Ep 1. Croissants with Esther McManus

Baking with Julia is a cooking show focused on baking and pastry recipes. In the second season's first episode, titled "Croissants with Esther McManus," viewers are treated to a lesson on how to make the perfect croissant from scratch.

The episode begins with host Julia Child introducing the guest for the day, Esther McManus, a pastry chef with over 25 years of experience. McManus shows Julia and the audience how to make croissant dough, starting with a simple combination of flour, yeast, butter, sugar, and salt. She then demonstrates how to knead the dough by hand, noting the importance of proper technique to ensure that the dough is smooth and elastic.

Once the dough has been kneaded, McManus shows viewers how to properly shape it into a rectangle, which should be chilled before being rolled out to form the croissant layers. She demonstrates how to create the butter layer and gives tips on how to prevent it from becoming too warm or melting during the rolling process.

The next step is to roll out the dough and create layers of butter, which are folded over each other multiple times to create the flaky layers of the croissant. McManus explains the importance of proper rolling and folding technique to create the perfect croissant. This process is repeated several times, with the dough being chilled in between each fold to maintain structural integrity.

After several folds and chillings, the croissant dough is rolled out and cut into triangles, which are then shaped into the classic crescent shape. McManus gives tips on how to properly shape and proof the croissants before baking, including the use of an egg wash and proper temperature and humidity control.

The episode ends with McManus removing the freshly baked croissants from the oven, showing off their beautifully golden and flaky layers. She notes that while making croissants from scratch can be time-consuming and labor-intensive, the end result is well worth the effort.

Overall, "Croissants with Esther McManus" is a must-watch for any aspiring bakers or pastry chefs looking to hone their croissant-making skills. The episode is packed with helpful tips and techniques, and McManus's guidance is clear and easy to follow. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice, this episode is sure to inspire you to try your hand at making croissants from scratch.