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Cowgirl Chef: Cowgirl Chef: Texas Cooking with a French Accent
Moving to Paris was the best bad decision that Texan Ellise Pierce ever made. Wooed to the city by a Frenchman, she soon found herself with just 100 euros in her bank account. So she launched a last-ditch effort to stay in the City of Light: She started her own catering business and began teaching other American expats how to re-create flavors from home. Using French ingredients and techniques from both sides of the Atlantic, she did more than found a culinary company--she created a unique style of cooking that's part Texas, part French, and all Cowgirl. Recipes include: Cornbread MadeleinesJalapeno Pimento Cheese TartinesCauliflower Galettes with Chipotle Creme FraicheGreen Chile-Goat Cheese Smashed PotatoesPeanut Butter-Chocolate Soufflees
336 pages, Hardcover
First published March 27, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 27, 2012
I created a new shelf in honor of this book--the "always-reading" shelf--because I never seem to leave it on the shelf for more than a week at a time.
Granted, I keep going back to the same recipes... can't get enough of the Texas Chili or the Salty Caramel Sauce... And I am working up the courage to try the most interesting and addictive "cookie" I ever ate--her savory, melt-in-your-mouth Texas Killers. You see, I'm afraid... Afraid that when I make them myself they will be disappointing... Because the last time I had them was in her Paris kitchen. Afraid that making them, especially poorly, will make me miss her more.
Truth is, I couldn't love this book more if it were my own. In the years that she came into this gorgeous niche of hers, we talked nearly every day on the phone... about boys, about Paris, about tomato tarts and all the kinds of flour and where to get them. I miss those talks, but I am soooo thankful to have this book. And I should mention that the book is gorgeous... the photos, the paper, the fleur-de-lis lining inside the cover. A pleasure to hold. A pleasure to read, too, because it is a (Paris) memoir in food!
And there I am, on p. 79 with the Big Fat French Salad. Oh, what I wouldn't give to be sitting on the sidewalk with her and our carafe of chilly Gamay right now!
Granted, I keep going back to the same recipes... can't get enough of the Texas Chili or the Salty Caramel Sauce... And I am working up the courage to try the most interesting and addictive "cookie" I ever ate--her savory, melt-in-your-mouth Texas Killers. You see, I'm afraid... Afraid that when I make them myself they will be disappointing... Because the last time I had them was in her Paris kitchen. Afraid that making them, especially poorly, will make me miss her more.
Truth is, I couldn't love this book more if it were my own. In the years that she came into this gorgeous niche of hers, we talked nearly every day on the phone... about boys, about Paris, about tomato tarts and all the kinds of flour and where to get them. I miss those talks, but I am soooo thankful to have this book. And I should mention that the book is gorgeous... the photos, the paper, the fleur-de-lis lining inside the cover. A pleasure to hold. A pleasure to read, too, because it is a (Paris) memoir in food!
And there I am, on p. 79 with the Big Fat French Salad. Oh, what I wouldn't give to be sitting on the sidewalk with her and our carafe of chilly Gamay right now!
November 18, 2015
I wish this were a memoir instead of a cookbook. Like the author, I too have lived in Denton, Texas. So when I heard about this book I could not resist the urge to read it. I haven't had the experience of trying to cook Texan dishes in France, but I did try in Australia, so I can relate and I enjoyed the stories she told. The recipes, not so much.
I love to cook. I love to try new recipes. None of these recipes inspired me want to try them.
So while I enjoyed her story, I wasn't sold on the recipes. And that's OK, it was fun a read...for those of us who enjoy reading cookbooks.
I love to cook. I love to try new recipes. None of these recipes inspired me want to try them.
So while I enjoyed her story, I wasn't sold on the recipes. And that's OK, it was fun a read...for those of us who enjoy reading cookbooks.
October 27, 2012
Cooking has always been a part of Ellise Pierce’s life whether it was living back home in Denton, Texas or half a world away in Paris, France. With a relationship under stress and her freelance writing career tanked, she slowly found herself again by cooking. Gradually she built a cooking career by teaching home cooking for other ex-pats living in Paris. This and much more is explained in the introduction to Cowgirl Chef: Texas Cooking with a French Accent.
After the introduction it is on to “Cowgirl Chef Kitchen Basic” where her equipment and ingredients are discussed. That leads folks into” Cowgirl Speak: A Trail Guide” that covers how to make adjustments for cooking times, sizes, etc.
The recipes start on page 22 with “Chapter One: Appetizers: Old Favorites and New Beginnings.” Whether you want to make the Texas shaped cookies “Texas Killers” (pages 26-27) “Mushroom Tapenade” (pages 42-43) or “Cheesy Rosemary Olive Flatbread” (pages 48-51) among other dishes there is something here that blends Texas cooking with French cooking. Each recipe has an introduction to it about the background of the recipe, a serving suggestion, and a couple of tips regarding ingredients, freezing options, or other helpful advice. Pictures accompanying the recipe can be of the dish itself, ingredients, of Paris or elsewhere in France providing local color to the recipe being discussed. This same format continues throughout the book.
