Recipes for Redemption: A Companion Cookbook to A Cup of Redemption

by Carole Bumpus

Recipes for Redemption: A Companion Cookbook to A Cup of Redemption provides the promised recipes―both French and American―culled from the pages, the times, and the regional influences found in the historical novel A Cup of Redemption. Told through the voices of the three main characters―Marcelle, Sophie and Kate―the recipes are carefully taught in the way these women learned them: at the knees of their mothers or grandmothers. Whether “cuisine pauvre” (peasant cooking), “war food” from WWII, American fare, or simply a family favorite, each recipe is carefully described and footnoted with interesting, often amusing culinary notes. Flavored with witty repartee and slathered with common sense, this cookbook is filled with heart, soul, humor, and delectable delight.

200 pages, Paperback

First published August 15, 2015

About the author

Once I set my mind on a project, it becomes a passion and heaven help the poor soul who tries to tell me otherwise. I love collecting family stories about food and family, no matter the culture. And I enjoy knowing how families celebrate life in the kitchen. So, when I first interviewed a gentle elderly Frenchwoman about her favorite foods and began hearing her real story, I knew this was a story I couldn't walk away from. Twelve years later my debut novel, A Cup of Redemption, was published, and is based on this woman's life. Part historical novel, part mystery, all bound up in the framework of women, food, family and war. Published: October 27, 2014 (She Writes Press) In August, 2015, I will publish Recipes for Redemption: A Companion Cookbook to A Cup of Redemption (She Writes Press) — the recipes from the novel are given in the voices of the characters readers loved, and also tell the stories from the families that taught the women to cook the wonderful dishes.

Reviews

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know the book this is a companion too but it sounds good

[Kate E. Stephenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recipes for Redemption is author Carole Bumpus’s companion cookbook to her novel A Cup of Redemption. They say, “give the people what they want,” and Bumpus has done so supplying the recipes to the mouthwatering dishes that take center stage in her cross-France family drama.

In the novel, American Kate meets French ex-pat Sophie and her mother Marcelle in her quest to perfect French cooking. This chance meeting leads them all on a life-changing adventure studded with festive and reflective moments around the dining table. In almost every chapter, characters find themselves pondering some oddity as they sip champagne and snack on all manner of cuisine pauvre (peasant cooking) from fragrant cabbage soup to earthy escargots.

Understanding the cruelty of tempting readers with these tantalizing dishes without any way to partake, Bumpus now provides recipes for all of the dishes mentioned (and even some that weren’t). Each one reads more deliciously than the last. The cookbook is peppered with entertaining tidbits, of which I wish there were more. I, specifically, wish there were more anecdotes about how the author became acquainted with these wonderful recipes in relation to the writing of A Cup of Redemption. But I’m too busy stuffing my face to complain much. (Look for my review of Carole’s novel Cup of Redemption and find my interview with Carole on San Francisco Book Review )

[Diana Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recipes for Redemption—Salvation for Your Palate

Carole Bumpus has joined the company of the august memoirists who center their life’s narrative with mouth-watering recipes that fit the mood and circumstances.

In “Recipes for Redemption”, the companion piece to “A Cup of
Redemption”, the author takes us down memory lane to France and the backstory for each recipe is important for appreciating the meaning of each recipe for the author. In addition, the reader comes to understand the title, the meaning of the French. One example” “Coq a la biere is a rooster who has seen better days but has given his life to be boiled in ale.” Now who can recreate this tantalizing recipe--Coq a la biere" without a hearty IPA to savor with it? This book is for foodies, travelers, and readers who enjoy humor, wit, and the history of good recipes!

[Satchmo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won an advanced copy of this book through First Reads Giveaways. I haven't read the book this cookbook is based on but I put it on my to-read list. The cookbook is small and, besides the cover, there's no pictures of the food. It's charming in that the recipes are categorized through the chapters of the book. So whatever was cooked in chapter one are the first few recipes of the book. There's also a blurb from the book that introduces each recipe. In keeping with the setting of the book, these are truly French recipes and as such a bit complicated. I think people who loved A Cup of Redemption would enjoy adding this cookbook to their shelves.

[Julie Witte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved this book through GoodReads First Reads. I havent read the first book; this book has the recipes from the first book. It also references back to the original book, although I feel this is more of a cookbook and can stand alone, I am going to get the first book because I love the narrative. I have already made 2 recipes! Gosh, the women in this are pretty casual about scavenging during war time...all in all, I give 4 stars and this is definitely on my favorites shelf. Well done!