I don’t talk about my “day job” that much on here, but if you’ve been around these parts a little while, you might have picked up that I have a background in modern languages and am currently finishing a master’s in translation and editing.
It’s not that often that my two loves- cooking and languages- cross paths, but recently they did just that!
Green, Glam & Gourmande is a beautiful new French cookbook by Rebecca Leffler. Rebecca is actually American-born but came to study in Paris, fell in love with the place and ended up staying for 9 years!
The book is certainly appropriately named- all the recipes are ultra healthy (free from all animal products and gluten), and though they’re elegant and often rather elaborate-looking, they’re all very accessible. I feel like this book was made for me! There honestly isn’t one recipe I don’t want to try!
Here’s what I’ve made so far:
“Le granola green, glam & gourmand”. Utterly delicious. I don’t know why I don’t make granola more often. That’s going to have to change now I’ve got this recipe in my hands. It’s so quick to put together. This one has the perfect balance of sweet/salt/vanilla/spice/crunch & chew (in my eyes at least)! I liked it served with coconut yoghurt (as pictured), drowned in homemade almond milk or as a smoothie topper. [See below for the recipe]
“Millet Magnifique”. A lovely light spring/summer lunch. You know I’m a little bit infatuated with millet right now so this recipe jumped out at me. The seasonings are simple but those fresh and crunchy vegetables and toothsome grains don’t need much adornment.
“Pizzas sur pâte de socca” (Socca Crust Pizzas). There are a couple of pizza options listed in the book but I went for the classic Pizza Margherita. I talked about socca in my All About Chickpea Flour post and it works wonderfully as a gluten-free pizza crust. I didn’t think it were possible to get excited about tomato sauce but this recipe is beyond incredible! It doesn’t require any cooking either just a whiz in the blender. Finished with the “veggie cheese au miso” (which I made with pine nuts), and fresh basil, this dinner couldn’t have gotten any better.
The latest recipe I’ve made was these cute “Muffins aux fraises et noisettes”(Strawberry-Hazelnut Muffins). I don’t have a whole lot of experience with gluten-free baking but was mighty impressed with how these turned out. Given their most, tender crumb, I’m pretty sure nobody would guess that there’s no wheat in them. The chopped strawberries created little jammy pockets which I loved.
The book is organized by season, useful in helping me narrow down what to make! Beyond recipes, the book is dotted with tips on living a healthy, “green” lifestyle”, including instructions for making your own natural beauty products and illustrated yoga poses. The writing is brilliant too. Rebecca never fails to make me chuckle, both with her witty comments and puns in the book and her amusing hashtagging on instagram!
By now you might be thinking, “I want this book but I don’t speak French!”. Do not fear! A US version is underway right this minute, and, what’s more, it features some additional recipes!
In the meantime, Rebecca has kindly allowed me to share the granola recipe (translated) from the book:
Ingredients
- 200 g Rolled oats (OR buckwheat, quinoa or rice flakes for 100% GF)
- 50g Almonds
- 50g Raisins
- 60 g Coconut flakes
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 4 Tbsp Maple syrup
- 4 Tbsp Melted coconut oil
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla powder
- Optional, for an Omega 3 boost
- 30g Ground flaxseed
Instructions
- Chop the almonds into slivers. Mix all the ingredients except the almonds and raisins in a large bowl.
- Turn the contents of the bowl onto a baking sheet: cook at 100 C for 15 minutes, mix. Add the raisins and almonds. Continue too cook, stirring every 15 minutes, until as crispy as you like.*
- * Mine took approx 1 1/2 hours to cook.
- Serve with non-dairy milk of your choice or sprinkled on smoothies, yogurt or fruit salad.
If you’re new to Coconut and Berries, Please sign up for email updates and join me elsewhere: I’m on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram (@coconutandberries), Google + andTwitter!
Follow Coconut and Berries with Bloglovin or Feedly.
