41. Julia Child, Part 3

“With enough butter, anything is good.” – Julia Child, The French Chef

Yes, you’re seeing things correctly: not one, but TWO new episodes in a single day. Consider this my je suis desolee for the three months’ absence. Picking up right where we left off in episode 2, Julia Child is halfway through her grand cookbook project when she moves back to the United States. What kind of America will she find? Will she be ready for America? Will America be ready for her? P.S. If you need to catch up, find the earlier episodes in this miniseries here.

Episode 41: “Julia Child, Part 3”

Cooking with Julia

If you’ve never done so before, please take some time to watch an episode of The French Chef or read a bit Mastering the Art of French Cooking. She’s a wonder to behold: so funny, so friendly, so approachable. She makes an omelet seem like the easiest thing in the world, and if you should drop your omelet while trying to flip it, no big deal! Julia dropped hers too – on live television!

At the end of this episode, I describe a very important moment when I made Julia Child’s boeuf bourguignon. I’d love for all of you to try making this recipe at least once in your life. It is time consuming, but it isn’t technically difficult at all, and the resulting dish is one of my favorite meals on earth. Open up two good bottles of wine – one for you, one for the stew – and start streaming some Netflix in your kitchen while you cook the stew. I promise, it will be worth it. This website did a marvelous job of walking through the process step by step:

The Gourmand Mom | Julia Child’s Bœuf Bourguignon

So while you’re listening to this miniseries, please make sure to follow along at home by making at least a few of her recipes. Until next episode, au revoir – and bon appetit!

Further Reading:

As Always, Julia – I didn’t have time to give Avis DeVoto the time she deserves, but this collection of letters between Julia and her best friend is simply wonderful. They have the kind of friendship everyone dreams of: intimate, funny, and lifelong.

Sources:

Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child – Bob Spitz

My Life in France – Julia Child

The United States of Arugula: The Sun Dried, Cold Pressed, Dark Roasted, Extra Virgin Story of the American Food Revolution – David Kamp

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 1 – Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, Simone Beck

As always, the inimitable The Food Timeline

Russ Parsons, “The name is Child, Julia Child”. The Los Angeles Times. August 15, 2008.