Clotilde Dusoulier is a twenty-seven-year-old Parisian who adores sharing her love of all things food-related — recipes, inspirations, restaurant experiences, and above all the pleasure of cooking with the fresh ingredients found in her local Montmartre shops. But her infatuation with food was born not in her mother's Parisian kitchen, but in San Francisco, where she moved after college and discovered a new world of tastes. When she returned to her beloved France, her culinary exploits inspired her popular and critically acclaimed blog, ChocolateandZucchini.com.

In her first book, Dusoulier provides a glimpse into the life of a young Parisian as she savors all that the city has to offer and shares her cooking philosophy in the form of more than 75 recipes that call for healthy ingredients (such as zucchini) and more indulgent tastes (such as chocolate). The Los Angeles Times calls her recipes "simple, charming, and fun."

Appetizers such as Cumin Cheese Puffs, sandwiches and tarts like Tomato Tatin, soups like Chestnut and Mushroom, main dishes including Mustard Chicken Stew, and desserts like Chocolate and Caramel Tart can all be found alongside menus for entertaining, as well as tips for throwing cocktail or dinner parties with French flair. Chocolate & Zucchini is the book for anyone who has journeyed to Paris and can still recall the delicious flavors and aromas — or for those of us who only dream about them.

"Readers of Dusoulier's ebullient food blog, chocolateandzucchini.com, won't be disappointed by this wonderful mlange of new creations and old favorites. Dusoulier's charm lies in her culinary curiosity and enthusiasm, and she deftly conveys both through 75-plus recipes and narrative commentary. The 27-year-old Parisian arranges her book into three sections. The first, Simplicit (Simplicity), includes salads, sandwiches, savory tarts, soups and eggs. Part two is Invitation (Entertaining) and features recipes for hors d'oeuvres, 'impromptu' dinners like Hand-Cut Steak Tartare, dinner party fare such as Comt Cheese Souffls, buffet items and sides. The final portion concerns sweets, clearly Dusoulier's favorite. With scintillating recipes for cakes (Apricot and Pistachio Ricotta), tarts (Blueberry Amandine), desserts (Chocolate Hibiscus Crme Brle) and 'sweet bites' (Orange Flower Shuttle Cookies), this section brims with innovation. Overall, newcomers to French cuisine will learn to make some classics, like Pistou Soup and Beef Bourguignon, while those seeking to expand their repertoires will enjoy the author's idiosyncratic creations. Dishes like Broccoli and Apple Quiche (born out of a 'greenmarket run one fall morning') and, of course, Chocolate & Zucchini Cake (which may sound 'a little odd,' but is 'surprisingly successful' and features 'real teamwork at play') are just some of Dusoulier's delightful and unusual offerings." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"This collection of remarkably accomplished recipes, from market-fresh salads to indulgent desserts, includes a soupçon of tasty tales and tips from Clotilde's Parisian kitchen, and is sure to inspire readers and cooks no matter where they live." David Lebovitz, author of The Perfect Scoop and Room For Dessert

"Clotilde Dusoulier, a young French woman who discovered her love for food in the United States, shares with readers her lighthearted, enthusiastic, and thoroughly modern approach to a very personal culinary passion." Susan Herrmann Loomis, author of On Rue Tatin and The French Farmhouse Cookbook

"Dusoulier has a great deal of charm, and her recipes are fresh and appealing." Library Journal

"Is there any food lover who doesn't dream about living, cooking, and eating in Paris? This charming homage to French home cooking feeds that fantasy with a feast." Melissa Clark

"Clotilde Dusoulier's comfortable, homey food has just the right amount of authentic French flair, and her stories of life in Paris speak to food's universal ability to bring people together and make them happy. Of course, being transported to Paris never hurts either." Dave Lieberman

Illustrated throughout with Dusoulier's evocative photography, Chocolate & Zucchini is the book for anyone who has journeyed to Paris and can still recall the delicious tastes and aromas — or for those who only dream about them.

Clotilde Dusoulier lives in Montmartre. Her award-winning blog, "Chocolate & Zucchini," was launched in 2003.