Barefoot in Paris, by Ina Garten
Normally in my giveaways, I give away a new cookbook. But this week, in honor of Bastille Day, I’m giving away a favorite cookbook: Barefoot in Paris, by Ina Garten. The book is beautiful to look at, full of color-saturated pictures of lavender bundles and shady tables, that just makes you wish you had a kitchen with a balcony overlooking a Paris avenue, replete with an accordéoniste. I love the recipes for cassis and water, something I grew up drinking myself, the perfect créme brûlée, and the tips on how to artfully arrange flowers. Everything French becomes so easy and accessible in Ina’s hands, and I’m sure you’ll love the book.
To win, just comment with your favorite French food. Make us all drool in anticipation and starvation, and I will pick a comment at random. Good luck!
This giveaway is now closed. Thank you!
Boeuf bourguignon! I’ve been in love with this dish since I watched Julie & Julia. After watching this movie, I went to my local book store to find a copy of Julia Child’s recipe for boeuf bourguignon and I made it that night! It’s been a regular dish in my kitchen for quite a while now, I can prep it and have it in the oven in no time! There’s just something about the beef cooking in the wine with the garni bouquet, onions, carrots and later adding the mushrooms that totally makes this dish an instant favorite and such a comfort food! If you haven’t made this before, you definitely need to! Absolutely delicious!! 🙂 This unfortunately, is the only French dish I have ever had or know how to cook. 🙁
Well, I was going to say Chicken Cordon Blue, a good standby, but after reading the comment above, I, too want to give it a try. It sounds like something my husband who does all of the cooking would be happy to fix for me. We love good wines and it will be fun trying to pick the perfect one to go with dinner. Thanks for the suggestion!
Let me just say, if you only know how to make one French dish, and have only ever had one French dish, Boeuf Bourguignon is not too shabby! I, too, absolutely love it! I love how rustic it is, and how the meat falls apart. And I’ve never had Chicken Cordon Bleu, if you can believe it! But now I have something new to try–which I love!
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There are so many fabulous french foods or rather food I love to eat when I am in France. The morning is not right with out my perfect steaming hot espresso and a chocolate croissant…sitting in a little side walk cafe watching the wonderful collage of people go by. I love simple things like french cheese and great bread……….and my favorite dessert is tar ta tan I think an amazing apple tart! And one in an amazing little gourmet restaurant in the south of France we had a lovely amuse bouche that was a vegetable sorbet that was perfection. Okay and the mains were great too but..it was all the little touches that made the meals delightful, the perfect local wine and local produce and the tempo of the serving and taking time to savor!
This is surprisingly difficult, but my mind keeps drifting back to a really deliciously creamy quiche lorraine…ham, cheese, eggs, buttery crust, what could be meilleur?
I’m also a huge fan of a simple croque monsieur and cannot wait to try your recipe!
My favorite French food is macaroons from LaDuree. I discovered these wonderful treats on my first trip to Paris. My favorite flavor is carmel, but I don’t think I’ve tried one I didn’t like. I now ask anyone I know to bring me back a sampling anytime they are coming back from Paris.
I know it’s not really High Cuisine but I have to say a ‘crepe with Nutella, cocos et banane’. Why?: ’cause I had one EVERY AFTERNOON whilst living in Paris for a few months in 2008. 🙂 Good memories of a great city. Oh and btw, still love your blog Kerry!
Laurin: Nothing is better than a chocolate croissant at a sidewalk cafe. So true! But that vegetable sorbet sounds like one of those things that can only be executed in the South of France. I would have loved to have tried that!
AL: I love your love of the classics! I’m right there with you, obviously, on the croque monsieur.
Laurie: Laduree is like a magnet to me. I cannot be in the near vicinity without stopping in for SEVERAL macarons. I love the caramel. I’m also a huge fan of lemon, pistachio, orange flower, and when I’m in the mood, rose. But the seasonal flavor they had this spring–Granny Smith Apple–was tremendously amazing.
