Ep 13. The French Chef: Rye Bread

The French Chef with Julia Child was a popular television cooking show that aired from 1963 to 1973. The show starred Julia Child, an American chef who became famous for introducing French cuisine to American audiences. In season 8 episode 13, titled The French Chef: Rye Bread, Julia teaches viewers how to make homemade rye bread.

The episode begins with Julia introducing the main ingredient for the day - rye flour. She explains that rye bread is a staple in Northern European countries such as Germany, Poland, and Russia. She then proceeds to explain what makes rye flour different from wheat flour and why it is suitable for making bread.

Julia walks viewers through the process of making rye bread step by step, starting with mixing the dough. She explains the importance of using warm water and yeast to activate the dough. She then adds rye flour, wheat flour, salt, and a small amount of molasses to the mix before kneading it together by hand.

Julia then shows viewers how to properly shape the bread and place it in a loaf pan before letting it rise. She offers tips on how to know when the bread has risen enough and how to test if it’s ready to bake.

The next segment of the episode focuses on the baking process. Julia explains how to preheat the oven and offers tips on how to achieve the perfect crust. She also suggests using a steam bath in the oven to keep the bread moist and prevent it from drying out.

As the bread bakes, Julia takes viewers on a tour of a local bakery to showcase the different varieties of rye bread available. She explains that there are many different types of rye bread, each with its own unique flavor and texture.

Once the bread is finished baking, Julia pulls it out of the oven and marvels at how beautiful it looks and smells. She slices it open to reveal the soft, chewy interior and advises viewers to let it cool for a bit before slicing and serving.

To finish off the episode, Julia offers suggestions on how to use rye bread in different recipes. She suggests making sandwiches with cured meats and pickles or using it as a base for a hearty soup or stew.

Overall, The French Chef: Rye Bread is a informative and engaging episode that teaches viewers how to make homemade rye bread from scratch. Julia’s warm and personable demeanor makes it easy to follow along and her tips and tricks ensure that even novice bakers can achieve success.