Le Gavroche – Review, recipe and worldwide giveaway

Le Gavroche Cookbook by Michel Roux Jr is a slice of culinary history packed into a cookbook. Leading London restaurant, Le Gavroche, created and run by the Roux family, is now in its 50th year. When the restaurant opened its doors in 1967 with Albert and Michel Roux at the helm, it was the only one of its kind in London.

Half a century later, the Roux family is a name synonymous with quality French cooking and the highest standard of service. Even mother and daughter team Giselle and Emily have a book coming soon New French Table: A Fresh Take on Classic Recipes. 

Michel Roux Jr. has been chef de cuisine at Le Gavroche for over 25 years now. In this book, he selects 200 of the most popular classic recipes from its kitchens. Roux Jr. worked with many of France’s top chefs and as a personal chef to the President of France before taking over at Le Gavroche. This edition of his first book marks the restaurant’s 50th year anniversary, showing how to create the atmosphere and cuisine of Le Gavroche at home, with advice on dining French style and how to select what to drink, from aperitif to sweet wine.

From the more sophisticated Stuffed Saddle of Lamb with Spinach and Garlic, Saffron Jus to Waffles with Poached Pear, Bitter Chocolate Sauce and Poire Williams Cold Sabayon to a one pot, but still elegant, Coq à la bière and Hot Cherries with Chocolate Brownie and Pistachio Ice Cream there is a full range of French dishes to whet your appetite and stretch your culinary muscles.

Special thanks to Orion for sharing this luscious dessert below with us and for offering three copies of this title in our worldwide giveaway – scroll down for giveaway information. 

 

Vanilla crème brûlée with almond puff pastry sticks
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You can use any ramekin dishes for this, but I like to use large shallow ones, for a higher proportion of crunchy brûlée to rich cream. Demerara sugar gives a crunchier topping, but does not stay that way for long.

Serves 4

  • 250ml double cream
  • 75ml full fat milk
  • 1 vanilla pod, scraped
  • 4 egg yolks
  • 50g caster sugar, plus 3-4 tablespoons for the topping
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla essence

 Heat the oven to 140°C/275°F/gas 1. Put the cream, milk and vanilla pod into a saucepan and heat to boiling point. Cover and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.

Whisk the yolks and 50g of the sugar together until pale and thick, add the vanilla essence and pour the boiling cream on to the mixture; stir well, then pour into four ramekins.

Cook in a water bath in the oven until just set, about 20 minutes. Leave to cool.

Sprinkle with a thin, even layer of sugar and caramelize with a blow-torch or under a very hot grill. Repeat several times until you have the desired degree of golden brown crackling toppin. Leave to cool; serve within 2 hours.

Sacristains

Heat the oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5. Roll out a sheet of puff pastry to 3mm thickness, brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with finely chopped almonds. Using a long sharp knife, cut strips of pastry 12mm wide and 10cm long.Twist five times and place on a baking sheet. Cook until golden and crisp, dust with icing sugar and serve warm with the crème brulée.

 

The publisher is offering three copies of this title to EYB Members worlwide. One of the entry options is to answer the following question in the comments section of this blog post.

Which recipe in the index are you excited to try first?

Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. Please be sure to check your spam filters to make sure you receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on October 14th, 2017. 

 

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98 Comments

  • Jane  on  September 7, 2017

    I can still remember the meal I had at Le Gavroche, around 30 years ago. It was duck with baby turnips. It was a lovely restaurant – I was being taken by a boyfriend and it seemed a very romantic place (or maybe we just created the romance!).

  • lgroom  on  September 7, 2017

    Mmmmm ….. the lemon verbena ice cream sounds good.

  • sarahawker  on  September 7, 2017

    Whisky truffles!

  • Execchef1225  on  September 7, 2017

    The dill and crab cakes

  • Kristjudy  on  September 7, 2017

    The brûlée looks fabulous

  • debkellie  on  September 7, 2017

    Craving chocolate – so for me it's the Warm bitter chocolate tart with ivory ice cream!

  • Lijstjesmeisje  on  September 7, 2017

    I'd love to try the fougasse, and pork rillettes and tapenade to go with it.

  • Kiiaro  on  September 7, 2017

    Bearnaise sauce!

