In Paris on July 14, 1789, the rebels and upstarts of the Third Estate stormed the medieval fortress/prison called the Bastille, giving a form to their discontent and sparking the French Revolution. That date is a national holiday in France. You’ll find the apotheosis of Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, where the revelry includes a sumptuous parade down the Champs-Élysées and fireworks over the Eiffel Tower.
Que c’est belle!
The upside of all this (aside from the introduction of a French Republic and the birth of the modern era) is that we’re giving up to 100 bloggers a chance to win a copy of Richard Grausman’s magnifique cookbook French Classics Made Easy—and one Blue Ribbon winner will get a Cuisinart Elite Collection Food Processor!
French Classics Made Easy is the New York Times-lauded cookbook that removes the intimidation factor from traditional French dishes like boeuf bourguignon (beef burgundy) and cassoulet. (Said the Times: “For those interested in, if slightly intimidated by, the intricacies of French cuisine, this book will be a balm.”) The pared-down recipes provide simple methods without compromising presentation or that timeless taste. Author Richard Grausman, one of the nation’s premier cooking teachers, conveys recipes with ease, clarity, and an understanding of how home chefs can—and should—cook classic French food.
Winning a copy for your own kitchen is much easier than overthrowing a centuries-old monarchy. Simply cook up at least one of the following recipes from the book (below), write about the experience on your blog, and email LauraF@workman.com with the link to your piece (either on a blog or on Facebook) and your mailing address and phone number. Plus, let us know if you’ll be taking us up on the challenge in our comments section! The deadline for submissions is July 31, 2011.
Richard Grausman himself will judge the posts based on clarity, writing style, and fun had—the livelier, the better! On August 15, we’ll announce the Blue Ribbon winner on our blog and post links to all the blogs who participated. Additionally, the first 100 bloggers to send in their post will receive a copy of the book!
The (mouthwatering) Bastille Day menu:
- Watercress Soup (“Ooooh!”)
- Basque-Style Sauteed Chicken Breasts (Vegetarian option: Omelet with Ratatouille) (“Aaaahhh!”)
- Lime Mousse (“……” [faints from sheer pleasure])
This Bastille Day, don’t let the French have all the fun! Get cooking (and blogging)—and remember, there’s a Cuisinart Elite Collection Food Processor in it for the winner. Vive la France!
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