[Disclosure: This book was given to me free for review purposes, but, as always, all opinions are my own]
Oh my goodness, these recipes look gorgeous! That granola! I think this book will be a “must.” Thanks for introducing us to Rebecca and her book. I am glad vegan food is becoming more known in France — it will make my next visit much more comfortable!
It really is a “must”! It’s my favourite of the cookbooks I’ve acquired recently (Oh She Glows & Isa Does It included)!
That granola was sensational.
Everything looks and sounds incredibly delicious, especially the pizza! Great review Emma! I love the color of her book too….very colorful. I am in TOTAL agreement too about people not detecting a gluten-free recipe, when it’s done right. I’ve tasted some poorly written gluten-free recipes, but those muffins look beautifu. l only write gluten-free recipes, and people NEVER know or are in shock that they vegan, much less gluten-free. My goal is for it to taste as rich and delicious as any white flour, white sugar and butter filled ones without the bad ingredients.
That granola looks so yummy. That’s how I pretty much fix my granola too, minus the raisins and oil and lots more cinnamon because I LOVE cinnamon. I also love to add ginger to it, because I love the spicyness! Thanks for sharing the beautiful review of her book with us!
I really must try those muffins of yours and test out your gf baking 😉 I’m going away for a few days now but I’m going to add them to the menu for when I get back!
Rebecca has done such a beautiful job with the book. I want to make everything in there!
What a beautiful book! Thanks for sharing this.
My pleasure. It really is gorgeous. I’ll make sure I let you all know when the US version is released/available to order.
looks great - can you blog-us when the english version is ready too?
thanks
Of course! I’ll make sure you all know when it’s out 😀
I don’t want anyone to miss this book!
That does sound like an amazing cookbook! I love “le granola”-so fancy! Le cookbook looks delicious!
Oh gosh “le granola” was so delicious! Definitely need to whip up another batch soon…
Thanks for sharing this with us Emma. Everything looks amazing. I can’t wait for the US version to come out.
I can’t wait for the US version to come out either! I want everyone to be able to read this book 😀
This is indeed a lovely book! I found it in Carrefour and I so surprised about finding a vegan book there that I had to buy it immediately!
So pleased you’ve got it and love it too Natalia! What have you made so far?
So much yumminess in one post! These recipes look so good, such a lovely recipe book!
It’s a winner for sure. Make the granola!!
Everything you made looks really good. Looks like a great book!
It definitely is. I’m going to be working my way through all the recipes!
I really like the look of all of that food. I am definately going to make some of the Granola, thank you for the recipe.
My pleasure! Hope you like the granola as much as me!
What a coincidence… I was actually reading this book in Paris last week! I spotted it on my friend’s bookshelf and made a beeline straight to it. I’ve never read a French cookbook before, so I found it really fascinating how the ingredients are measured (ie. ‘coffee spoons’ rather than teaspoons. How continental is that?)
My friend actually went to Rebecca’s book launch in Paris (lucky thing!)
That’s so funny Sharon! It’s such a beautiful book. I definitely recommend picking up a copy when the US version is out.
The measurements are cute aren’t they? I’m actually translating another French vegan cookbok for my dissertation so I’m getting more familiar with all that kind of stuff.
Yum! All these recipes sound and look delicious!
It’s a great book. Can’t wait for the US version to come out so everyone can read it and try the recipes!
How lovely to have the different areas of your life come together so nicely! These recipes all sound fantastic and your pictures (as always) do them justice.
I hope the end stages of your Master’s degree are going ok - I remember when finishing my PhD the last stretches were the hardest in many ways, not least because I ended up working quite a lot around the study. It can be taxing! Recipes like these would make perfect study and work fuel at least
Thank you for your kind words Kari. All is rather busy since, though I’ve now finished my exams, I’m writing my dissertation, working part-time, doing some freelance projects and blogging! I’m taking some time off at the momen and have just had a couple of days in London with friends and am now back in Oxford visiting my Mum. Just what I need