Ep 16. The French Chef: Coquilles St. Jacques
- TV-G
- January 1, 1965
- 29 min
As Julia Child continues to explore the world of French cuisine in Season 4 episode 16 of The French Chef, she teaches viewers how to prepare a classic French dish—Coquilles St. Jacques, or scallops in a white wine and cream sauce. With her signature humor and charm, Julia demonstrates step-by-step how to properly sauté scallops and create a delicious sauce with white wine, shallots, and heavy cream. She also shares tips for timing and plating the dish, ensuring that it looks as good as it tastes.
Throughout the episode, Julia emphasizes the importance of using fresh ingredients and properly preparing them to elevate the flavor of the dish. She begins by showing viewers how to clean and trim the scallops, removing the tough muscle and ensuring that they are dry before cooking. Julia then walks viewers through the steps of sautéing the scallops in butter, emphasizing the importance of not overcrowding the pan and keeping a close eye on the timing to prevent overcooking.
Once the scallops are cooked, Julia sets them aside and begins preparing the sauce. She starts by sautéing shallots in butter until they are soft and fragrant, then adds white wine and simmers the mixture until it has reduced by half. She then adds cream and simmers the mixture again until it thickens, finishing it off with a touch of salt and pepper to taste.
As Julia plates the dish, she carefully arranges the scallops on a bed of chopped mushrooms and lightly coats them with the creamy white wine sauce. She adds a sprinkle of parsley for color and presentation, and the dish is ready to serve.
Throughout the episode, Julia's enthusiasm for cooking is infectious, and viewers are sure to gain confidence in their own culinary skills as they watch her expertly prepare the dish. She emphasizes the importance of not being afraid of trying new foods or techniques, and encourages viewers to take their time and enjoy the process of cooking.
Overall, Season 4 episode 16 of The French Chef is a delightful and informative exploration of classic French cooking, led by the incomparable Julia Child. With her guidance, viewers are sure to feel inspired to try their hand at Coquilles St. Jacques and other classic French dishes in their own kitchens.