French Food at Home: Accessible Recipes for Modern Weeknight and Leisurely Weekend Cooking

by Laura Calder

The French cooking of everyday life is lighthearted, accessible, and suited to modern tastes. Whether it's getting weeknight dinners on the table fairly fast (Basil Beef, Rhubarb Chops, or Carrot Juice Chicken) or leisurely cooking for dining at a slightly slower pace (Lamb Tagine, Holiday Hen, or Fennel Bass), Laura Calder shares recipes she's created at home in her own French kitchen.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, France, Foodie, Nonfiction, Reference

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Mrs.]

This is not the French Chef in terms of time and complexity. Hooray! The book is about CASUAL French cooking and entertaining, and it hits it out of the park. The recipes work, they're easy, and I enjoy the author's chatty tone. No photos.

[Leslie Shiel]

One of my favorite cook books - simple, elegant French cooking.

[Megan]

I found this thoroughly uninspiring; perhaps I'm not into casual French cooking? Boring recipes that don't hold a quarter of the intrigue or deliciousness of the recipes on her TV show.

[Sharon Thompson]

French Food at Home by Laura Calder

I found Laura on the Cooking Channel many years ago and was so happy to purchase this book for myself. There are classic recipes in this book as well as her unique way of cooking, very appealing. There are over 100 plus recipes and everything from appetizers to desserts. Love it!

[Priya Natarajan]

Where are the images?

I enjoy the author's show and her conversational style. Beware of the kindle version. After a year of owning it, the version has changed to an Ebook with zero images, not even the cover. I am sorely disappointed.

[Sarah]

Meh.

[Pamela Lobaugh]

Love Laura Calder's recipes, most are not time consuming and just good. I have made many dinners from this book great addition to any kitchen book shelf.

[Joe Walker]

I've been a fan of Laura Calder's television series, "French Cooking at Home" for several years now. Often, I would DVR (record) the program and play it back as I prepared the dish. This was my first book of hers to purchase and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I had read one review where the reader was concerned because there were no photographs of the dishes. This didn't phase me as the recipes are the reason to purchase the book. And finally, don't let the "French" word in the title scare you off. These are delicious recipes that are not as challenging to prepare as you may be thinking. I would highly recommend this book.

[Lori]

A few lovely recipes, as well as many delicious ones (mostly involving copious amounts of bacon and cream) that would shave 10 years off my life if eaten regularly, and a narrative manner that (not unlike her demeanor on the TV show) vascillates between haughty and strangely flip. Admittedly, I'm a little disappointed in this one overall, even if I'm not surprised by my disappointment. That being said, this is one of those cookbooks that I might still recommend to some of my friends, since quite a few of the concoctions are scrumptious and adaptable.

[Katherine]

This is the cookbook that I take on vacation with me. The recipes are delicious and family- friendly, an unusual combination for most French cookbooks. Many of the recipes have become week night favorites---quick, easily modified with what is in the pantry, and simply yummy. The author's down-to-earth style makes the mysteries of French cooking obtainable for the everyday cook.

[davidson mulkey]

This book is great! She lived in France for years and learned all of these everyday recipes that are just great and simple. I've become enamoured with french cooking lately. This is cooking the way the french do it - the regular folks not the ultra-trained, white toque cheffy types.

[Meredith]

I haven't really gotten into this one much, though I've had it for a while. My initial reaction to some of the recipes is that they seem a little strange to the American palette, and there are no pictures to prove otherwise. I'll have to give this one a shot...sometime.

[Sondra Boykin]

I enjoyed perusing Laura's book; I have enjoyed her TV series, recorded on my DVR, and watch them over and over, learning something different each episode. Cannot understand why her series is no long available, at least in the U.S.

[Catherine]

A lot of great recipes that easily fit into everyday cooking.

[Laura]

The Bacon and Hazelnut Leeks recipe alone is worth the price of admission.

[Kathy Peveler]

This is probably my favorite cookbook and I have a lot. We've probably tried at least half the recipes and haven't found a bad one.

[Judie Parks]

I lover her show and am so bummed I can't get the original episodes on DVD. This book is written exaclty as she appears on the show: stairght forward, non-fussy, and enjoyable!

[Lynette]

Laura Calder is my favorite chef! I love french food! The recipes are simple but elegant.

[Tammy]

Great recipes that work every time and get rave reviews from "test subjects"! The only negative is the lack of pictures.

[Vivian Montgomery]

Loved her show and wanted to get the cookbook to have the recipes of the show...love the book, have tried a few recipes.

[Sarah]

Interesting recipes and stories. Finished so I could pass it on to others.

[Caren]

I like he casual approach to her recipes.