The art of French baking has historically been handed down from generation to generation, and from master baker to apprentice... until now. The "American Boulangerie" presents the true French bakery experience while featuring traditional family techniques for baking over 70 authentic recipes. Dark, rich, chewy bread like pain au levain are included along with decadent indulgences like Tarte au fromage de Chèvre et figues (goat cheese tart with figs), pot de crèmes and simple, delectable treats like genuine macarons de paris and the addictive mahogany-colored Cannelés de Bordeaux. The French boulangerie is recognized the world over as a bastion of the fine art of baking and the American Boulangerie has harnessed all the passion, guidance, and élan of one of the greatest practioners of this art. Pascal Rigo and his crew of bakers and pastry chefs at the fabulous Boulangerie Bay Bread in San Francisco pour the knowledge of many lifetimes and the many provinces into this exceptional baking book.