Synopses & Reviews
After divulging the intriguing histories behind 50 iconic desserts, master pastry chef Pierre Hermand#233; shares his tried-and-tested recipes for the great classics of French pastry and other definitive desserts from around the worldand#8212;and then he reveals how to reinvent them. Rose-scented almond paste and a compote of raspberries and lychees fill Hermand#233;and#8217;s croissants; his Saint Honorand#233; cake combines green tea, chestnuts, and passion fruit; and caramelized mango adorns his foie gras crand#232;me brand#251;land#233;e.
The luscious photographs and 100 recipes featured in Pierre Hermand#233; Pastries flaunt Hermand#233;and#8217;s mastery of technique and the talent for combining textures and flavors that have earned him the reputation as one of the worldand#8217;s most skilled and inventive pastry chefs.
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Praise for Pierre Hermand#233; Pastries:
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"There are cookbooks, and there are coffee table books. Pierre Hermand#233; Pastries (Stewart, Tabori and Chang; $50) is more the latter than the former, though that shouldnand#8217;t detract from its value to those who are captivated, maybe even obsessed, by beautiful desserts." and#8212;Washington Post
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"The photographs are stunning. The recipes are the stuff of custard-rich dreams." and#8212;Publishers Weekly
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"This is a cookbook that a passionate pastry lover will want, not only to replicate Hermand#233;'s own recipes but to be inspired by, as well. And for anyone who loves a good story to go along with the food, you'll appreciate reading about the history behind each recipe." and#8212;Epicurious.com
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and#8220;Read it cover to cover, and you'll have a very good idea of how French pastry got to where it is today . . . Intense cookbook porn ahead: donand#8217;t say you weren't warned.and#8221; and#8212;Eater.com
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Synopsis
The prize-winning author of
Baking with Julia (more than 350,000 copies sold), among other cookbook classics, celebrates the sweet life with recipes and lore from Paris's finest patisseries.
Like most lovers of pastry and Paris, Dorie Greenspan has always marveled at the jewel-like creations displayed in bakery windows throughout the City of Light. Now, in a charmingly illustrated tribute to the capital of sweets, Greenspan presents a splendid assortment of recipes from Pariss foremost pastry chefs in a book that is as transporting to read as it is easy to use.
From classic recipes, some centuries old, to updated innovations, Paris Sweets provides a sumptuous guide to creating cookies, from the fabled madeleine to simple, ultra-buttery sables; tarts, from the famous Tatin, which began its life as an upside-down error, to a delightful strawberry tart embellished with homemade strawberry marshmallows; and a glorious range of cakes-lemon-drenched "weekend cake," fudge cake, and the show-stopping Opera. Paris Sweets brims with assorted temptations that even a novice can prepare, such as coffee éclairs, rum-soaked babas, and meringue puffs. Evocative portraits of the pastry shops and chefs, as well as information on authentic French ingredients, make this a truly comprehensive tour.
An elegant gift for Francophiles, armchair travelers, bakers of all skill levels, and certainly for oneself, Paris Sweets brings home a taste of enchantment.
About the Author
Dorie Greenspan is the author of numerous acclaimed cookbooks, including Baking with Julia, The Cafe Boulud Cookbook (with Daniel Boulud), and Desserts by Pierre Herme, which won the IACP Cookbook of the Year Award. She divides her time between Paris and New York.