Sunday, May 3, 2015

Another Fine French Book Giveaway!


The new Monet's Palate Cookbook is being released this week and the publisher has offered me three copies to give away.  

Produced by filmmaker Aileen Bordman and garden writer Derek Fell, the book includes 60 recipes linked to Monet's two-acre kitchen garden near his home at Giverny, France. Between the covers are lots of luscious details about the vegetables he grew, along with gorgeous photos and descriptions of the house interiors, the gardens and the artist's extraordinary lifestyle. 

“Our goal was to bring Monet's kitchen garden back to life," Aileen tells me. "His desire for fresh garden produce extended beyond the flavor and health benefits that they could provide. His need to cultivate a kitchen garden, plant seeds and work the soil with his fingers allowed him to connect with nature in a spiritual way, feed his soul and see beauty oblivious to others.”

Immersed in the world of Claude Monet since 1980, Aileen has more than 35 years of experience at the property in Giverny. Her first visit there was in 1980, when the museum first opened. Her mother, Helen Rappel Bordman, was one of the handful of Americans responsible for the renaissance of the home and garden, which had fallen into complete ruin.

In 2005, Aileen wrote and produced of the documentary film Monet's Palate: A Gastronomic View from the Garden, which was broadcast in the US through American Public Television to all 350 PBS stations...and was re-released this year. It features Meryl Streep, legendary casino operator and art patron Steve Wynn, and chefs Alice Waters, Anne Willan, Roger Vergé, Daniel Boulud and Michel Richard. It screened in Cannes and New York and was featured during the six-month "Monet's Garden" exhibit at the New York Botanical Garden in New York in 2012. The 58-minute film is available on DVD here.

The book brings the farm-to-table tradition--lived passionately by Monet--into the 21st century, with recipes inspired by his cooking journals and the places he visited. And of course, by his garden's abundance of fresh herbs and vegetables: zucchini, cherry tomatoes, radishes, pearl onions, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, rosemary, mint and more.

Aileen's partner in the book project, Derek Fell, is the author of The Magic of Monet's Garden and Secret's of Monet's Garden. One of America's most widely published garden writers, his titles on gardening, travel and art have sold more than 2.5 million copies. He divides his time between Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and Sanibel Island, Florida.

The book has been earning lovely reviews...along with praise from big names in the food and gardening worlds. "There's no thrill that compares to growing one’s own food," says journalist, cooking teacher and author Patricia Wells. "Planting, caring, harvesting and bringing the treasures to the table. Monet’s Palate Cookbook provides all the inspiration anyone needs to go out and dig, plant, absorb the joys that soil offers each of us. Whether a garden novice or seasoned expert, this book offers a wealth of advice and recipes destined to improve all of our lives.”

Meryl Streep wrote the foreword and the recipes were beautifully photographed by Steven Rothfeld. 

Published May 1st by Gibbs Smith, the hardcover has 176 pages in full color and 60-plus recipes. It lists for about $30 and you can buy it on Amazon here ...or direct from the author here

To enter to win a copy of the book, just leave a comment below. Tell us about your garden. your connection to Monet, your passion for the Impressionists or anything else you care to share. Be sure to leave your email so we can reach you if you win; signing in with your Google account is not enough. Winners will be chosen and alerted towards the end of May. 

For more info about the book, click here.

To reach Aileen directly: 
abordman@monetspalate.com

Claude Monet's Gardens at Giverny are open daily until November 1st, 2015. To visit, all the info is here.

Photos: (1) The new book comes out this week. How can you not want a copy? (2) Tulips, irises and water lilies in Monet's garden; today some 200,000 different flower varieties are rotated regularly by head gardener James Priest and his team, which numbers as many as 30 people working daily, year round. A
lways on the look-out for rare varieties, Monet bought young plants at great expense. "All my money goes into my garden," he said. But also: "I am in raptures." (3, 4) Two dishes from the book: moules marinière and chilled asparagus salad with olives. (5) Aileen shot this Bowl of Beauty peony at Giverny last year.

28 comments:

  1. I grew up in a family of gardeners and have always loved the impressionists. And now there's food ... my other love!! How fabulous!

