French Fried: The Culinary Capers Of An American In Paris

by Harriet Welty Rochefort

"When I think of the French paradox, I remember a lunch with an eighty-five-year-old French woman who was trim and slim and as agile as a twenty-year-old. Her secret? 'My doctor told me to drink a glass of red wine-- Bordeaux-- at lunch and at dinner.' She does, and is going strong!"-- from French Fried

French Toast author Harriet Welty Rochefort continues her attempts to demystify the French with French Fried , the saucy-- sometimes spicy-- and often hilarious tale of one American woman's thirty-year foray into the byzantine world of French cuisine.

And when it comes to food, Rochefort's experiences are anything but dull or traditional. When she first arrives in France, she dines on onion soup with her concierge. When she finally gets a decent apartment with a kitchen (in which she doesn't cook), it turns out that there's both a shower-- and a cop-- in it.

But after marrying a Frenchman, Philippe, the jig is up. Cooking, she realizes, will now be part of her life whether she likes it or not. Digging her heels, she graduates from opening cans of peas to casually knocking out two major three-course meals a day in no time at all. Rochefort shares these and other intimate details of her culinary progression, including her most impressive disasters (the plastic sandwich fiasco), as well as her successes. She takes us into French "hypermarkets," invites us to join her family for a typical six-course Sunday lunch in the country, includes us in a pastry class at Lenôtre, and introduces us to some nice and some not-so-nice Parisian waiters.

In a style that's a cross between Erma Bombeck and M.F.K. Fisher, Rochefort tells the entertaining story of how she, an American raised on meat and potatoes, learned to appreciate food à la francaise. Globalization and standardization may menace Gallic cuisine-- but not for long, if Rochefort is there to defend it.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Food, Memoir, Cooking, France

272 pages, Hardcover

First published March 7, 2001

About the author

A French-American dual citizen, I live with my French husband, Philippe, in the trendy east of Paris . Our garden apartment boasts a tiny lawn just big enough to mow and a fig tree that has miraculously defied both Paris weather and pollution.

As a real Parisienne (I have now lived in France far longer than in the States), I love and regularly haunt cafés in all parts of Paris. Large portions of Final Transgression were written in the café shown in the picture of me above (Les Foudres, Place Martin Nadaud in the 20th arrondissement of Paris, not far from the famous Père Lachaise cemetery and our apartment).

For a comprehensive look at life in France, visit Philippe’s site: www.understandfrance.org.

And, of course, read my books!

Reviews

[Sundry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve been reading some wonderful food writing lately and I’m a little infatuated with it, I guess.

Have to say that Harriet Welty Rochefort desperately needed a competent editor on this project to keep her from repeating herself to the detriment of her narrative. She should have cut the first two references to the shower in in the kitchen of her Paris apartment because by the time it really came into play (“Yes! A shower in the kitchen!”) it wasn’t surprising in the least.

But what really stopped me in my reading tracks, was her admonition that the recipes in the book—at least one of which I was thinking about trying—hadn’t been tested since their conversion from metric measurements and that they might or might not actually work. Huh? If the author can’t be bothered to provide recipes she at least expects to succeed, am I going to invest my time and a bag full of high quality ingredients?

Uh uh, nope. Can’t be bothered.

[Katherine Van Dam · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting take of an American living in Paris with her French husband for numerous years. Time often over takes us and does wondrous things to our taste-buds, as well as our memories, over a lifetime. Harboring whimsical delicacies we partake with family and friends, to horrendous mishaps that left our minds wondered to what exactly did we eat and why? Rochefort's book "French Fried: The Culinary Capers of an American in Paris (Hardcover)" led us down a curious gastronomic path, that included some recipes, as well as comparisons to the French verses American culture. Other than the well known American fast-food restaurant "McDonald" overly referenced throughout this book, Rochefort brought an interesting point of view to the living, eating and family life in France. Overall, I liked the book and would heartily recommend it for any American contemplating going to France. In my opinion, just be careful to read this book with an open-mind and not get caught up in the anti-Americanism where food is concerned. After-all, this is a pretty good book on how the French view their food and the American way of life from the other side of the ocean.

[Desyl · Rating 2 out of 5]

library. smug, editing, awful.

[Allie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this. It was a mish-mash of random stories that had something to do with food and it wasn't what I was looking for at the moment.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really couldn't get into this book. Made it about halfway, then gave up.

[Erica Fraser · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this a 2.5 stars because I liked some of it. I do take issue of her descriptions on American eating habits. Especially her persistent one that all we do is open up a fridge and just pull out dinner separately and eat it and never sit down for a family meal. I know no one that does this.

[Linda]

Enjoyable, informative and fun to read,
A book by a fellow Iowan- turned almost French.
Culinary delight.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

You should see the reviews on Amazon.com about “French Fried: The Culinary Capers of an American in Paris,” by Harriet Welty Rochefort. Seems like some of the people really resent this woman. This book is a second look an ex-patriate’s experience in France, her first being “French Toast.”

Rochefort writes about her observations as to why Americans are fat, about the significance of cheese, wine and bread in France, her cooking class and how French eat nearly the entire animal, entails included. She includes a few easy recipes at the end of some chapters, which I will probably never try. She also includes some interviews with her husband who frequently comes across as a snooty Frenchman.

I enjoyed almost the entire book although at times I had to remind myself not to take what she was writing personally, as she seemed to generalize quite a bit. It was good though. Read it and see what you think.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book. Everything Harriet W. Rocheforte writes is infused with a great sense of humor. Through her writing one can explore the French culture and be constantly amused by her faux pas. Her books also have various recipes scattered throughout which have become staples in my repertoire.

[Cherop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by an American in Paris who learns over time the art and practise of French eating and cooking. The book was pleasant and appealing because the writer comes from a background of someone who didn't know how to cook before being married to a Frenchman. The book is written in the style of Under the Tuscan Sun with a chapter and then some recipes at the end.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read, sort of dry though. Not as engaging as other chef/bio books I have read.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful look at not only the French, but their incredible food as well!

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting insight to the french culinary world. Why they eat the way they do, and comparisons to the American way of eating.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good humorous book on French people and how they really think. Very enjoyable.