Marleen: Do you remember the crepe man in Oxford with his little cart?! I loved him. I am the world’s biggest fan of French street food. Merguez frites and cheese crepes. YUM. Much love…
My Meme’s cream puffs. Really easy to make but they just take a while to assemble. And then are gone in a blink of the eye because they are so light and delicious!
I love my Meme’s food too. She makes this olive stew…no matter what I do I can’t replicate hers. What is it about Memes?
p.s. For those who don’t have a Meme, it basically means nana in French.
First of, I just want to say that I only discovered your blog yesterday thanks to Daily Candy. But since I’m such a foodie, I’m totally in love already! While never been to France, there are many French foods I love: crusty French bread paired with wonderful cheeses, Nutella crepes, chocolate croissants, mussels, champagne…. But the one food I can’t live without is French fries, or as the French say pommes frites. Salty and crispy on the outside, really there’s nothing better.
I’m going to disregard the singular “favorite” and mention favorites: sorbet, pain au chocolat, mussels and pommes frites, onion soup, tarte tatin, coq au vin…I need to stop now, as my stomach is growling.
Caitlin: Can I say that working with DailyCandy was such a pleasure? They are the greatest girls. And as for your choice–French fries are my favorite food! I eat them for breakfast, I eat them in the middle of the night. I probably qualify as an addict. Good vote! If you like mussels, check back later today, because I’m posting a Working Girls video on how to make super-easy Moules Mariniere, around 12:30 NYC time.
I’m right there with you girl… as being qualified as an addict. I’m an Irish girl, what can I say, potatoes are in my bloodstream.
Ha ha. You have the pommes in your bloodstream, and I have the frite part in mine.
I can’t believe how difficult this is…I love the exquisite simplicity of some great cheese and really good crusty bread, but I’d have to say my favorite French dish is cassoulet. I went to the southwest of France a couple years ago, tried cassoulet for the first time, and fell in love. It’s such a hearty and delicious dish!
Great giveaway!
My favorites restaurants in my hometown (New Orleans) are French restaurants. Love everything about them and I always clean my plates. I love Crêpe Coq au Vin:
Chicken braised in red wine that I had recently. I also agree that you can’t go wrong with a croque monsieur! This is my first time to this blog too. I linked in from Daily Candy and am glad I did!
Sabrina: Phenomenal call on the Onion Soup. It just cures whatever ails you!
Katelyn: I’m going to Toulouse later this year, and I am dying to taste the iconic cassoulet as they make it there. I don’t think I’ve had a proper version in comparison.
Amy: I love the French influence on New Orleans. Are you telling me that they stuff Coq au Vin into a crepe? That’s kind of genius. I’m so glad you all found this blog as well!
Kerry, they stuff coq au vin in a crepe and have it on the outside too. So good! It’s actually a crepe restaurant. They also do Crêpe Bourguignonne, Crêpe aux Ecrevisse (Louisiana crawfish) and a few other dishes like that!
The cassoulet in Toulouse trumps all, but if you need to satisfy the cassoulet craving on a more regular basis (I know I do!), Parc in Philadelphia used to do a great one on Sunday nights (although I’m not sure if they still do). I’ve made cassoulet here at home though, and it’s not super hard to make.
I can’t resist weighing in! Everything sounds so delicious! If I only had one choice, I think I would have to stop at Au P’tit Grecque in rue Mouffetard for a crepe with ham, egg, cheese, tomato and lots of lettuce; there’s some special pleasure in eating a crepe salee out of a big paper cone that can barely hold all the contents. My second craving would be a couscous! I know it’s not French, but I hardly ever have it elsewhere, and what is more comforting than that huge steaming bowl of vegetable bouillon? And last, a fresh baguette…speaks for itself….sigh.
Thank you for giving me another place to check out in Paris. I’ve gotten into the worst habit of always going back to the same places. And as for couscous, it’s so much a part of French life that I think it definitely counts. My Meme grew up in Casablanca, so I hold a special place in my heart for it. I even have some very old relative who makes it with her bare hands. Amazing.
And baguette…needs no occasion does it? I can’t not eat it right away once I buy it!
I had a very simple carrot salad in France that I’ve copied at home: shredded carrots, oil, parsley, dijon mustard, salt and pepper. The essence of simplicity and so yummy!
