Farmers in Chef Hats Cookbook Review

 

Farmers in Chef Hats Cookbook Review with Raspberry and Blueberry Gratin Recipe

The Farmers in Chef Hats cookbook by Linda Arsenault includes 124 pages of over 50 bilingual recipes made with fresh, local produce. It won the 2008 Best Local Cookbook in the World award at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in London.

As you follow the agri-tourism map as a guide you will meet the farmers as they share their personal recipes to promote the harvest of l’lle d’Orléans, located 15 minutes from Quebec City.

The Farmers in Chef Hats Seasonal Chapters and Recipes

The seasonal recipes are listed by ingredient  (maple syrup, berries, asparagus, endives, cheese, lamb, trout, bok choy, broccoli, pear tomatoes, poultry, wine, beer, apples, pumpkins, rhubarb, potatoes and more) in monthly sections.

Sample recipes contributed by the farmers and merchants include:

• Maple scoops (March-April-May)
• Two Salmon Endives (March-April-May)
• Fresh asparagus cucumber mousse (March-April-May)
• Raspberry and blueberry gratin (June-July-August)
• Rack of lamb wrapped in blueberry pastry (June-July-August)
• Warm goat’s cheese salad with black currant onion confit (June -July-August)
• Tartare of marinated trout and smoked salmon with apples and cheddar (September-October)
• Stuffed Pattypan squash (September-October)
• Baked pumpkin soup (September-October)

The recipes are well written in French and English and are easy to follow.  They also include an introduction to the farmers and merchants who contributed the recipes for the cookbook.

Each recipe, tested by Chef and Innkeeper Philip Ray of L’Auberge Canard Huppé in l’Île d’Orléans, includes his own personal recipe tips. The beautiful colour photos throughout the cookbook were photographed by  Linda Arsenault.

How to de-bone fish

Nicole Gosselin-Boily, from the Ferme piscicole Richard Boily, demonstrates on how to debone a fish with step-by-step photos and also includes tips on choosing fresh fish.

How to smoke salmon

Victor Goodyer, a resident of St. Pierre in l’Île d’Orléans, shares his method on how to prepare and serve smoked salmon.

The Farmers in Chef Hats and Their Products

At the end of the cookbook, you will find an alphabetical listing of the farmers, their products, and their recipes.

Farmers in French Hats tested recipes

Maple Scoops (Page 17)

If you have a sweet tooth and love maple syrup, then you will adore these maple scoops.  They’re very sweet, served in Chinese spoons and topped with little meringues for a crunchy bite.

Raspberry and blueberry gratin (Page 59)

This is the perfect dessert to make with fresh local berries. Combine them with a custard sauce, top with maple sugar and sunflower seeds and you get a rich decadent summer dessert.

The recipe makes 4-6 servings but does not specify the portion sizes.  I used 6 1/2 cup ramekins.

Raspberry and Blueberry Gratin Recipe

Seasonal cooking – simplicity at its best

The Farmers with French Hats cookbook promotes cooking with seasonal, local, fresh ingredients for simple cooking at its best.

I enjoyed reading about the sense of pride of this community of farmers and merchants that shines through as they share their stories and recipes that welcome you with l’Île d’Orléans hospitality. It would make an excellent addition to your cookbook collection.

Acknowledgment

Recipe and photos printed with the permission of Linda Arsenault.

Disclosure

The Farmers in Chef Hats cookbook was sent to me for review by Linda Arsenault.  As usual, all opinions are my own.

As part of the Amazon affiliate program, I make a small credit when you make a purchase through a link I provide at no extra cost to you. I only write about and recommend products that I like and would benefit my readers.