Monday, January 28, 2013

Another Fine French Cookbook Giveaway!

Based in Des Moines, Iowa, Wini Moranville writes the popular blog Chez Bonne Femme and covers food for The Des Moines Register, Relish, Better Homes & Gardens and others. A passionate Francophile who has spent summers in France for 20 years, Wini has just written The Bonne Femme Cookbook, to help cooks of all levels make authentic French meals without fuss, fear, or all that butter--''the way real French families eat today,'' she says.  And I have three copies of the book to giveaway, thanks to the fine folks at Wini's publisher, The Harvard Common Press.

''I’ve set up house in charming apartments from Paris to the Dordogne, from the Côte d’Azur near Italy, to the Côte Vermeille near Spain,'' Wini reports. ''Everywhere I’ve stayed, I’ve become immersed in the food of the region. I’ve dined in restaurants and in French homes, gleaning cooking tips from the bonnes femmes I’ve met. My days in France would see me heading to the markets, chatting with butchers, greengrocers, and cheesemongers, picking up French cooking magazines, and perusing the menus of the town’s mom-and-pop bistros for inspiration. Most evenings would find me in my little French kitchen, cooking simple yet gratifying dishes akin to what women all over town were serving to their own friends and families.

''The French cherish (and expect!) the pleasures of a great meal at the end of each day,'' Wini continues. ''And yet, most French women don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen any more than we do.  I approach French cooking not as a chef or leisure cook, but rather in the spirit of today’s French woman (the bonne femme of my title), who would rather spend more time at the table than in the kitchen. You can cook like the French, no matter where you live. Many of the everyday recipes I’d enjoyed in France translate beautifully to the American table.'' 

Wini’s emphasis is on simple techniques, affordable, easy-to-find ingredients and speedy prep. Among the 250-plus recipes are classics--onion soup, crisp-skinned roasted chicken, beef Bourguignon, gratin Dauphinois, crème caramel--plus scores of more-modern preparations. Dozens of dishes showcase her clever take on the sauté/deglaze method of cooking: sauté the meat, deglaze the pan with wine and then add a handful of easy-to-find ingredients to make a true-to-France pan sauce...all in 30 minutes or less. 

Wini also offers up a new take on French stews and braises, through dishes such as pomegranate pot-au-feu, tuna steaks braised with tomatoes, olives and fennel and others that call for contemporary ingredients assembled in a fix it-and-forget way. ''Believe me, there’s more to the French stewpot than boeuf Bourguignon and coq au vin, though I do include both,'' she adds.

There are also chapters devoted to appetizers, salads, soups, eggs, cheese, and desserts, as well as recipes for dishes you might not think of as French, such as sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, pastas and casseroles. 

Wini's book has gotten nice praise from some of the top food writers in the biz. For example, Amanda Hesser, author of The Essential New York Times Cookbook says: “Wini approaches French cooking with the freshness of an outsider and the wisdom of an insider. Her conviction that French home cooking is accessible plays out winningly in recipes like Any-Day Chicken Sauté and Green-on-Green Avocado and Arugula Salad. But I'll relish the book for enticing riffs like Olives with Fennel and Pernod, and for the fact that Moranville writes with such ease and intimacy, you feel you're in France with her, cooking by her side.” 
 
OK on to the giveaway. If you'd like to enter to win a copy of the book, simply leave a comment below, under ''COMMENTS.'' Please be sure to leave your email address so we can reach you if you win; signing in with your Google account is not enough. Tip: The more creative your comment the better! If you love French food, let's hear it! If you don't know French food, tell us why you'd like to. If you've dined around France, tell us why you loved it. We'll pick the winners in a week or two. Good luck!

And if you'd like to go ahead and just order the book, you can do that on Amazon here...and you can follow Wini on Facebook and on Twitter...

Like this story? Subscribe to Provence Post here. 

38 comments:

  1. I already have a copy of Wini's delightful book and have successfully made a number of excellent meals following her recipes. I had never been very good at deglazing but now think I've got it down after working through that chapter. I have it on good authority (Wini herself in a Facebook exchange) that her cookbook is suitable not only for une bonne femme but also for un bourgeois gentilhomme like me. If my entry is so fortunate to win, I have a good friend (une bonne femme indeed) to whom I would give the book. coach8@mac.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love French cooking and this book would be a perfect addition to my cookbook collection. It's on my wish list, but I did not order it yet. Rose6848@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Would love to receive one of Wini's cookbooks as I am emersed in translating a 108 year old handwritten cookbook and culd sure use a fresh peek at something written recently. After 15 trips to Provence and renting all descriptons of homes with kitchens of varing equipment I have come to love the foods of France and the markets and the opportunity to cook with all sorts of delicious produce. Returning to the states in April and a new book to my collection would be welcome. Thanks Julie!livininprovence@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. A friend for whom I house/pet sit has Wini's book on the kitchen counter. Every time I am fortunate enough to stay in her charming French-inspired home I try a recipe or two. What fun it would be to own a copy of this great, instructive book! By the way, my friend is an Iowa native and a fellow France traveller!

