with food was born not in her mother’s Parisian kitchen, but in San Francisco, where she moved after college and discovered a new world of tastes. When she returned to her beloved France, her culinary exploits inspired her popular and critically acclaimed blog, ChocolateandZucchini.com.

In her first book, Dusoulier provides a glimpse into the life of a young Parisian as she savors all that the city has to offer and shares her cooking philosophy in the form of more than 75 recipes that call for healthy ingredients (such as zucchini) and more indulgent tastes (such as chocolate). The Los Angeles Times calls her recipes "simple, charming, and fun."

Appetizers such as Cumin Cheese Puffs, sandwiches and tarts like Tomato Tatin, soups like Chestnut and Mushroom, main dishes including Mustard Chicken Stew, and desserts like Chocolate and Caramel Tart can all be found alongside menus for entertaining, as well as tips for throwing cocktail or dinner parties with French flair. Chocolate & Zucchini is the book for anyone who has journeyed to Paris and can still recall the delicious flavors and aromas—or for those of us who only dream about them.

What Customers Say About Chocolate and Zucchini: Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen:

They were all edible, but not very good. I think she has interesting and creative ideas, but the book was a flop.It's beautifully written, I love the photos, but of the recipes I tried,(pear and blue cheese madelines, a cookie made w/ orange flower water and mustard chicken) none of them came out well enough to be counted a success. I gave my copy away. I have followed Clotilde's blog for years. I enjoy her writing.

I am so confident in the recipes that I have even made some for the first time when having people over for dinner. My copy of this book is much loved and I hope there will soon be a sequel on the shelves. I have been a fan of Clotilde's website from the start. The recipes just work - they read well and are elegant to serve. It is the food site I go back to time and time again and I have owned this book since its release. I have now cooked all but a handful of recipes from this book and have thoroughly enjoyed every moment.

There is no comparison between this author and Patricia Wells, who is a true pro, for example. I was so disappointed by this book. As much as I love reading about Paris and restaurants, and food, I found it absolutely empty: just a cleaver money making machine.

Most dishes require few ingredients and there aren't any on my "to cook" list that require staples too exotic for my kitchen. Chocolate and Zucchini can stay in the kitchen :) The recipes are varied and cover every course including breakfast. There are vegetarian and meat dishes. This book has so much going on - you'll be shocked at its little size after reading all the reviews. Long story short: there is something for nearly everyone in this fun and approachable book. But I picked it up and started reading and, well to be honest I can't remember the last time I read a cookbook cover to cover.Part memoir, part cookbook, part shopping guide, part entertaining guide, and part inspiration comes together in what is probably one of the few books I'll keep out this year. I was disappointed at first. Most of my cookbooks, and there are many, are relegated to a series of cupboards near my desk since it is the only place with room in this small apartment.

Quiche and tarte bretonne are again a staple at home. I'm particularly thankful to this book for teaching me how to make my own "pate brisee" which I can't seem to find in american grocery stores. A word of caution to non-chocoholics: the chocolate recipes are VERY chocolate. Simple, original recipes with fun flavor combinations: zucchini and raspberry, broccoli and apples, and of course, chocolate and zucchini. Most of the recipes are quick and easy, always a plus.