Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set) Hardcover – Box set, December 1, 2009

My husband loves cooking and wanted this set. He’s learned a lot about techniques and finds the recipes easy to follow. I’ve enjoyed everything he has made! A classic that doesn’t disappoint.

This two volume-set is just perfect, and would make a great gift (although it was a gift to myself ;~) ).I actually had not particularly wanted these cookbooks, and then I read My Life in France, which is Julia's memoir (and, really, a love story - her love for her husband Paul, his love for her, their love of France, their love of food, her love of cooking, her love of teaching..etc., etc.).As Julie explains in her memoir, there are some real differences between volumes 1 and 2. Volume one is all about how to create basic (and not-so-basic) French cooking. It is very precise, and particular. These are *not* slapdash "30 minutes or less" recipes. These are methodic, and detailed. There's a reason that "Mastering" is in the title.They are also classic recipes that, once you master a few, will become your staples.In fact, the the second reason that I ordered these is because one of my boyfriend's specialties is Julia's chocolate mousse (he made it for me on our second date!), and his family always has the beef bourguignon for their Christmas Eve dinner (he made a vegetarian version just for me!)The second volume includes a great deal on baking that the first volume doesn't (it's also was compiled after one of the three collaborators on the first volume left - Julia explains all about it in her memoir).These are NOT cookbooks for the first-time cook. They are for home cooks who want to take the time and effort to replicate true French cooking, or for cookbookphiles who enjoy reading cookbooks. :~) The cookbook collection of someone in either category is not complete without this set. :~)

Mastering the Art of French Cooking ReviewI'm in my 60's and realize how lucky I am to have grown up in a household where we ate home grown meats and vegetables, and made food from scratch. Recipes were handed down from generations, and I learned to cook from other family members.Mastering the Art of French Cooking is a Masterpiece I never thought I needed, but because of Julia Child's iconic status, and memories of my older brother watching her on TV, I thought this set would be fun to have.Well, I have found describing these books as "fun to have" does not begin to do them justice.Before I even began looking at the recipes themselves, I was captivated by reading the history of how they came to be. These volumes are truly a labor of love, a result of Julia's desire to learn, that evolved into the greater desire to share her knowledge in such a way to give others the confidence to tackle anything in the kitchen.The first seven chapters of the first volume provide a solid foundation for understanding the purposes of different equipment in the kitchen, definitions of numerous cooking terms, ingredients, measurements and equivalents, temperature guidelines, the difference between things like chopping, slicing, dicing, and mincing, cooking with, and storing/serving wine. Having a basic understanding of these things takes the mystery out of reading through a recipe.Having a straightforward physical book, with illustrations, is in and of itself, refreshing, in these days of clever videos. It's easy to go back and re-read something, or highlight information you want to remember.Julia understood the importance of using high quality ingredients, something that can easily be lost in today's world when processed foods/restaurants/food delivery are readily available and seem like an easy choice.Food can bring people together. The effort to prepare a home cooked meal for others sends a welcoming vibe, and can be much more meaningful than simply meeting up at a restaurant. It can also serve as a social activity for friends/family who want to learn together.These books are proudly displayed on my otherwise bare kitchen counter, serving as a beautiful reminder of the many positives of Julia Child's works.