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Cook Like Julia Child

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Inspired by Julie and Julia?

The movie Julie and Julia has been an inspiration for would-be cooks around the world. But if you're just getting started, boning a duck seems a tad advanced, so where do you start? The truth is that many of Julia Child's recipes from the movie require at least a little knowledge of cooking. Fortunately, she later did a number of more basic books that you can also refer to and there are also videos of her cooking techniques.

Julie and Julia

If you haven't yet seen the movie, then I highly suggest getting it as inspiration. The movie is actually based on the book, Julie and Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously, by Julie Powell, the young woman who chronicled her year of cooking through Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I haven't yet read it, but we all know that books are often better than the movie!
Julie & Julia

Julie & Julia

Amazon Price: $4.38 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

The movie moves between two very different lives, that of Julia Child, a bored housewife who decides to take up cooking at the Cordon Bleu school while stationed in France and that of Julie Powell, a young woman, unhappy in her job and life, who decides to cook all of Julia's French recipes in one year's time and blog about it. It's a very inspiring movie and has a great storyline.

The Cookbook That Started It All

Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set)

Mastering the Art of French Cooking (2 Volume Set)

by: Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, Simone Beck

Amazon Price: $46.27 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

This is the book that Julie Powell used as her guide for turning out awesome food. Now you can, too!

How to Start Cooking

If you've been inspired by the movie, but aren't experienced, don't worry! I highly recommend the The Joy of Cooking, which offers a lot of information on food and preparation, as well as some basic recipes and more advanced ones. It's a good place to start, but you certainly don't have to end there.

Look around your hometown to find out if there are any cooking classes going on. You will probably find a variety of them for all levels! Take the one that corresponds to your level and then work your way up.

Another great way to learn new techniques and pick up some excellent culinary skills is to start looking at different food blogs. I personally write one called Gourmet Mama, which has easy recipes anyone can whip up and impress family and friends, but there are plenty of other awesome blogs out there . . . I've added some of my favorites in the next section, you can add yours, as well!

Butter, It Has to Be Butter

Julia Child swore by the use of real butter and if you have ever tried it, you will, too. Margarine just doesn't compare. Yes, butter is considerably more costly than margarine, but the flavor that it brings out in a dish is exquisite. It's best to get unsalted butter since many recipes call for this.
President Unsalted Butter in Foil ( 7 oz / 199 g )

President Unsalted Butter in Foil ( 7 oz / 199 g )

Amazon Price: (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

* Package contains 7-ounces of president unsalted butter
* Made from pasteurized cows milk
* Product of France

Hot Cooking Blogs

Some of my favorite cooking blogs . . . be sure to vote for your favorites and add more links!

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smitten kitchen

A home cooking weblog from a tiny kitchen in New Y more...0 points

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Cooking For Engineers - Step by Step Recipes and Food for the Analytically Minded

Detailed instructions on food and cooking for thos more...0 points

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http://www.elise.com/recipes/

Great recipes that aren't difficult to make.0 points

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Lunch in a Box: Building a Better Bento

A lunch-packing resource of time-saving tips, tric more...0 points

Julia Child Cooking Tip #1

Dry your meat before browning . . . or else it won't brown.

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Watch Julia Child Cook

Julia Child made many videos of how to cook and luckily we have YouTube now so you can watch them yourself!
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Cooking Tools to Get You Started

Julia Child used the right tools for the job and you should, too. It's vital that you have good kitchen equipment to whip up great food! Get the best you can afford and then build on it from there. Not all kitchen equipment is expensive, however, you'll find that there are a number of lower cost items that work just fine. Make sure that they are well made and you'll be fine.
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The Casserole

One of the dishes that is most featured in the movie is the orange casserole that both Julie and Julia used to make their Boeuf à la Bourguignonne. You can have one just like it for your cooking!
Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 2-Quart Round French Oven, Flame

Le Creuset Enameled Cast-Iron 2-Quart Round French Oven, Flame

Amazon Price: $144.91 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

This bright orange casserole is just the thing to help you channel a little Julia Child!

Julia Child Cooking Tip #2

Don't crowd the mushrooms when cooking them or they won't cook properly.

Great Stuff on Amazon

Want to learn more about Julia? Here are some of the books she wrote in her lifetime.
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athomemomblog

I`m a Canadian expat and a work at home mom of two wonderfully curious little boys, ages 4 and 5, with another on the way. My interests are quite varied,... more »

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Mastering the art of French Cooking 50th Anniversary

Mastering the art of French Cooking 50th Anniversary

by: Julia Child, Louisette Bertholle, Simone Beck

Amazon Price: $18.00 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

This first volume is a great one to get started with if you can't afford the two book set. It contains plenty of recipes to keep you cooking for a while!

 

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 2: A Classic Continued: A New Repertory of Dishes and Techniques Carries Us into New Areas

Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Vol. 2: A Classic Continued: A New Repertory of Dishes and Techniques Carries Us into New Areas

by: Julia Child, Simone Beck

Amazon Price: $18.98 (as of 02/16/2012)Buy Now

This second volume of the popular French cooking set was written in conjunction with Simone Beck. The two women worked hard to get published.

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