French Food for Everyone is a follow-up to the best-selling In the French kitchen with kids and was inspired by the students in Mardi's online cooking classes in 2020 and 2021 when cookingclasses pivoted to online platforms. Mardi's first book proved that French food is much simpler to make than many people believe (so easy even kids can make "fancy" French dishes!), and over the course of a year's worth of online classes, she noticed that it was not just kids but while families enjoying great success with her recipes. After a few months, one of her students remarked on the "recipe book" they had created from the online class recipes and Mardi realised she had enough recipes for a whole new cookbook - French Food for Everyone was born! The book will be released a chapter at a time to enable people to get baking and cooking sooner! This first chapter showcases twelve recipes to make and enjoy for that special snack time between the end of school and dinner time in France. Le goûter, as it is known in French, consists of mostly sweet treats, traditionally enjoyed at home but, more and more, en route to extra-curricular activities. Goûter means "to taste" and while some might raise eyebrows at the fact that these snacks are all sweet, they really are meant to be enjoyed in smaller portions (hence the "taste") and as a way of warding off hunger until the (later than in many countries) dinner hour. Le goûter (or "quatre-heures" as it's often referred to because it's eaten after 4pm when school lets out) might be something as simple as a bread roll with a couple of squares of dark chocolate inside. Or possibly even a piece of fruit with a yoghurt or pudding. It might also be a treat from the boulangerie or maybe some supermarket-bought cookies. There are many options - but they are always sweet, never savoury. It's an integral part of the day for French children who, apart from this sacred ritual, are generally discouraged from snacking between meals. These recipes are a collection of some classics - biscuits or cookies, boulangerie treats, cakes, puddings and even a sirop!ADVANCE PRAISE With her signature clarity and charm, Mardi takes us through a dozen terrific recipes for sweet and lovely French-style after-school snacks. They're all able to be made by kids, but there aren't any age limits when it comes to enjoying them - everyone will want them!
Dorie Greenspan, bestselling author of Baking with Dorie, Everyday Dorie and Around my French Table Mardi Mic