"Maman: The Cookbook: All-Day Recipes to Warm Your Heart"--by Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte-experience the award-winning recipes for cookies, cakes, quiches, and croissants from Maman, the beloved rustic-chic café--this collection of 100 recipes spans from breakfast to dessert and everything in between, all united by the sense of family-inspired tradition (see my review)

 

Maman: The Cookbook: All-Day Recipes to Warm Your Heart

Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte opened Maman to fill a void in their hearts. They wanted to create a warm, cozy place for people to come together and savor a freshly baked madeleine or slice of savory quiche with the comfort and familiarity of being in their own living room. This collection of 100 recipes spans bestselling dishes from their locations in New York City, Montreal, and Toronto—like Banana-Lavender Cornmeal Waffles with Vanilla Mascarpone, Cumin Chickpea Salad, and the Nutty Chocolate Chip Cookies made famous by none other than Oprah.

French café culture and urban-rustic design come together to create a cookbook as delicious as it is visually inspiring. Whether you’d like to make one of Elisa’s naked cakes for a special occasion or a roasted chicken sandwich with basil aïoli for lunch, Maman welcomes you with open arms.

MY REVIEW:  "Maman: The Cookbook: All-Day Recipes to Warm Your Heart" is a cookbook, a memoir, and a love story. Husband and wife team Benjamin Sormonte and Elisa Marshall, creators and co-owners of Maman (French for Mother) have crafted a very special brand for their restaurants, catering and event business, and designer paper products with pop-up shops, stationery, and a party collection. Their beautiful trademark blue and white prints have a rustic elegance all their own. Both Elisa and Benjamin were raised in big, loving families--Elisa in Canada and Benjamin in France--where their mamans instilled in them a love of great food and cooking. Each of the mamans were instrumental in creating the menus, decor, atmosphere, and sense of community that epitomizes the Maman brand. The cookbook features 100 recipes from around the world, and they are divided into sections titled "Sunrise", "All-Day Cafe", and "Sweets and Sips". The book is filled with beautiful color photos of food and more. A section called "Equipment" lists essential tools and some helpful items to have on hand. The recipes are amazing, and, so far, I have tried one recipe from each section. A southern girl like me simply could not resist "Maman's Breakfast Sandwich with Bourbon-Bacon Jam". This is a big, both hands required, meal on a bun. Layers of tomato, egg, and avocado are bought together by a generous amount of rich bourbon-bacon jam (recipe included). Quiche is one of my favorites, and I chose classic "Quiche Lorraine"--its savory goodness enhanced here by nutmeg. sea salt, and freshly-ground black pepper. "Ashleigh's Carrot Cake with Brown-Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting" was my sweet treat--a delicious confection filled with spices, carrots, pineapple and walnuts. I am not ashamed to say that I could have eaten the whole bowl of frosting by itself with a spoon. There are many more recipes, both savory and sweet, that I look forward to trying very soon. To give the food an authentic Maman ambience, I will be serving it on my own pretty set of vintage blue and white dishes.

Disclosure: "I've received a free copy from Clarkson Potter in exchange for a free and unbiased review."

 

Reviews

 

“The first time I walked into Maman to grab a croissant for my kids, I was lovestruck by the charm and effortless elegance of the bakery. What drew me back to Maman several times a week was the menu: a little fussy, a touch rustic, and just the right amount of sophistication that made eating the food feel like an act of self-love. This book is the perfect host gift but also one that will surely be earmarked, splashed with wine and chocolate from overuse, which in my mind is a smash.”—Erin McKenna, owner of Erin McKenna’s Bakery
 
“I’m such a big fan of Maman’s coffee shops. The food, the drinks, the décor, everything is so lovely and thought through. No surprise, Elisa and Benjamin’s first cookbook is the same. Every page and recipe is so beautiful. It’s as delightful to flip through as it is to cook from.”—Kerry Diamond, founder of Cherry Bombe

“Maman is a stellar cookbook filled with mouthwatering and heartwarming recipes that, simply put, are food from the soul. Believe me when I tell you, this cookbook will forever have a space in your heart and in your kitchen.”—Diala Canelo, author of Diala’s Kitchen
 
“I am so happy to see Elisa and Ben’s work in print. Their thoughtfulness in the creation of their products and spaces translates beautifully onto these pages. As a bakery owner myself, one always hopes that your children love your spaces the most. This is not the case with my son Isaac, who loves maman more than Gjusta. From one maman to another, I celebrate you.”—Shelley Kleyn Armistead, CEO of Gjelina
 
“I am not just here for the blue-and-white china, although that alone would be enough!! Elisa and Ben’s beautiful book is filled with delightful food, topped with artisanal charm. This favorite NYC breakfast spot is now accessible to every home cook!”—Laurel Gallucci, cofounder and CEO of Sweet Laurel

Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte

 

Elisa Marshall and Benjamin Sormonte are the cofounders and owners of Maman. Elisa, the creative director, oversees branding, communications, and events, and works with Maman’s chefs to develop and fine-tune Maman’s recipes and menus. She’s also a contributing columnist for Martha Stewart online. As the CEO, Ben manages operations and business development, but he is also the creative mind behind some of Maman’s most beloved savory dishes. Together, Elisa and Ben design the interiors of all Maman locations, which can be found throughout New York City as well as in Montreal and Toronto.  

https://www.mamannyc.com/cookbook