From the Source - France: Authentic Recipes from the People That Know Them the Best

No other nations cuisine has given as much to the world as France. Its a country where food is the very glue that binds society together, where restaurants were invented and where the term cuisine was first coined. Served the world over, French food conjures up images of sophisticated bistros in Paris and sun-drenched terraces in Provence, with such iconic dishes as beef bourguignon and lemon tarts bringing people the taste of France wherever they are.

Trace these dishes back to their source and youll find a treasure trove of stories, told by passionate cooks, chefs and bakers. Theyll tell you about the produce grown in their land, the legends that accompany the recipes, and the generations of families who have perfected these recipes over centuries.

Weve gathered together 63 recipes that tell those stories, with the help of the people who know them best. The dishes, from simple starters to sophisticated desserts, are drawn from Frances wonderfully varied geography, climate and terrain, which results in a bounty of produce from the wild, western tip of Brittany to the golden shores of Provence.

The French term that describes the total of these conditions is terroir and, as any chef will tell you, it is as important for raising cattle and growing vegetables as it is for making wine. Each regions terroir dictates its regional culinary identity, which is why, for example, you find dairy-rich dishes in Normandy, wine-infused stews in Burgundy and vibrant vegetables at the heart of Provenal cuisine. Even Michelin-starred chefs, whose reputations may be national or even global, are bound to the terroir of their region and use produce that is grown nearby, sometimes just a few steps from the kitchen door, just as it was in homes centuries ago. Although kitchens have modernised and a variety of food has become readily available, many of the best chefs will still use ingredients and techniques that were born in simpler times, because flavours and combinations have been perfected over centuries and still make the mouth water.

Of course, French food is renowned for its sophistication, its elegance and its multiple accolades, including the revered Michelin stars, but what all chefs and cooks will tell you is that good food is what brings people together here, whether its a family around the dinner table, a group of friends at a restaurant or the chance for neighbours to chat over the boulangerie counter and the market stall. Restaurants play a big part in the daily tempo of life here, with families working together to serve their customers, while cooks at guesthouses make their tables dhtes (hosts tables) a chance for guests from around the world to share some of French cuisines most rustic dishes.

These dishes may well lead you on a journey to discover the foods in the places they originate, as well as try them at home. So whether the recipes inspire you to make a simple cake to share with friends over coffee, or an ambitious dish for a dinner party, there is something here to fit every occasion and all are provided by chefs and cooks who are passionate about their food, their ingredients and their region.

Bon apptit!