Ep 6. Chocolate Napoleon & Ice Cream Sandwich with Gale Gand

In season 1, episode 6 of Baking with Julia, titled "Chocolate Napoleon & Ice Cream Sandwich with Gale Gand," pastry chef Gale Gand joins host Julia Child for a lesson in creating two delicious desserts.

First, Gand demonstrates how to make a chocolate mille-feuille, also known as a Napoleon. She starts by making puff pastry from scratch and then prepares a rich chocolate pastry cream. After baking and layering the pastry and cream, she tops it off with a warm chocolate glaze and decorates it with chocolate curls. Julia and Gale then sit down to enjoy the decadent pastry, savoring its flaky layers and smooth chocolate filling.

Next, Gand shows Julia how to make a homemade ice cream sandwich using a simple, yet versatile, recipe. She uses a combination of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, sandwiched between two chewy chocolate cookies. The cookies are made with cocoa powder and just a handful of other ingredients, creating a perfect contrast to the creamy ice cream filling.

Throughout the episode, Julia and Gale share their expertise on the importance of temperature control in pastry making and the key ingredients that make these desserts so delicious. They also discuss the best methods for storing and serving each dessert.

Overall, "Chocolate Napoleon & Ice Cream Sandwich with Gale Gand" is a mouthwatering and educational addition to the Baking with Julia series, highlighting the artistry and precision required in pastry making. Viewers will undoubtedly be inspired to try their hand at these classic desserts and discover the joy of baking from scratch.