Rachel Khoo

Khoo, a Brit, moved to Paris to attend Le Cordon Bleu. She turned her minuscule apartment with it's half oven and two gas rings into a temporary restaurant.
This is a big heavy book of traditional French recipes, often with her twist to simplify them a bit. So there's a Winter salad with goat's cheese mousse, but the twist is that Khoo serves raw vegetables rather than roasted. Her dumplings are served in a thin chicken broth rather than a heavy sauce. There are recipes that are originals from locals, such as a cherry tomato and vanilla bean chutney to serve with goat cheese.
Many of the recipes are more complicated than I usually do, but some are easy with ingredients I keep on hand.… (mehr)

I like to read cookbooks, so when I heard about this one I was looking forward to reading the library's copy. Especially since this is the only way I'm going to Paris this year. Apparently Rachel Khoo has a following, but this was my introduction to her. After reading all the recipes, there were only three that I want to make (including the Gratin Dauphinois potatoes which I made tonight, after modifying the recipe a bit). It was a big hit with the family, but beware that the subhead: "120 Simple but Classic French Recipes" is a bit of a stretch. Most are not simple, and "French" seems to mean butter, cream, and frying. I would have liked healthier versions of these recipes.

The book has lots of beautiful food photos, plus many of Khoo at markets, cafes, picnics, and in her little kitchen. She writes a short intro paragraph before the recipes, and each is clearly explained. She has a degree from Le Cordon Bleu cooking school which shows in her careful descriptions and explanations of ingredients. I wasn't motivated to prepare most of the recipes, so sadly, this isn't the cookbook for me. The best part of the book, though, is a list of Khoo's favorite Parisian foodie spots.… (mehr)