It’s so hard to pick just one! While I am pretty sure that I could live the rest of my life on good baguettes and cheese, I think that my absolute favorite is moules marinières– I’m nearly drooling just thinking about the mussels with white wine and, oh! The butter.
What a coincidence!
http://www.frenchrevolutionfood.com/2011/07/working-girl-dinners-moules-mariniere/
I do love a good Croque Monsieur. I came across your blog while searching for a good recipe. I have yet to try it but it looks delicious! Merci!
It is soooo hard to pick just one favorite French dish. Do I go with confit de canard, served up with a green salad and duck-fat roasted potatoes? Coq au vin, stewing in the oven all day? Gnocchi a la Parisienne? Salade Lyonnaise? Oh my, I’m drooling. But my FAVORITE French dish is probably just ordering a simple assiette de charcuterie, with lots of good butter, cornichons and fresh baguette. Add a glass of rose and I’m the happiest girl alive.
This isn’t really a dish, but a good French cheese (maybe a chevre) from the marche and a fresh baguette. Yummm. I also love a good French onion soup, rich with onion flavor and loaded with melted cheese. My friend’s French “host mom” was an old lady who had students over for dinner every night and she made an amazing soup that would fill the house with that savory smell of soup in the oven. You didn’t want to be rude or rush through the welcome or anything she may have had to serve before the soup, but you wanted that soup two minutes ago.
Is champagne a food? Oui? Because it makes for a fabulous start to any dinner party!
Pâté de campagne on a fresh, crusty baguette. Add a glass of wine and a simple salad. Paradise!
Can I pick three items? Brie on a crusty baguette served with a rich onion soup followed by an eclair filled with fresh whipped cream. The perfect lunch!
When in France, dipping bread in the butter from garlicky escargot. But if making something french-inspired here at home, it would be cassoulet.
omelette aux fines herbes (comme Hercule Poirot!)
Your site is adorable! So glad I ran into it! I’m definitely a francophile! My fav french food- macarons! yummmm!!
Thank you! I love them too.
Can I pick your Pain aux Chocolat Cinnamon Rolls? They were the first recipe I made from your website, and I make them any time I want to “wow” people. 🙂 Otherwise I’d have to say the Almond Puff Pastry I made for my high school French class–A friend of my mom’s worked for the Maisonette restaurant in Cincinnati & helped me with the recipe.
Oh thank you! (I do love those!)
http://www.frenchrevolutionfood.com/2009/05/french-in-a-flash-pain-au-chocolat-cinnamon-rolls-with-creme-fraiche-icing-and-walnuts/
So WOW! Can I first start by saying that I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE your website!! I found it from Daily Candy…I saw the word French and knew that I would love it! I even have it bookmarked and plan on celebrating Bastille Day by making some sort of French dessert! Probably the one that you have on Daily Candy! Although I have never been to France…I dream of it! I love anything and everything French and have embraced Julie and Julia…buying the cookbooks, desired to be a French woman after reading Mireille Guiliano’s French Women Don’t Get Fat, and love paging through My French Life by Viki Archer. You could probably say I’m obsessed, so I loved coming across your blog! So exciting! Although I love Crepes of any kind and mussels are soo good too and macaroons are to die for and croissants taste like heaven…A Croque Monsieur is by far my favorite! The melty Gruyere cheese with the hint of nutmeg and the Dijon mustard with ham……so scrumptious! So now that I have weighed in…I’m off to explore your website!!!
Thank you! I am happy to create a little francophile haven!
Steak tartare, with all the fixings on the side for creating your perfectly seasoned meal. Side salad of fresh greens and balsamic, freshly sliced baguette, and a bottle of ice cold rose. Creme brulee and espresso for dessert.
Can I just say that French Rev readers are not only incredibly discerning culinarily, but also extraordinarily articulate? It’s such a pleasure reading all these responses.
Yes ofcourse I do remember the one in Oxford! in the park, right? 🙂 the BEST!
