Pastry: Savory and Sweet

by Michel Roux

Demystify the art of making pastry. For most home chefs, making pastry is often intimidating, complicated and beyond their capability. With this new book, pastry expert Michel Roux dispels this myth by presenting all the classic pastries with simplified cooking techniques. Each chapter in this inspiring collection of easy-to-follow recipes is based on a particular type of dough, including puff pastry, croissant dough, brioche dough, phyllo pastry and shortcrust pastries. Step-by-step instructions are offered for preparing each type of dough alongside a variety of sweet and savory recipes. Classic dishes are given a modern twist, while innovative recipes boast new combinations of flavors in a simpler cooking style. The recipes Making pastry is easier than ever with this new cookbook.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Reference, Food, Nonfiction, Food and Drink

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Michel Roux, OBE (19 April 1941 – 11 March 2020) was a French chef and restaurateur working in Britain.

Along with his brother Albert, he opened Le Gavroche, which subsequently became the first three Michelin starred restaurant in Britain and The Waterside Inn, which was the first restaurant outside France to hold three stars for 25 years.

Chef Michel Roux Jr. is his nephew.

Reviews

[Rea K]

I love cookbooks. I love paging through them and thinking "I would like to make something like this one day".
I've really only tried the choux paste. It's choux paste. It's honestly the only choux paste recipe I've ever used because I never made choux paste in my entire time in the bakery. Shame, I know. But I have made loads of croissant dough.
I'm terrible at making choux shapes and filling them, but DAMN those cream puffs were tasty.
Yeah. This is another favorite cookbook to look at.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book changed my technique for making pastry doughs. Ever since I switched to Roux's technique my crusts ALWAYS turn out perfect. Always. The recipes work and are delicious (one note is that I always use the metric measurements from this book as I think they are more accurate than the other measurements given). A wonderful assortment of savory pastries too, which is oven overlooked. There's more to savory pastry than quiche!

[Eliza · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Not only his successful recipes but also the pictures, mouthwatering and so pretty! Like the yummiest coffee table book I know :)

[The Contented · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Stodge’ - I thought at first, and resisted buying it. How very wrong I was.

While I’ve yet to try a single homemade pastry, this book looks awesomely good and makes it all seem so easy!

I reimagine myself as someone who can turn out the pâté brisée with ease. Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs croustade with a side salad. Eat more endive. Post-Covid I can throw delightful drinks parties - in my imaginary garden (I can imagine that too!) and make the full range of the mosaic of tapas pizzas.

And while mere mortals think about the Christmas cookies they will indulge in, I can try the mini sablés with chantilly cream and berries, or maybe the raspberry jam ones which just look delicious.

Ah yes, imagination is everything.

One day I could make my own buttery croissants too. They look easy enough. And wouldn’t it be nice to be an expert at something non-work related?

Five stars for deep pleasure. Butter and double cream in everything.

[Marcella Bongiovanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the easiest to use as it separates bases from recipes, but a must nonetheless.

[Matteo Bellini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un manuale davvero fondamentale per chi desidera scoprire tutti i segreti di queste straordinarie basi di cucina.
Da avere e consultare!

[Loren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Amazing. Superb. A must-have book in your kitchen library. Such a simple pastry you need to learn, easy to elaborate at home, you'll have no excuse to do it well. I love the cover, the instructions inside are easy to follow. A wonderful gift.

[amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An anniversary present from my mother.
This book has tons of step-by-step illustrations that make even complex pastries look possible. It includes desserts for my sweet-toothed husband, and plenty of savory recipes for someone like me, who doesn't really like sweets.

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book - beautifully photographed pastry book by a master pastry chef. Most pastry cream recipes call for cornstarch, but his calls for flour, something I'm looking forward to trying.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting my winter baking project--pastries!

[Niall · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are going to get a book on pastry, it should be from the god of pasty :)

[Femilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

simple step by step can't hardly wait for my pastry project

[Yasmeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true classic. Good for pastry but I wouldn't recommend the breads.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully laid out. Excellent tutorials on technique. Some really good recipes, almost all of which worked well when I tried them.

[Png · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Easy-to-follow recipes; will definitely try out a few great ideas.