Memories of Gascony
One of the great works on regional French food, by one of the greatest of all French chefs. Tom Parker Bowles To mark Pierre Koffmann's 50th year as a chef, this new edition of his iconic, award-winning cookbook is classic Koffmann and includes his celebrated Pieds de Cochon (stuffed pigs' trotters) recipe from Tante Claire, his mouthwatering Souffle aux Pistaches (pistachio souffle) plus seasonal dishes and simple family recipes from the south-west of France. Pierre Koffmann's Memories of Gascony is the story of how one of the most influential chefs of our time first learned to love food. With recipes and reminiscences from his grandparents' home in rural Gascony, this is an intimate account of school holidays spent on the farm helping his grandfather to harvest and hunt, and learning to treasure seasonality, simplicity and the best ingredients at his grandmother's side. The finest of Gascony produce is here, with a focus on simplicity. The recipes stand the test of time and speak to the food tastes and trends of today. You'll devour the cuisine as you go along - with recipes for dandelion salad with bacon and poached egg, grilled chicken with shallots and vinaigrette, and greengages in armagnac in Spring; chicken liver pate with capers, Bayonne ham tart with garlic, oeufs a la neige in Summer; roast hare with mustard and beetroot, salt cod cassoulet and quince jelly in Autumn; and fried eggs with foie gras, potato and bacon pie and tarte aux pruneaux in Winter. "The first time you taste Pierre's pistachio souffle you can never go back." Jason Atherton "Pierre is one of the world's great, instinctive chefs." Heston Blumenthal "Pierre Koffmann is a giant of the kitchen, and his shadow looms larger than anyone else's. Almost every decent chef I can think of learned most of what he knows from Pierre." Giles C