Ep 3. The French Chef: Pizza Variations

The French Chef with Julia Child is a classic cooking show that debuted in the 1960s and ran for 10 seasons. In season 8 episode 3, titled "The French Chef: Pizza Variations," Julia Child demonstrates a variety of delicious pizza recipes.

The episode begins with Julia introducing the classic French bread recipe, which she says is the base for the pizza dough. She explains that it should be made with six cups of flour, and kneaded for at least 10 minutes. After the dough is made, she covers it with a damp cloth and lets it rise for one hour.

Julia then moves on to the pizza toppings, starting with traditional tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. She demonstrates how to make the sauce from scratch, using canned, stewed tomatoes, garlic, onions, oregano, salt, and pepper. She also shows how to grate the cheese, and suggests using a blend of mozzarella and parmesan for added flavor.

Next, Julia discusses some non-traditional pizza toppings, including ham and pineapple, mushrooms and onions, and even scrambled eggs. She demonstrates how to prepare each topping, and explains how they can be combined to create unique and delicious flavor combinations.

In addition to the toppings, Julia also talks about the different ways to cook pizza. She shows how to use a pizza stone in the oven, as well as how to cook pizza on a grill or stovetop. She also gives tips on how to achieve the perfect crispy crust, including using a high temperature and rolling out the dough very thin.

Finally, Julia shares a recipe for a dessert pizza, made with a sweet dough and topped with apples, cinnamon, and sugar. She explains that it's a fun and creative way to enjoy pizza in a different way, and encourages viewers to experiment with their own unique pizza creations.

Overall, "The French Chef: Pizza Variations" is a fun and informative episode that showcases Julia Child's love of experimenting with classic recipes. With her trademark charm and humor, Julia demonstrates how easy it is to make homemade pizza at home, and encourages viewers to get creative with their toppings and cooking methods.