  • sgump  on  September 7, 2017

    The ingredients in the dill bread recipe look remarkably similar to those in a recipe for "dilly casserole bread" (that won the grand prize in the 1960 Pillsbury Bake-Off in the USA): it's a lovely (and simple) recipe, great toasted with fresh melon in the summertime. Fun!

  • ravensfan  on  September 7, 2017

    Roquefort shortbread!

  • CC.cooks  on  September 7, 2017

    Bacon cornbread

  • heyjude  on  September 7, 2017

    Lobster Cassoulet

  • iza27  on  September 8, 2017

    Oh my Oh my! It's hard to choose. Maybe I'll go with the Duck pot-au-feu with stuffed cabbage. 🙂

  • Madeleineandfriends  on  September 8, 2017

    I would love to cook the light pea soup with poached egg and frog's legs. Perfect Spring (as it is here) entree/ appetiser.

  • AGENT99  on  September 8, 2017

    I'd like to try the dill bread

  • kmn4  on  September 8, 2017

    Pain d'épices

  • bibliophile02  on  September 8, 2017

    Honey and thyme tuiles

  • Sile  on  September 8, 2017

    Ginger Brandy snaps

  • motherofpearl81  on  September 8, 2017

    Coconut tuiles

  • Rinshin  on  September 8, 2017

    Fish mouse

  • biro  on  September 8, 2017

    Muscovado Sugar Ice Cream

  • bstewart  on  September 8, 2017

    Dill and crab pancakes combine three of my favorite things!

  • choppergirl  on  September 8, 2017

    bacon cornbread

  • Siegal  on  September 8, 2017

    Lavender ice cream sounds yummy

  • jyms  on  September 8, 2017

    I would try the warm bitter chocolate tart.

  • Mivas  on  September 9, 2017

    Ginger brandy snaps

  • PennyG  on  September 9, 2017

    I didn't need to go further than Potato and Gruyere Cheese Souffles!

  • wester  on  September 9, 2017

    Loads of lovely recipes. I think the Mackerel tartlets with chive butter sauce would be first I'd try.

  • rchesser  on  September 9, 2017

    Potato and Gruyere Cheese Souffles!

  • JenJoLa  on  September 9, 2017

    Almond and apricot beignets

  • lpatterson412  on  September 9, 2017

    I would love to try the bacon corn bread!

  • LaurenE  on  September 10, 2017

    That brulee sounds amazing!

  • Lkrigel  on  September 10, 2017

    Pink praline tart!!

  • FireRunner2379  on  September 10, 2017

    I'd love to make the Banana and Rum Ice Cream!

  • Littlebirdchoc  on  September 10, 2017

    Spicy fig chutney sounds awesome

  • AnnaZed  on  September 10, 2017

    Pissaladière

  • Karla123  on  September 11, 2017

    I love all the flavors in this recipe for "Vegetables à la Grecque."

  • skipeterson  on  September 11, 2017

    Spicy pigeon and lobster salad

  • ktwalla  on  September 11, 2017

    Roquefort shortbread.

  • cake17uk  on  September 12, 2017

    Quick puff pastry – as I'd love to find a quicker way to make it!

  • cookshelf58  on  September 12, 2017

    Bacon Cornbread

  • stitchan  on  September 12, 2017

    Duck breast with honey and rosemary potatoes

  • matag  on  September 12, 2017

    Vanilla creamed rice with stewed peaches

  • echilt5  on  September 14, 2017

    Bacon Cornbread

  • lhudson  on  September 14, 2017

    Ginger brandy snaps

  • kitchenclimbers  on  September 14, 2017

    creme brulee

  • Alexandria2  on  September 14, 2017

    wow this book looks great me and my mom would love it !
    yum bacon cornbread !!!

  • JJWong  on  September 14, 2017

    I'd bake up the bacon cornbread for the family!

  • GillB  on  September 14, 2017

    Bacon Cornbread sounds great

  • Shelley.b  on  September 14, 2017

    Spicy fresh crab salad

  • HungryJamie  on  September 15, 2017

    Roquefort shortbread

  • jifar  on  September 15, 2017

    Almond & raisin petit fours with honey and whiskey!

  • ladybrooke  on  September 15, 2017

    Potato and Gruyère cheese soufflés

  • jim.windle  on  September 15, 2017

    Spicy pigeon and lobster salad.