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  2. Julie, Monet, his paintings, his gardens have always inspired me. As an artist I have used his scenery many times just tying to imagine his life in Giverny, his times, his beauty and every day life. Thank you for the opportunity!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena

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  3. I love Monet's paintings ever since I first became aware of them when I took an art appreciation course in University. I respect how he kept painting even after his sight began to fail adding a new dimension to his paintings as they burred and became even more dream like. I would love to win his cookbook. linpowell@hotmail.com

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  4. I was just reading about visiting Giverny (as I will be there this summer), when I received this email! Must be fate!

    debbie
    debbieworcester@mac.com

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  5. I first saw Monet's garden 10 years ago and that visit inspired me to design my ornamental garden using plants I had observed there. All that in addition to growing most of our own food and trying to provide a place for the local flora and fauna, which I think Monet tried to do as well. Oh, to live at Giverny would be such a delight. cheriduzanica@gmail.com

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  6. Monet's work has always pulled at my heart. I've visited Giverny several times (spring, summer, and fall) and each time the gardens have amazed me! Here at home, we love to landscape with color as well!

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    1. My first brush with Monet came fifty years ago when I was lucky enough to visit Paris and the water lilies collection at the Jeu de Paume; I am still a vegetable gardener and a good cook at age 70, and I would be thrilled to have this beautiful book.
      Carole
      sendmeyer@sbcglobal.net

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  7. Monet's art inspires me, but Giverny is the most magical place I've ever been. The kitchen, the colors, the Japanese prints on the wall, I'll never forget

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  8. How do I enter the drawing for one of the Monet books?

    Romeo

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    1. Hi Romeo,
      To enter to win a copy of the book, just leave a comment here, just like you did the first time. Tell us about your garden. your connection to Monet, your passion for the Impressionists or anything else you care to share. Be sure to leave your email so we can reach you if you win; signing in with your Google account is not enough. Winners will be chosen and alerted towards the end of May. Good luck!

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  9. Fabulous! I love Monet, gardening and cooking. I have never been to Giverny, but saw Monet's Water Lillies at the Musee de l'Orangerie when I was in Paris. I recently moved to New Hampshire and am busy establishing my dream kitchen garden.
    perryellen@ymail.com

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  10. I'm a painter hugely inspired by the beauty of the French countryside. Both private, public and individual gardens are a visual treat. Monet's garden is a pinnacle as is his art. After 30 trips to France, I still can't get enough.

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  11. When I was a child, my great aunt Latin teacher fostered in me a love for growing things in a small border town in Maine. You might say she planted a seed. In my own neighborhood, I can identify each tree, flowering bush, and flower in all the gardens I pass on my walks around the block. I leave the flowers to my neighbors while I tend a vegetable garden with great enthusiasm. My family and I enjoy the fruits of that garden throughout summer and far into the fall here in California. Our favorite family gatherings are enjoyed at our table, eating meals prepared with vegetables and herbs from my garden.

    Our visit to Giverny over 15 years ago (when my sons were 10 and 16) reminded me of my great aunt and our walks--but many times multiplied. The profusion of colors was astonishing. Just the profusion of greens was astonishing! Monet's garden is pulled from the recesses of my memory whenever I gaze at the splendor of my neighbors' flower gardens.

    A book that combines cuisine and flowers deserves a place on both my kitchen counter and my coffee table.

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  12. I am a Master Gardener, and have a big kitchen garden as well as extensive ornamental plantings surrounding our property.
    My husband and I both love Monet, and have visited Giverny several times. We love French cuisine, and not only cook a lot of French food at home, but have spent every September in Provence since 1995 - only another 118 days until we're back in the place that we think of as "Heaven on Earth!

