Awards

• Commended for Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize (Cooking) 2012

Overview

""150 Refined Southern Recipes and Ways to Dress Them Up for Company"" ""Virginia Willis s legion of fans love her knack for giving classic French dishes a down-home Southern feel and reimagining homey Southern favorites en Fran aise. In Basic to Brilliant, Y all Virginia builds on her signature style, offering 150 soul-satisfying recipes and accompanying each with a new preparation technique, fresh presentation style, or creative recipe variation that transforms an already wonderful dish into an all-out show stopper. n Virginia s hands, a cozy Kale Omelet becomes sophisticated brunch fare when it s baked in a sourdough boule; rich Gruyere Flans elevate a rustic red wine-infused Roasted Tomato Soup; and Spiced Skirt Steak with Shallot Marmalade is enhanced with just a few simple changes into a gorgeous roulade. Peach Dijon-Crusted Pork Tenderloin goes from elegant continental entree to the pride of Dixie when it s cradled between Chive Cornmeal Griddle Cakes, and a country dessert like Sweet Biscuits with Stewed Blackberries is kicked up a notch when served topped with Blackberry Fool. hroughout Basic to Brilliant, Y all, Virginia paints a vivid portrait of growing up in Louisiana and Georgia, spinning tales of close family and friends and unforg

Full Product Details

9781607740094

Table of Contents

Reviews

A charming, gorgeous, and thoroughly practical guide to the best fundamental French techniques mixed with Willis's uniquely American saucy Southern style. An instant classic. <br> --Kathleen Flinn, author of The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry and The Kitchen Counter Cooking School <br> Virginia Willis is a natural teacher, a gift that shines in each of her carefully crafted and doable recipes. In Basic to Brilliant, Y'all, Virginia gives us a fresh, bright, beautiful book that beckons us into the kitchen to cook--daily, <br> happily, and very well. <br> --Dorie Greenspan, author of Around My French Table<br> <br> Virginia Willis creates a refined Southern cuisine in Basic to Brilliant, Y'all, bringing you into her world through the pages of this gorgeous and inspiring book. A fellow Southern chef, she blossomed during her years in France and New York and returned empowered with culinary knowledge. Virginia has hit a home run with this exciting and wonderfully art

Virginia Willis could cook a memorable meal from a sock and some twigs. Whether she's making southern food (her home turf) or French country dishes -- or helping you get ready for company as she does in this treasure of a book, Virginia is someone you want by your side in the kitchen. <br>--Amanda Hesser, co-founder of food52.com and author of The Essential New York Times Cookbook <br> A charming, gorgeous, and thoroughly practical guide to the best fundamental French techniques mixed with Willis's uniquely American saucy Southern style. An instant classic. <br> --Kathleen Flinn, author of The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry and The Kitchen Counter Cooking School <br> Virginia Willis is a natural teacher, a gift that shines in each of her carefully crafted and doable recipes. In Basic to Brilliant, Y'all, Virginia gives us a fresh, bright, beautiful book that beckons us into the kitchen to cook--daily, <br> happily, and very well. <br> --Dorie Greenspan, author o

As Willis demonstrates with this vibrant, informative guide to Southern cuisine, great cookbooks can offer a window into their author's life. . . . By turns inspiring and appetizing, this work is a valuable resource for anyone interested in regional American cooking. <br>--Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW, 7/11/11 <br> Virginia Willis could cook a memorable meal from a sock and some twigs. Whether she's making southern food (her home turf) or French country dishes -- or helping you get ready for company as she does in this treasure of a book, Virginia is someone you want by your side in the kitchen. <br>--Amanda Hesser, co-founder of food52.com and author of The Essential New York Times Cookbook <br> A charming, gorgeous, and thoroughly practical guide to the best fundamental French techniques mixed with Willis's uniquely American saucy Southern style. An instant classic. <br> --Kathleen Flinn, author of The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry and The Kitchen Counter Coo

Author Information

Virginia Willis is a French-trained chef, television producer, food stylist, cooking teacher, and food writer. Formerly Martha Stewart Living's kitchen manager, she now makes her home in Atlanta, Georgia.

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