Riviera - by Melanie Masarin (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A love letter to the Riviera--where French and Italian flavors meet in 101 sun-soaked, unfussy recipes (most with 10 ingredients or fewer) that capture the warmth of Mediterranean life.

Noted young entrepreneur Mélanie Masarin is always asked what food pairs well with Ghia, her Mediterranean-inspired line of nonalcoholic Spritzes, and the answer is simple: the food she grew up with.

The strip of coastline called the Riviera has always been a place of convergence--where the formality of French cuisine softens under the Mediterranean sun. Riviera is an ode to this melding of flavors, recipes passed through the generations, flavor over fuss, and connection over perfection. This is a collection of simple French and Italian dishes that Mélanie grew up cooking, as taught by her beloved grandmother, Mymo, whose handwritten recipes and philosophy on cooking and entertaining guide every page:

• The market decides the menu
• Make unfussy food people will want to eat
• Follow recipes loosely and adapt them a lot
• Share food generously

With most recipes requiring less than 10 ingredients, and inspired by the flavors and abundance of summer, dishes include:

• Tarte Soleil, puff pastry dressed up for a party and topped with pesto or tapenade to become an aperitivo-hour centerpiece
• Daube Provençale, the south of France's answer to boeuf bourguignon
• Whole Branzino is the most forgiving, and the most impressive, way to prepare a fish, and it's irresistible when topped with Put-on-Everything Green Sauce
• Baci di Dama--of all the treats balanced on espresso saucers, these tiny "lady's kisses" from Northern Italy might be Mélanie's favorite
• Tangerine Thyme Spritz, a floral, herbaceous make-ahead drink that will be the star of any summer party, (plus a handful of recipes that turn Ghia and other pantry staples into glamorous drinks).

Riviera celebrates the luxury of gathering loved ones around a table laden with food, fueling conversations well into the night. It is about embracing long, lazy lunches, morning-after treats that preserve the sweetness of the night before, and the profound pleasure found in cooking from the heart.

Review Quotes

"While the rest of us dream of being raised on the food and culture of the Riviera, very few of us have the opportunity. Thankfully, Mélanie translates her rich family history of simple, dreamy recipes for home kitchens everywhere. These pages take you to a place where olive oil flows like water, soupe is spelled with an 'e, ' and scallops are called 'Coquilles St. Jacques.'"

- Molly Baz

"Riviera is full of transportive photographs, deeply seasonal cooking, and writing that feels generous, relaxed, and lived in--the kind of book you leave open on the counter and come back to again and again." - Andy Baraghani

"Riviera captures the vibrant flavors, direct from the south of France, redolent with garlic, basil, tomatoes, as well as a bounty of sun-ripened fruits and vegetables, and--bien sûr--freshly caught fish. These pages will transport you to the Mediterranean, where great food is enjoyed, as it should be, with delicious apéritifs. Santé!"

- David Lebovitz

"Mélanie is the definition of chic, but this simple yet elegant book never trades substance for style. From crusty bread with butter-dipped radishes and salmon carpaccio to creamy, bright pasta al limon and a whole branzino with her 'put-it-on-everything' green sauce, these recipes feel both unfussy and refined, conjuring the salty air, sparkling blue waters, hot sun, and unmistakable flavors of the French Riviera."

- Jess Damuck

"Mélanie reminds us that long before all the short-lived health fads, there was the timeless, chic, and effortlessly delicious Mediterranean diet. This is a book for those of us who still believe that food should be simple and elegant, and leave you feeling like your best self."

- Julia Sherman

"Mélanie's taste and approachability shine through in everything she does. This book pulls you straight into her world, with food that leaps off the page and a beauty that makes you want to slow down, gather friends, and bring a little Riviera magic to your table tonight."

- Courtney Storer

"Mélanie makes my favorite drink on planet Earth, so it's only right that she makes a cookbook just as fantastic!!!" - benny blanco

"Riviera screams laid-back yet impressive entertaining... The recipes are great for hosting, and carry the memory of Masarin's grandmother, Mymo's, cooking." - Bon Appétit

"This new cookbook by the founder of Ghia will transport you straight to a Mediterranean summer..."

- Vogue

"[Riviera] immediately makes me want to throw an outdoor dinner party and pretend I'm on the coast of Italy." - Today.com