Ep 2. The French Chef: Pot Au Feu

The French Chef with Julia Child is a cooking show that aired in the 1960s where Julia Child, a charismatic and enthusiastic French cuisine cook, demonstrates how to prepare delectable and authentic French dishes for American viewers. In the eighth season, episode two is titled "The French Chef: Pot Au Feu."

Pot au Feu means "pot on the fire" in French. Pot au Feu is a traditional French dish that consists of slow-cooked beef and various vegetables in a rich broth. In this episode, Julia shows viewers how to make this timeless meal in their own kitchen. She begins by explaining the ingredients needed for the dish, including bone-in beef chuck, chicken backs, carrots, leeks, celery, parsley, turnips, onions, garlic, and other spices. Julia stresses the importance of using high-quality ingredients for the dish to achieve a deep and rich flavor.

Julia starts the recipe by slowly simmering the beef chuck in water for several hours. In the meantime, Julia prepares the vegetables by carefully peeling and cutting them into uniform shapes. She demonstrates how to blanch the vegetables in boiling water and then adds them to the pot with the beef. Julia adds garlic, bay leaf, parsley, and other seasonings to the pot and covers it to simmer for a few hours.

As the dish simmers, Julia explains the history behind Pot au Feu. She explains that the dish originated in medieval France and has since been a staple in French cuisine. She shares that Pot au Feu is a dish usually served during family gatherings and holidays. Julia talks about the importance of family values in French culture, and how the meal is meant to bring people together and connect them with the past.

Towards the end of the episode, Julia demonstrates how to make Gribiche, a classic French sauce that accompanies Pot au Feu. The sauce is a combination of hard-boiled eggs, capers, parsley, vinegar, and mustard. Julia shows viewers how to mix all the ingredients together to form a smooth semi-thick sauce that pairs perfectly with the tender beef and vegetables.

The episode ends with Julia presenting the final dish, a hot bowl of steaming Pot au Feu with a dollop of Gribiche on top. Julia encourages viewers to try the meal at home and share it with family and friends. She emphasizes the dish's simplicity, as it requires only a few ingredients to create a wholesome and delicious meal full of flavors.

"The French Chef: Pot Au Feu" is an informative and engaging episode for anyone interested in French cuisine. Julia's infectious personality and genuine passion for cooking and cooking shows make the episode enjoyable. The ease with which Julia presents the recipe makes it possible for anyone to try and enjoy this classic French dish.