French Country Kitchen: The Undiscovered Glories of French Regional Cuisine

In the French Country Kitchen, James Villas goes beyond the basic French items known to Americans as French food, and further explores the true essence of French cooking in France. The introduction delves into the amazing French Paradox, the question of how the French eat suchheavy food, yet have half the rate of heart problems of Americans. And the recipes in Mr. Villas' masterpiece are also just as interesting. I found the recipes to be very informative, and most were preceded by a humorous or thought provoking anecdote about the French countryside. Each recipe also informs the reader what part of France the particular recipe is from, such as Provence, Flanders, or Alsace. The recipes are all delicious, and most are relatively easy to prepare as well, contrary to popular belief that French cooking is extremely difficult. In addition to all the wonderful recipies, Mr. Villas also includes a chapter about bread, and the salade verte, both of which are very important in France. This book is truly interesting, even for someone who dosen't cook. It is worth reading just for the parts about French culture, as well as for the recipies. Bon Appetit