What a treat to watch two world-renowned culinary celebrities serve up surprisingly simple yet elegant meals in a jiffy. Julia Child and Jacques Pepin share recipes, stories and wonderful conversation in this five-volume set based on the TV series of the same name. Slapping together hamburgers ("where the juice runs down to your elbows" says Child) per these gastronomic geniuses' instructions may seem a little like employing a brain surgeon to trim your bangs, but, hey, art is art. In the opening volume, which features entries in five categories--"beef, fruit desserts, salads, sandwiches and vegetables"--two dishes are covered in each area, with recipes from both Child and Pepin. If you're looking for precise measurements from either of these stars, get thee to the library for the companion cookbook, because you're lucky if they tell you how many handfuls to toss in to their recipes here. Julia is as distinctive and delightful as ever and Jacques (who hails from the pyrotechnic school of flambé and sets many of his dishes on fire) easily holds his own. While the editing could have been leaner (tiresome end credits roll after each category), the main course is tasty indeed. Other volumes cover beef stews, fish, turkey dinner, soup, eggs, pork, creamy desserts, shellfish, roast chickens, soufflés, winter vegetables, charcuterie, salmon, potatoes, duck, veal/lamb and comfort food! Highly recommended. (N. Plympton)
Julia & Jacques: Cooking at Home
(1999) 5 videocassettes. 540 min. $99. A La Carte Communications (dist. by Instructional Video). PPR. Color cover. Vol. 16, Issue 1
Julia & Jacques: Cooking at Home
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