Ep 19. The French Chef: Invitation To Lunch

Julia Child invites viewers to join her for a delightful French lunch in the 19th episode of season 4 of The French Chef with Julia Child. In this episode, titled "Invitation to Lunch," Julia shares some of her favorite recipes and tips for hosting a successful lunch party.

The show begins with Julia preparing a refreshing cocktail called Kir, which consists of chilled white wine and blackcurrant liqueur. She demonstrates how to properly pour the ingredients and garnish the cocktail with a slice of lemon or lime. Julia then discusses the importance of setting the table and suggests a simple yet elegant table setting with white tablecloths, napkins, and flowers.

For the first course, Julia prepares a classic vichyssoise, a chilled soup made with leeks, potatoes, and cream. She recommends making it ahead of time so that it can chill in the refrigerator and be ready to serve when guests arrive. Julia also shares a trick for keeping the soup from separating in the blender: adding an ice cube to the mixture before blending.

Next, Julia prepares a savory vegetable quiche made with fresh spinach, mushrooms, and Swiss cheese. She demonstrates how to make a homemade pastry shell from scratch and then fills it with the vegetable mixture. Julia emphasizes the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.

The main course is a mouth-watering beef tenderloin with a mushroom and red wine sauce. Julia demonstrates how to properly sear the meat and then roast it in the oven until it reaches the desired degree of doneness. She also shares tips for making a rich and flavorful red wine sauce to accompany the beef.

To finish the meal, Julia prepares a simple yet delicious dessert: fresh fruit with sabayon sauce. Sabayon is a light and airy custard made with egg yolks, sugar, and sweet wine. Julia demonstrates how to beat the egg yolks and sugar until they become thick and pale, then slowly adding the wine to create a smooth and frothy sauce. She suggests serving the fruit and sabayon separately so that guests can drizzle the sauce over the fruit themselves.

Throughout the episode, Julia shares her trademark humor and enthusiasm for French cuisine. She emphasizes the importance of taking the time to prepare and savor a meal, and also suggests pairing different types of wine with each course to enhance the flavors. Julia's passion for cooking and entertaining is contagious, and viewers are sure to be inspired to host their own French lunch after watching this episode of The French Chef with Julia Child.