Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Happy 100th Birthday, Julia!


Share your love 

Julia Child is a legend, she is a chef of all chefs to whom I refer each time I need an answer.
In the modern world there is way  too many concerns about the high levels of fat in French cooking, introduced by Julia. When I hear it, I always say: "Nevertheless, Julia happily lived almost 94 years, so I'll take it". Julia herself advised to eat in moderation. "I would rather eat one tablespoon of chocolate russe cake than three bowls of Jell-O", she said.
Her cooking style,  her attitude and playfulness won my heart from the very first episode I watch after I purchased a DVD  The French Chef with Julia Child. I go to Julia not just for recipes, inspiration, and techniques, but for joy and to lift up my spirit. 

Listen to what Julia said to Letterman, when he asked her: Have you cook anything that turns awful?




With my spirit lifted, I improvise myself. 
For Julia's 100th Birthday I made a Rabbit Saute with Red Wine, Mushrooms, and Onions, adapting her recipe for Boeuf a la Bourguignonne (Julia Child, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, volume one).


Rabbit Stew


"This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook - try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!" 
- Julia Child, My Life in France





"...no one is born a great cook, one learns by doing."
- Julia Child, My Life in France


Happy Birthday, Julia! 


See you,

Marina

48 comments:

  1. A role model, a talented lady. Yummy recipes here. Thanks for sharing X

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    1. Yes, she is a role model for me, too bad I've learned about her only after she died...

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  2. Oh my, Marina. That video clip of Letterman and Julia was priceless. I laughed until I cried. I have watched the movie "Julia and Julia" a hundred times. I love to watch reruns of Julia Child's cooking show on Public Television.
    Such a wonderful post today! Thank you.

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    1. I found this video so Julia that I wanted to share with everyone. Thank yu Sheila, for your comment. :)

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  3. Wow! What a great ay to celebrate Julia Child's birthday... This looks really delicious!

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  4. I love Julia! My mom always watched her re-runs growing up and although I don't eat meat, and therefore can't partake in a lot of her recipes, I still enjoy watching and reading them. That clip was hilarious!

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    1. I didn't watch any of her shows on TV, but a few years ago I bought a DVD. She actually has quite many vegetables presented there. Great clip indeed, I would call it a lift me up video! :)

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  5. She was really something, wasn't she? This dish you've prepared is a fitting tribute to her. I can almost see her standing over the pot, stirring it before checking for seasoning.
    Hers was the first cookbook I bought and referred to it constantly. Somewhere along the way, I lost it and I only recently replaced it with the e-version. I won't lose this one!

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    1. You know John, this recipe actually came from my mother. She makes rabbit stew all the time. And I found that method is very similar to Julia's beef.
      I tried e-versions of cook books and came back to printed ones. There is something about being able to hold the book, to linger over beautiful photos, flop the pages... :)
      Thanks for your comment, John!

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  6. Hi Marina, I was never a big fan of rabbit, but recently my neighbour made me try some she'd prepared and I was amazed at how good it was - just goes to show it can be delicious when it's prepared well. This looks like a lovely warming dish, and a lovely tribute dish too!

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    1. How interesting, Charles. I was never a big fan of beef, and at this time I am not a big fan of any meat actually. I am amazed how human's taste changes...
      Thanks for your comment :)

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  7. Julia would have loved the dish you created! It's the perfect way to celebrate her birthday.

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    1. Thank you Linda! I hope so as she was a big improviser herself (did yu watch the video?) :)

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  8. I adored the video. I've not seen that. She's absolutely delightful.

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    1. Isn't she?! Fantastic lady, great cook... :)

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  9. I have loved reading Julia's quotes over the past few days. And what a gorgeous dish you've made to celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday.

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    1. Thank you Lizzy. It makes me think of why I never made a post about Julia before? I quote her a lot, and reach for her books and DVDs for inspiration, and just to lift up my spirit...:)

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  10. I think it's even money that had Julia Child not existed that I wouldn't be cooking now. I watched her on TV when I was young, and she taught me that food could have flavor, could be fun, and was easy to prepare. You've created a really nice dish to celebrate her - thank you.

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    1. Thank you John. You are very kind. She taught me also that cooking can be fun, and not intimidating at all :)

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  11. What a wonderful, delicious looking dinner and a lovely tribute to Julia!

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  12. Marina, you did such a beautiful tribute to Julia's 100th birthday. I'm sure she is smiling down from heaven with so many people celebrating her birthday!
    She surely was an inspiration and a pioneer of pioneers, when there weren't any other cooking show around, she was the first! Her wit and charm, her laughter, her honesty about mistakes was so genuine, and unique...yet, she was brilliant in her French cuisine and perfect it!

    What a lovely and delicious stew you made in her honor, that she would be so proud of, for sure:)
    xo

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    1. Thank you Elisabeth for such a heartwarming comment. Yes, I agree with you: Julia was brilliant! :)

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  13. Julia child is the best chef ever! I love her recipes. Your rabbit stew is a wonderful tribute to her.... She would have been proud :)

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  14. How true, nobody is born a cook. Anyone who tells me they can't cook, I always say, "You can't read?"

    You've done Julia proud!

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    1. Thank you Maureen. That's a good one: "You can't read?" I need to remember it next time I hear someone saying they can't cook... :)

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  15. I love that colourful last picture! And Julia's answer was priceless (and so true! :P).

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    1. Thank you Lorraine! How interesting: I didn't like that picture so much, and was debating with myself if I should post it...:)

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  16. I am reading about Julia since yesterday, unfortunately I have not read any of her recipes or watched her shows. I did watch the movie and then totally forgot about it. Now for all that praise from everyone I am going to get one book of her.The last quote works for me.

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    1. Thank you Balvinder! Yes, her quotes are very true... Oh, I am sure you will enjoy her book. Her recipes are easy to follow. I made so many vegetable dishes, following her instructions...:)

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  17. Julia Child is known here in the UK, but not a household name like in the US, despite Julie and Julia. I've got Mastering the Art of French Cooking 1 & 2 on my shelf but have never cooked from them. Thanks for the timely reminder!

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    1. Thank you Katy. I am sure that if you make at leastone recipe from her book, you would love it! :)

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  18. Julia Child is not very well known here in Poland and that's a pity. because she was quite a personality. Wonderful and inspiring woman. And I have to admit that your rabbit stew looks so delicious. Autumn is coming and it will be perfect for colder, darker autumnal days.

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    1. I know, I didn't know about her either until about 2003...
      Thanks Joanna, it's also a cheerful summer dish too...:)

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    2. If you san so Marina I trust you :-)

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  19. I posted a comment before but just noticed, for whatever reason, it did not appear. So here goes again.
    Rabbit a la Bourguignonne, I am sure Julia will approve of your substitute. Lovely tribute to a great lady.

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    1. Thank you Norma! It was a good summer meal too...:)

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  20. Marina, so glad to see you posting for the 100th. Alas, I did not. Scheduling issues, I'm afraid. I was privileged to have a slight acquaintance with Julia during the last few years of her life. Chatting with her on several occasions is something I'll never forget.

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    1. Oh, those are the sweetest and the best memories ever... Will you make a post some day? That would be so inspiring...

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    2. What an inspiring lady she was. And she certainly had humor.
      Your stew looks delicious!

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  21. Looks fantastic! Julia would be proud of you :)

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  22. I just love the video of the "hamburger". It was just what I needed today. :-) I also like to use rabbit and have traded it for many standard/classic chicken dishes. Nice looking recipe.

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