“Find something you’re passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.” ― Julia Child
#SundaySupper is on a mission to bring back Sunday Supper around the family table in every home. Join us every Sunday with great recipes and inspiration. In honor of Julia Child’s 100th Birthday, we’re celebrating this legend by cooking our favorite Julia Child dish this Sunday! Bon appétit!
Most of my peers went home after school to watch this new channel called MTV. We didn’t have cable to so we were limited to our 13 channels. I couldn’t watch any of the cool music videos, but was happy with PBS and our Canadian channels. There were less than a handful of cooking shows at the time and I watched two of them religiously. I welcomed Julia Child in my family room every afternoon followed by Wok with Yan (Canadian broadcast). I was unfamiliar with both cuisines, but always learned something from every episode. Child was an enthralling figure to watch. It was obvious she was a large woman even on our 19-inch console television, but she moved about her kitchen effortlessly. She was confident and comfortable in her domain, cooked without a recipe card and just had fun. She made a pre-teen like me feel like I could march upstairs and easily whip up a pot of bouillabaisse or beef bourguignon. My favorite part of the show was when she sat down to eat her creation. She poured herself a glass of wine, said a few words about the dish, and signed off with “This is Julia Child. Bon appétit!”
Way before I knew how these shows were produced, I naively thought she was cooking in her actual home in this amazing and open kitchen. I wanted that island. I wanted the awesomely thick cutting board. I wanted all her knives. It was a plentiful kitchen which had every ingredient. I wanted to visit, cook, and eat with her.
I noticed that she wasn’t particularly careful or clean. I loved how she added this and that ingredient and her enthusiastic reactions convinced me that it was perfectly seasoned. I wanted to cook like that – without measuring spoons and cups. I tried to imitate her in the kitchen and it always ended in disappointment for me, but it did not deter me from trying again.
My mother cooked similarly to Child, but of course we didn’t have the trappings of a t.v. studio. She had one trusty knife with a well-worn handle, one cutting board, and had all her seasonings in mismatched jars and bottles. She never referred to a cookbook unless it was for an American recipe and even then, she loosely followed it adding her own flair. She added this and that and it always (ok, almost always) turned out perfectly.
Amazingly, my mother allowed me free reign in the kitchen and my parents were always willing guinea pigs. I remember wanting to try to make bread once and not having a couple of the ingredients, but optimistic that a soft loaf of bread would still come out of the oven. I was successful in producing a very pale and cakey brick. I couldn’t stomach my butter-laden slice. My mother took a nibble and just stated the obvious, “It’s like a rock.” And my ever-encouraging dad finished his slab of “breadrock” and claimed, “DELICIOUS” in a bombastic tone that very well inferred the opposite.
I looked forward to home economics cooking class in junior high. After 0.99% success rate in the kitchen at home, I was ready for some formal instruction. Mrs. Coughlin was our teacher and she was the best. I took this class VERY seriously and did not want to disappoint her. I mean, I did come in with some experience under my belt! I always made the biggest mess in my station, but I didn’t care! I was cooking! Finally! I thought the bigger the mess, the better the food tasted. I mean, that’s how Julia Child did it, right?
In celebration of Julia’s 100th Birthday, I made a classic french dish called blanquette de veau a l’ancienne (veal stew with onions and mushrooms) with concombres au beurre (baked cucumbers), and parslied boiled potatoes. I chose this dish because it’s the one dish I distinctly remember making from cooking class at the French Culinary Institute. This seemingly simple dish, veal stew in a white sauce, took an amazing amount of time and effort. It was a dish that needed to be babysat. But if every step was done correctly, the results were very rewarding. The subtle and wonderful flavors really sing in this humble-looking dish. Child writes “No other vegetables are needed with the mushrooms and onions, but you can include green peas, artichoke hearts, or baked cucumbers.”
And that’s what I did. I baked some cucumbers because it was something that I’ve never heard of or tried before. I also boiled about a pound of new potatoes in their skin, drained it. I threw in a pat of butter, some olive oil, salt, pepper, and parsley. I wanted a starch that wasn’t overwhelming in flavors, but would be able to soak up some of the creamy velouté from the main dish.
Blanquette de veau a l’ancienne (veal stew with onions and mushrooms)
I didn’t stray too much from the original recipe in Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume 1. I used 2 pounds of veal stew meat versus 3 pounds. I also used boxed chicken broth whenever veal stock was used in the recipe.
Concombres au buerre (baked cucumbers)
Serves about 4-6 people
3 medium English cucumbers, peeled
2 Tablespoons wine vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon sugar
3 Tablespoons melted butter
1/2 teaspoon dried dill
3-4 Tablespoons minced green onions
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 – Cut the cucumbers lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Cut crosswise in 2-inch sections.
