Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home

"There's nothing as good as a good piece of meat", and as Julia is quick to point out, there is less and less really good (well marbled and aged) beef to be found. Hangar Steak, Skirt Strip, Flank and Ribeye.

Jacques and Julia create some very special desserts in this colorful episode. Poires Belle Helene - poached pear perched atop pound cake drizzled with chocolate sauce; sweet creamy rich and delicious Strawberries Sabayon; and Crepes Suzette, classically flambéed and served with orange butter and powdered sugar, as well as a Hungarian inspired torta of layered crepes baked with raspberry jam.

Jacques dressed in a toga? For the Julia's Caesar Salad, of course! This show has a salad for everyone, from a simple mixed green salad with a garlic vinaigrette, to classic Caesar and Nicoise (with fresh seared tuna) Salads. How about some Potato Salad? Well, Julia and Jacques prepare two: an American style potato salad with home made mayonnaise, and its tart French cousin.

As a child, one of Julia's favorite sandwiches was an ice cream sandwich. Jacques was a stick of chocolate between two pieces of bread. Today, Julia's favorite is the Croque Monsieur, or pressed and baked ham & cheese. Of course, Jacques provides a variation he calls a Croque Madam. A close second they can both agree on is the New England lobster roll, served on a toasted hot dog bun.

Julia and Jacques prepare artichokes-several ways-including artichoke hearts stuffed with spinach and mushroom Duxelle. Julia demonstrates her secret to ever-green cooked string beans and butter bruised peas. Jacques counters with his aromatic Tomato Provencal.

Sounds rather ordinary for this celebrated duet...but here, Jacques and Julia demonstrate why Beef Burgundy and Pot Roast have beens favorite "classic" recipes (here and in France) for what seems like "forever," and they put their own signature on it "Swiss cheese mashed potatoes" (for the Beef Burgundy), and "soft ribbon noodles" (fort the Pot Roast).