Rick Stein's French Odyssey

by Rick Stein

Rick Stein embarks on a journey of gastronomic discovery from Padstow to Bordeaux and then to Marseille. The book is divided into a diary section and recipe chapters. Featuring starters, light lunches, main courses and desserts, the recipes include authentic versions of French classics - Vichyssoise, Pissaladiere, Bouillabasse, Cassoulet and Tarte Tatin - as well as new takes on traditional ingredients: Seared Foie Gras on Sweetcorn Pancakes, Fillets of John Dory with Cucumber and Noilly Prat, Rabbit with Agen Prunes and Polenta and Prune and Almond Tart with Armagnac.

Fully illustrated with beautiful food photography by James Murphy and landscape photography by Craig Easton, Rick Stein's French Odyssey is both a souvenir of an unusual and idyllic journey through rural France and an inspiring collection of classic and original recipes. The good news is that the French rural gastronomic dream is still a reality, and the best of its food can be reproduced at home.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Food and Drink, Reference, Travel, France

216 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Christopher Richard "Rick" Stein OBE (born 4 January 1947) is an English chef, restaurateur and television presenter. He is currently the head chef and co-owner of "Rick Stein at Bannisters" at Mollymook, New South Wales, Australia,[1] owns four restaurants in Padstow, a fish and chip shop in Falmouth, Cornwall and has written or presented a number cookery books and television programmes.

Reviews

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having really enjoyed Rick's French Odyssey TV series and being a total Francophile who loves my food I was delighted to receive this book as a gift and it didn't disappoint.

When I first opened it and read the narrative from the canal barge trip he took from Bordeaux to The Mediterranean and saw the beautiful photos of places and food in France I discovered it was so much more than just a recipe book, although with over 100 recipes it is certainly not lacking in ideas for menu planning. I have especially enjoyed reading the snippets from his travels in France that accompany each of the recipes.

This book has pride of place in my kitchen, gets used regularly and often makes me want to hop on a barge and visit some of the places he did. Many of the recipes have become regular family favourites, especially the Cherry Pithiviers, the Crunchy Walnut Tart and the Pissaladiere.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The only reason I purchased this cook book was the TV Series. Stein's style of cooking generally does not appeal, but his TV series are captivating.
French Odyssey has languished on my book shelf, unopened unloved, but would I part with it? NO!
One day it will have it's time in the limelight, and great food will be explored.

[Henriette Strydom · Rating 5 out of 5]

great one, enjoyed it

[Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

the usual stuff from Rick and in one of my favorite Food Countries

[Zsa Zsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a nice book, with beautiful photographs. I’m just not used to cooking French and the ingredients were unfamiliar to me. But I think it would be a good book for anyone who enjoys cooking French.

[Justin Walshaw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Motivated by the revolution across the Channel, this passionate defense of the aristocratic system is a landmark in conservative thinking. Within, our hero Mr Stein seeks to demolish the entire fish population of France in one fell swoop in a somewhat mad and bloody campaign of terror, whilst wearing a decidedly unbuttoned shirt.

[Chris]

One of my most used cookery books. The recipes work, the TV series and its soundtrack are brilliant.