2 – Cut the cucumbers lengthwise in 1/4-inch strips.
3 – In a medium bowl, toss the cucumber slices with the vinegar, salt, and sugar. Let stand for at least 30 minutes. Drain.
4 – Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
5 – In a medium-sized baking dish (about 11″ x 9″), add drained cucumbers, butter, dill, green onions, and pepper, and toss well.
6- Bake uncovered on the middle rack for about 1 hour, tossing the cucumbers 2-3 times while it’s baking. The dish will be done when the edges look a little dried and the cucumbers are tender. Serve warm.
“The only real stumbling block is fear of failure. In cooking you’ve got to have a ‘What the hell?’ attitude.” ― Julia Child
Join us this week at 3pm EST with these fabulous recipes being showcased and ends with our #SundaySupper live chat at 7pm EST. This is a #SundaySupper you don’t want to miss!
#CookForJulia Breakfast
Râpée Morvandelle by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
Croissants by Cookistry
Cheese and Bacon Quiche by Tora’s Real Food
#CookForJulia Lunch
Tuna Salad Nicoise by Magnolia Days
Blood Orange, Walnut, and Rocket Salad by Granny’s Down Home Southern Cooking
Croque Monsieur by Webicurean
Spinach and Cream Cheese Pancakes by Happy Baking Days
Julia’s Chicken Salad by My Trials in the Kitchen
Pissaladière Niçoise (Onion Tart with Anchovies and Black Olives) by The Wimpy Vegetarian
Provencal Tomato Quiche by Are you hungry?
Quiche Lorraine Spoon and Saucer
Potato and Onion Soup (Potage Parmentier) by Shockingly Delicious
#CookForJulia Dinner
Bouillabaisse by The Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
Boeuf Bourguignon by Chelsea’s Culinary Indulgence
Orecchiette Con Broccoli Di Rape and Sausages by Doggie at the Dinner Table
Boeuf Bourguignon by Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
Veal Stew with Onions and Mushrooms with Baked Cucumbers and Boiled Potatoes (Blanquette de veau a l’ancienne with concombres au buerre) by Kimchi Mom
Salmon en Papillote by Girlichef
Poached salmon with cucumber sauce by Katherine Martinelli
Lobster Souffle and Deviled Chicken- Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
Roasted Chicken with Julia’s Mustard Marinade by The Meltaways
Wild Mushroom and Herb Stuffed Chicken- Mama Mommy Mom
Puree of White Beans with Garlic and Herbs (Brandade á la Soissonaise) Avocado Pesto
Poulet au Porto by Family Foodie
#CookForJulia Sides
Hollondaise over Blanched Asparagus by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
Scalloped Potatoes with Milk, Cheese, and Garlic (Gratin Dauphinois) by Home Cooking Memories
Ratatouille by Basic N Delicious
French-style country pate by There and Back Again
White Bean Dip with Homemade Tortilla Chips Momma’s Meals
Oeufs à la Diable by What Smells So Good?
Soubise by The Weekend Gourmet
Ratatouille by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
#CookForJulia Desserts
Cream Cheese and Lemon Flan by Juanita’s Cocina
Strawberry Sherbert in Cooky Cups by Cravings of a Lunatic
Creme Brulee by Wine Everyday
Mousseline Au Chocolat by Small Wallet Big Appetite
Peach Tarte Tatin by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Cinnamon Toast Flan by Vintage Kitchen Notes
Dark Chocolate Crepes by Family Spice
Crepes Fines Sucrees by Mangoes and Chutney
Pommes Rosemarie:Apples Rosie The Daily Dish Recipes
Espresso Soufflé by Chocolate Moosey
Best Ever Brownies by In the Kitchen with Audrey
Orange-Almond Jelly Roll Cake by Mrs. Mama Hen
Orange Spongecake Cupcakes by Mama’s Blissful Bites
Orange Mousse with Greek Yogurt by Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
Frozen Chocolate Mousse by Big Bear’s Wife
Wine Pairings: Relishing Food and Wine; Thanks to Julia Child! by ENOFYLZ
I love blanquette de veau and Julia’s recipe is perfection. I’ve often seen it served with rice in France, to soak up the beautiful sauce. Baked cucumbers were one of my revelations from Mastering the Art of French Cooking — I’d only eaten them raw, but what a surprise to find out that they’re delicious cooked.
I loved reading your Julia memories!