“Chapter 2: Cowgirlified Frenchy” begins on page 56 where the author notes, among interesting things, that jalapenos are not available in Paris. Over time she learned not only how to adjust to that, but to blend French Cuisine into her cooking. That gives rise to dishes such as “Cowgirl Quiche” (page 59-61), “Paris Chicken Fricassee” (page 72-75) among others.
According to the author the French are crazy about soups. They come next in “Chapter 3: Souped Up” starting on page 82. After some soup tips it is onto recipes such as “Smokin’ Tortilla Soup” (page 86-89), “Broccoli-Basil Soup” (pages 95-97) or “Skin & Bones Chicken Stock” (pages 111-112) among others.
Of course when one thinks of soup, salad cannot be far behind. In “Chapter 4: Greens” the topic is salad in many varieties. “Les Halles Spinach Salad” (pages 124-125), “Texas Pickup Salad” (pages 138-140) among other choices are here. By the way, in this chapter you learn the interesting fact that Paris grocery stores close at 8 pm during the week and at 1pm on Sunday. Puts our 24 hour seven day a week grocery stores in real perspective.
If it is a Texas based cookbook it absolutely must have tacos. Part of the state constitution. Tacos are here in “Chapter 5: Tacos, Tarts, and Tartines” starting on page 152. You can put just about anything in a taco so give “Corona Beer-Braised Brisket Tacos” on pages 154-156 a try as well as some of the other taco suggestions. You can also try the “Tomato-Ricotta Tart” (pages 171-173), the Tex-Mex Tart” (pages 174-176) or the “Adobo Salmon Salad Tartines” (pages 192-194) among others.
Farmer markets are very big in Paris and there are over seventy of them in the area. That means there is a lot of produce to consider and Ellise Pierce uses what is season to drive her meals. That is just part of the introduction to “Chapter 6: Riding Side Saddle: Veggies” starting on page 198. Of course, there are Texas based dishes like “Mom’s Black-Eyed Peas and Jalapeno Cornbread” (pages 208-210) as well as “French Bistro Green Beans” (page 218-219) and “Roasted Ratatouille” (pages 230-231) among others.
Meat, fish and poultry finally get their turn in “Chapter 7: From the Farm and Sea.” Starting on page 234 there are recipes for items such as “Provencal Fish Stew” (pages 248-250), “Gascon-Style Pork Chops with Pepper Honey” (pages 254-256) and “Easy Roast Chicken” (page 264-265) among others. It was also interesting to learn in this chapter that the chicken is the national mascot of France (page 264).
If you still have room for dessert that begins on page 274 with “Chapter 8: Desserts.” Among other delectable treats here there are recipes for “Grilled Oranges-Vanilla Pound Cake with Strawberries” (pages 279-281), “Watermelon Granita “(page 290-291) and “Peach Croustade” (page 306-309)
“Chapter 9: Tex-Mex” starts on page 310 and is all about home in Texas. The author may be living in Paris, France, but who she is day to day is Texan. Here are the recipes that made up her first cooking class such as “Wheat Tortillas” (pages 312-313), “Holy Guacamole” (page 318) among others including “Texas Chili” (pages 320-321).
The cookbook concludes with a very brief epilogue, a two page acknowledgment section, and a six page index. Unfortunately, there is no nutritional information in the book for those of us who need to pay attention to certain issues.
Despite the lack of nutritional information in the book, overall, this is a very well done cookbook. In addition to the cooking side of things, the over 300 pages cookbook also provides a lot of culture and history information about Paris, France as well as the joys and sorrows of American living abroad. Cowgirl Chef: Texas Cooking with a French Accent is more than a cookbook. It is also a cultural awareness guide and inspirational regarding reinventing yourself and adapting to new situations and experiences.
Cowgirl Chef: Texas Cooking with a French Accent
Ellise Pierce
http://www.cowgirlchef.com
Running Press Books
http://www.runningpressbooks.com
May 2012
ISBN #978-0-7624-4463-2
Hardback (also available as e-book)
336 Pages
$25.00
Material supplied by the good folks at the Plano, Texas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2012
After the introduction it is on to “Cowgirl Chef Kitchen Basic” where her equipment and ingredients are discussed. That leads folks into” Cowgirl Speak: A Trail Guide” that covers how to make adjustments for cooking times, sizes, etc.
The recipes start on page 22 with “Chapter One: Appetizers: Old Favorites and New Beginnings.” Whether you want to make the Texas shaped cookies “Texas Killers” (pages 26-27) “Mushroom Tapenade” (pages 42-43) or “Cheesy Rosemary Olive Flatbread” (pages 48-51) among other dishes there is something here that blends Texas cooking with French cooking. Each recipe has an introduction to it about the background of the recipe, a serving suggestion, and a couple of tips regarding ingredients, freezing options, or other helpful advice. Pictures accompanying the recipe can be of the dish itself, ingredients, of Paris or elsewhere in France providing local color to the recipe being discussed. This same format continues throughout the book.
