Le Cordon Bleu at Home

Here is the first English-language cookbook from the Parisian cooking school whose very name epitomizes excellence. Le Cordon Bleu at Home provides a solid understanding of the philosophy and skills taught for nearly a century in the schools nine-month "Classic Cycle" course. Moving through three stages from basic to advanced techniques this in-depth approach to classical French cuisine offers a series of easy-to-follow menus and recipes that correspond to classes at the school. Nearly three hundred beautiful color photographs depict finished dishes serving ideas and cooking techniques at each stage through completion. Learning to cook means mastering the fundamentals. In "Part One: Getting Started " youll learn how to roast poach fry saute braise and stew. Youll learn which cuts of meat are most appropriate for a dish which utensils to use and how to use them and preliminary preparations that simplify tasks. The menus focus on basic dishes -- from roast chicken and lamb to pan-fried sole apple fritters and poached fruit. "Part Two: Perfecting Skills" takes you through pastry-making and introduces such preparations as pts souffls consomms and more. This is where youll find such glorious dishes as Daube dAgneau Avignonnaise (braised lamb cooked as it is in Avignon) Tournedos Baltimore (tenderloin steaks with Chateaubriand sauce) and Pilaf de Volaille la Turque (Turkish-style pilaf with zucchini and oranges) created by Henri-Paul Pellaprat one of the schools most famous instructors. Ultimately no one truly "finishes" learning -- the best chefs endlessly hone their skills. For advanced cooks "Part Three: Finishing Touches" emphasizes the creative aspect of cooking. Le Cordon Bleu is the crme de la crme of cooking schools and this is an indispensable volume for everyone interested in learning about the ageless art of French cooking. Combining time-honored traditions with the latest most sophisticated methods and a variety of recipes ranging from standard at-home fare to classic regional and modern dishes this is the ultimate state-of-the-art book on French cuisine.