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The best French cookbooks
From Julia Child to the bistro: the French books that still work in a home kitchen.
Mastering the Art of French CookingJulia Child, Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck
The French Laundry CookbookThomas Keller
Larousse GastronomiqueProsper MontagnéRead one before you go
The books
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Mastering the Art of French Cooking
Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle and Simone Beck · 1961
It taught America to cook French food at home, one technique at a time, and every recipe still works.
Cook from it: Boeuf bourguignon, Coq au vin (our write-up, saves to your recipes)
Cook in its spirit: Classic French Omelette, Beef Braised in Red Wine with Mushrooms and Pearl Onions (Chef's own recipes, not the book's)
No. 1 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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Larousse Gastronomique
Prosper Montagné · 1938
The encyclopedia of French cooking, still the reference for a dish's real name and method.
Cook in its spirit: Leeks Vinaigrette (Poireaux Vinaigrette), Duck Breast with Orange Sauce (Canard à l'Orange) (Chef's own recipes, not the book's)
No. 21 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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The French Laundry Cookbook
Thomas Keller · 1999
The book that showed what a cookbook could be; an education in care and precision.
Cook in its spirit: Butter-Poached Radishes with Brown Butter and Herbs, Slow-Poached Salmon with Leek Soubise and Chive Oil (Chef's own recipes, not the book's)
No. 25 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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French Provincial Cooking
Elizabeth David · 1960
The food of the French regions, written by the woman who changed how Britain ate.
Cook in its spirit: Tomatoes Provençal, Daube of Beef with Red Wine, Orange and Olives (Chef's own recipes, not the book's)
No. 40 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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I Know How to Cook
Ginette Mathiot · 1932
France's home cooking bible, given to brides for generations, translated at last in 2009.
Cook from it: Crêpes (our write-up, saves to your recipes)
Cook in its spirit: Leeks Vinaigrette, Braised Beef with Carrots (Boeuf aux Carottes) (Chef's own recipes, not the book's)
No. 51 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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Bouchon
Thomas Keller · 2004
French bistro cooking from Keller's bistro, more cookable than The French Laundry.
Cook from it: French onion soup (our write-up, saves to your recipes)
Cook in its spirit: Bistro Roast Chicken with Pan Jus, Beef Short Rib Braise with Root Vegetables and Red Wine (Chef's own recipes, not the book's)
No. 53 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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The Way to Cook
Julia Child · 1989
Julia's master class in technique, organized by method.
No. 95 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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Essential Pépin
Jacques Pépin · 2011
Seven hundred recipes from a lifetime of cooking, with a DVD of technique.
Cook from it: French omelette (our write-up, saves to your recipes)
No. 96 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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The Complete Robuchon
Joël Robuchon · 2008
The great chef's home recipes; his mashed potatoes are the famous ones.
No. 97 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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Les Halles Cookbook
Anthony Bourdain · 2004
French brasserie cooking with Bourdain's voice in every line.
No. 98 on The 100 Greatest Cookbooks
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