Chocolate & Zucchini on Today

  Many of you are probably familiar with Clotilde Dusoulier or at least her blog, Chocolate & Zucchini.

She was recently on the Today Show promoting her first book, aptly named, Chocolate and Zucchini:  Daily Adventures in a Parisian Kitchen.  Clotilde started out as a simple blogger, but got a tremendous following and now has released her first cookbook.

There are a lot of reader reviews and everyone seems to love the cookbook so far:

This delightful cookbook is one you will turn to again and again! Clotilde Dusoulier’s debut cookbook is a collection of recipes that run the gamut from simple to sublime. Dishes that seem too sophisticated to make at home are written in a way that makes them accessible for both new and experienced cooks. The Blueberry Amandine Tart, for example, is an easy-to-prepare treat that beautifully highlights the berry’s flavor. Dusoulier’s Almond, Pear, and Chocolate Brioche must be from some heavenly menu du jour; friends who tasted it with me have already requested I make it again, and soon! Savory offerings include an earthy, warm-your-soul Gratineed Chicken Soup with Pink Peppercorns and lovely little Walnut, Pear, and Roquefort Madeleines. Each recipe is surprisingly simple to prepare, but offers interesting and occasionlly unique flavor combinations that will please most any palate.

Recipes are clearly written and quite easy to follow, with accompanying photographs that are charming as well as informative. You will also find thoughtful wine suggestions to accompany many recipes. Just as intruiguing are Dusoulier’s stories about everyday life in her Parisian kitchen, the childhood experiences that serve as a foundation to her culinary interests, and her joy in sharing culinary discoveries with fellow cooks.

I may be a tad biased since I served as a recipe tester for Clotilde. Nevertheless, the resulting book is a real keeper for me, and will make a lovely gift for friends who enjoy good food. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.

During her 3 1/2 minutes of the Today Show she did a great job navigating the recipes and the time constraints of the segment. They ended up shortening it.  I thought that Anne Curry and Natalie Morales did a poor job guiding her.  I realize that they are trying to get as much information out as they can, but I do not like when they have more than one of the anchors helping out the food segments.  Instead of helping they tend to get silly and distract from the moment.

If you haven’t gone to Chocolate & Zucchini, go check it out and her cookbook is available at booksellers and Amazon.