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  13. Monet's work is mesmerizing. If this is open to all, please count me in.

    mystica123@hotmail.com

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  14. Monet and Provence hold a very special place in my heart ever since I was there for school. It is a place that truly gets into your heart and soul. My dream garden would certainly be one like Monet's, but I'm only have a few flowers and herbs due to the clay-filled soil where I live. But I cherish them while I have them.
    pleasingpalettes@gmail.com

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  15. would love one...love Monet, gardening and cooking and hopefully will get to Giverny soon..planning our next trip now... dwestpt@comcast.net

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  16. What a lovely looking book. My garden is my special place to go to, home to large, old cherry and walnut trees where my chickens scratch happily below and my son climbs in the branches. I have a vine covered seating area, lots of lavender and climbing roses and my potager, which is my favourite place. FrenchVillageDiaries@gmail.com

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  17. I would love to win a copy.
    I remember visiting the National Gallery in London for the first time and being mesmerised by the hazy beauty of Monet's work. Email is lmnevey.nev@gmail.com

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  18. I love Monet. I love his garden at Giverny. I love my own vegetable garden. And I love to cook. I think I need this book.

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  19. We are Locavores - i.e. local, seasonal, fresh, seasonal. So this beautiful book would really suit our way of cooking and eating. We LOVE the Marche Forville in Cannes where all the fresh fruit and vegetables has flowers and rootes - i.e. picked that morning or latest the day before. There is no comparison with the flavour and that is what Monet loved too - from garden to table the same day. Please enter us for a copy. Jackie Pressman

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  20. Litho fora with bright blue star flowers planted itself in our dry stone wall over winter, waiting to surprise me when we got back to Goult. There it was overlooking the patches of garden divided by the terraced walkway..the lavender patch pushing up, feathery green, the iris on thick stalks ready to pop! Along the sun absorbing wall we placed our window boxes of herbs, the chives are flowering, then parsley sand Thai and sweet basil, dill fragile and cool. The thyme and sage with the rosemary bushes thrive after their harsh winter. All ready for my roasts, grills, stews and ratatouille so. Summer is soon.
    susanmellups@aol.com

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  21. My father retired in 1983 and at last he and my mother were free to travel the world together. One of their first trips was to France and Monet's Giverny garden. Being an art major and hearing about my passion for Monet's work, my mother bought a print of Monet's for me. She carried it by hand during her entire travels until she could bring it home as a present to me. Of course it is beautifully framed and still hangs in our house to this day. She was a wonderful cook and artist herself so to visit Monet's garden was such a treasure for her. I had visited France in '74 and had the pure joy of seeing his paintings in the Jeu de Paume. To say they took my breath away does not begin to explain what an exciting moment it was for me. After raising two boys and teaching for over 25 years, I was offered an opportunity to travel with some friends, one of which is a French teacher, to have five days of cooking classes in Arles. The chef was originally from Arles and had kept his mother's recipes and that was the basis of all our meals. This was more a Mediterranean style of cooking and was out of this world. We were lucky to be there for the Wednesday Arles market and the famous Saturday market. "Fresh" was the key! Ever since my girl friend and I are constantly sharing recipes and wonderful meals with friends as often as possible. Although I do not have an elaborate garden due to way too much shade from lovely old trees in our yard and entire neighborhood, I relish our local Farmer's market! My love of Monet continues and will forever be a big part of my life. I have several books of Monet's art, including the book of the interior of his house at Giverny that I bought the day I visited. I would love to add this new book of recipes to my collection! One of my favorite moments at Monet's garden was when a young man approached me to video his wedding proposal to his fiancee! What a wonderful place to begin a life together! My husband and I have a trip planned for this Summer to once again visit France and Monet's garden in Giverny!

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  22. My email address: momart73@aol.com
    Thank you for considering me for the Monet's Palate Cookbook.....Yolanda

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  23. I love all things French. I love the ease of cooking with fresh ingredients - just a little prep and get out of their way. Love Monet.

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  24. Shopping in Provence for produce to cook in the evenings was one of the highlights of my meandering through the markets. I came home and have tried to add the Provençal influence in my gardens. Monet's paintings are an extension of his beautiful gardens. Such an inspiration ! Martinhouse57@yahoo.com

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  25. when we moved into our house i found fabric that looked like a Monet painting so used it in my kitchen-tablecloth/placements/seat cushions and i got an artist to paint the fabric design as a border all over my kitchen!!! Voila

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  26. forgot to add email to kitchen monet comment cahilldot@aol.com

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