Mastering The Art Of French Cooking, Volume I : 50th Anniversary Edition : A Cookbook by Julia Child and Louisette Bertholle

New York Times Bestseller:

The definitive guide to French cuisine for American readers, this cookbook is a true gem. Filled with mouthwatering recipes, detailed instructions, and precise illustrations, it embodies what a cookbook should be. Though some of the instructions may seem intimidating, don’t worry – as Julia Child herself says in the introduction, “If you can read, you can cook.”

Entertainment Weekly raves, “I only wish that I had written it myself,” while James Beard echoes the sentiment. With 524 delicious recipes and over 100 instructive illustrations, Mastering the Art of French Cooking is a must-have for both seasoned experts and beginners who have a passion for good food and a desire to recreate the flavors of French cuisine.

Julia Child, Simone Beck, and Louisette Bertholle present the classic foods of France in a logical and organized manner, focusing on themes and variations rather than overwhelming readers with an endless list of dishes. From historic Gallic masterpieces to the seemingly effortless perfection of simple pea dishes, this cookbook covers it all.

The emphasis is on key recipes that form the foundation of French cookery, allowing for endless possibilities of creativity in the kitchen. “Julia has slowly but surely transformed the way we think about food,” praises Thomas Keller of The French Laundry. By demystifying the term “haute cuisine” and emphasizing the importance of technique, Julia has opened our eyes to the refined pleasures of dining.

Mastering French Cooking: Beef Bourguignon Recipe Review

Hi everyone! My name is Melissa and I’m a librarian and home cook. I love to research and expand my cooking skills, so I’ve challenged myself to try new recipes from my library’s collection of cookbooks. Let’s see what dish I’m going to make this week!

From PBS Kid to Julia Child

As a child, I was a fan of PBS cooking shows. I have fond memories of sitting on the floor of my first apartment, watching countless food shows on PBS. And there was one voice that I’ll never forget: Julia Child. Her French beef stew in red wine captured my attention and left a lasting impression on me.

The Influence of Julia Child

I believe all of us have been influenced by Julia Child in one way or another. Whether it’s through SNL skits, the movie “Julie and Julia,” or the recent HBO Max series, Julia’s impact on the culinary world is undeniable. I hadn’t thought about her in a while, but an Instagram story from a drag queen named Wigs by Vanity reminded me of her. They were inspired by a YouTube channel called Anti-Chef, who created a series of videos called “Jamie and Julia.”

I found myself intrigued by the idea, so I decided to try a recipe from Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” The recipe I chose was beef bourguignon. It’s a classic dish that I remember having during a trip to Normandy when I studied abroad. It seemed like the perfect choice for my cooking challenge.

The Challenges and the Process

I gathered all the necessary ingredients, including the beef, bacon, onions, mushrooms, and red wine. Following Julia’s recipe, I sautéed the mushrooms and then browned the bacon and vegetables. Next, I added the wine, stock, tomato paste, herbs, and garlic. Everything simmered in the oven for a few hours to develop the flavors.

The Verdict

After patiently waiting, I finally had a chance to taste the beef bourguignon. The beef was incredibly tender, and the flavors were rich and delicious. I served it with buttered egg noodles, which paired perfectly with the dish.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

Beef bourguignon is undoubtedly a delightful dish, but it requires quite a bit of time and effort to prepare. I would recommend making it for special occasions or weekends when you have more time to dedicate to cooking. If you’re a fan of French cuisine and want to explore it further, borrowing “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” from the library or a family member would be a great idea. It’s a comprehensive book filled with a wide variety of recipes.

Thank you for joining me on this culinary journey. If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to our podcast for more cooking adventures. Happy cooking!