Amuse Bouche

A perfect balance of history, food, anecdotes and recommendations ... Carolyn's enthusiasm and passion for French gastronomy is legendary -- Michel Roux Jr This is a delicious bible for greedy Francophiles (like me). Carolyn Boyd's book is comprehensive, hugely engaging and frequently a revelation, even for those of us who think we know the country - its produce, cuisine and traditions, its mores and manners. And its restaurants. Her knowledge is dizzying: I'm genuinely never crossing La Manche again without a copy of this glued to me. -- Marina O'Loughlin Carolyn Boyd offers you a fun and fascinating guide to eating your way round France. When did you last dunk a rose biscuit into Champagne? Boyd serves up dozens of delicious dishes that will make your mouth water. The book is also jam-packed with fun French history tidbits -- Carol Drinkwater Carolyn Boyd knows her stuff. I can think of no more knowledgeable companion on a gastronomic road-trip along the highways and byways of a land I've loved and lived in throughout my life -- Elisabeth Luard, author * Preserving, Potting and Pickling * This book made me fall in love with France and its food all over again. With her friendly, irresistible writing, Carolyn takes you on a delicious trek through France, unravelling the mysteries of Gallic ingredients and sharing stories that reveal the diversity, history, quirks, magic and joys of culinary life. Discover the chef who uses sweet, pink Roscoff onions in desserts and join the paludiers in Guérande's vast salt marshes as they produce the famous fleur de sel, prized since Roman times. From Brittany and Normandy in the North to Burgundy, Paris and the Loire Valley to Provence and Corsica in the South, enjoy carefully chosen yet sublime recipes along the way, that celebrate the seasonality, simplicity and regionality that defines French cuisine. This is a book to learn, live and love! -- Alain Roux