    cqualin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. A great friend for whom I often house/pet-sit has Wini's cookbook in a place of prominence on her kitchen counter. Every time I am fortunate enough to stay in her charming French-inspired home I try a recipe or two. What a pleasure it would be to own a copy of this instructive book! By the way, my friend is an Iowa native, and I just realized she may even know Wini! I'll have to ask.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oops! Forgot my email address! cqualin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. French cooking... it takes me back to my university year in Bordeaux. I loved visiting the family of my then boyfriend, meals were such a big part of the day, yet were never stressful or complicated. His mother worked full-time but would always come home for lunch and cook for the family - her in full make-up and power suit. She would create a lunch of three courses in no time, always something different. Dinner was something else, but still, laidback and fab - fresh salads, fresh fruits, meats, vegetables, fresh bread and wine, always the wine, which everybody diluted with a little mineral water - it's not true that all French people drink lots of alcohol. I aspire to that kind and style of cooking - stress-free, happy, quick yet above all, tasty and interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oops, I forgot to leave my contact in my comment: lisaburn.freelance@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds like a great cookbook full of simple & delicious cuisine with a dash of cultural savoir-faire.twentyfourseveninfrance@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love French food! In fact this is why we considered France (and specifically the South of France) as THE vacation place to spend 8 weeks each year:-)
    My favorite dining experiences in 2013:
    - Aux bonnes enfants, Cannes - a great place for simple provencial food at its best;

    http://restaurant.michelin.fr/restaurant/france/06400-cannes/aux-bons-enfants/292nwmp
    I call it, my very characteristic example of Cannes food that is 'simple and sublime'.

    and

    - Le Mesclun, a 3 star sophisticated experience featuring the very best ingredients de la region Nicoise.
    http://www.lemesclun-restaurant.com/
    Love their lack of lamb (cooked at low temperature) for its deep flavor.

    Julie, I dreamed to have this book, please count me in!!
    nnedkov at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. That looks like a wonderful cookbook...I love great cookbooks that are inspired by the love of an area. Thank you for offering it as a giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  12. After touring France in April 2012,from Provence to Normandy,we realised that we found our home from home ...we particularly enjoyed the variety of food of the various regions as we travelled from(and stayed over in) Avignon , Flavigny and Aubeguimont.The French kitchens served us with amazing gratifying dishes ...fresh ingredients and well prepared and with a typical French flair to it.We were jealous of the French cooking magazines and its lucious recipes .We there and then concluded that we also want to cook like the French , even here in South Africa ! If I therefor win a copy of the French Cookbook , I shall prepare , promote and expose the food of the French regions to fellow South Africans in all regions !!

    Danie du Plessis , South Africa.
    E-mail : duplessdh@eskom.co.za

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would love to add this cookbook to my collection! I am now very hungry (thanks to the descriptions!)and want the recipes very badly! Please please pick me! J'aime la cuisine française!

    Laura Lewakowski
    lauralewakowski@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Our adult day care center for adults with dementia has a gala every year to raise scholarship funds. This year another friend and I offered a Country French Dinner for 8 and received a bid of $800 dollars. It was a huge success, and now we need to plan a menu for the next gala/auction. This type of cookbook is just what we need. Please enter me. Enjoy your blog immensly!
    Gerry Ventura
    gerrybonj@aol.com












    ReplyDelete
  15. I would love to add this cookbook to my collection. I am now very hungry (thanks to the descriptions!) and want the recipes!! Please please pick me! J'aime la cuisine française!

    Laura Lewakowski
    lauralewakowski@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would love to win the copy of Wini's new book - if I do, it will accompany us on our annual trip to Maussane-les-Alpilles (we arrive in exactly another 215 days. Can't wait.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I was introduced to this cookbook by my sister-in-law, Tammy Circeo, and she said it is a must have! It would be great to win it!! It's a lovely book.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love everything French and I too, hope to summer annually in France one day. I would love to try simple, French food as featured in this cookbook! Sara

    ReplyDelete
  19. I enjoy French food so much, would love to have this inspiration to cook up some great recipes. Barbara H at barbara@martineer.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Wouldlove to have this cookbook. Love French food and love Franch. This cookbook would also bring back memories of trips to France.

    mspuzzle2@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. I'd love to receive a copy since I love everything French!