My favorite French food (now) is a lovely little pink macaron I had yesterday at Walton’s Fancy & Staple. It was as close to a real Parisian macaron as anything I have found in Austin, Texas. I was so glad when the macaron craze made it this far around the globe. So beautiful, so tasty, mmmm, crunch. Thank you , Paris!
each day is a new adventure. my favorite today is an Avocado Tartine with a bit of greens.
the most delish bakery in des moines iowa. http://www.lamiebakery.com/
This is hard because I adore french food, but I would say coq au vin. I had it for the first time in Paris and LOVED it. And just a couple of weeks ago, I saw on Food Network that Ina was making it for her husband for their anniversary. Appartently its his favorite dish. Can you imagine Ina’s coq au vin? Probably to die for!
escargot with lots of garlic is a favorite of mine.
I personally love the buche de noel. It’s such a festive cake and when they are done right, they look amazing!
A deliciously oozy, cheesy, crusty croque monsieur with a bowl of bubbling french onion soup.
I love everything mentioned so far, but my favourite dessert is creme brulee.
These comments are making me hungry! I would have to go with the classic boeuf bourguignon or onion soup…too tough to decide!
I just discovered your blog through Daily Candy, as well. Let’s just say those profiteroles were a huge hit after dinner Saturday night. I cannot believe how easy they were to prepare!! I’m inspired to try more French pastries now. A current French fave?? Crusty baguettes with olive oil, balsamic vinegar & fresh herbs from my garden. Thanks for the recipes…love the blog!!!
For me it’s a tie between Bouillabaisse and Cassoulet. Both would be consumed with nice crusty bread and plenty of vine, of course.
mussels avec french fries… yum 🙂 In fact, I plan on making your Moules Mariniere tonight!
Just discovered French Revolution and am in love–brings me back to my study abroad days in Normandy! Have to agree with Laura Calder in her interview–the best french restaurants are french homes. Some of the best meals I’ve ever had have been thrown together in a flash in the home of my hosts–chicken with mushroom creme fraiche, fresh greens with a simple vinagrette, , calvados…oh, I’m drooling! Oh, can’t forget fromage frais!
Oh my gosh, can we please start a lobby to import more fromage frais into the US? I love that stuff.
YES! Let’s do. I did find a somewhat passable alternative at Whole Foods…can’t remember the name. I will check next time I go.
Oh please let me know!
They have Creme Fraiche at Trader Joes!
I very much appreciate a slice of fresh baguette. (Ok, I really love crepes with Nutella also!!)
This is regional French now, but the best cafe food I ever had was in Colmar in Alsace, called a “tarte flambee”. It looked like a pizza but tasted nothing like it. It was a kind of white cheese pizza but without mozzarella, topped with bacon and onions, the crust blistered burnt at the edges. Savored with an Alsatian white on the side. Bliss.
I have to get to Alsace. The food there sounds so interesting. That sounds seriously delicious.
Sea bass with butter, caper, lemon sauce.
I had this at a French restuarant in Paris, I forgot the name, one of the oldest Bistros in Paris. I stand by saying it was the most amazing meal I have ever had in my life. I compare everything to it.
pure bliss!
croque monsieur. or flan. it’s a tie 🙂
Creme brulee. YUM!
My two faves have to be what I call sex on a plate! Coq au vin and profiteroles…they are both decadent and indulgent and not easy to find, especially properly prepared. But I am always willing to continue my search for perfection. You can also lead me down the garden path with a well executed chocolate creme brulee!
A HUGE thank you to everyone for participating. This giveaway left me starving. Congratulations to Meredith, the winner (I actually picked out of a hat!)! I’ll have another giveaway next week…so stay tuned.
Woo Hoo! I’m so excited! Thanks!
I’m so excited too! Meredith, send your address to kerry@frenchrevolutionfood.com and I will get the book in the mail to you. Thanks!
Got it! Merci beaucoup! I plan to cook the whole book, we’ll see how long that takes.
Oh, and the yummy fromage frais at Whole Foods is from the Vermont Butter & Cheese company.
That sounds like a good plan!
I love Vermont Butter & Cheese–but I can only find Fromage Blanc. You’re so lucky to have found Fromage Frais! Thanks for the tip…