Food Network

[geordy]

Am I wrong or was Food Network more interesting years ago when they still bought some programs instead of developing all their own? Wasn't Jamie Oliver on there? Or was he PBS only? I seem to remeber another one from GB where they would actually use sub titles..when the host said "cling wrap" they'd have "plastic wrap" written on the bottom of the screen!

[sistereurope]

I loved Jamie Oliver! I have one of his cookbooks (and besides, he's really cute )
The Food Network is too much like all the rest of the yucky TV networks these days - It's mostly drivel, imho.

[muffya]

Has anyone read the Julia Child book-My Life in Paris. I'm reading it now and makes me homesick for Paris and its wonderful food!

[Happygoin]

I've been meaning to read that. Her nephew wrote the book culled from letters of Julia's, written during her time in Paris. From what I understand, she gave her nephew permission to write the book before she died. You're enjoying it so far then, muffya?

[Jody]

Julia Child her life in Paris is a must read! She and her nephew were collaborating on it when she died.

I still recall the time the chicken fell to the floor ...she just picked it up dusted it off and plated it!

[sistereurope]

I can't believe that I haven't read that - Julia is my hero!
Thanks for the reminder!!

[muffya]

I'm really enjoying the book. It is very well written. I can visualize the scenes she describes. Of course her humor comes through in the book as well. It has wonderful pictures and other scraps of information that keep the book going. Definately a must read for those who love Paris/France and food.

I got the title wrong its My Life in France. She also lived in Marsaille.

[willow]

I do not cook but some of the Food Network shows are fun to watch.
RR is very annoying and I can only stand her for bits at a time.
I do love Iron Chef, I think it is so interesting watching the chefs use the ingrediants in some pretty unique ways.

My favorite cooking show is called Pascal. It's actually a show that runs on a Polish tv network but the cook is French. He knows Polish but has the French accent. He cooks pretty simple meals but they look delicious, and they taste delicious when my sister makes them. Some of his earlier shows showed him on his bike with his little dog (who has a little cave built in the kitchen) while he went to market. After he is done cooking he usually has friends over to taste the food. It’s a neat show, definitely helped by the fact that Pascal is young and handsome!

[Happygoin]

I am going to get My Life in France this week. I've been meaning to read it for a long time. Just haven't gotten around to it yet. Thanks to whoever brought it up for reminding me! Julia's picture graces the wall of my kitchen. It was taken in her kitchen in Cambridge. Like sistereurope, Julia was such an inspiration to me. I just loved her and learned so much from her, not only about food, but about living as well. I feel about Emeril as you do about Rachel Ray, willow. I can only take a little bit of him.

It seems we have a majority here who think that Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade is rubbish. I agree. Her voice alone is like fingernails on a blackboard.

[annettecinca]

I'll put My Life in France on my reading list, thanks!

I thought Jamie Oliver was still on Food Network, but I just looked him up and don't see him on their lineup anymore. Maybe I'm getting him confused with Tyler Florence!

[Truffaut]

I loved "My Life in France". Demarais is right that Julia was collaborating with her nephew on the book through a series of interviews as she neared death. I think it makes the book all the more poignant and I have to admit that I teared up a bit at the end. I actually didn't own any of her books, but after my partner's mother died in May I was given her copies of "Mastering the Art..." and "Simca's Cuisine". It's been interesting to go through those old tomes, having read the background story of their creation.

[Happygoin]

I can't think of too many contemporary people who would devote as much time as Julia did to a work such as Mastering the Art of French Cooking. It was a large part of how she came to be accorded such respect by traditional French chefs such as her longtime friend, Jacques Pepin who, otherwise, would have scoffed at her. She was a pretty amazing lady.

[sistereurope]

Truffaut,

One of my faves is Jacques and Julia, Cooking at Home. I don't know if you've seen it before, but it has Jacques and Julia's faves, sometimes with different versions of the same recipe (and you can just HEAR them bickering about who's is best!)
I have made some really yummy things from that book, including (successful!!) scallop and crab meat souffles a fish stew with tarragon that is killer.

Happy - we wrote about Julia and Jacques at the same time!!!! Great minds and all that

[geordy]

Sister,

Did you ever see them together on PBS? There was a show based on the book, my particular favorite was when they made hamburgers!
And bickered about toppings! ;D I also liked when Jacques cooked with his daughter Claudia.

And then there was Pierre Franey(sp.?).......

[sistereurope]

No Geordy, I missed it. I only remember Julia's show from a long time ago. I wish that I could have seen them together in action!!
I really do love that book. I also refer to "The Way to Cook" often.

[Happygoin]

Did anyone on here read Jacques Pepin's autobiography? There is quite a bit about Julia in it, but what struck me the funniest was when the Americans drove through Lyon, his home town, after the liberation of France. He and his brother were about 11 and 12. The troops threw sticks of gum at the children. One of the brothers got one. They'd never heard of chewing gum. It was a great novelty. They swapped the same piece for a week.

[Jody]

We both loved the Jacques and Julia shows

In his memoir, My life in the Kitchen, he has many Julia stories, but my favorite story in there is about ducks.

He and another chef friend were out driving in the countryside of upper NY state along with their children. They spotted a sign...Ducks For Sale. They pull in, purchase 3 ducks and the lady is telling the children what wonderful pets they'll be.

Pets! say the children , we thought we were going to eat them. With that, she turns to Jacques and his friend, just in time to see them wringing the duck's necks and tossing them into the trunk. Poor woman probably still hasn't recovered!

[annettecinca]

Happy & Demarais, thanks for my morning laugh!

[geordy]

For those of you who get the Food Network I watched Gianda 's Week end(!) Getaway to Paris last nite.

Since they repeat everything zillions of times you might want to look for it...and look at Paris!! Wasn't overly thrilled with her choices but it is in Paris!!!

[Happygoin]

geordy, I likely won't have time to catch it. Where did she go?