Ep 18. The French Chef: The Soup Show

The French Chef with Julia Child season 2 episode 18 is titled The French Chef: The Soup Show. In this episode, Julia Child focuses on the art of soup-making, demonstrating various techniques and recipes for creating delicious soups.

Julia starts by discussing the importance of homemade stock as the base for a great soup, and demonstrates how to make a rich and flavorful chicken stock from scratch. She then proceeds to cook a classic French onion soup, using the homemade stock as a base and adding caramelized onions, garlic, and herbs to create a deeply satisfying flavor.

Next up is a hearty roasted garlic soup, which Julia cooks using roasted garlic and potatoes, giving the soup a creamy and velvety texture. She also shares tips for using roux to thicken soups and sauces, and uses this technique to create a creamy mushroom soup.

In addition to these classics, Julia also prepares a couple of more unusual soup recipes, including a chilled cucumber soup and a spicy shrimp gumbo. She demonstrates how to use an immersion blender to create a smooth and silky texture for the cucumber soup, and shares her secrets to making a flavorful gumbo with a rich roux, okra, and Cajun spices.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to Julia's witty commentary and infectious enthusiasm for cooking. She offers encouragement and reassurance to home cooks, reminding them that even the most complicated culinary techniques can be mastered with practice and persistence.

All in all, The French Chef: The Soup Show is a delightful and educational episode that offers a range of flavorful and comforting soup recipes, along with plenty of practical tips and techniques for elevating your soup-making game. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, you're sure to learn something new and be inspired to try your hand at making these delicious soups at home.