It only seems fitting that our Cookbook Club is cooking from David Lebovitz’s My Paris Kitchen on Bastille Day!
David’s charming essays and approachable techniques have won over even the biggest skeptics in our group. So far, despites the dog days of summer, we’ve found comfort in his takes on French bistro favorites.
His steak frites are served slathered with a kicky mustard butter, and the unctuous croque monsieur is “reminiscent of my favorite French restaurant,” says Jana Lipscomb. Plus, as John William Barton noted in the group, “What's not to like about something that is smothered in melted butter and chargrilled until golden brown?”
For those searching for lighter fare, others in our group have experimented with the starkly simple, but stunningly flavorful, Grated Carrot Salad (Carottes Rapées), which stole the show at a potluck dinner Dana Petersen attended. “Of all the food at this party, this was the one that got rave reviews.”
Even David’s “Counterfeit” Duck Confit transported us to the 7th arrondissement. “The skin was so crispy, I could hear the cracks as the knife ran through it,” wrote Dara Mao. “I wouldn't change a thing.” And we wouldn’t either.
Ready to cook along? We're giving away two copies of My Paris Kitchen! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post by Sunday night—winners will be selected Monday morning. (Giveaway open to US and Canadian addresses only.)
Written by: Laura Ratliff
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105 Comments
Lindsay-Jean H.
July 21, 2017
We haven't had luck with the re-draw. :( Cheryl Biggs Lumbert, please email me ([email protected]) tonight to claim your prize! Or I will once again draw another name in the morning.
Lindsay-Jean H.
July 19, 2017
Psst - Peggy Goldinger, you're that second winner that I haven't heard from yet! Email me ([email protected]) tonight to claim your prize!
Lindsay-Jean H.
July 19, 2017
Attention all: Names were drawn and winners were contacted first thing Monday morning, but I've only heard back from 1 person. The second winner has until first thing tomorrow morning (8 am EST) to get in touch or I will be drawing new name for the second book!
klrcon
July 16, 2017
I'm a huge fan of his website and I bet this book would be just as wonderful. My kind of food!
Jeanette
July 16, 2017
My husband and I have drooled over this cookbook for a long time and would love to win a copy to try it out!
Denise D.
July 16, 2017
This is the perfect summer diversion - yes! I want to turn my little kichen into Bistro Chez Denise.
Mara
July 16, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed David Lebovitz's "The Sweet Life in Paris" and would love to turn my home into a French bistro!
Valerie
July 16, 2017
I've followed David Lebovitz for a Very Long Time. Every recipe of his I've made has, "Excellent - make again!" scribbled across it. I have one downloaded recipe book, but I'd dearly love a hard copy of this one!
Hollis R.
July 16, 2017
i have two jars of premium duck fat just waiting for the right recipe for confit to come along ,,,
Kris W.
July 16, 2017
Amazing pictures and amazing food. I think I need to get this book. Yum! Inspiration in overdrive. Thank you!
Melissa
July 15, 2017
I need this book on my countertop!! Would look amazing on top of a stack next to my copper pots :):):)
Jay U.
July 15, 2017
Saw this amazing cookbook at my sister-in-law' and it brought back memories of being in France with my grandmother when young. Bittersweet memories now that she has passed. Would love to have my own copy!!
Jen K.
July 14, 2017
Once again, yes please! I'm losing my library access to that mustard chicken recipe in two days, this cannot be!
AntoniaJames
July 14, 2017
Among the many recipes from this recipe that have earned "keeper" status in my kitchen, may I recommend the following:
Counterfeit Duck Confit (pages 179 - 180) (the herbs and spices work real magic)
Chicken with Mustard (169 - 170)
Salted olive crisps (42 - 43)
Rillettes de Sardines (78 - 79)
Dukkah (81) (fennel seeds! yes)
Leeks with Mustard-Bacon Vinaigrette (88) (also excellent substituting string beans for the leeks)
Apricot Crumble Tart (308 - 309)
Bay Leaf Pound Cake with Orange Glaze (296 - 297) (add the melted butter to the eggs, etc.)
From the pantry section at the end:
Salsa Verde (333)
Rosemary and Parsley Oil (332)
Shallot Marmalade (335)
Vinaigrette (335) (I use a combination of olive and grapeseed oil, to appreciate the flavors of the sherry vinegar and shallots)
And there are so many more . . . . this is one of my favorite cookbooks of the past decade. The essays and tidbits of kitchen wisdom make this a great read as well as a helpful reference book.
If I were not traveling for most of the month of July, I'd be making one recipe a day from this as part of the cookbook club festivities. I may do that anyway, the next time I know I'll been in town for 30 days in a row. ;o)
Counterfeit Duck Confit (pages 179 - 180) (the herbs and spices work real magic)
Chicken with Mustard (169 - 170)
Salted olive crisps (42 - 43)
Rillettes de Sardines (78 - 79)
Dukkah (81) (fennel seeds! yes)
Leeks with Mustard-Bacon Vinaigrette (88) (also excellent substituting string beans for the leeks)
Apricot Crumble Tart (308 - 309)
Bay Leaf Pound Cake with Orange Glaze (296 - 297) (add the melted butter to the eggs, etc.)
From the pantry section at the end:
Salsa Verde (333)
Rosemary and Parsley Oil (332)
Shallot Marmalade (335)
Vinaigrette (335) (I use a combination of olive and grapeseed oil, to appreciate the flavors of the sherry vinegar and shallots)
And there are so many more . . . . this is one of my favorite cookbooks of the past decade. The essays and tidbits of kitchen wisdom make this a great read as well as a helpful reference book.