Thank you Ann! I really think the 3 egg yolks (versus one yolk in many other recipes) make a HUGE difference. I could not get enough of the sauce! Way back when I made this in cooking class, we made a side of rice pilaf. I opted for red potatoes for a little color! 🙂
What a great story of how Julia influenced you and your cooking at an early age. So wonderful that you had supportive parents too. I have never had baked cucumbers and I am intrigued as to how they taste. Interesting. I must make them and this veal stew for one of my Sunday Suppers.
The baked cucumbers is a dish I will make often. Love it!
What a wonderful idea to bake the cucumbers, must be taste good! Thank you Amy, for sharing such delicious recipes with us.
Your veal stew looks delicious, Amy! Baked cucumbers? Gotta try that too! Thanks for sharing!
This looks so comforting and amazing! Just delicious! And gorgeous photos!
What an absolutely delicious dish – and it’s so beautiful. I’ve never tried baking cucumbers before, I am so intrigued!
WOW! What a meal! I’m jealous that you found veal. We don’t have a great selection here. I think I need to hunt me down a butcher, though, because you made me want this dish!
You have very similiar memories of Julia as I do! Your veal looks superb. That sauce looks so thick and creamy. I’d just mash everything up in a big bowl and shovel it my mouth. Wondering what baked cucumbers taste like. It’s something you don’t normally think of baking. Does it taste like squash?
The baked cucumbers maintain their subtle cucumbery flavor. The vinegar kinda draws that out even more. I don’t know…it’s nothing like I’ve tasted before.
The creamy sauce is sooooo good. I could drink it alone!
Amazing dish and absolutely gorgeous photography. I love your blog and your wonderful #SundaySupper posts. Thank you!
Thank you Isabel! So glad I found this group!
I never realized how many different Julia recipes existed! My stepfamily will ADORE this.
Julia was an amazing woman! She made you believe anything was possible!
Thanks for stopping by!
Wow..this is amazing! I love veal and love how you prepared this. Thanks so much for cooking for this #SS :))
When I made this in cooking class, I couldn’t believe how such a simple dish was so time consuming to make. The results are worth it!
I didn’t have cable growing up either, and remember watching quite a bit of public television as well. Turns out, that’s a good thing. 🙂
Yes, we didn’t miss much!
Great recipe choice for SS. I have not tried this one yet. Looks fabulous.
I wanted to do a classic French dish. Took forever, but worth it!
The stew looks amazing ! Love cooking with veal. I am going to try that cucumber dish for sure. it looks so inviting ! Yumm !
The cucumber dish will definitely be a regular in my household. It’s so unique, but so easy to make!
That is a very elegant looking presentation on your dish, and I really enjoyed reading your post. Nice job on this. 🙂
Thanks so much Renee!
Looks like a dish that would be perfect for a dinner party! Great job!
Thanks so much! And yes, this dish would definitely be perfect for a party!
Baked cucumbers!! I’ve never heard of these, but they look wonderful. I’m definitely trying them. And the your photo of the veal stew looks fabulous!!!
Thanks Susan! Yes, definitely give the cucumbers a try. So easy to make!
The mushrooms and pearl onions make me want to jump right into that bowl!
Jamie @ http://www.mamamommymom.com
Jump right in mama! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
There´s no chance of dissapointing anyone with a dish like this one; it´s fantastic! Nice pics!
That dinner looks absolutely amazing! And baking cucumber? I had never heard of that recipe, I’m intrigued! They sure look delicious, I will for sure try them soon!
P.S. We probably watched the same PBS/Canadian channel combo (me form the other side of the border) because I also remember Julia Child / Wok with Yan afternoons, with the occasional Jacques Pépin thrown in the mix…
That’s great that your parents were so supportive of your cooking as you were growing up. This sounds like an interesting dish and one that my husband would love.
I love your post…what a great story and connection to the food that you made. Just perfection! I never tried baked cucumbers. Potatoes and veal stew in a mushroom sauce is all time favorite. Thank you for sharing…
Fabulous post to celebrate JC’s 100th! Brava! Veal stew was a great choice.
LL
What a magnificent dish to honor Julia! I’ve only cooked with veal once…and it’s one of my hubby’s favorite things to order when we’re dining out. This is a must try recipe 🙂
Thanks so much! I thought about substituting the veal with chicken which is a recipe she has in her cookbook, The Way to Cook, but figured I’d splurge for this occasion! Thanks for stopping by!
I remember my first (and only) home ec class in high school, and I was appalled that my teacher was the complete and exact opposite. She ran our class like a restaurant that had to be squeaky clean at all times. I get that sanitation is necessary, but she was way over the top! It was the least fun class I took in my entire high school career.
That’s too bad! Having the right teacher makes such a huge difference. I hope that experience didn’t deter you from experimenting in the kitchen! Thanks for stopping by!