    valetast@live.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oui. I am planning our trip to France in May. I have rented several apartments hoping to do a bit of cooking during the trip to feel more like a resident than a tourist. Now all I need is a recipe book so I can cook French as well. Merci for this chance to win this cookbook. I know also using it when I return home will bring back wonderful French memories as well.
    Lin Powell (Canada) linpowell@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Having lived in France for 5 years in my twenties, I am ashamed to say that whilst my spoken French is very good (plenty of practise!) my knowledge of French cookery is not, as I was incompetant in the kitchen. Now that I 'm back in Scotland with three boys of my own this would be a perfect chance for me to learn to cook come of the foods which I loved eating so much and introduce my boys to it.
    mackan510@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. We've been renting apartments in Nice just so I can go to the marchès and feast on the amazing produce. I'd love to see how Wini interprets two of my husband's favorites, coq au vin and boeuf Bourguignon.
    That being said, after I read Gerrybonj's comment, I almost didn't enter, so she'd have a better chance of getting the book. What a great cause!
    anne@accidental-locavore.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. We keep renting apartments in Nice just so I can shop and cook at the amazing marchès!
    I'd love to see Wini's versions of my husband's two favorites, coq au vin and boeuf Bourguignon.
    That being said, I almost didn't enter after reading Gerry Ventura's comment. What a worthy cause, I hope she wins a book!
    Anne Maxfield
    anne@accidental-locavore.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Les Bonnes Femmes gardent non seulement leurs bonne tables mais aussi leurs tailles !

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am not normally a timid eater but somehow I was always hesitant to try andouillette (often described on French menus as AAAAA which stands for the "Association Amicale des Amateurs d'Andouillette Authentique" or "the Amicable Association of Lovers of Authentic Andouillette." Nevertheless, regardless of the descrition, it is tripe and on a recent trip to Cucuron in the Luberon I thought I would give it a try. The result: I managed to consume it, with the help of a little mustard, but it could be a while before I look for seconds!
    grussellt@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Here is what grabbed me in the review: ". . .most French women don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen any more than we do. I approach French cooking not as a chef or leisure cook, but rather in the spirit of today’s French woman (the bonne femme of my title), who would rather spend more time at the table than in the kitchen." C'EST MOI ! I would love to try these simple recipes that produce delicious, healthy results and that remind me of all the wonderful meals I've eaten in France when I've had the opportunity to be there. I'd love to teach my daughter some French recipes, too, and this sounds like the perfect cookbook to try. THE giveaway sounds like it will be very BONNE for this FEMME who needs a simple French COOKBOOK for her busy family! :-) Heidi heidi.rice@charter.net

    ReplyDelete
  29. Thank you for a chance at winning a copy of this cookbook! I love the concept of the cookbook- everyday cooking . . . that's what I do! I'd love to spice it up with this inspiring French cookbook!

    ReplyDelete
  30. My husband is the cook in our home and an excellent cook he is! I'd love to win this cookbook for him.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would LOVE to win this cookbook! I have borrowed recipes from it from a friend and every one of them is mouth watering and EASY! French cooking doesn't have to be complicated, that's the point! So pleeeeease pick me! If I win I will pick a recipe and have a big dinner party with all my neighbors to introduce them to French food. Then I will post their comments! @ Faundance5@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. This is such a great concept! I would adore this book as I try to make one or two French dishes a week. Imhave already worked my way through Dorie's "Around My French Table". I need more ammunition!! Donna@donnaksmithpr.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I would love this cookbook! My daughter is currently studing in Aix and for the last year will be coming home in May. We love everything French. I plan on giving her a welcome home party and would love to use this book to make
    so her friends here can experience some of the wonderful flavors of France...thanks...
    debsugar@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  34. My ever expanding collection of French cookbooks would love to have this book join the community. As I plan for my trip to France in just over a year from now I love putting a French cooking inspired dinner on the table and Just imagine what it will be like to sit at table in France and enjoy this very meal. Thanks for the giveaway offer.
    rockymountainbirder @ gmail.com (take out spaces)
    Kristin

    ReplyDelete
  35. I'm an American who moved to La Charente 8 months ago. I have loved learning about French cuisine, and putting some Internet recipes to the test in my humble kitchen. A lovely French cookbook written by an American would be well- used and much appreciated!

    Puppyfur44@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. I had my first Kier Royale and escargot at the age of 12 at Vagenande's in Paris. Since then I have been an avid Francophile even if only trying to create a fluffy, cheese souffle in my humble kitchen in the Appalachian Mountains of western NC or gleefully hopping the trains in the South of France with a baguette, a wedge of cheese and a bottle of cheap red wine. J'adore le francais! Julia Child and Jacques Pepin are my heroes! I read cookbooks like novels! I would be honored to win your cookbook and dive in to your recipes. My husband (who is of French descent and loves to cook as well) and I prepare a French entree at least once a week. I assure you my basset hounds, Tallulah and Albert, would be at our feet every step of the way hoping a scrap or two would drop on the floor so they could sample, too. And why not? The basset hound's origins are from France. Anyhow hope you'll consider me. Cheers! laramars515@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love French food and cooking methods, but a lighter approach sounds intriguing. It's hard to justify butter and cream on a daily basis, even though Julia Child did very well by it.
    onewetfoot@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I find French food a bit intimidating - it just seems so inaccessible. I'd love tips on how to break into it, as I want to be able to make French food for dummies!

    bakingbeardy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete