Acknowledgments
Pleasure and Perfection
The Road to the French Laundry
A Sad Happy Story
Cornets
About the Chef
When in Doubt, Strain: Notes on How to Use This Book
CANAPES
The Law of Diminishing Returns
The Mushroom Lady
Soup
Blini
The Importance of Hollandaise
Garden Canapes
FIRST COURSE
Big-Pot Blanching
Hearts of Palm Grower
Tools of Refinement: The Chinois and Tamis
Agnolotti
Truffles
Foie Gras
The Importance of Staff Meal
FISH
A Passion for Fish
The Accidental Fishmonger
Cooking Lobster
Beurre Monte: The Workhorse Sauce
Infused Oils
MEAT
The Importance of Trussing Chicken
Salt and Pepper and Vinegar
Braising and the Virtue of the Process
The Pittsburgh Lamber
Vegetable Cuts
The Importance of Rabbits
The Importance of Offal
Stocks and Sauces
Quick Sauces
Powders
CHEESE
The Composed Cheese Course
The Importance of France
The Attorney Cheesemaker
DESSERT
Beginning and Ending
The Ultimate Purveyors
Sources
List of Recipes
Index
