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Sunday, October 4, 2009

Food for Thought—Boeuf Bourguignonne

Last weekend I went to see Julie & Julia. What a wonderful film! Meryl Streep is so brilliant that there were times when it felt as though I was actually Julia Child on screen.

I loved that both Julie and Julia were making boeuf bourguignonne in the film. This is one of my favorites—so much so that I actually used it in my last book, With This Ring. In the scene when Brent goes to Leslie’s place to return her wedding dress, Hannah has made boeuf bourguignonne for dinner.

I have always used the recipe in The Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer and Marion Rambauer Becker. This has been my go-to cookbook for years. I used my old edition so much, it fell apart. After numerous repairs with scotch tape and elastic bands, it finally had to be retired. Several years ago, my family gave me a new copy for Christmas.

I’m a little embarrassed to say I do not own a copy of Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and that must change. And when I do get a copy, the first thing I’ll try is Julia’s version of boeuf bourguignonne.

Bon appétit!

Until next time,
Lee

6 comments:

Marin Thomas said...

Lee

Julia Julia is on my list of movies to see this winter. If I were a better cook I'd buy her book but I'm afraid it would be a total waste of money :-)

Marin
A Cowboy Christmas (Dec 09)
www.marinthomas.com

Anonymous said...

Lee,

I just saw Julie and Julia last night and it was delightful! I had read the book, but agree that Meryl Streep brought Julia Childs to life in an utterly charming and endearing performance. When I got home I brought out my copy of Mastering the Art of French Cooking - as I read through Childs' descriptions and admonitions, I wondered why this book had not been my go-to cooking bible. That will change!

Glad to hear you enjoyed the movie too.

Take care Kathy Classen

Lee McKenzie said...

It's a must-see movie, Marin. I'm sure you'll love it, even if you're not into cooking ;-)

Lee McKenzie said...

Hi, Kathy! I went to see Julie & Julia with my daughter, and I actually cried during the scene when Julia learned she had finally sold her cookbook. She and her husband did exactly the same thing my daughter and I did when a Harlequin editor called to buy my first book, The Man for Maggie. For me, that was the most poignant moment in the film.

Jodie Esch said...

I saw the film as well and loved it. The sets were excellent and certainly reflected the era. The acting was superb and Meryl Streep captured Julia's ungainly posture, unique voice and passion for food.
My neighbour loaned me the book, and that's next on my list.

Lee McKenzie said...

Hi, Jodie!

Until I saw the film, I had no idea Julia Child was so tall. She could have been a basketball player, like fellow Harlequin American Romance author Marin Thomas who also posted a comment today.