Bistro Cooking at Home

by Gordon Hamersley

Bistro cooking—bold and full-flavored—is more like the best home cooking than restaurant fare, featuring slow-cooked stews, exquisitely roasted chickens, perfectly seared steaks, vibrant salads, fresh fruit tarts, and comforting custards. Now Gordon Hamersley of acclaimed Hamersley’s Bistro in Boston helps home cooks bring these classic dishes into their own kitchens.

Bistro Cooking at Home offers a complete menu of versatile selections for cooks who crave sophisticated but easy-to-prepare comfort food. Many of the dishes allow for “walk-away cooking,” such as stews, roasts, or braises. And many of these same dishes taste best if prepared a day or two ahead, making entertaining foolproof. Although the accent is French, dishes such as hamburgers stuffed with blue cheese and Pear Cranberry Crumble reflect Gordon Hamersley’s all-American roots.

Start a bistro meal at home with Hamersley’s classic Onion Soup au Gratin or signature Wild Mushroom and Roasted Garlic Sandwich. For a main course there is roast chicken (you can cook it ahead and reheat it under the broiler), New England Bouillabaisse with Rouille and Croutons, or Moroccan lamb shanks. Pasta, polenta, and risotto are given French finesse in dishes such as Lemon-Scented Risotto with Morels and Chives and Oven-Baked Penne with Onions, Walnuts, and Goat Cheese. The Savory Tarts, Gratins, and Galettes chapter holds such richly satisfying dishes as Portobello Mushroom and Roquefort Galette or Creamy Bistro Potato and Leek Gratin, each practically a meal in itself. Even vegetables are made exciting in dishes ranging from Roasted Artichokes with Garlic and Pancetta Bread Crumbs to Garlicky Mashed Potato Cakes. Bistro-inspired desserts include Maple Crème Brûlée, Profiteroles with Easy Chocolate Sauce, and a dense Chocolate Truffle Cake.

All the main dishes are accompanied by knowledgeable, down-to-earth wine recommendations from Fiona Hamersley, Gordon’s wife, who runs the wine service at the restaurant. With the Hamersleys’s expert guidance every step of the way, you can re-create the romance of bistro dining—at home.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

352 pages, Hardcover

First published October 14, 2003

Reviews

[E G Melby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant surprise. I agree w another reviewer who wanted more photos. The recipes are clear and there are also wide paring suggestions. Lots of recipes will be put on the To Do list.

[Lolakay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spent a month in San Francisco this summer and had dinner regularly at Cafe du Soleil, which reminded me how much I love bistro style cooking.

I've made several recipes from this book so far, and all have been good. Many will be better in winter, and I can't wait.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cookbook...of course! This is a good one if you like fairly simple French bistro-style cooking. If you get it, read the chapters on ingredients and tools. Invaluable.

[Stephen Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes are easy to follow and the dishes are superb. I wish it had more pictures.