Ep 12. The French Chef: To Poach An Egg

The French Chef with Julia Child season 6 episode 12, titled "The French Chef: To Poach An Egg," is a delightful episode for food lovers. Julia Child's iconic PBS television series had already won the hearts of millions of viewers in the United States and beyond by the time this episode premiered on March 8, 1971.

The episode begins with Julia Child introducing the audience to the art of poaching eggs. She emphasizes that it is a delicate and tricky process, but with her step-by-step instructions, anyone can learn to do it perfectly.

Julia starts by explaining the equipment needed for poaching eggs, including a small saucepan, a slotted spoon, and a bowl of cold water. She then demonstrates the importance of using fresh eggs and shows how to crack an egg into a saucer before adding it to the water.

Throughout the episode, Julia shares various tips and tricks for poaching eggs, such as adding a teaspoon of vinegar to the water to help the egg hold its shape. She also demonstrates how to properly cook the eggs by adjusting the temperature of the water and using the slotted spoon to gently stir the eggs as they cook.

Aside from the basics of poaching eggs, Julia also shows viewers how to use the poached eggs in a variety of dishes. She creates a classic British dish, Eggs Benedict, which consists of a poached egg on top of a toasted English muffin, with a slice of ham and hollandaise sauce. She also prepares eggs en cocotte, a French dish that involves baking eggs in individual ramekins with cream and herbs.

Throughout the episode, Julia's infectious enthusiasm and warm personality shine through. She makes jokes and quips and doesn't shy away from making mistakes. In fact, one of the most endearing moments of the episode is when she accidentally breaks the yolk of one of the poached eggs and simply shrugs it off, saying, "That's the breaks!"

As always, the episode is filmed in Julia's home kitchen in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with its distinctive blue-and-white color scheme and charming vintage appliances. Viewers are treated to close-ups of each step in the process, so they can really see how the poached eggs should look at various stages.

Overall, "The French Chef: To Poach An Egg" is a fun and instructive episode that highlights one of Julia Child's signature dishes. It's impossible not to be charmed by Julia's infectious personality and contagious love of cooking, and viewers will come away with tips that will help them master the art of poaching eggs. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a beginner just learning how to cook, this episode is sure to inspire you to experiment with new recipes in your own kitchen.