Long before anyone on this side of the Atlantic was devoted to eating seasonally and locally, the French were doing precisely that, just as they had been for centuries. Although the high-end haute cuisine of Paris exported itself far and wide many decades ago, the varied regional cooking styles of France continue to reveal themselves to the world and dazzle those fortunate enough to experience them firsthand. Williams-Sonoma's Essentials of French Cooking takes you on a meandering food lover's tour of France, from the windswept coastline of Brittany, where the lamb tastes of the salty fields on which it grazes, southward through Gascony, with its bracing Armagnac and rib-sticking cassoulet, to the delicious fish stews of Marseilles and the Mediterranean, and back up through Burgundy, where the wine flows from some of the world's greatest vineyards and the local Dijon mustard makes a perfect sauce for the local rabbit. In these pages you'll also explore the fascinating intersections of culture and gastronomy in Alsace, where potatoes, cabbage, and beer lend a Germanic heft to the traditional menu; sunny Provence, where dishes made with tomatoes, garlic, olives, and basil link its cooking to that of neighboring Italy; and the Basque country, where Spanish flavors and Moorish spices like saffron and cumin have seeped over the Pyrenees. In addition to presenting a wide range of traditional, regional main dishes to build meals around, this collection of more than 140 carefully selected recipes covers a full range of courses and techniques, from silky baked farm-fresh eggs to brilliantly simple preparations for every season's vegetables through the most luxurious chocolate creams and satisfying rustic fruit tarts. And while terroir plays an undeniable role in this cuisine, true French cooking is comfort food for family and friends, which translates everywhere. A comprehensive glossary and a section on basic stocks and sauces help you fill your pantry with the authentic elements and bring one of the world's most admired cuisines home to your table.

Mexico's rich and diverse culinary traditions include countless complex and vibrant dishes. In these pages, you will find recipes that capture the best of the cuisine, from mole poblano, a long-simmered blend of chiles, seeds, and spices, to bright-flavored ceviche dressed with fresh citrus juice. A chapter on desserts also tempts, whether you crave chocolate cake with chile-infused whipped cream or coffee and KahlÚa flan. Williams-Sonoma Collection Mexican offers more than 40 recipes, including well-loved classics and many other timeless dishes. For a casual dinner, fill warm corn tortillas with tender morsels of carnitas or chunks of fresh fish lightly fried to a crisp golden brown. Or, plan a summer supper of watercress salad tossed with orange, jicama, and avocado; creamy corn and poblano chile soup; and delicate sea bass topped with salsa verde. Versatile and delicious, Mexican food is always irresistible. Full-color photographs of each dish help you decide which one to prepare, and each recipe is accompanied by a photographic side note that highlights a key ingredient or technique, making Mexican more than just a superb collection of recipes. Including all the basics and an extensive glossary, this essential volume will help you create and enjoy many delicious Mexican meals.

Expanding on the success of the Williams-Sonoma Essentials series, Essentials of Italian is the series' first foray into the realm of international cuisine. The book reveals the secrets that regional Italian cooks have known for ages for preparing simple, flavorful meals. The book opens with a thorough discussion of the culinary traditions for which Italy is famous, with information on ingredients and dishes that define each region. Beautifully photographed recipes rely on only the best ingredients. Features: Over 130 delicious classic Italian recipes; full-color photography Suggestions for alternative ingredients, recipe variations, and accompaniments Comprehensive glossary of ingredients and culinary terminology

Essentials of Mediterranean Cooking begins with an overview of the rich history of the region and the many elements that have come together to create one of the world‚Äôs first‚Äîand best‚Äîfusion cuisines. The featured countries are showcased with a discussion of their iconic foods and a list of their specialties, from the bouillabaisse of Provence to the tagines of North Africa. A section on the Mediterranean diet explains the benefits of this traditional way of eating, with its emphasis on vegetables, grains, and seafood. Five chapters, with some 130 recipes drawn from the more than one dozen countries that ring the Mediterranean, are organized by courses. The exquisitely photographed dishes range from simple, earthy Spanish gazpacho to such showstopping main courses as Moroccan chicken bisteeya. The final chapter holds a wealth of seductive finales, including a pistachio-laced gelato from Italy and a lemon-and-lavender-scented granitv© from France. Detailed instructions and step-by-step photographs explain such basic techniques as working with filo dough and making romesco sauce. An informative glossary with culinary terms and ingredients completes this indispensable introduction to the cuisines of the Mediterranean.

In this Delightful Book We Rediscover the pleasures of traditional French home cooking, conjured from the memories of the author and her family in the good old days before nouvelle cuisine and "convenience" food began to undermine it. All the great classic recipes are included, plus many lesser-known treasures.

Hearty bistro fare such as crisp pommes frites paired with a sizzling pepper-coated steak. Rustic country dishes, including coq au vin and fragrant seafood stew. Decadent desserts such as crème brûlée and cherry clafoutis. These are the simple recipes that capture the essence of French cuisine. Williams-Sonoma Collection French offers more than 40 delicious and satisfying recipes, from time-honored classics to inspired new ideas, all designed for the way you cook today. When paired with a glass of wine and a fresh baguette, recipes such as caramelized onion tart or endive salad with beets and goat cheese make the perfect light lunch or casual dinner. For special celebrations, serve roasted asparagus with hazelnut oil vinaigrette alongside filets mignons with Roquefort sauce. Whether you enjoy the well-loved dishes of the French countryside or want to entertain with Parisian panache, here are recipes for every occasion. Beautiful full-color photographs of each dish help you decide which one to prepare, and each recipe contains a photographic side note with additional information on key ingredients and techniques. With an informative chapter that covers the basics of French cuisine, as well as an extensive glossary, this essential volume will help you make simple French cooking part of your everyday culinary repertoire.

For cooks with busy schedules, minimize hands-on time while maximizing flavor with 125 main dish recipes for the slow cooker. Slow cooker recipes are a boon to the busy cook, but many call for long ingredient lists and complex preparation steps that just aren’t realistic for cooks on the go. In this fresh take on slow cooking, the recipes are developed with hectic schedules in mind, with streamlined ingredient lists and a minimum of recipe steps. Each recipe is a one-pot dish or a main course that can be easily augmented by a simple salad or side dish. In addition to the more than 125 delicious recipes, there are tips for choosing a slow cooker, how to build flavor into your dishes, how to stock your freezer and fridge, and tips for busy cooks on how to get weeknight dinners on the table.