Blog.EmealsForYou

The Julia Child’s Weekend – Lessons Learned

August 16, 2009 at 6:47 am 1 comment

Happy Birthday Julia

Cooking “with” Julia for us began almost 35 years ago.  At that time were we young,easily impressed and searching for avenues of socialization.   Our group was mostly young professionals, moving up and striking out toward the future.  Dinners were challenges to be met head on, who could make the best dishes, who could make the most courses.  We had lots of by-standers back then, friends who would stand by the sidelines and wait to enjoy the spoils of the challenge.  A few of us grabbed the opportunity and ran with it, and I believe we’ve still “got game” today.

As I said in the previous post, our friend Jeannie, one of those who readily accepted the challenge back then, came out to Ohio to celebrate all things Julia with us.  Back in the 70′s Jean was a methodical cook, reading the recipe, rushing to the stove and rushing back to give it one more look before committing to the process.  The meals always followed the book, always done just right and Always wonderful.  This is pretty much how she continues to cook today and although she claims  not to cook anymore, her skills belie this.

I, on the other hand read an entire recipe, get the gist of it and then have at it.  Over the years I have developed my own style and as in life, have figured out the short cuts and methods that will yield the same results but with less detailed work, not sloppy or lazy, I am just impatient.  My meals, others have told me, always turn out great, unlike Jeannie,  I cook everyday.

So back to the lessons learned.  I like to cook alone, you could easily lose a body part walking through my kitchen when I am in deep throws of getting the food to the table.  I don’t apologize for this, it is the way I am and even my kids knew to “stay on their side of the counter ” when I was cooking.  Jeannie, being the methodical one, doesn’t mind cooking alone or with someone, she will check her recipes over and over again just to make sure.

All the meals for the Julia Child’s Weekend turned out great, no I really mean this.  They were probably the best of each recipe I (we) have made in the last 10 years; although I have made the same meals many times and they are just short of these results.  I am willing to sacrifice that minute difference to facilitate making them more.  Even when we changed cooks in the kitchen the recipes came out just right.  My wife and Jean made spectacular lamb chops and potatoes the first night.  Jeanie and I, mostly Jeanie put together the very best Beef Bourguignon and homemade noodles the next night.  Although there was a high traffic volume sneaking in to the kitchen to lower the flame on the pot (me) or raise the flame on the pot (Jeanie) the end result was true Julia.  The Steak Diane on Saturday was as Jeanie, an east-coaster would say, to die for.  The ladies put together a Pear Tatin, complaining the whole time, that was wonderful and left you thinking about it long after the crumbs were gone. Today is the last full day of the food fest.  I will ask Jeanie to finish us off with one of her and Julia’s Roasted Chickens.  Jeannie says you have to move the bird every so many minutes but the effort is worth the energy spent.  Hopefully she will add some of those stuffed, baked tomatoes from one of Julia’s cookbooks.

My final thought is that I stick to the theory that if you need to have a meal come out perfect then reach for one of Julia’s cookbooks, follow it to a tee and you will not be disappointed.  So if we do another of these weekends I will understand each person’s role and why.  Jeannie wins on points though as she does a better Julia saying, “dribble, dribble, dribble ” while applying just the right amount of butter to the finish.

Entry filed under: Rants, Semi-Rants and Non-Rants. Tags: beef bourguignon, Julia Child. Pear Tatin, lamb chops, Steak diane, stuffed tomatoes.