Ep 3. The French Chef: Babas Au Rhum

The French Chef with Julia Child is a popular cooking show that first premiered in 1963. The show follows the life and work of famous chef Julia Child, who shares her expertise in French cuisine with her viewers. Season 3 Episode 3 of The French Chef is called Babas Au Rhum, and it is a very special episode that focuses on a delicious dessert dish.

In this episode, Julia introduces her audience to the world of babas, a traditional French dessert that is soaked in rum. Julia explains that babas are a type of yeast cake that is circular in shape and is soaked in a rum syrup after baking. She says that babas are a popular dessert in France and are typically served in restaurants and patisseries.

Julia begins the episode by demonstrating how to make the baba batter from scratch. She emphasizes the importance of using fresh ingredients, including yeast, flour, sugar, and eggs. She encourages viewers to take their time and be patient with the recipe, as the dough needs to be kneaded thoroughly and allowed to rise before baking.

Once the babas are baked, Julia demonstrates how to make the rum syrup that they will be soaked in. She combines sugar, water, and a generous amount of rum in a saucepan and brings the mixture to a boil. She explains that the key to a good rum syrup is to use high-quality rum that has a smooth, rich flavor.

After the syrup has cooled slightly, Julia begins to soak the babas in the rum mixture. She explains that it is important to pour the syrup over the babas slowly, allowing it to absorb into the cake. She also suggests cutting a small circle out of the top of the baba to create a well for the syrup to soak into.

Throughout the episode, Julia offers tips and tricks on how to make the perfect babas, including how to achieve the right texture and how to store them after they are made. She also suggests several different ways to serve babas, including with whipped cream, fresh fruit, or even a little bit of additional rum poured over the top.

As always, Julia's upbeat and charming personality shines through in this episode of The French Chef. She encourages her viewers to have fun in the kitchen and to not be afraid to try new dishes and recipes. She also emphasizes the importance of taking the time to appreciate good food and to savor every bite.

Overall, The French Chef: Babas Au Rhum is a delightful episode that is sure to inspire viewers to try their hand at making this classic French dessert. With Julia's expert guidance and encouragement, making babas is an easy and rewarding experience that will leave you with a delicious treat to share with your friends and family.