If I were not traveling for most of the month of July, I'd be making one recipe a day from this as part of the cookbook club festivities. I may do that anyway, the next time I know I'll been in town for 30 days in a row. ;o)
Olivia
July 14, 2017
Yum. I'm part of the cookbook club that's doing this one this month and while I didn't make it to getting this book, my feed is filled with amazing looking dishes! Would love to win!
Hanna
July 14, 2017
Would love to win - champignons à la crème are one super-quick and yummie classic that's missing from the list above!
Donna
July 14, 2017
This book looks wonderful.
Love to win it and add it to my collection of cook books!!!!
Love to win it and add it to my collection of cook books!!!!
irish1482
July 14, 2017
Have checked this book out from the library so many times...would be wonderful to own!
Kate K.
July 14, 2017
I'm cooking from a library copy now. It would be great to replace it with my own.
Melissa
July 14, 2017
All the posts look so delicious! Would love to win a copy & start posting myself!
La'Chia
July 14, 2017
I checked book out from the library and I have it until August 1. I would love to own a copy though. So far, I have made the herb omelet but I'm looking to make one of the tapenades or salads this weekend.
caninechef
July 14, 2017
I love all things mustard, will have to try this butter. DL's chicken with mustard is terrific. Found the recipe via Google but would love to explore the book more.
molly M.
July 14, 2017
I just borrowed this cookbook from the library, but would happily own it forever!! Love that mustard chicken he does.
Kristin M.
July 14, 2017
I borrowed this book from my library and have been loving everything so far. Even my picky husband has been loving everything. I would love to have a copy of my own! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!!
Jillian F.
July 14, 2017
It all looks and sounds so delicious. Want to take time off work to make them all!
Mimi
July 14, 2017
David Levobitz is one of my favorite go-to food bloggers! His writing is casual and entertaining as well as humorous and informative! I also know I can trust his well thought-out and many times- tried recipes! I just made his moutabal recipe and it was so good!
Dianna
July 14, 2017
In Paris in the 1950s, I had the supreme good fortune to study with a remarkably able group of chefs. From them I learned why good French good is an art, and why it makes such sublime eating: nothing is too much trouble if it turns out the way it should. Good results require that one take time and care. If one doesn't use the freshest ingredients or read the whole recipe before starting, and if one rushes through the cooking, the result will be an inferior taste and texture--a gummy beef Wellington, say. But a careful approach will result in a magnificent burst of flavor, a thoroughly satisfying meal, perhaps even a life-changing experience.
Such was the case with the sole meunière I ate at La Couronne on my first day in France, in November 1948. It was an epiphany.
In all the years since the succulent meal, I have yet to lose the feelings of wonder and excitement that it inspired in me. I can still almost taste it. And thinking back on it now reminds me that the pleasures of table, and of life, are infinite--toujours bon appétit!
Julia Child
Such was the case with the sole meunière I ate at La Couronne on my first day in France, in November 1948. It was an epiphany.
In all the years since the succulent meal, I have yet to lose the feelings of wonder and excitement that it inspired in me. I can still almost taste it. And thinking back on it now reminds me that the pleasures of table, and of life, are infinite--toujours bon appétit!
Julia Child
Hedy D.
July 14, 2017
Just got DG's "Baking Chex Moi". I would LOVE a copy of DL's "My Paris Kitchen"!
Elle J.
July 14, 2017
I have been loving cooking from My Paris Kitchen with my copy from the library. I would love a copy to own!!
Kim R.
July 14, 2017
I love duck confit! Crispy skin - yum! Looks like a great cookbook...Dreaming of Paris and the FOOD!
susanna.faygenbaum
July 14, 2017
I've been following David Leibovitz's instagram and blog and would love this book
Jenny S.
July 14, 2017
That mustard butter is genius! I love a good steak frites but the poivre version can be overwhelming to me, so this is going to be my new go-to! Now if I just had that cookbook.... :)
Peggy G.
July 14, 2017
Made the chicken lady chicken. So easy and delicious even though only marinated it for 1 hour ( decided at the last minute to make it)
Ann D.
July 14, 2017
What a great contest! Seeing all the pictures the recipes seem really exquisite!
Michele
July 14, 2017
Loved his blog for years, it has kept my Paris longing (food and otherwise) alive. Looking forward to dipping into the cookbook and firming my relationship further.
Daniela G.
July 14, 2017
Amazing pictures everyone! So fun to see so many beautiful creations on the same book. I just joined the club this week and am feeling so inspired by it ~ thank you! I love David Leibovitz's blog and cook from it frequently. I would LOVEEEEE to win his My Paris Kitchen and start cooking from that too. Thanks!!!
natalie L.
July 14, 2017
I'm planning to cook a lot of recipes from this book, so I don't mind to have another copy sitting pretty on my bookshelf while I'm splashing butter all over the other copy on my kitchen counter ..
Hannah K.
July 14, 2017
Ongoing household debate about the proper way to #croque-monsieur- this might help!
Aimée A.
July 14, 2017
Love the #f52cookbookclub. It really help re inspire my passion for cooking and food again!
Lori
July 14, 2017
I have been following the recipes in the F52 cookbook club and would love this book!
Jackie N.
July 14, 2017
I checked it out from the library and love it. Would love to have my own copy.
Sally L.
July 14, 2017
So excited about new ways to cook carrots and other French inspired side dishes with vegetables and grains
SandraH
July 14, 2017
David Lebovitch is a sweetheart - I love his blog! I've made his Chicken with Mustard Sauce (Poulet à la Moutarde) and it's delicious. After reading this article, now I want to try the recipes featured above by your cooking group!
Beth4158
July 14, 2017
Love David's blog and approach and aesthetic! And now I want a croque monsieur.
Bridget
July 14, 2017
I have been a long standing fan of David's and already own this beautiful book. If chosen I would pay it forward and give it to a foodie friend. Good luck to all.
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