Ep 6. The French Chef: Waiting For Gigot

The French Chef with Julia Child season 7 episode 6 is titled "The French Chef: Waiting for Gigot". In this episode, Julia Child teaches her viewers how to prepare a traditional French lamb dish known as "gigot à la ficelle", which translates to "leg of lamb on a string".

Julia begins the episode by introducing viewers to a whole leg of lamb, explaining that it's important to have the butcher remove the knucklebone in order to make it easier to carve later. She then proceeds to season the meat with garlic and rosemary, emphasizing the importance of seasoning the meat well in order to enhance its flavor.

Next, Julia demonstrates how to tie the lamb to a string so that it can be suspended over a pot of boiling water to cook. She explains that cooking the lamb in this way helps to keep it moist and flavorful, and also allows any fat to drip off, leaving the meat tender and delicious.

While the lamb is cooking, Julia takes the opportunity to make a classic French side dish known as "pommes parisienne", or Parisian potatoes. She shows viewers how to use a special tool called a melon baller to carve small spheres out of potatoes, which are then boiled, sautéed, and seasoned with parsley and a touch of garlic.

With the potatoes and lamb both cooking, Julia moves on to preparing a simple salad of frisée lettuce, dressed with a tangy vinaigrette made with red wine vinegar, mustard, and olive oil. She explains that the bitterness of the frisée pairs well with the rich, fatty flavor of the lamb.

Finally, it's time to carve the lamb and serve it up with the potatoes and salad. Julia demonstrates the proper technique for carving the leg of lamb and shares tips for presenting it beautifully on a platter. She then invites viewers to join her in a toast to "good cooking, good eating, and good wine", as she believes that "one cannot live well, love well, or sleep well, unless one has dined well".

Overall, "The French Chef: Waiting for Gigot" is an engaging and informative episode of the classic cooking show, offering viewers a glimpse into the art of traditional French cuisine. Julia Child's warm and engaging personality, combined with her meticulous attention to detail and love of good food, make for a truly enjoyable and educational viewing experience.