  • luccio  on  September 15, 2017

    Pumpkin fritters – something I've never thought of trying…

  • doogiemb  on  September 15, 2017

    Definitely Lobster Cassoulet – sounds delicious

  • ckbkaddict  on  September 15, 2017

    Chicken with lentils and thyme

  • DemelzaPoldark  on  September 15, 2017

    Soufflé Suissesse

  • J00ls  on  September 16, 2017

    The Bacon Cornbread – sounds like a fabulous accompaniment to the big Shoot Meals I cook for during the season

  • Charlotte_vandenberg  on  September 16, 2017

    Delice glacé au Tokaji, this sounds like a wonderful French Japanese combination!

  • Allie80  on  September 16, 2017

    Soufflé Suissesse – after trying it in the restaurant I'd like to see if I can recreate it at home!!

  • poneill  on  September 16, 2017

    White chicken stock; if I can find a calf's foot!

  • pokarekare  on  September 16, 2017

    Pickled wild mushrooms

  • RSW  on  September 16, 2017

    Roquefort shortbread

  • mombaker247  on  September 16, 2017

    I forage so pickled mushrooms. When I was young I kept all the Roux cookbooks in my locker and would recommend recipes to my French Chef he was impressed. I want to add this to my collection.

  • fbrunetti  on  September 16, 2017

    Monkfish Basquaise

  • sunset34  on  September 16, 2017

    corn-fed chicken with saffron milk, cap mushrooms and rum. Thanks

  • lils74  on  September 16, 2017

    I'd try the Dill Bread, as it's a spice I enjoy that doesn't get enough airtime, in my opinion!

  • sequoia55  on  September 17, 2017

    Bacon cornbread

  • t.t  on  September 17, 2017

    Pistachio madeleines

  • irinastiles  on  September 17, 2017

    Lemon Verbena ice cream

  • Phizz_17  on  September 17, 2017

    Pork rillettes for sure. Love them.

  • RickPearson54  on  September 17, 2017

    creme brulee

  • jd5761  on  September 17, 2017

    Bacon Cornbread sounds fab

  • Julia  on  September 17, 2017

    So many look wonderful! Spicy Fig Chutney for starters.

  • pamelita  on  September 18, 2017

    bacon cornbread!

  • BMeyer  on  September 18, 2017

    poached pear w. bittersweet chocolate

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  September 19, 2017

    I would like to make the Honey and thyme tuiles.

  • chimpbob  on  September 19, 2017

    The Lemon Verbena Ice cream

  • tararr  on  September 19, 2017

    Spicy fig chutney…

  • fiarose  on  September 21, 2017

    mm, dill bread, spicy fig chutney, pickled wild mushrooms, creamy lentil and pheasant soup…this book is so artful!

  • Dmartin997  on  September 22, 2017

    Stuffed sea bass with fennel and dill bread

  • Seren_Ann  on  September 23, 2017

    Millefeuille of roast saddle of rabbit with Parmesan sounds so tasty !

  • silversand  on  September 23, 2017

    Roquefort shortbread 🙂

  • trudys_person  on  September 24, 2017

    Bacon cornbread, and all the ice creams!

  • Scotsman61  on  September 27, 2017

    Roquefort shortbread

  • obbigttam  on  September 28, 2017

    Roquefort shortbread sounds intriguing.

  • linded  on  September 28, 2017

    I love a good recipe for pork rillettes. Would love to try this one.

  • rachael_mc  on  September 30, 2017

    Bacon cornbread

  • kbiggs  on  September 30, 2017

    Honey tuiles

  • sugo  on  September 30, 2017

    Dill and crab cakes

  • LAWG  on  October 2, 2017

    The Pickled Wild Mushrooms and Ginger Brandy Snaps are speaking to me, especially because I've been foraging for Cepes, and it's approaching Ginger Snap time of year 😉

  • Danlev  on  October 2, 2017

    Would love to try the pain d’epices!

  • Livia  on  October 7, 2017

    It has got to be Pork rillettes

  • v.t  on  October 9, 2017

    Ginger confit

  • orchidlady01  on  October 12, 2017

    Scallops in a cream rosemary sauce, wild rice with squid

  • laffersk  on  October 12, 2017

    Bacon cornbread

  • Katiefayhutson  on  October 14, 2017

    Whisky truffles

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