In case you've been under a rock the past couple weeks, there's a new movie out called Julie & Julia. It's about a food blogger as she cooks through every recipe in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
I'd never seen an episode of The French Chef, Julia's infamous cooking show, but I certainly knew about Julia. She's about as iconic as it gets. Her unique voice, her squinty-eyed smile, her jolly demeanor. And yes, Julia could most definitely cook up a storm.
With all this buzz, I wanted to see an actual episode of The French Chef. I checked YouTube without much luck. Nothing on Food Network either. Finally, PBS came to my rescue. Full episodes right there for the watching.
With Ben down for a nap, I made myself a simple salad, sat myself in front of the laptop, and got acquainted with Julia. She is disarmingly friendly, I can definitely see how this woman made everyone feel more at ease in the kitchen. She occasionally fumbles over her words, and even fumbles over her food - it's honest, one-take TV. Best of all, she teaches you how to cook. Not how to open cans and dump them in a pot, not how to dress up a store-bought cake to look "semi-homemade"; how to cook real food, albeit with fancy French names.
If you haven't seen Julia in action, check out classic Julia making cheese souflee, or see Julia in her later years grilling game. They use an interesting cut of venison, and because of this episode I'm waiting to get my hands on some duck liver and rabbit. Here, bunny bunny bunny...
In the meantime, anyone want to go see a foodie chick flick with me? The last movie I saw in the theater was Batman last summer, so I'm due. I'll even sneak in the stovetop-popped popcorn.
I'll go with you! I haven't seen it either. I tried to get Jon to go this weekend, but we ended up at some western, gang movie instead. Not my choice.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a MUST! I saw the movie on Saturday night, and would go again. The plot was refreshing, inspiring, and enduring. You are definitely due for a movie, and this is a great choice. I too, wanted to do more research. Working with PBS stations all the time, I hear about Julia, but have never taken time to do the research to get to know her. I think that it's overdo. I will definitely check out your links.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to see this, but I've heard you should eat first since there's so much fantastic food in it you just get really hungry. Considering I get really hungry just spying The Joy of Cooking up on the kitchen shelf, this is probably good advice.
ReplyDeleteReading Julia Child's My Life in France (on which the movie is partly based - the Julia parts) is, well, life-changing. I highly recommend it! But there too, plan on needing some time in the kitchen afterwards. Mmmm foooooood!
I'm in, becasue otherwise I'll make Matt take me...and then I'd have to sit through one of HIS movies! We should have a Bismarck Blogger get together!
ReplyDeleteI'll go with you if you fly me out. I sneak popcorn in, too. So much cheaper (and better).
ReplyDeleteI've loved Julia Child from the first moment I saw her on Public television, probably in the early 1970's. I remember calling my mother and saying, "Who IS this woman? You've got to watch her show ... she's quite a character!" I love her cheery enthusiasm and her warbly sing-song voice. I'm really enjoying the resurgence of her popularity and can generally find her on our local PBS channel. I actually saw her this week trussing a chicken ... and she was great!!! I especially loved it when she removed the wishbone; what a hoot. Can't wait to see the movie! Bravo to Julia Child ... and to all food bloggers everywhere!!!
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