Monday, July 24, 2017

Bonjour Kale

"On my first day of third grade, while playing a game to introduce ourselves, we had to choose a noun corresponding to the first letter of our first name.  I casually chose 'kale', not thinking twice about it, until I realized that none of my classmates knew what it was. This was when I began to understand that my mother and I ate differently than the majority of Americans, and that experiencing the flavors, aromas, and textures of different vegetables was something unique we shared."
~ Bonjour Kale, Kristen Beddard

Although Kristen Beddard, the author of Bonjour Kale: A Memoir of Paris, Love, and Recipes (published in 2016), grew up eating kale, she never expected that it would become a main focus in her life.  Kale was  one of the first vegetables she liked as a baby, and her mother continued to use a lot of it in recipes and salads as her daughter grew up. Years later, when Kristen moved from America to France with her husband, Phillip, she searched for kale because it had always been a staple in the kitchen and an important part of her life.

"Kale was comfort.  Kale was my childhood. Kale was my mom."
~ Bonjour Kale, Kristen Beddard

She could not imagine her adult life as a wife with a kitchen of her own without kale.  Unfortunately, though, when she got to Paris, she could not find le chou kale anywhere.  

"I had yet to find the leafy green in Paris. Not at a single market or at any grocery store. Farmers and maraîchers who sold a variety of vegetables didn't seem to know what it was, and after an intensive Internet search, I'd come to the conclusion that kale was nearly impossible to find."
~ Bonjour Kale, Kristen Beddard

In France, Kristen's passion for kale led her to adopt a new mission and purpose, although she only knew a few French words when she first moved from New York to Paris.  She faced several other obstacles as well on her unique quest, but slowly and surely, she reintroduced this versatile vegetable to the people of France, and it became a part of French cuisine again.  Due to Kristen's creation of The Kale Project, through her diligent work with local French farmers and others, kale is now available at many markets and restaurants throughout France. This beautiful memoir tells the story of how she accomplished this, in a down-to-earth (pun intended), honest, and entertaining manner.

In addition to telling Kristen's story, Bonjour Kale is full of recipes and helpful tips, and it even tells you how to grow your own kale, if you're so inclined.  Early in the book there's a section titled, Keeping a Kale Kitchen, which features tips about buying kale, washing kale, destemming kale, and massaging kale.  Yes, like a sore body, kale will benefit from a good massage. ;)

"The key to any good kale salad is a good massage.  On already washed and dried kale, add the dressing of your choice and massage the kale with your hands for a minute or so."
~ Bonjour Kale, Kristen Beddard


 


I relish books that include recipes, and I was definitely inspired to cook with kale as a result of reading this memoir.  (Over the years, I've become a "foodie"--I love to cook, eat, and photograph good food!  My children seem to be headed in the same direction.)  Soon after I started reading Bonjour Kale, I bought some (organic) kale as well as the ingredients to make Sharzie's Secret Sauce, to use as a dressing on a kale salad. There are several recipes in the book that I'd like to try, such as Kale Chips (Three Ways), Kale and Courgette (Zucchini) Soup, and one that doesn't feature kale, but sounds wonderful and simple, Slow-Roasted Tomatoes.






I loved Bonjour Kale!  It's a mervilleux memoir, a well-written, intelligent story of success, and I enjoyed reading it very much. 

Merci mille fois to Emma from France Book Tours for inviting me to join this tour.  I'm honored to be the first stop on the tour.  Please visit the other stops on the Bonjour Kale Book Tour for more reviews, giveaways, and other features.

Thank you for reading!  Your comments are welcomed.

29 comments:

  1. thanks so much for your beautiful review. so glad you loved the book!

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  2. Thank you for your nice review on a fun topic. Who would think that the French didn't have kale?

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  3. Very good review Susan! I love kale so I think I'd love this book.

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  4. This book includes so many things I love - memoir, French setting, and recipes. I'll have to look for it.

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  5. This sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for sharing it. It shows how one person can make a difference

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  6. This sounds so interesting. My wife reads a lot of these food orientated non - fiction books. They could be very interesting and informative. France is also an appealing topic.

    I also like odd vegetables including kale. I also like books with recipes.

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  7. I loved this book! My review will be posted tomorrow.

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  8. Great review of this book. I am curious to know what she is doing today.

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  9. Lovely review! I really got from it the warmth the author probably wanted to convey, how it was comfort food for her, so she wanted to add it to her expat life in France. Food is so important to feeling at home, right?

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    1. Food is important in the manner that you mention. Thanks so much for your comment, Lucy!

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  10. Bonjour Kale sounds so good, and how great about the Kale Project. I enjoy Kale as well, mainly in my green smoothies. Great post and nice photos!

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  11. I've read a few reviews about this book and am baffled how a book about kale could be so captivating. That being said, I will read the book because you have convinced me.

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    1. Judy, it is a remarkable memoir, with a unique focus on kale. I think you'll enjoy it. Thank you for your comment!

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  12. I really like the sound of this one. Terrific review and photos. Hope you are having a nice summer.

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  13. Great review Suko. Kale was new to me when I moved to 'the south'. My husband loves it. This sounds like a terrific book.

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  14. Very interesting!! I must admit, I've never eaten Kale. I love to try out new food though and have become more of a "foodie" as well the older I get. Great review!

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  15. Dear Suko- Thank you so much for the sweet review! I'm so glad that you were a part of the book tour and even more so that you enjoyed the book and the recipes. Merci Merci!!! -Kristen

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    1. Kristen, thank you very much for stopping by! Because of your wonderful book, I've been using kale frequently this summer in salads and recipes. It's quite a tasty and versatile vegetable.

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  16. I must admit that kale isn't popular in this part of England ... perhaps because of the price. I myself have only tried it one and twice and despite its 'superveg' status won't be seeking it out again.

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  17. This sounds like a fun, fascinating and inspiring book.

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  18. I love a good memoir! I really haven't read a lot of memoirs featuring food though- I should give this one a try as I like the sound of it. Great review!

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  19. Kale isn't something I have ever tried and I am so fussy and funny about my foods let alone new ones :D xxx

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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  20. I am not a fan of kale, but I am of all things French, so I must read this one! Nice review!

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  21. This book is new to me but it sounds interesting. I'm not a fan of kale though. :)

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    1. Jennifer (and others), thanks for your honesty. I have become a big fan of kale as a result of reading this book. It can be used in salads or cooked in many ways. :)

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  22. Just stopping by to check in, hope you are well toots <3

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. Hi, Lainy! I'm doing well, I just haven't been posting as much! :)

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