“Chapter 2: Cowgirlified Frenchy” begins on page 56 where the author notes, among interesting things, that jalapenos are not available in Paris. Over time she learned not only how to adjust to that, but to blend French Cuisine into her cooking. That gives rise to dishes such as “Cowgirl Quiche” (page 59-61), “Paris Chicken Fricassee” (page 72-75) among others.
According to the author the French are crazy about soups. They come next in “Chapter 3: Souped Up” starting on page 82. After some soup tips it is onto recipes such as “Smokin’ Tortilla Soup” (page 86-89), “Broccoli-Basil Soup” (pages 95-97) or “Skin & Bones Chicken Stock” (pages 111-112) among others.
Of course when one thinks of soup, salad cannot be far behind. In “Chapter 4: Greens” the topic is salad in many varieties. “Les Halles Spinach Salad” (pages 124-125), “Texas Pickup Salad” (pages 138-140) among other choices are here. By the way, in this chapter you learn the interesting fact that Paris grocery stores close at 8 pm during the week and at 1pm on Sunday. Puts our 24 hour seven day a week grocery stores in real perspective.
If it is a Texas based cookbook it absolutely must have tacos. Part of the state constitution. Tacos are here in “Chapter 5: Tacos, Tarts, and Tartines” starting on page 152. You can put just about anything in a taco so give “Corona Beer-Braised Brisket Tacos” on pages 154-156 a try as well as some of the other taco suggestions. You can also try the “Tomato-Ricotta Tart” (pages 171-173), the Tex-Mex Tart” (pages 174-176) or the “Adobo Salmon Salad Tartines” (pages 192-194) among others.
Farmer markets are very big in Paris and there are over seventy of them in the area. That means there is a lot of produce to consider and Ellise Pierce uses what is season to drive her meals. That is just part of the introduction to “Chapter 6: Riding Side Saddle: Veggies” starting on page 198. Of course, there are Texas based dishes like “Mom’s Black-Eyed Peas and Jalapeno Cornbread” (pages 208-210) as well as “French Bistro Green Beans” (page 218-219) and “Roasted Ratatouille” (pages 230-231) among others.
Meat, fish and poultry finally get their turn in “Chapter 7: From the Farm and Sea.” Starting on page 234 there are recipes for items such as “Provencal Fish Stew” (pages 248-250), “Gascon-Style Pork Chops with Pepper Honey” (pages 254-256) and “Easy Roast Chicken” (page 264-265) among others. It was also interesting to learn in this chapter that the chicken is the national mascot of France (page 264).
If you still have room for dessert that begins on page 274 with “Chapter 8: Desserts.” Among other delectable treats here there are recipes for “Grilled Oranges-Vanilla Pound Cake with Strawberries” (pages 279-281), “Watermelon Granita “(page 290-291) and “Peach Croustade” (page 306-309)
“Chapter 9: Tex-Mex” starts on page 310 and is all about home in Texas. The author may be living in Paris, France, but who she is day to day is Texan. Here are the recipes that made up her first cooking class such as “Wheat Tortillas” (pages 312-313), “Holy Guacamole” (page 318) among others including “Texas Chili” (pages 320-321).
The cookbook concludes with a very brief epilogue, a two page acknowledgment section, and a six page index. Unfortunately, there is no nutritional information in the book for those of us who need to pay attention to certain issues.
Despite the lack of nutritional information in the book, overall, this is a very well done cookbook. In addition to the cooking side of things, the over 300 pages cookbook also provides a lot of culture and history information about Paris, France as well as the joys and sorrows of American living abroad. Cowgirl Chef: Texas Cooking with a French Accent is more than a cookbook. It is also a cultural awareness guide and inspirational regarding reinventing yourself and adapting to new situations and experiences.
Cowgirl Chef: Texas Cooking with a French Accent
Ellise Pierce
http://www.cowgirlchef.com
Running Press Books
http://www.runningpressbooks.com
May 2012
ISBN #978-0-7624-4463-2
Hardback (also available as e-book)
336 Pages
$25.00
Material supplied by the good folks at the Plano, Texas Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2012
July 30, 2012
Full of lovely, yummy-sounding recipes. I saved several to try later. The recipes were creative, too, as they are a fusion of French cuisine and Texas home-cooking (one example is chipotle creme fraiche. Sounds good!)
January 16, 2013
Delicious looking photos (lots!). Tasty sounding recipes. Fun stories that lead up to each recipe. I'm definitely going to keep an eye on this chef.
June 11, 2012
Lots of interesting recipes to try -- going on my purchase wishlist.
September 2, 2013
A beautiful cookbook, chock full of photos (something I really appreciate.) Not vegetarian, but I enjoy adaption the recipes to meet or needs. My mom is friends with a friend of the author.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews