Les Marchés Francais

This luscious cookbook was inspired by the unparalleled experience of shopping the open-air markets of Paris. Author Brian DeFehr was raised on the prairies of Canada and struck out to greener pastures in Winnipeg, Chicago, Montreal, and finally landed in Paris, where he developed an appreciation for the French way of shopping the markets, being in tune with the seasons, and allowing the flavors of an exceptionally delicious country to influence what’s for dinner. The star of any French book, though, is always France itself: from the bright and clear ocean flavors of the coastal Mediterranean and the Germanic influences in Alsace and Lorraine to the rich comfort foods and cheeses from the mountainous regions near the Alps, the familiar foie gras and cassoulet of Bordeaux, and the piquant Basque flavors closer to Spain in the South, stirred together in the cosmopolitan melting pot of the City of Light—all of this and more, in 75 glorious dishes. They all happen to be gluten-free, inspired by seasonal market produce, and you’d never guess how healthy they are.

Photographer Pauline Boldt has shot every dish in the book, along with atmospheric market shots, ingredient, and process shots.

The recipes are inherently simple, focusing on good-quality produce, meats, and clear flavors, and the French mystique is ever present. Its aim is to take the reader on a tour of the best markets Paris has to offer, seasoned with culinary traditions from across France, without ever leaving your kitchen or armchair.